CHAPTER 12: Shadow Preachers
Who you fighting?
You make me wanna love, hate, cry, take, every part of you
You make me wanna scream, burn, touch, learn, every part of you
I close my eyes, just close the door
You want a minute, I'll give you more
Maybe I don't want you either
We're both unsettled, nighttime creatures.
~Zella Day
Being back at work made the world feel as if it had finally fallen back into place for Inuyasha, he found dealing with drunk and rowdy patrons of the bar was far easier than dealing with the demon's sulky cries for his mate. Inuyasha snorted at the thought. That girl was not his mate, he'd made his choice. He called Kikyou hoping that they could get together soon; he wanted to work on bridging the distance that had wedged its way between. He wanted to be a better boyfriend.
The call went straight to voicemail.
He put his phone back in his pocket and headed to the kitchen as his stomach grumbled hungrily.
Maaate.
Inuyasha froze, his head suddenly filled with a pounding sensation and his stomach dropped. Out of nowhere he felt physically ill.
Mate, she's in trouble. His demon howled in frustration and agony making Inuyasha wince. He couldn't possibly still be tied to that girl. Yet, it never failed at the oddest times; his demon would sense her stress and the connection would feel stronger than ever. He had a feeling that his demon somehow lived for these moments even though he howled longingly, wanting him to rush to her and comfort her. Destroy whatever had caused her to be in such a state.
He ignored the feeling up until this point but he didn't know how much longer he could ignore the pull he felt. His demon had to see her, smell her, to make sure she was okay; he'd go insane if he didn't.
"Hey man, where you off to?" Miroku said, calling attention to the fact that Inuyasha had already opened the door to head towards her. He shook his head, as if trying to clear it, but he still felt foggy.
"I need to go." He muttered.
"Go where?" Miroku chuckled.
"Something is wrong. I don't know what, but she will tell me." Grumbled a distorted version of Inuyasha's voice, his head was pounding now.
"Inuyasha, you okay man? Your eyes are flashing red. You got your demon under control?" Miroku asked standing, concern tinting his voice.
"No, she needs us." Inuyasha grit his teeth forcing his demon to back off. "I'm still bound to her, Miroku, and her emotions are driving him crazy."
Go. Now. Mate needs us.
"Alright man, let me drive you."
"Thanks, Miroku." Inuyasha groaned out he didn't know how he would have gotten to her with his demon trying to take over. He stumbled to the car vaguely aware of Miroku talking on his phone. Sweat was pouring off his forehead as another wave of sickness seemed to sweep through him, whatever had her so upset was going to make him hurl.
It felt like an eternity until they pulled into the library parking lot and Inuyasha stumbled out of the car feeling exhausted from the strain his demon was under.
"Miroku! Inuyasha!" Through the haze he turned seeing Sango rush forward.
"I came over after you called, Miroku." She paused glancing at Inuyasha, "Is – is he okay?"
"I'll be fine," Inuyasha snapped. "Where is she?"
"Kagome's locked herself in a bathroom and won't talk to me."
Without another word Inuyasha started towards the building, trying to ignore his demon and the wary look Sango had given him.
"Miroku, his eyes, he has no control over his demon at all!" Sango hissed to Miroku, Inuyasha might have cared that he was being talked about but he had more important things at hand. He needed to make sure that Kagome was safe and with him. He didn't hear Miroku's response as the Library door shut behind him.
He didn't need anyone's help once inside. He inhaled deeply the place smelling deeply of old books and Kagome. She spent a lot of time in these quiet rooms.
Mate. Shut up. Shut up. Maaate, I'm coming. She's not our mate.
He found the door she was behind. Miroku tried talking to her while the hanyou argue with his inner demon and couldn't say a thing.
This is insane, Inuyasha thought, why did he still have to be bound to this emotionally unstable girl.
Mate, I'm here. Shut up. Inuyasha felt insane with his thoughts so clearly split between reason and what the demon wanted.
Thought you said I wouldn't be bound to her? Inuyasha snapped in frustration.
It fades more and more every day. Sorrow filled the demon's gravelly voice.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes only to suck in a sharp breath when a wave of unease washed over him. He tried to shake the feeling, trying to push her emotions from his system.
