Disclaimer: Considering the fact that I'm broke, I don't think I have Inuyasha.

- - -

Chapter 36- Catch me when I Fall

- - -

Voices. Outside.

Ayame shrivelled back when she heard the yelling, wondering whether to yell as loud as she could or stop and go back to sleep, praying that when she woke up, it would all be a dream.

Finally, she took a deep breath and started to scream at the top of her lungs. Dizziness washed through her like a plague and she felt the cruel pull of unconsciousness start to tug at her once more, promising her a safe and painless getaway.

What if they were the bad guys though?

Ayame's screaming hesitated slightly but she started again soon after, realizing that if they were the ones that put her there, that they would already know where she was.

"Help! I'm in here! Help!" she screamed again and again as if it were a prayer. In all honesty, it really was.

The voices grew louder as did the many footsteps that neared with each passing second. Noises and the loud ringing sound of squeaking rusted sliding doors somewhere near her filled her ears as she grew more anxious, more tired.

"Help," Ayame croaked out, her throat too dry and her mind too foggy and clouded. She was so tired, despite the fact that all she had done was rest and sleep, though her sleep was anything but peaceful.

"Dear God, please help me," she whispered as her eyes started to close, the pain in her head, wrists and ankles almost unbearable. Only then, when she heard the storming footsteps grow louder and louder did Ayame let her tense body give in to the unmistakeable pull of unconsciousness and somewhere, deep in her mind, she knew it was all going to be okay.

"I'm coming Kouga…" Ayame whispered in finality and then, her eyes fluttered closed and her body went limp against the cold metal wall.

- - -

"Oh God, is she…? Is she breathing?"

Those three final words struck a nerve as Rori bent down beside the ghostly pale body.

Ayame.

Alex stood behind Rori, almost hovering over her as she checked for a pulse.

"Alive but the pulse is too slow, too faint."

"We've already got an ambulance on the way," Alex confirmed.

"And Mr. Wolf?"

"Called. He'll be at the hospital."

Rori nodded and then did a secondary check for any other injuries Ayame might have. The ropes that had bound her and had been tied to a bar bolted onto the metal floor had been cut. Her wrists and ankles held bloody sores and what was worse was that the ropes had held some liquid, clear but noticeable, on it. Something was on that rope and whatever it was seemed to be affecting the young singer.

Then there was that bloody head injury. From the little light provided, all Rori could tell was that she probably had a whopping headache and a major concussion.

Not much, in other words.

"How is she?" Alex asked, watching as Rori finished the check.

"I don't know. She's not responsive though."

"Unconscious?"

"No duh, but whatever was on that rope bugs me."

Alex nodded. "We're running it through. We're still backed up but hopefully we'll get it by tomorrow. Wednesday at the latest."

Just then, EMS came and took care of the situation. Rori reported on the little information she knew about Ayame's present condition and then walked alongside Alex as they left the self-storage building.

Rori's baby blue eyes adjusted to the light as they walked out of the dark building and subconsciously she tucked a stray natural blonde hair behind her ears. Things seemed to be looking up.

And then the owner of the building came.

Rori groaned.

A slow and painful discussion followed and finally when the man tipped his hat towards her, Rori let out a sigh of relief.

And Alex let out an uncontrollable laugh.

"Shut up!" Rori yelled and punched him lightly, walking back with him to the cruiser. He didn't continue the conversation until they were in the car. "I'm sorry. It's just hilarious that you were right."

"About him being a man with a thing for skinny blonde hair, blue eyes type girl? Yeah. That's so funny." If Rori wasn't careful, Alex would be able to hear the heavy weighted sarcasm in that last sentence.

"No, not that," Alex sighed. "The fact that you had to do your thing, change your feature a bit and flirt with him just to make sure he wouldn't ask for a warrant was funny."

"True," Rori agreed, closing her eyes and focusing on changing the too light blonde hair for a deeper brown with natural blonde highlights and clear blue eyes for dark hazel ones. "Especially," Rori added when she was finished, "that face you made when he asked me out for dinner."

- - -

"Kouga!" Sango called as the group of six entered the building. Kagome and Rin were right behind her and quickly, they found the three male wolf demons sitting on some chairs in the waiting room.

"Oh, hey guys," Hakaku said slowly.

