Don't own him.
Chapter 38- Surrender
"Kikyo I…"
"Kagome, why didn't you…?"
"What's going on…?"
"Sesshomaru why are…?"
"Everybody calm…"
"What is the meaning…?"
"Are you sure…?"
"This is ridiculous…"
So many conversations were happening all at one time. Nine people stood in a crowded hotel room and voices were raised as well as fists and the wanting to be heard above the rest proved useless when everyone wanted the same thing.
Finally, Kagome snapped.
"Everybody shut the hell up!"
Silence fell over the room like a tight blanket; suffocating them all as they looked at Kagome, wonder in their eyes. Sure, Kagome was known to be head-headed and cruel when she was angry, as well as a little strong on the mood swing side plus the fact that she had several times surpassed the Freak Out Scale and overwhelmed the numbers in PDM. But that didn't mean it wasn't surprising…
"Everyone, sit down, now. We are getting nowhere and I want to know why the hell everyone is in my room," Kagome said reasonable calm…and dangerous.
"This is my room too yah know," Inuyasha retorted much to the groups dismay but Kagome sent a sharp glance towards her boyfriend and instantly, he regretted it…kind of.
"I know that Inuyasha," Kagome said, biting off each word. "But that doesn't explain why Sesshomaru and Miroku were here in the first place, or the fact that Rori and Alex are here either."
A frenzy of words and sentences were shouted once more and again havoc claimed the hotel room. She was surprised at this time of night –ten o'clock- that no one had called and complained about the noise level just yet. This time though, Sesshomaru beat Kagome to the yelling.
"I want everyone to shut up and sit their God damned asses on the seats now!"
Shock more than fear flooded through the group since not one person –not even Inuyasha- had ever heard Sesshomaru raise his voice and speak in such a way. Though shock was the first feeling in their stomachs, fear soon replaced it and they all sat down, not one person daring to move.
"One of us should go first and explain what they're doing here. No interruptions, no accusations and no stopping the other person. Got that?" Sesshomaru asked sharply and the group nodded as one.
Kagome went first. "I brought Kikyo up here with me to talk about any more news on Naraku." When she saw the confused looks of Sango and Rin, who obviously didn't understand why Kagome was with Kikyo, she gave a small smile and explained what she had told the boys.
Kikyo nodded. "I haven't learned much, but after the first time I've learned my limits on how far I can push him. He…loves me so he won't kill me but that doesn't mean he won't be vicious when he finds out what I've done."
"That explains a lot," agreed Rin, giving a small smile in return to Kikyo.
"Okay, now that we got that settled," Sango said. "What about you two?" she asked, pointing to Alex and Rori.
Alex went first. "Kagome received a letter far back that we tested to see if there would be any usable prints. It came back negative but we did learn that the writing on the letter was female." At this Alex glanced towards Kikyo. "We ran a check through all the signatures and signed papers that we did after Ayame's kidnapping and handed them to a specialist with the letter. It came back that Ms. Hidaka was the one who wrote it."
Everyone looked towards Kikyo who flinched though her features didn't change much from the expressionless mask after. "Yes," she said, pleading herself guilty. "I wrote that note to Kagome. Back then I was…he had more control over me," Kikyo answered shortly. "We just joined, I was scared and after he tried…" Kikyo broke off but didn't look away from the group. "I wrote it but if I had had any other choice, I wouldn't have."
Kagome looked at Kikyo for a while in thought but then nodded, accepting it. Kikyo had told her of all the times Naraku had made his attempts. The scars and cuts left afterwards were proof enough and the way that Kikyo flinched whenever that topic was brought up was also a sign that she was telling the truth. Kikyo was normally expressionless. Kagome also noted that Kikyo tended to lick her lips at least once when she lied.
"But what about Naraku?" Rin asked. "How much did you get from him?"
Kikyo shrugged. "Like I've said before. Not much. Here's already here though, has been for a while. He's planning something brutal and as usual is getting others to do it for him. I don't know who or what yet, but I'm working on it."
"Wait," Sesshomaru said. "Before we get on the topic of Naraku," Sesshomaru gave a glare to Rori, "I want to talk about something else."
Rori seemed to freeze and her headache came back full-force.
"Rori Kay, oh wait," Sesshomaru said, almost teasing and taunting her brutally. "My mistake. Rori Inoue. How come you withheld the information of your background?"
The group looked to Rori confused though Alex, beside her, knew perfectly well what he was talking about. "Mr. Takahashi please, this isn't important right now. We can sort…"
"To hell it's not important!" Sesshomaru exclaimed. "Do you even know?" he demanded. "That Rori's father was none other than Ryukotsusei. Our parents' murderer."
