Alright then, chapter 28 is here! Have fun reading and reviewing, criticize if you must and no flaming.
-Jack Knights
A brief recap of the last chapter;
"These hands have saved me more times these past few months than I can remember," she said. "And they will again, I know that. I'm alive, here and now, so let's not act all depressed while there's still something to celebrate."
"What's that?"
"That I'm still breathing and I'll live to fight another day, alongside you," she said as she cupped his face and kissed him gently on the lips.
Oh my God, I just kissed Sesshomaru! Kagome thought as she pushed back from him. His hands gripped her elbows softly, keeping her close to him, but letting her move away. His eyes were unfocused and his breathing was rapid, as was her own. She felt herself grow hot as time passed and they remained a hand's breadth away from each other.
"Sesshomaru…?" she asked him quietly. He focused on her, his eyes wide in shock. Oh crap… did I go too far? Kagome felt something rise in him; his aura was flaring around him. She put a hand on his arm, gulping in surprise when his demonic power flashed in response.
"Kagome," he began, sounding out of breath. Suddenly he leaned forward, his touch gentle as he grabbed her chin and captured her lips with his own. Kagome squeaked in surprise, he eyes wide open as he prolonged the kiss. He suddenly pulled back, breathing deeply.
"I'm sorry," he said, back straight. He motioned to say something, but instead turned around and walked down the stairs, leaving a very confused Kagome standing outside her bedroom, unable to feel her legs.
"Is she going to be alright?" someone said to her left.
"She'll be fine, I assure you sir. Your wife is merely exhausted. I recommend she stay here for two more days," said a second man, his voice much more gruff and official. "We'll release her to your care, but I implore you to keep her as calm and relaxed as possible."
"Thank you, doctor."
She listened as the first man walked away, a door opening and closing as he left. Someone took her hand gently, running a finger down her palm. Kagome's eyes fluttered open, and the grip on her hand became tighter, causing her to look in his direction. She was surprised to see InuYasha looking very much a concerned human as he looked her in the eye, worry clearly visible. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, causing her heart rate to jump up a few notches.
"I'm glad you're awake," he said, smiling. She merely stared at him, unable to think or respond. "The doctors say that you were stressed, that's why you collapsed."
"Really?" she said, for lack of a better response.
"Well, I guess I shouldn't really be surprised," he said, shrugging. "This is your first time being pregnant, and you never really dealt well with stress anyway."
Pregnant? She looked down at herself, shock overcoming her when she saw her belly, round and bulging, from underneath the thin sheet. This has to be a dream! InuYasha's gone crazy with demonic blood and Sesshomaru… where is he?
"Where's Sesshomaru?" she asked, finally getting her mind working.
"Sesshomaru? He's outside, waiting for the go ahead to come in," he answered, not a hint of jealousy or anger in his voice. "Are you sure you want to see him right now?"
"Send him in," she said, a hint of desperation in her voice. InuYasha nodded and stood, going to the door. He ducked his head outside and spoke quietly to someone outside. He opened the door in full, letting Sesshomaru come inside. She gasped when she saw him; his hair was black, shoulder length and tied back away from his face. He wore glasses, not that he'd ever need them and he had a book in one hand. He was dressed casually, like a man in college.
"Are you alright?" he asked, impassive. Kagome nodded and he crossed his arms, looking at her. He turned to InuYasha, pushing his glasses further up his nose. "She'll be fine, and the baby's doing excellently as well."
With that, he went out the door. Kagome sat, reeling from his apparent indifference towards her. InuYasha sat down next to her, asking her things while she monotonously shook her head. He kissed again before he left the room and she sighed in relief when she was alone.
I know this is a dream, but seeing Sesshomaru not giving a damn is really… unnerving. A hand went to her stomach, and she frowned.
"Wait a minute… this is a dream," she muttered, standing. "None of this is real; Sesshomaru doesn't act like that and InuYasha isn't married to me. It's about time I took control and let things play out like I want to."
Kagome looked down at herself, surprised when she saw her stomach was no longer rotund. She went to the window and opened it. If the only way to wake up is shocking myself beyond belief… she straddled the window sill, ducking her head outside. A slight chill crept up her back as she shifted her other leg, sitting with legs outside, the back of her head pressed against the cold glass.
"Kagome, I—" InuYasha began as he re-entered the room. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Waking up from this dream and facing reality head on!" she called back without turning to face him. If I look back now, I'll never wake up. She pushed herself off from the ledge, feeling gravity take hold of her as she fell.
"Kagome!" InuYasha shouted as she turned in midair, feeling oddly disconnected with her dream. She twisted as she fell, the ground racing up to her. She closed her eyes and welcomed the impact.
"What's wrong?" InuYasha asked when Kikyo grumbled from her place high above him in the branches of a cherry tree.