"How is she?" Rin asked, concern easily shown on her features. Of all the girls, Rin had been the closest to Ayame.

"Stable," Kouga said, standing up along with Hakaku and Ginta to great them. "But apparently there's something else they're looking into."

Miroku frowned. "What?"

Ginta shook his head. "We're not sure."

"Oh, I hope she's alright," Kagome murmured to herself, biting her lower lip in worry.

"She's strong," Inuyasha said, pulling her into a hug. "She'll make it. Don't worry." The fact that Kagome had been close to tear over Ayame's disappearance last night had thrown Inuyasha a bit. He hated to see any woman cry and Kagome was far from exception.

Letting out a shaky breath, Kagome nodded.

"We do…know one thing though," Ginta said slowly, looking down towards the floor. When he didn't continue the group looked at Kouga.

Growling, Kouga finished. "She hasn't woken up yet since they found her. Obviously, she got hit on the head pretty hard. Not enough for her to suffer mentally but enough so that she could…forget some things."

"Like her memories?" Rin asked and Sesshomaru stepped beside her, nodding.

"Depends on what got damaged. For all we know she could just forget whatever had happened to her ten minutes before the attack."

"Or the entire year." Kouga swore under his breath but made sure only he could hear it. Unfortunately, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha did, Hakaku and Ginta being too wrapped up in their conversation with Miroku, Sango and Rin to notice.

Sesshomaru shot Kouga a look that was either a warning or something close to sympathy. Inuyasha on the other hands bowed his head and looked down at the floor. He looked really upset and when he cast a solemn glance towards Kagome, Kouga wondered if Inuyasha truly did understand the grief he felt. He was never told what happened between Inuyasha and Kagome and he didn't understand how this somehow related to them. Whatever the case may be, Kouga knew it was serious and that there was more to the story than he knew.

"Mr. Wolf?"

Kouga startled out of his thoughts and looked towards the doctor with a grim look on his face. "Yes?"

"Maybe we should talk privately," the doctor said and when Kouga nodded, led him to the room where Ayame lay. "Alright," the doctor said finally as Kouga gave Ayame a longing look. "We found out what is affecting Ms. Yajima. When she was found, ropes around her wrists and ankles bound her. On the rope, we found a sort of substance. It's still being confirmed but what we found in her system is simple enough."

Kouga looked towards the doctor once more, noticing that he didn't look like he was going to give him any good news. Bracing himself mentally, Kouga nodded and waited for the doctor to further explain.

"Ms. Yajima… She has a substance called Strychnine in her."

Kouga looked at the man with a mask of indifference but when he heard what was inside of her, what was affecting her, he couldn't help but at least let his eyes widen.

"Rat poison? Rat poison?"

"Mr. Wolf, I know it's…"

"Never mind," Kouga said abruptly, halting the doctor's words. "How bad is it?"

Sighing but allowing the change, the doctor obliged. "Only a small dose is inside of her. We're doing all we can to help her and I can assure you that it's not fatal, though a day more and it probably would've been."

"A real charmer you are, eh doc?" Kouga said tediously and made his way to Ayame's bed. "Whatever. When do you think she'll be able to get out?"

Curtly, the doctor answered. "At least a week. Depends on how she reacts to what we give her."

Kouga nodded and turned away from the doctor, who respected his privacy and excused himself from the room, shutting the door behind him. Pulling a chair from the side of the room to her bedside, Kouga watched as Ayame breathed in deeply, evenly.

Lightly, as if afraid to break her, Kouga covered his hand with hers and gazed down at her pale face. Only then did he realize, that Ayame began to stir.

"Mm, K-Kouga?"

Kouga grinned and helped her, getting her whatever she needed until she was okay to talk. "How are you feeling?"

"Wonderful. I'm sorry Kouga. I don't know what happened but…"

"Shhh," Kouga hushed her and smiled, kissing her lightly on the lips and then cupping her face so that she had no choice but to look at him. "Nothing is your fault. You did nothing wrong. Don't apologize."

"W-what happened?" Ayame asked, nibbling at her lower lip slightly.

"You don't remember?" Kouga asked tightly, wincing when she shook her head. "How much do you remember?"

"The night before…" It took her a while to think but then she tilted her head to one side and finally answered. "The night before the contest."