Rin gasped and Sango's head whipped around from Sesshomaru's face to Rori's in utter shock. Kagome didn't seem to handle it any better and Kikyo, who knew nothing of what was really going on, stayed out of it.
Rori glared defiantly at Sesshomaru, keeping her head up. "I know Sesshomaru," she said coolly, irritating him by using his first name. "But I am nothing like my father. I am nothing like my mother. I am my own person. What difference does it make of who I was born and raised from? My parents were out of my life at an early age and I raised myself. Should I have told you about my father? Perhaps. Perhaps not."
Sesshomaru seethed and Rin touched his arm lightly, squeezing it in hopes that he would calm down. He did, but couldn't keep the glare from Rori. "How can I trust you?" he asked. He knew he was pushing her too far. Hell, he was pushing the matter too far but for some reason he couldn't help it. He wasn't in control.
"I don't know Sesshomaru," Rori said icily. "That's your problem not mine."
"I have no problems," Sesshomaru growled. "I am one of the richest men alive and I could get you off this case…"
"Conceit is God's gift to little men," Rori sighed and turned to the group, completely ignoring Sesshomaru's low growl. That's right, Sesshomaru was growling. "Anyways, back to the other matter at hand. Ms. Hidaka, where is Naraku staying, do you know?"
Kikyo shook her head. "We've always met at random places. I think I know where his little office here is though."
Alex nodded and looked at Rori. "One problem: we still have no incriminating evidence against this guy. No reason for a warrant… Nothing. We're sitting ducks until something comes up and with all that's happened, I don't like the sound of that."
Miroku agreed. "But what else can we do? Until he screws up or one of the men he hires screws up, we're screwed ourselves."
"Stop. Saying. Screwed," Inuyasha ordered, glaring at the pervert. "I think you just like the word."
Miroku shook his head and scowled at the half-demon. "Inuyasha! And at a time like this."
"Miroku, stay focused," Sango warned. "This is serious."
"So what do you propose we do?" Rin asked, still holding on to the furious Sesshomaru.
Rori shook her head and stood up, eyeing the group with a dead expression before looking towards the door. "Nothing. There is absolutely no God damned thing we can do."
"How are you feeling?"
Rin looked down at the weak Ayame who stirred and gave a small smile. "I'm getting better."
Kagome looked at Ayame in worry. She looked so pale, so lifeless that what she normally looked like. Kagome remembered with Ayame turned wit perfect precision and timing and did a spin kick, kicking Kouga to the ground and leaving him to lie in the sand when they went to her grandfather's cottage.
Ayame's wild red hair looked like it needed a wash and some care since apparently the girl was constantly restless and her hair suffered when it rubbed against the pillow. Her face was almost a perfect shade of white and her lips were chapped and cracked. The emerald eyes still held that magnificent sparkle that caught everyone's eye but seemed duller, less inviting.
And all Kagome could think was that it was her fault. Naraku was after her. For whatever reason, he wanted her dead. He wanted Takahashi Corporations no more. He wanted Black Majik to die and have Tainted Pure win against all.
It's all my fault…
Sango showed Ayame the flowers that they had brought her and Ayame managed another smile, though she winced and bit her lip. Miroku handed the girl an oversized and overstuffed giant teddy bear that was fluffy white and had a huge heart in the middle of it.
Of course, with Rin's idea, everyone signed the heart.
"Thanks," Ayame said coarsely, the musical and cheerful voice still there but weakened. "You guys are awesome."
It's all my fault…
The door to the room swung open and there stood Kouga with Ginta in the doorway. "Hey guys," Kouga said with an easy smile and shook hands with Sesshomaru and Miroku, gave Inuyasha a nod and hugged the girls. Ginta did much the same –only he shook hands with Inuyasha who scowled at the wolf- and then looked down at Ayame.
"How's my girl?" asked Ginta playfully and Ayame laughed, coughing by the end of it.
"Water," she croaked and instantly, Kouga was there with a glass of water in hand. She gulped the cup down eagerly and when she finished, she sighed and smiled at the large group that sat around her bed.
"What would I do without you guys?" she asked with a lop-sided smile and Kagome could only wince.
'No be in this hospital bed… Be healthy and singing wonderfully in the contest…' she thought but voiced nothing out loud.
It's all my fault…
When Hakaku came in, Kagome couldn't take it any more. She needed to cry, she needed to let everything out and with a quick excuse to use the restrooms Kagome ran out of the room. She walked as calmly as possible when she went down the many halls and instead of taking the crowded and quiet elevator, Kagome searched around for stairs and took them, and making sure she wasn't taking any emergency exits.
When the breeze of the chilly air hit her face, Kagome snuggled deeper into the jean jacket she wore and sat down on a nearby bench. No one was outside and very little wandered around far from the hospital. Kagome closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind.