Ignoring her will not make her any less our Mate. She is what she is. The demon rumbled irritably, as if realizing what he was attempting to do.
Fine, if only to get you to shut the hell up and prove that she is not our Mate. Inuyasha snapped internally.
The girl was still refusing to open up, even with Miroku and Sango trying to console her through the door.
"Move, Miroku." Inuyasha snarled the small crowd they were gathering gasped.
"Inuyasha, you can't go in like that, you'll scare her."
"Move," He growled, grateful when his friend moved out of the way. Using a claw he quickly unlocked the door. Her scent and distress washed over him in waves as he pushed forward till she was wrapped in his arms. She gasped out her body rigid at first but as his demon rumbled on about her being safe and protected she relaxed, more tears fell as she hugged his neck. He swept her up so that he was holding her securely in his arms her head tucked into his neck. Inuyasha carried her out of the restroom and back out towards the entrance.
"Miroku, find her boss let them know she's taking the afternoon off."
"You don't have to find me. I'm right here." An elderly woman spoke up. "Take care of her young man."
It shouldn't have felt so right holding her but it did. It felt natural, as if this was what he was born to do. His demon rumbled a soothing sound from his chest, relaxing the girl's fear, both demon and girl felt calmer. His demon almost felt happy to have his mate right where he deemed she needed to be, where she was safe.
He held her in the car, as she refused to release her hold of him; his closeness eased the rapid beating of her heart, her terror subsiding. Whatever had held a grip on her was letting up an inch at a time.
Once back safely at the apartment he still couldn't bring himself to part from her. He knew he couldn't keep holding her, but setting her down wasn't something he wanted to do either. Funny how his demon made this all feel so right.
She finally stirred the first real movement prompting him to slowly ease her unto the loveseat before straightening. He turned to where Miroku and Sango stood both of them trying not to appear to hover.
"Sango, stay here with Kagome. Miroku and I will go grab some food. If you need anything let us know. Come on Miroku." Inuyasha made a beeline back for the door not looking to see if his friend followed or not. Instincts were driving him, the need to provide was overwhelming every other part of him, and would remain until he could reason with the demon that she was not his mate.
"Wait up, Inuyasha!" Miroku shouted as Inuyasha reached his car door.
He glared at the ice cream cartons, debating. Which one would she like? Would she like any of them? Growling darkly, he wrenched open the glass door and reached inside.
Sango's eyed him like he was crazy when Miroku and Inuyasha stumbled back through the doors with their arms full of bags.
"I thought you were just going to get food. What is all this?" She asked as Inuyasha plopped his bags on the kitchen counter.
"Is that ice cream?" Sango asked as Inuyasha started loading the fridge.
"Go, ahead, ask him, Sango." Miroku chuckled as he busied himself pulling Styrofoam containers from the paper bag he had carried.
"Dammit, I already told you, Monk, I didn't know what flavor she would like." Inuyasha snarled, the back of his neck heating and pricking with embarrassment.
"You got her ice cream?" Inuyasha thought Sango really didn't need to sound so incredulous, she really didn't. He was an okay guy, most of the time, and it was just a small gesture.
"He got her all the ice cream. Every. Single. Flavor."
"Just the little pint size ones. It's not like I cleared the shelves." Inuyasha, felt beyond stupid. He couldn't help it that he'd somehow been reduced to baser instincts because of some stupid girl.
"Oh my god, that's so fucking sweet." He turned at Sango's words to find her leaving the kitchen, is ears picking up on her knocking on the bathroom door, where he could hear the shower shut off. A few minutes later a calmer Kagome emerged, her eyes still kind of puffy but he swore he heard a sigh from her as Miroku retold how he found Inuyasha buying all the ice cream. Inuyasha's face reddened to the point that it hurt but he figured it was worth it to see that small smile tug at Kagome's lips as she picked at her food. Nobody brought up why he'd felt the need to buy so much.
Author's Note:
Wish someone would buy me all the ice cream. ;)
Also, absolutely obsessed with the song Shadow Preachers. It is an issue.