"Nothing else?"

Ayame must have seen how shaken Kouga looked because she apologized once more. "I'm really sorry Kouga."

"It's okay baby," Kouga said gently. "Stop saying you're sorry. It's that bastard's fault, not yours."

Ayame nodded. "I…I remember fighting someone. I don't know who, or why…but I was. He was tall and had long black wavy hair, brown eyes. Almost like a male version of Kagome, in a sense."

"Do you know his name?"

Once again, Ayame thought about it before she replied. "No, I'm s- I don't know."

Kouga nodded in understanding and then filled her in on what he knew. The contest, their performance, how well they did…even the stupid jokes Hakaku and Ginta constantly told that night.

"How long am I going to be here?" Ayame asked weakly and Kouga shrugged.

"The doc says he's not sure but he thinks for about a week, give or take a couple days."

Ayame gasped but the jerky movement sent her into a spasm of coughs. Finally, when it all stopped and she was breathing normally again, she licked her lips and spoke. "What about the contest? I have to perform. What about our band?"

Kouga shook his head and kissed her, though Ayame had the feeling it was to shut her up more than anything else.

"I'll take care of everything," he responded after pulling away and Ayame sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do.

"Alright. Thank you Kouga."

- - -

It was painful. It was painful to watch and painful to hear.

There was Kouga, with all his pride, all his faith, all his effort and hard work forfeiting the contest. Ever since he saw Ayame in the hospital until the very last day he could tell anyone, Kouga had been thinking over his decision.

He, of course, had discussed it with Hakaku and Ginta, who had readily agreed to it, knowing that it was their only choice without hurting Ayame. Ayame's health and well-being was the first thing on their list to take care of, and if a contest was in the way, all they had to do was get out of it.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha mulled over the information that Ayame had given them about the man who she had fought with. Even the police couldn't identify who had done it since not even a trace of evidence was left at either scene.

"This is just great," Inuyasha muttered and cursed several times.

"Calm down Inuyasha."

Inuyasha glared at his older half-brother but said nothing more and both brothers looked up when they saw Miroku walk up to them.

"Any ideas?"

Sesshomaru shook his head. "None. No scent or trace of Naraku so it couldn't be him. Right now, we're not even sure if this is Naraku's doing. Ayame simply could've been in the wrong place at the wrong time," he suggested but Inuyasha shook his head.

"There are no such things as coincidences at this point Sesshy. Somehow, Ayame became involved. Problem is, she forgets that entire day, from when she woke up in her bed that morning to when she woke up in that self-storage room."

Miroku nodded in agreement. "I have to stick with Inuyasha on this. With all that's been happening, I doubt this is something as easy as a coincidence. Do you think that she saw someone or overheard something?"

Sesshomaru considered that for a moment and then grinned. "That's it. She overheard something."

Inuyasha snorted. "How can you be so sure?"

"What other reason could there be idiot?" Sesshomaru countered, glaring. "No one out of the ordinary is here. There is no one to hide since we'd be able to smell whomever the hell it is. She must have overheard something. This is definitely the time for Naraku to do anything if he wants to ruin our reputation and I doubt he plans on doing it by praying that Tainted Pure will win the contest."

"Agreed," Miroku said.

"Then the question is," Inuyasha started. "What did she overhear that wasn't supposed to be overheard?"

The three men looked at each other when they slowly but surely realized something.

Inuyasha cursed.

"Shit."

- - -

Wednesday night seem to come so fast. By the time night rolled in, they were back onstage and waiting as the lights blared on them. Though the performance for the contest was always on a Saturday, the wrap up day where they decided who would go off and who would stay was on Wednesday nights. Now, after long pictures and short clips of memories, everyone was onstage with the exception of Ayame.

"I'm sorry but CNT, you are not going to the next round."

Kouga didn't even act the part as agreed to by the people organizing the show as the "forlorn losers" as it was so nicely phrased. Nodding, him, Hakaku and Ginta walked offstage.

Once they finished the goodbyes, Kagome couldn't help but feel horribly depressed for them. "It's not fair," she whispered and Sango and Rin solemnly agreed.