"She's either awake, or I just lost control of her dreams," Kikyo muttered, narrowing her eyes. "Either way, I don't think I will be able to infiltrate her dreams again."
"She is much stronger than you originally anticipated," InuYasha pointed out. Kikyo looked at him, her glare murderous. He shied away, but she dropped down next to him, stopping him in his tracks.
"Is she now?" she asked, gripping his arm. He gulped and nodded.
"Yes, she can be very powerful and unpredictable when she puts her mind to it," he said quietly, wishing he could disappear. "So long as she has a reason for living, she will never give up without a fight."
"Really? Well then, let's take away her reason for being."
Kikyo let go of him, fading away. She off to plan her next move, InuYasha noticed. He sighed and sat down, shaking her head. What happened to us? What went wrong? He looked up at the dark sky, the new moon shining no light. I used to fear these nights like none other… he thought back.
Kagome, I hope you're ready, he silently prayed. Whatever Kikyo's got planned for you will no doubt test your will in ways you never thought possible.
"Kagome, wake up," someone said gruffly in her ear. Her eyes flew open, her breathing fast and laboured. Sesshomaru's face close to hers and she sighed in relief when she realized it had worked.
"Was it another dream?"
"Yeah, but I don't think I'll be having another one of those again," she breathed.
She tried to roll over, but the covers were stuck under her. Disentangling herself from them, she got up and stretched. Sesshomaru looked worse for wear, his hair was matted and his face was ashen from lack of sleep, but his amber eyes were as alert as ever.
"Did you stay awake the whole night?" she asked.
"Yes, I was not about to leave you alone when there's no protection around the house," he said, sounding insulted. Of course, it had been her fault that the sutras hadn't worked properly in the first place. She sighed and shook her head.
"Thanks, for keeping me safe," she said, putting a hand on his arm. "Now, what is it? Why'd you wake me up so early?"
"Your mother is on the telephone," he said, pointing out her room and down the hall. She nodded and walked past him, taking in the sight of the ruined house. Although she had swept up the glass and moved the destroyed furniture out of the rooms, the place was still in total disarray.
Making her way around the ruined couch she hadn't been able to move, she went to the phone and picked it up. At least we don't need a new telephone.
"Mom?"
"Kagome, you have to come to the hospital right away," the older woman spoke, sounding too serious for Kagome's liking. "Please, hurry; bring Sesshomaru if you have to."
"I coming, I coming; see you in a few," she managed to say before her mother hung up on her. As if Sesshomaru would let me go anywhere without him…
"What is it, Kagome?" he said, pretending as if he hadn't heard the conversation.
"Something's up with Gramps, I'm guessing," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. In truth, she was terrified that what she dreaded had already come to pass. "Let me get dress and we can fly over there."
"About that…" he said, suddenly sounding young. "We should take a taxi or walk there."
"Why? Flying is faster and we'll save on the money." We'll need every penny to fix the house…
"It'll be much more inconspicuous that way," he said, not convincing her. "It'll be harder for them to find us among a crowd of people."
"That's a load of bull, and you know it; what's the real reason you don't wanna fly us there?"
"I'm embarrassed to admit it," he began, rubbing his head, "but I don't think I have enough energy to make the trip there and back."
"Oh, well uh… we'll take a cab then," she said, blushing as his own face went pink. Who would've thought that he would ever run out of steam? Guess it happens to the best of us.
"I'll pay for the taxi, you go on ahead," Sesshomaru said when they arrived. Kagome nodded and ran up the stairs, not bothering to stop or slow down until she reached the elevators. The short wait inside was excruciating and when the doors pinged open, she ran for her grandfather's room.
"Mom! What is it?" Kagome asked, seeing her mother standing outside. She raised her head, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Mrs. Higurashi stood and went to her daughter, grasping her hand. She went to her mother, and looked her in the eye, trying to understand.
"He's…" she stopped, unable to continue. Kagome went numb, unable to think. It was as if all sound disappeared, like the world was going in slow-motion. She wanted to scream, to cry, do anything but stand there uselessly. Her mother shook her shoulder, trying to get her attention. Kagome turned to her, unable to process what she was being told.
"You needed to be here," her mother went on, "to pay your final respects. Kagome, please do it for him."
She was half lead into the darkened room by her mother. A small group of people were inside, among which her brother stood, anger showing instead of sadness. Mrs. Higurashi went to a doctor, discussing something in an undertone. A nurse was removing the IV drop from her dead grandfather's hand as Kagome walked inside, the numbness fading away to rage.
"Don't touch him!" she screamed at the nurse, frightening the young woman to no end. "You don't know what you're doing! Leave him alone!"
Her mother went over to her and grabbed her shoulders, turning her around. The medical staff stood awkwardly at the back of the room, unsure of what to do. Her mother looked her straight in the eyes, silently conveying her thoughts to her. Kagome felt the rage finally subside, only to give away to an incurable sadness.