It's all my fault…
The intensity of the situation forced her up from the bench and in a desperate and inevitable attempt to run away from her guilt. As she ran through the streets, no one paid any mind to her, tears streaming down her face.
'If I hadn't gone alone for that hot chocolate, I would have never met Naraku, I would have never put lives in danger, I wouldn't have been threatened, Rin wouldn't have gotten shot in the arm, so many people would be alive and Ayame wouldn't be hurt. It's all my fault… All my fault…'
"Excuse me, miss?"
Kagome opened her eyes and was startled to see that she was no longer running outside, but now in the shelter of a small convenience store. Junk food, drinks and magazines lined the wall and packs of cigarettes surrounded the cashier on the wall behind him.
"Miss? Can I help you?" the man asked again and suddenly, Kagome lost all control.
Never speaking but pointing, Kagome did the first thing that was automatic, the first thing that came to her mind. Memories, bad habits, old haunting taunts and the feeling of walking on the high wire with no net underneath engulfed her once more.
Before she knew it, Kagome was out of the store, pack of cigarettes in her hand and the cashier behind her yelling to her about something called change and a receipt.
It's all my fault…
Old habits die-hard and as Kagome made her way back to the bench outside the hospital, she realized that she wasn't actually alone. Worried faces, withdrawn and tight expressions busied themselves around the building and for the first time, she noticed that at least seven people were outside smoking.
Kagome took off the wrapping and opened the box, realizing that she had no lighter. She was fine with that though, she had no intentions, no desire to light up but if she had the lighter in her possession, she couldn't be sure what she would do. For now, just holding it, staring at it gave her a weird nervousness, a foreign feeling that she longed to hold on to but was too afraid, too determined, not to even dare grasp it.
Disgusted, she threw the unlit cigarette to the ground and stomped her foot on it, grinding it into the mud beneath her feet. For a long while she stared at it, the filter just sticking out and the feeling washed over her again so she grabbed the pack and held another one, doing the same thing to the first cigarette and staring at it for a while before grabbing another.
She had no idea, no concept of what she was doing. Whatever she was doing though, it rid her of the bubbling anger and brought only confusion. She was holding the very last cigarette in the pack, all of the rest stomped and buried in the mud, when she heard a voice behind her.
"Kagome? What are you doing? Why are you here?"
Kagome didn't even turn around to see Inuyasha as he came closer. She didn't know what to say, what to think. When he saw what she was doing, his confusion and worry was clear.
"What the hell are you doing Kagome?" he demanded and instead of answering him, Kagome just twirled the cigarette.
"Is fame worth it?" she asked dimly. "People are getting hurt Inuyasha. It's all because of me. It's all my fault."
It's all my fault…
"What are you talking about?" he raged on. "You're talking nonsense Kags." Sliding into the seat beside her, he noticed all of the unused cigarettes buried in the dirt and the brand new already empty package that they once belonged in sitting on the bench between them.
Kagome kept at her thoughts, trying to make sense of it all. Everything that had happened was wrong. So many terrible things had happened. "I'm right on the wrong side of it all…" Kagome mumbled and Inuyasha gave her a freaked out glance. He smelt her scent, which in turn told him nothing and then rather forcefully, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's upper arms and stood her up. She became a deadweight though and dropped back on the bench before Inuyasha could support her.
"Fine then Kagome," Inuyasha said in a monotone. "That's your last cigarette. If you want to light it and go back to your old life, go ahead. I'm not stopping you. Just don't come back."
Like freezing water had been dropped on her head and soaked her clothes, Kagome realized the damage she had done. Images of all the great times she had, the time at Dawn's party, the ACS, all the photo shoots and all the wonderful times with Inuyasha…she realized just how God damned stupid she was. She dropped the cigarette that was still being twirled in her fingers like it had suddenly caught fire and soon she was standing upright and still, looking around for the back of Inuyasha.
And there he was only a few feet ahead, heading towards the hospital. Kagome ran as fast as she could, giving up and wasting no time in catching him. She couldn't believe what she had thought, what she had said, what she had done. She had almost surrendered herself to her old life, the one she had buried a long time ago. No point in digging up old graves.
She had almost surrendered and now, she fought.
"Inuyasha!"
He turned around to look at her, almost smirking since he knew perfectly well she wouldn't do it. She just needed to know that herself. She had to do it herself and sort through things on her own. They were her priorities. It was her will. What she did with it was a different matter entirely.
He was about to open his arms to welcome her when he felt the jerky movement and the deranged feeling of falling backwards before the ground met his body and he finally realized that he had, indeed, fallen.
And Kagome was sobbing on top of him.