"Where are Sesshomaru, Miroku and Inuyasha?" Rin asked after giving Sango and Kagome a quick group hug. Since the beginning of the show, they hadn't once seen the boys and now, it was starting to worry them.

"Did you try their cell?" Sango asked Rin who nodded.

"It's either dead or Sesshomaru turned it off."

"Did you try Miroku or Inuyasha?" Kagome asked and Rin shook her head, replying in the negative.

"I didn't try to reach them. I thought if Sesshomaru had his off, then surely Inuyasha and Miroku would too. Sesshomaru always has his on. No matter what."

"How would you know?" Sango asked with a lifted eyebrow and Rin blushed slightly.

"We were…discussing something when it went."

"Discussing eh? A lot of work with your tongue then?"

Flustered to the end of her rope, Rin stormed away, only to be caught by the laughing Kagome and Sango who grabbed each arm and dragged her away. "Guys!" Rin yelled once they were in the private dressing room Black Majik obtained. "This is serious! We have no clue where our manager and publicists are. After what happened with Ayame, what do you think could happen to them? Surely they're stronger but with the resources…" Rin trailed off and looked towards her friends.

Kagome bit her lip, a new habit she started to do every time she was nervous. "You're right."

"But how are we going to find them?" Sango asked. "I don't think we can go search anywhere farther than this building and our hotel."

"First, let's try Inuyasha and Miroku's cell." Kagome started counting off the things they could do on her fingers. "Then we should check if Sesshomaru's car is here. If it isn't we'll check the hotel and if we still can't find them by that point, we'll check with the receptionist there to see if they left a message and then we can try their cells again."

"Sounds good," Sango agreed and then Sango called Miroku while Kagome called Inuyasha. As the two made the calls, Rin checked to see if the car was still there.

"Shoot," Kagome muttered as she ended the call and put her cell in her pocket. "Not there. What about Miroku?"

"Nothing," she confirmed as she shook her head and then checked the bars on her cell. And I have full reception here too."

It was then that Rin came panting back. "Both…cars are here," she said between breaths. "Kagome and Sesshomaru's cars are in the same spots."

"Then wherever they are," Kagome concluded, "is either within the building or walking distance."

"Maybe they went to get coffee," Sango suggested but knew once the words rolled out of her mouth that it was highly unlikely.

"Do they look like the type of guys that would walk five blocks rather than drive?" Kagome sighed and shook her head in disbelief, all the while running her hands through her hair. "And they're not with Kouga…"

"I know this is a bad guess," Rin said slowly after a minute, "but what if they're with…Kagura and Kikyo and them? Maybe they're trying to find out information from what happened to Ayame by themselves. They really think that Naraku is behind it so…"

Sango agreed. "Worth a try anyways. Kagome?"

Nodding, Kagome lead the way to the dressing room for Tainted Pure and were abruptly met by cooing sounds made by the women on the other side.

"Found them," Sango said tensely and then ripped open the door, only to find Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Miroku in the dressing room with Kikyo, Kagura, Kanna and Yura.

"What are they doing here?" Kanna asked Miroku as he slowly backed away and out of the door towards Sango.

"I have no clue," he confided and then looked at the three with confused looks. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you," Sango said simply and shrugged, noticing how Rin was already making her way towards Kagura who had one hand on her boyfriend's chest.

"Look," Miroku said uneasily. "We're only following a hunch." He whispered the last part in Sango's ear and she sighed.

"And the cell phones are off because…?"

"No interruptions," Sesshomaru replied quickly, bouncing in on the conversation. Gazing back towards Kagura, he asked her another question. "So where is your manager?"

"Naraku?" Kagura asked, the venom in her voice unmistakable. "He can rot in Hell for all I care. But no, I don't have a clue where he is. Business trips give him reason enough to never see us."

"Lucky you," Inuyasha muttered under his breath. When he turned he was abruptly meet face to face with Kikyo who was uncomfortably close to him. Turning around to block out Kikyo to face Kagome, Inuyasha smiled forcefully and brought his gaze down and back again to show that he wanted her to come to him.

Laughing, Kagome walked up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "So, what is this hunch of yours?"

Inuyasha shrugged, straying from the topic as much as possible around the Tainted Pure girls. "Wondering why Mr. Onigumo isn't here."

Kikyo looked between the two and then, without thinking, blurted the first words out of her mouth. "Can I talk to Inuyasha alone?"