Sesshomaru took his time reaching the fourth floor and Kagome's family. He felt as if he was somehow intruding on their lives, butting in on something too personal for his liking. He frowned, unsure what to make of the situation or what to do if he confronted it. He made it to the fourth floor without realizing it, suddenly unsure of where exactly he was supposed to go. Mentally drawing a map of the hospital from the outside, he orientated himself with the sunlight at his back and went down a hall. Sesshomaru could sense the permeating emotions of so many distraught humans and suddenly felt himself grow depressed.
Unable to take any more of it, he sat down in a sagging armchair. Trying to empty his mind, it was then that he noticed a small boy across from him, staring intently at the demon. Sesshomaru tried to ignore the little kid, but his eyes were huge, persistent in vying for his attention. Finally Sesshomaru gave in and looked at the boy, who suddenly broke out in a toothy grin.
"Auntie, look at that man, he's got yellow eyes!" he said to the portly woman beside him. She turned her attention to Sesshomaru, who immediately looked away. He watched out of the corner of his eye as she narrowed her eyes in disgust. She stood, taking the boy's arm and lead them away. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes at the woman's fear and huffed in annoyance.
What is it that the human find so… striking, so disconcerting that they leave the very room? He watched as a small family shuffled down the hall, the teenage girl with them silently crying. He listened in as the doctor spoke to the father, the words "inoperable" and "malignant" striking something in him.
Sesshomaru suddenly realized that the depression was caused by the melancholy in the place. I am being affected by all these miserable and hurt families… but why? What is it that makes me sympathize with them? He was beginning to think his features would be stuck in a permanent scowl if he remained as he was for much longer.
"Hey, mister?" a small voice said. Sesshomaru snapped back to reality and looked down at the boy who had smiled at him. He looked around four, and the innocence in his eyes showed clearly. He had his hands behind his back, and swung back and forward on the balls of his feet.
"Yes?" Sesshomaru said, composing himself, trying his best to sound the opposite of depressed and melancholy.
"Here," he said, holding out his hands. He held a flower, a yellow daisy, it's long, green stem smelling freshly cut. "You looked like you need it more than my sister."
"Do I?" Sesshomaru said, suddenly intrigued. He took the flower and twirled it between his thumb and forefinger.
"Don't be sad, they'll get better. And before you know it, you'll be playing games again."
"Thank you," Sesshomaru said, awkwardly patting the boy's head. "Your kindness is limitless. Your mother must be very proud of you."
"My sister says she is, and that she'll always watch over us from the sky."
Sesshomaru gulped; the boy's mother was dead, yet he said those words with such conviction, so sure of himself, that Sesshomaru couldn't help but return the toothy grin the boy flashed him. Maybe he is too young to know such hardship, but his innocence gives hope to those around him. His unwavering support in his family is encouraging.
"I hafta go now, my sister's leaving today and we're gonna have a party!" the boy said, going back the way he came. "Nice meeting you, mister!"
"Likewise, and thank you, again," Sesshomaru said, earning another smile. The boy disappeared around the corner and Sesshomaru stood, watching him as he went. Such innocent happiness is rare to find in a place where death reigns supreme. Maybe if we all remained ignorant, the world would be a better place.
He suddenly heard Kagome's voice from behind and turned to face her, trying to remain impassive. His façade fell immediately when he saw her face, blotchy and red from crying. He instantly understood. The old man has died… Yet another thing Kagome must come to terms with above all else. She stood awkwardly in the middle of the hall, unsure of what to do. He went to her and she looked up at him, all the sadness of the world reflected in her eyes.
"Sesshomaru…" she called out to him as he drew nearer. She hugged herself in self-comfort as he wrapped his arms around her. He held her tightly, refusing to let her go as she cried into his chest. He had no idea how long they stood there, immobile except for Kagome's wrenching sobs. After the longest time, she stopped and simply collapsed against him.
"Kagome, let's go home," he said gently, persuading her to come with him. She nodded weakly and he le her through the hallways, back outside to the back of the building. He held her tightly as he willed the winds to guide him back to the shrine, flying as gently as he could. All I can do is the same thing my father did for me; wait patiently for the crying to stop, then gently guide her in the right direction, he thought as he felt Kagome slump into his arms as she fell asleep.
OK, this was one jam-packed chapter. Originally it was shorter than my first chapter; but at the last minute, I decided to kill off Gramps and deal with the dreams. Reworking this chapter was... difficult, to say the least. But, I had fun doing it, and now there's more meat to the story. :D
So, not too many chapters to go. I know, it's a sad thing to realize, but it had to end some day. I'm still not sure yet how it's gonna end, if anyone's gonna die or who else might be coming into the story. I make it up as I go along XD
Anyway, thanks for reading, I love writing for you!
-Jack Knights