"I-I…I'm so s-scared, Inuyasha!" Kagome wailed, burying her face in his shirt as if he would swallow her whole that way. "A…Ayame g-got hurt-t. I don't w-w-want to go through with t-this if, if anyone else is g-going to d-d-die!"
Slightly disturbed by her strong feelings of the matter, Inuyasha quickly hugged her tighter to his chest if such a thing was possible. He hushed her, rocked her on the dirt ground that he lay on and waited patiently as she calmed down, he sobs become silent jolts of her body and then finally, nothing more than barely audible whimpers. He stroked her hair gently, detangling the knots that she had gotten from running with the wind.
Inuyasha sighed in relief when she finally quieted down and knew he would probably be immensely enjoying the position they were in if they were actually on a bed –not the dirty mud- and that the situation was nothing like it was.
"Kags?" he asked quietly, almost wishing that he couldn't be heard, the silence so profound.
It took several moments, but at last, Inuyasha shifted her around until he held her to his chest rocking her like a child in his lap. He was truly grateful that Kagome had fallen asleep in peaceful content, a small but noticeable smile gracing her lips.
Sango looked over the sheet of singers in her hands and contemplated the next step. It was now Wednesday the thirtieth, a day after the contest wrap up for the second performance. Black Majik had apparently received the most votes (as told by the host privately afterwards) and had passed for the finale. The band that didn't make it though was The Resurrected. Something that Kagome knew was going to happen.
The universe always did have its strange ways and competing Black Majik against Tainted Pure for the title of 'Best New Band' or whatever it was seemed almost too likely to be anything else than the workings of something much greater.
Well, that greater being just made their lives one hell of a lot more disastrous and treacherous, especially with Kikyo's secret help.
"I think that should do it," Sango confirmed. "I like the new song. It works for all of those people out there. It's where we used to be and where some are right now."
Kagome nodded and looked back to the paper, seeing all the words and phrases that made the song. This was the song for the final performance. The catch: they needed to start it from scratch and make it in a week's time. It wasn't all that hard for Kagome to come up with a starter for lyrics since she was constantly writing and now the band worked together to finish it.
"It's one of those life songs," Kagome agreed. "If anyone else had sung this I'd think that this would probably have been my favourite song. These lyrics really matched to how I felt at one point."
At that moment, Rin walked into the room with a bowl of plain chips for them to munch on as well as three bottles of water. Kagome and Sango quickly told Rin the ending and asked if she agreed with it.
"Definitely," Rin cheered, smiling. Her smile didn't last long though and soon faded into a frown. "But we still have to work in the instruments."
In that instant, both Sango and Rin's gazed fell to Kagome who ducked as if they threw something at her.
"Do you have something already planned Kagome?" Sango asked her head tilted slightly. "You look too happy for a person that needs to come up with a song ASAP."
Kagome glanced at Rin, hoping for a break but when the smaller girl's stare was no less questioning, Kagome raised her hands in a placid manner, palms facing out. "Well…I do. But, I'm not sure…well, they may not be right. You know, I was kind of sad…actually more angry but…"
"Oh cut the crap," Sango said abruptly. "I knew you'd probably had started something. Let me guess, is it on the piano?"
Kagome looked at the table for a while and then nodded, telling Rin and Sango that she would be right back. Running across the hall to her hotel room, Kagome went through several drawers before she found a black and silver notebook that held all the possible notes and bars in it. Flipping through the several written in and scribbled out pages, Kagome finally landed on the one Sango and Rin meant.
Kagome sighed and covered her eyes with her arm. She knew all right. What Sango said was true, she had already started something. When emotional writing was needed, Kagome was one of the best. Poetry seemed to come easier to her but she never had a hard time changing it to meet lyrical standards. She read the lyrics over and bit her bottom lip thoughtfully. The notes for the piano were scribbled all over the lined page and she remembered playing them recently, the beat still burning in her mind.
Remembering Sango and Rin in the other room, Kagome snapped back to reality and closed the notebook shut.
"Here," she said, throwing the notebook to Rin when she got back to the music lounge. The page was already open to her eyes and greedily, Rin read them, not waiting for Sango to come over. When she finally finished, Rin looked up in alarm.
"Wow Kagome," she commented. "You did all this already? Our song could be done tonight if need be! And it works perfectly with the song. Well, I think anyways."
Kagome shook her head, relieved that they liked what she had so far. "I have an outline for how the rhythm and beat will go but I think we should do that later."
Sango nodded when she finished. "Yeah, I like it. I think the piano will only add to it too."