Kagome looked towards Kikyo with a raised eyebrow. "I guess if you want… What's the reason?"

Instantly, Kikyo clammed up and received several stares from Kanna, Kagura and Yura. "Nothing. My mistake. I was just wondering how long you two have been official."

The question seemed casual enough but Kagome felt as though there was something behind it. Maybe it was just because she remembered Kikyo's ways, her little habits when she did something. Like right now she had just made up that question on the spot. How could she tell? Kikyo looked up to the right corner of her eyes and then met their gaze again.

Inuyasha thought for a moment before giving up. "I don't keep track."

"Um," Kagome started, remembering it was the night of the new moon, the first one of that month. "Oh…exactly a month today!"

Kikyo's smile seemed strained. "Congrats."

"Thanks," Kagome said with as much as an honest voice as she could and sighed. "But really Kikyo, if you ever need to talk to me, I'm here." Kagome couldn't help but make her voice sound sugary sweet.

"Great then," Kikyo said as she folded her arms across her chest. "Can I speak with you now? Privately?"

Unwrapping her arms around Inuyasha, Kagome followed Kikyo. When Kikyo was just about to swing the door open, it already did and a tall man, close to the appearance of Naraku, walked in.

"Oh," he said as he looked around the room. "A gang bang. Hmm, maybe I should come at a different time then."

Letting out a frustrated growl, Kikyo shook her head. "No, whatever. What did you come here for Muso?"

"Nice way to greet your manager," Muso sighed and was about to continue when Yura spoke for the first time.

"Part time manager and only because Naraku didn't want to do the dirty work and come here," she reminded him absently and then grabbed her jacket that hung on a hook and slung it around her shoulders. "Now, I'm going for takeout so hurry up and spill."

Muso's second and more explosive sigh didn't go unnoticed but it was to be ignored. "Fine," he grumbled. "I'm just letting you know that you better get your act together for the final performance. Naraku Onigumo is going to attend. He may also come earlier."

"Cheers," Kanna drawled and then flicked a lock of pale white hair over her shoulder. "Come on Yura, I'll go too."

When the two finally left, Muso turned to face Miroku, the closest one to him. It was as if it was the first time he noticed them. "Ah. Mr. Hoshi I believe?"

Smiling easily, Miroku nodded. "I'm sorry, but I didn't get your name. I didn't see you at the get together dinner."

Muso reached out his hand for Miroku's and he shook it. "I apologize. My name is Muso Onigumo. I'm a relative of Naraku."

"More like a lackey," Kikyo hissed under her breath and Kagome barely made out the words.

"So," Sesshomaru stepped into the conversation. "Mr. Naraku Onigumo is coming for the final performance date?"

Eagerly nodding, Muso smiled. "Of course. Nothing to better entertain him."

"Where is he right now?" Inuyasha butted in but when he received a glare from Sesshomaru, he cleared his throat and corrected himself. "We haven't seen him in a while and we know his business is becoming quite successful."

"Isn't it though?" Muso said politely –completely avoiding the question- and then tipped his head to the side slightly. "Well gentlemen I have business to attend to. I'm sorry to cut this short. Goodbye."

Before Muso left the dressing room, something inside Sesshomaru clicked and just before he vanished from sight, Sesshomaru spoke. "We better watch the girls," he said as if it were casual conversation. "With what happened to poor Ms. Ayame Yajima, it would only be tragically horrible if, maybe, one of ours befell the same fate?"

Rin only raised an eyebrow at Sesshomaru's choice in words. It reminded her too much of those police officers in interrogation rooms or when they know whom the bad guy is and they're just waiting for the slip up. Just like the old movies…

She was only slightly disappointed he didn't say "old chap."

But when Rin saw Muso hesitate that slightest bit, she realized that it was just like the movies. He was straining under pressure. Muso did it. Muso hurt Ayame.

"Yes," Muso said slowly, gazing back towards Sesshomaru with cold eyes. "It would be wouldn't it?"

'Oh God,' thought Rin, just a tad bit thickened with the uncontrollable clichés that had occurred in the last five minutes. 'I might as well be the sexy and mysterious female double agent that seduces the good guy until his back is turned. It is just that sad.'