Kagome smiled. "I do love the piano," she commented. "I'll play it but as you can see from where I've written, the piano piece isn't very long. A couple bars in the beginning and I've written another couple for the end though I think I'm going to take it out. The only problem is, is that we're going to need someone to play guitar. If I play the piano and sing and you two play bass and drums, that still leaves guitar."
"Then I think we should all worry about this tomorrow. With almost the entire song written and only a bit more instrumentals to add in, we're good," Rin said.
Shrugging her shoulders, Kagome grabbed her water bottle. "I don't have a problem with it."
"Then it's settled," Rin said and then looked towards the door. "I'm going to find Sesshy."
"Good idea," Sango said. "I'll come with since Miroku's probably with him."
"You two go ahead," Kagome said finally, staring at the notebook intently. "I think I'm going to catch up on some sleep." That offer itself was appealing though Kagome knew better of what she was going to do. She was going to finish writing that song. All she needed was a little help.
Grabbing her cell out of her pocket, remembering he wasn't with the rest of the guys, Kagome dialled his number from memory and waited impatiently as the phone rang three times before the male voice came on the other side of the line.
"Hey Kags. What's up?"
She didn't know what gave her the thought to ask Inuyasha to help her with the lyrics, but whatever did she thanked it deeply. Surprisingly, Inuyasha was amazing at getting words to flow together smoothly. Even more surprising, Inuyasha knew how to play guitar.
"Since when?" Kagome asked laughing as Inuyasha huffed at Kagome's revelation.
"Since I was little," Inuyasha answered, playing with the strings. "I haven't played it in while though."
"Does Sesshomaru play?"
Inuyasha stared at Kagome long enough for her to wave away the question. "My bad. Horrible question."
Smirking, Inuyasha placed the guitar on their bed and walked up to her, coming from behind and wrapping his arms just below her breasts. His head was lowered to hers as he read the couple new lines she created.
"Instead of repeating the bridge you should add an extra verse, one with a different edge. Like heavier bass." Inuyasha pointed to the part he referred to and Kagome thought for a moment before making a 'hmm' sound and erasing the dark pencil on the pad and switching the lyrics.
"I like it."
Inuyasha smirked at her statement and lowered his head, nipping her neck playfully and Kagome bit her lip. She shouldn't be doing this, she knew it wasn't the time but the place was perfect.
Damn it.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome murmured out, trying hard not to give in to Inuyasha's playing. "Mm…work. Got to…work."
"I know," Inuyasha said, pulling away but grumbling all the while. Instantly missing his warmth, Kagome shook her head fiercely so not to do anything stupid. She had to focus. She had to stay on task. She had to feel the music. She had to understand the emotions. She had to touch In…
Crap.
Her thoughts were scattered though when she heard Inuyasha start to play the guitar, and quietly, he hummed with it. Kagome stopped and turned to face him, Inuyasha completely oblivious to it. Eventually, Inuyasha began to sing and the words that came out of his mouth were the ones from their newly written song. Kagome smiled and listened, loving the sound of his voice. When he stopped, Kagome was almost disappointed though the drowsy effect it gave her held off of that emotion until later.
"I didn't know you could sing," Kagome said, the goofy smile still on her face.
"You didn't know I could play guitar," Inuyasha pointed out and Kagome shrugged.
"Point taken."
"Did you finish the last little bit?" Inuyasha asked and Kagome nodded, looking back towards the black and silver notebook and handing it to him.
He read it over a couple times, humming a tune with it as he read the lyrics inside his head. Kagome listened and decided she liked the way she and Inuyasha had come up with the tune. It suited the song only too well. Writing the extra notes would be slightly more difficult and adding the extended parts would be tricky but with Inuyasha, Sango and Rin's help, the job would get done in no time.
With that thought in mind, Kagome once again felt the loss of his warmth and stood up, making her way towards him and sitting beside him on the bed. His amber pools were still focused on the page until Kagome reached up and stroked an ear, his eyes immediately closing at the sensation.
Giggling softly at the trick that never got old, Kagome continued until her hands hurt and then slowed. Yawning, Kagome stood up and stretched, her top lifting slightly showing her midriff to Inuyasha's wandering eyes. When she started to walk back towards the desk, Inuyasha shot is hands out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her to him before she could argue.
"Work," she reminded him absently but when she felt his arms withdraw, Kagome couldn't help but think of that losing sensation. "Can wait for later…" Kagome added with a slight smirk and the encouragement was all Inuyasha needed to capture her lips with his.
The night air was chilly when Kagome and Rin walked out of the hotel, eyes focused ahead on their not-yet-seen goal. Stomachs grumbling, they walked down the almost abandoned block and hugged their jackets tighter to their bodies.
"Why couldn't we get Inuyasha to get the pizza? Or better yet," Rin thought before she added, "how come we didn't get all the guys to get pizza?"
"Because cardio is good exercise and keeps you fit. Even if we are just walking to the parking lot," Kagome said absently as she sank her neck lower into the collar of her denim jacket. As the September month wore on, the nights got colder and colder and though the sun was still fairly high in the sky, it would start to set by the time they walked back. Sango had decided to work on the bass part for their new song they would perform and Inuyasha had gone out to pick up Miroku and Sesshomaru who were currently in a meeting with the directors of Play for the contest. Inuyasha had decided not to go that meeting, mostly because he had the option of helping Kagome –with the chance of a good make out session- or go to a boring meeting that would only give him the chance to see how strong his will was not to let his body sleep.
With those two choices, it was a very tough decision.
Honestly…
Since Rin and Kagome had been left out of the group for anything to do, they decided to drive down to the pizza place a couple blocks away. Of course, that would only happen if they found their car. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had driven the two cars last so the girls had slim hopes in finding the cars in their old parking slots. Of the five floors of parking, they're hopes were pretty high and desperate.
"Why can't we just call either Fluffy or Inuyasha?" Rin whined and Kagome laughed, shaking her head at her friend's laziness.
"Because 'Fluffy' has his cell turned off from the meeting and Inuyasha's cell is dead. It's charging in our hotel room."
Rin grumbled at the logic and inevitable cardio she would have to endure, knowing full well that she would never win against Kagome. The argument of getting one of the workers to do it died in her throat with the thought of Kagome's lecture on acting like normal human beings and not fame-delusional stuck-up stars. Rin already knew Kagome was right but that didn't make the cold air any less chilling or the random echoing noises in the five-story garage any less discomforting.
When a noisy sound of a running car resounded its way to the two girls' ears, they both turned their heads to see a sleek black car. Some sort of new model, neither Kagome nor Rin could tell what kind it was though when they stepped to the side to get out of its way, they were surprised to see it stop beside them.
"Excuse me," the driver said, his voice pleasant though extremely deep. Kagome couldn't help but notice the astounding sound that came out of his mouth and his musical voice reminded her of Mufasa from the Disney movie, The Lion King. She had the urge to ask him to say 'Simba…I am very disappointed in you…' but resisted by smiling at him.
"Yes sir?"
"I was wondering if you could help me," the man said calmly. Though his voice held no waver or fault, Kagome noticed the way that he didn't meet her gaze too often and mostly looked over her shoulder and then quickly back to her face as if he was guilty of staring at the water dripping walls that lay behind her.
Rin shifted her weight from side-to-side, clearly unnerved. Something didn't feel right. Just the way the driver acted, his gaze always fell… Turning around to see what he was looking at, she was confused for several moments before she knew.
It all made sense now.
With a thick and bloody thump, Rin felt her head spin and throb. The gagging reflex made her queasy with the feeling of vomiting and before she could steady herself she fell gracelessly to the disgusting pavement. Kagome's scream was heard soon after and Rin was vague aware of the driver cursing at Kagome's shrill cry. Rin bit her bottom lip to help ease the pain in her head since it forced her to focus on something. The taste of crimson blood came soon after and she realized daftly that she had bitten away an unhealthy part of her lip off, the blood making her gag and throw up while the acid like taste burned the bleeding cut. Her vision danced and black started to cover her eyes.
'They're covering my head!' Rin's mind shouted but when she didn't feel anything toying with her long hair, she realized that he eyelids started to close and that the pain seemed a mile away.
"H-help," Rin croaked out, unable to be any louder then a mere whisper before unconsciousness took over and she started to fall to the gum-littered pavement. Her only relief was her captor's hand grabbing her hair in a fist and pulling her head up so not to hit the cement. Of course, she would never have known because by that time her mind was already gone.
"I don't like this."
"I don't give a God damn if you like this or not. We're doing what the boss says to do. Understood?"
Rin's eyes fluttered open and closed, the heavy weight of sleep still pressing on her, forcing her back into a helpless state. But Rin refused to be helpless. Focusing on something more visible, Rin stared intently at what looked like a road map in one of the car seats back pocket. Finally able to see somewhat, Rin took a deep long breath and let it out, the smell of brand new clean leather unmistakeable.
Wait. Hold up.
Car seat?
Clean leather?
Jolting up quickly as if being zapped, Rin whimpered in pain that her head caused, the hurting so unbearable that her vision spun until she laid her head back down and closed her eyes briefly. Memories of what had happened flooded back and withholding a gasp that died to escape her, Rin tried to move, being cautious in case one of her captors heard her. A hard tug at her wrists confirmed that her wrists were bound together tightly by duck tape.