Apparently, Kagome and Sango had been thinking along the same lines because once Muso was out of sight, they doubled over with laughter.

"With what happened to poor Ms. Ayame Yajima, it would only be tragically horrible if, maybe, one of ours befell the same fate?" Sango repeated, lowering her voice and adding dramatic pauses, grabbing a scarf from the counter that she found and draping her face with it so it became a veil. "Sesshomaru you're too much."

"It wasn't supposed to sound like that," Sesshomaru defended with a slight tone of exasperation. "It just came."

In the midst of the ill-timed humour that was at poor Fluffy's expense, Kagome turned to Kikyo. "You wanted to talk?"

"No."

With that, Kikyo turned on her heal and marched out of the dressing room, leaving Kagura alone to deal with everyone and everything.

"What was that about?" Inuyasha asked, coming from behind Kagome and wrapping his arms around her stomach, tracing odd patterns on it. With his claws dancing on her thin t-shirt, Kagome accidentally let a whimper out and then stiffened up.

Laughing somewhat, Inuyasha stopped and turned her to face him. "Want to go to the room?"

Kagome could practically feel her face flush deep crimson at that but was about to drag him back to their room when Sesshomaru cut in.

"There will be time for that later," he said, bored. "Right now, you," he pointed to Inuyasha, "and you," he pointed to Miroku, "need to come with me."

"Now?" Inuyasha whined. "But it's late and I'm hungry."

Kagome didn't comment on what he was hungry for but instead just kissed him lightly and letting him go. "You should go. Don't worry, I'll be in our room when you get back."

Sesshomaru smirked at Inuyasha's immaturity as he complained but eventually agreed and let himself be dragged away.

"Bring takeout!" Kagome yelled, just before he vanished. "I'm not picky!"

Whether Inuyasha would or not depended but shrugging and hoping he heard her, Kagome walked with Sango and Rin to their dressing room to pick up whatever they needed before hopping into Kagome's car and leaving for the hotel.

"Goodnight Kagome," Rin called as she opened her door with the cardkey and slipped in, barely hearing Kagome's muffled reply as she did the same.

"Night!" Sango called and when that was said, the girls went to their own rooms in silence.

Kagome looked around her bedroom suit and noticed that Inuyasha's belongings were all across the floor and lay out randomly on several chairs. Shaking her head, Kagome managed to get more than half of it put away, the rest she just left in a neat pile on the chair. Quickly Kagome changed into a nightgown but slipped a pair of silky pyjama pants underneath, just to be modest.

Feeling her stomach growl, Kagome fumbled around the cupboards until she found a bag of popcorn and threw it in the microwave. Heating it up for two minutes and fifteen seconds exactly, Kagome switched on the television in hopes for something good to be on but what somewhat disappointed when nothing but depressing news filled the screen.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Kagome jumped off her bed and ran to the microwave, finding a bowl before pouring the contents in. Eventually, Kagome made her way back to the bed with her new bowl of buttered popcorn and began channel surfing once again.

"News…new…cartoons…news…politics…news…" Kagome sighed when she realized nothing at all was on but instead of turning it off, she left the TV on for background noise, the sound almost soothing.

Kagome started to close her eyes and her head just collapsed to her shoulder when a loud, irritable knocking came and startled her.

"Ugh," Kagome groaned as she cursed and mumbled incoherent words. "Who is it?" Sliding back the lock and throwing open the door Kagome glared at the person before her…until she saw the person.

"K-Kikyo?"

There stood Kikyo in all her glory, a bloody and gushing cut slashed down her arm…

- - -

Rori hated reports. She hated looking them over.

Over and over again…

Honestly, what was the point?

Looking over information that she already knew, she read over the file of the very little and thin booklet of paper kept together with a paperclip of all the findings of the Higurashi case. The pictures of a lipstick smeared mirror, the threats, the memories and the letter…

…Wait.

The letter…

The letter!

The letter!

"Alex! Get your ass in here!" Rori screamed as she shut the file and ran out of her office's door.

Suddenly, she loved reports.

- - -

Yes, I know. The note, the promise, updating Monday. Today is Wednesday. I know that too. Sorry about that...

Next Chapter: If

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Oh, P.S. You have about four more chapters left until MFH is done. -tears-