Her body heaving in pain as she moved slightly, Rin tried to look around at her surroundings to see Kagome, who was tied in a similar fashion with a gag around her mouth. Obviously, her screaming had worried them. By the peaceful look on the girl's face, Rin could tell that she was unconscious or sleeping though the former struck her more as the truth.
'What do I do?' Rin asked, afraid of the very few ideas that came to her mind. None of them were logical enough to put into action. 'Sesshomaru, where are you?'
"So, the brat's awake huh?"
Rin gasped out something incoherent as she glanced up anxiously, meeting the eyes of her attackers.
"I told you, you hit like a girl. You didn't even knock her out any longer than an hour," the driver mocked, his deep unearthly voice unmistakeable. When the driver shifted, she could clearly see a long strand of silver wavy hair.
Rin's chocolate eyes widened in horror and unwanted recognition. 'No…' she thought panicked. 'This can't be happening. It's not him. He couldn't have… How?'
The passenger, the one that knocked her out grinned boyishly at her, a wicked tainted gleam in his eyes. "So, you remember me Noto? That's good since I have changed quite a bit since we last met."
He used her last name. Just like he always did.
Bastard.
"What the hell are you doing?" Rin screamed her voice overly shrill and wild causing him to wince.
"And just like the last time we met, you still had that horrible shriek of a voice."
Rin glared at him with fire in her eyes. By the time she was through with him the ground would be spitting fire and the Heaven's would be raining brimstone. "I… How the hell did you become like this you bastard? I knew you were dirty and an unfaithful, pathetic liar but I never thought you would go so low!"
Once again, he flashed that brilliant boyish smile that seemed to have melted the hearts of millions of girls. Why, she didn't know. She had hated him since the first time she met him.
"Just tell me, why?" Rin said, deadly calm. "No matter what I will still hate your disgusting, revolting guts."
The driver laughed whole-heartedly and sneaked a glance over the chair to face Rin who gasped once more in surprise.
"You…"
The driver looked back to face his partner. "Not too smart is she but pretty witty when it comes to remarks. Bold too. I always hated that in a woman. Probably the reason for Rin and mine's history."
Rin's anger flared. "Shut up! Why the hell did you do this to us? Why are you listening to Naraku?"
The driver looked surprised for a moment and then looked at his partner who shrugged. "I didn't say anything."
"How did you know about Naraku?" he asked and Rin glared Hell's flames before answering.
"I'm not that naïve. I know what you've been planning. Trying to sabotage Black Majik? The false suicide acts? Just so your pitiable boss's company can rise to number one. Pathetic."
"Watch your mouth Noto!" the passenger snapped but Rin snapped right back.
"I don't give a damn! I hope you rot in Hell, the both of you! I hope the two of you rot in Hell and the day you die your damnable death, I only ask to be there to watch you suffer. Got that Goshinki? Got that Hojo? That is all I ask."
"Shippo! Shippo!" Sango screamed as she entered the famous Play building, searching around frantically for the small boy. "Where are you?"
"Over here!"
Sango turned sharply to the sound of the voice and it's owner, finding the carrot top boy sitting behind a 'May I Help You?' booth with an eyebrow raised. Sango ignored his skeptical manner and ran to the booth, smashing her hands down on the table just when Inuyasha and Miroku entered.
"Have you seen Kagome and Rin?"
Shippo scratched his head, slightly feeling awkward at how close their faces were. It was just a tad bit uncomfortable. "No…should I have?"
Inuyasha and Miroku now caught up with them but both stayed back from Sango. She was unstable, temperamental and was thinking about as sanely as a mental patient left in a straightjacket and white room for twenty years too many.
Miroku was the first to step up, not afraid of Sango's wrath since he experienced it most of his life. "Sango, are you okay? Come here…" Miroku tried to sooth Sango as she just stared at Shippo, the darkness in her eyes evident.
Sango's face backed away from Shippo's and she stood stiffly on her spot. It was late out and the number of people in the building was dwindling rapidly, each rushing to get home to their family or flats. Sango bit her lip and she blinked quickly. Shippo didn't notice the start of the tears until he smelt them before they fell down her face.
Sango broke down and not even Miroku who was right beside her was able to catch her before she hit the ground sobbing.
"Maybe you've spent too much time with that dog demon Noto," Hojo said tauntingly. "The title 'bitch' seems to fit you only too well."
"Go to Hell."
Goshinki chuckled but kept his eyes on the road. "Still as wild as ever."
"Shut up!" Rin snapped, glaring at the demon that drove. "How are you still alive?"
"I thought you told me to shut up?" Goshinki teased but Rin jerked her body upwards, momentarily forgetting her dazed mind and spit with whatever saliva she had towards Goshinki.
"You damn well knew what I meant," Rin growled. "Answer me."
Goshinki laughed once again, looking pitifully towards Rin. "Easy. I died."
"Bastard," Rin hissed. "Tell me!"
Hojo made a move backwards to hit Rin across the face but with one quick slap from Goshinki across his arm, Hojo stopped and glared at the demon.
"I'll handle this," Goshinki said. "You just shut up and sit tight. If I hear one more word out of you, I won't care about boss's wishes and will personally see to your demise."
"Pleasant," Hojo mumbled but Goshinki chose to ignore that.
"Let's start from the beginning shall we?" Sparing a glance at the wild girl behind him, Goshinki continued. "After I killed your foster parents and burned their house to the ground, you did a good job in running away and tripping me up. You see I couldn't let the only witness to the murders run away to the nice police officer and tell them that I hurt 'Mommy and Daddy.' I had to get you too. But you being the little bitch you are hid on me while the house fell apart and part of the roof collapsed on me. You got away and I was left to die. Fortunately, I got out and police just assumed I died since one of my horns broke off from the wood." Goshinki rubbed his head as if the memory was fresh and the day was relived. "Of course, it was only until later that I learned that you could've cared less how your foster parents died. They beat you after all."
Rin hissed out colourful words and cursed his very being. It was true. She remembered that day like it was yesterday instead of only five years ago. She had been thirteen when Goshinki came and murdered her foster parents for "old debts" and when he lit the house on fire he hadn't counted on her skipping school that day and being in the house, hidden in her room. Worst part of it all was that he was right. They had beaten her and she hated them for that. It was only shortly after that she moved and changed schools where she met Miroku, Sango and Kagome.
It was then, that Rin felt it: a light kick. Turning her head so it looked more like she was looking out the window recalling old times rather than looking towards Kagome, Rin studied the girl's face out of her preverbal vision. In one quick instant, Kagome's eyes shot open and made connection with Rin's and then she closed her eyes again, regaining that "unconscious" look. She had been awake the whole time.
Outside, the night and dark let Rin see very little of her surroundings though she could easily make out rundown looking apartments as they neared an alleyway. Parking and turning off the car, Goshinki looked towards Hojo. "You stay here," he ordered. "I have to pick up some more old debts and should be back no longer than twenty minutes. The car will be locked. If I hear that car alarm go off, I swear to the Devil I will kill you."
Hojo grumbled but nodded and watched angrily as Goshinki walked out, keys in his hand. Rin leaned back against the car door as if she were resting and lifted her bound wrists to the lock on the door. If she could only slide it to the left gently enough so no noise was made…
All of a sudden, Hojo snapped around, his seatbelt already undone and Rin squealed, unlocking the door and the clicking sound that she had been avoiding was made. The car alarm didn't go off since she had unlocked it from the inside but Hojo was alert enough to know that his victim, the one he was left in charge with, was trying to get away. Before he could grab Rin though, Kagome suddenly jumped up and pressed her face to Hojo's, kissing his lips as best she could through the cloth gag she wore around her mouth.
Rin took that idea to run. Kagome looked guiltily towards Rin and smiled as best she could when she lifted her head. Jerking her head out the door, Kagome silently ordered for Rin to run but she couldn't. She wouldn't leave Kagome alone. Never.
Run…GO! Get the others! Kagome's chocolate eyes pleaded with Rin and letting tears streamed down her cheeks, Rin tumbled out of the car, rolling on her back and staggering to her feet unsteadily. Then she took off, leaving Kagome with Hojo.
'Forgive me Kagome. Just hold on a bit longer…' Rin prayed as she ran and ran. Not really sure of where she was going until she found something that would help her.
Her scent, she needed to disguise her scent. Or at least throw them off. Goshinki was demon; he would be able to smell her.
Dark and dangerous alleyways normally frightened Rin on an average day, but today was far from average. She was running for her life. Running in hopes of getting help before Kagome…
'Hold on Kagome… Please hold on…'
"I need to find the others," Rin told herself out loud and tried to move her wrists in hopes that the tape wasn't too tightly bound but to no such luck. "But first, I need to break free."
Rin ran down cold empty alleyways, free of other presences other than the odd stray cat and tumbling garbage. She didn't stop running because if she did…if she got caught…
'Don't think that way!' Rin scolded herself mentally. A stitch at her side, Rin forced herself to slow for a sixty-second brake, the seconds ticking by as she breathed in and out deeply. Looking towards the sky, Rin almost screamed when she saw the first couple drops of rainfall from the Heavens. At least her scent would be partially covered but she still needed something else to mask it.
'Just keep going Kagome…' Rin begged. 'Keep going and don't you dare surrender.'
Next Chapter: Danger Zone
The End is Near...
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