Lauren: Once again, I don't own Inuyasha but I own the plot. Yeah, I know their a bit out of character (mainly Kagome) but this is how they act AFTER all they've been through. Like, Kagome's situation has changed her personality and such than being the innocent girl when she's more desperate and stuff. Any ways, I hope you guys enjoy part two! Thanks!

~*~* -Stolen Money, Borrowed Time -*~*~

By: Lauren

Part II – The Chase

"That's so sweet of you, to visit sick patients who are your fans." A nurse in a white outfit led Inuyasha down a tiny, crowded hallway. Inuyasha followed, nodding with a fake smile. He hated hospitals; they always frightened him and gave him the shivers.

"Souta is his first name." Inuyasha muttered, tearing his eyes away from the entrance to a surgery room.

"Right this way." The nurse turned a corner, "Poor boy…seems like he's always in here and then he was moved in a few months ago. The cancer was found in his back but they were able to destroy and get rid of the tumor. The problem was after they got rid of it, they discovered that it had moved into his lungs and it's been slowly spreading. They've been trying all kinds of treatment but nothing seems to be working and he'll suffocate and eventually die." The nurse was shaking her head before she stopped in front of a room marked 42. "There's a procedure that might save him but it's very risky and expensive. What they would do is take him into surgery and cut open his chest. They'd make a tiny incision and would insert a tub with a camera into his lungs. There they'd find the tumors and would directly target it with a few chemicals and chemo but one of the risks involved is that the chemo not only kills the cancer but it lowers one's white blood cell count, which causes their immune system to lower to sever levels. Basically, a mere cold could end up killing him until his body recovers the white blood cells it has lost."

"So tragic…" Inuyasha shook his head also. Strangely…this whole story had him intrigued. He had been caught up in the chase and the different views of the story. He wanted this little boy to live, even if the odds were slim. It was truly a sorrowful tale, something real instead of the fancy world he had grown up in. The world full of fakes- people wanting to be your friend because of the things you have and your money. Inuyasha wasn't quite sure if he had ever had a true friend, besides Miroku, but sometimes he didn't count. Inuyasha chucked at this before furrowing his brow in thought. The girls only liked him because of his looks and his wallet, not who he was. The guys got jealous because he got the girls, the money and the skill to be a famous hockey player. Thinking of hockey made Inuyasha growl as he remembered his contract. All sympathy disappeared as he focused on HIS contract. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted as the door swung open. Inuyasha stepped in and what he saw made him regret his past fury over his contract.

Inside the room was a single person hospital bed with white sheets but the tiny, fragile boy lying in them seemed even paler. He was so small and it looked as if he'd break if you touched him. Where curly brown hair had once laid was only a smooth head with a stumble of hair. Dark ringlets circled his eyes that seemed to sink in a bit while thousands of tubs protruded from the boy. From his nose, his wrist, his neck and each was stuck in with a sharp needle. Bags of various colored liquid dripped into some of the tubs while different monitors beeped softly.

"Souta," The nurse shook his shoulder gently. "Someone's here to see you." Turning to Inuyasha, she smiled and began to leave the room. "Take as long as you like."

Instantly, Inuyasha felt like he was a child. He didn't want the nurse to leave- what if the boy started to die while he was in the room? He looked as if he was…if Inuyasha touched him, would he shatter? Inuyasha chewed on his lip nervously while a feeling of guilt washed over him. He was in a room with a dying child and he had been worrying about a hockey contract. I mean, come on, how selfish and foolish could he be? This child had not gone to high school, probably had only gone to a few years of elementary school. He wouldn't go to college, he wouldn't get a girlfriend or get married or get a job or have kids of his own. He didn't deserve to die- especially because he didn't have enough money.

Inuyasha froze as Souta stirred then opened his eyes, blinking before he focused on Inuyasha.

Recognition dawned on Souta instantly as he tried to jump up from his bed but only succeeded in moving half of him up a bit. "Y-You're Inuyasha!!!" Souta squealed hoarsely, reaching out to him.

Inuyasha relaxed and sat down on a nearby chair, scooting it to Souta's bedside. He let Souta grab his hand before he smiled and said, "Yes I am and I believe you're Souta Higurashi."

Souta grinned, "You know my name! The coolest hockey player ever knows my name and is in my room talking to me! You're my favorite player ever! I-I look up to you so much, I wanna play hockey just like you!"

Inuyasha laughed as he nodded, "I look up to you." He whispered. Fans had always annoyed him but now…it seemed different. Every one of his fans had a story, just like Souta. Inuyasha felt even more ashamed than before. He had always considered himself higher than the common person, higher than his fans and others but now…he felt like nothing but a lowly worm. When he compared Souta to himself, he frowned. Souta was such a stronger person than he was and a much better one at that.

"Can you sign my hockey puck?" Souta glanced around the room, "Crap…mom has it at home!"

"It's okay." Inuyasha pulled out his lucky hockey puck from his jacket pocket, signing it with a gold pen he always carried. He handed it to Souta who could only stare at it in awe.

"Just curious…but why are you here?" Souta asked as some of the excitement wore off and the familiar sense of exhaustion swept over him from his never-ending chemo treatments.

Inuyasha pondered an answer for a moment before he spoke, "I needed a kick in the rear…to see that life isn't just about me…and I'm looking for your sister."

"My sister?" Souta blinked, his eyelids getting heavy. "Why?"

Inuyasha's eyes widened, not sure whether to tell the boy his sister stole his car. "She's an old friend." He settled for that instead.

"Wow…sis knew the great Inuyasha and didn't tell me…I'll have to pound her later…" His eyelids closed as sleep claimed Souta once again. Inuyasha sat in his chair silently, watching the slight rise and fall of Souta's chest.

The words covering his lungs echoed in his mind.

Suffocation.

Not enough money.

It was horrible…but soon Inuyasha left the room to get a cup of coffee.

~*~

Kagome smirked as she counted the money she had made from pawning the car parts. It was a lot…almost enough for the surgery but she was still a few thousand short. She put on a hopeful smile as she entered Souta's room, finding him half-awake as usual.

"Hey there short stuff." She smiled softly at him as she sat down next to his bed, leaning over to brush her hand against his cheek tenderly for a moment. "How ya' doing?"

Souta coughed before he grinned weakly, "I'm okay."

Neither of them noticed a shadowed figure standing in the open door.

Kagome tried to act brave but to any one watching, they could see the sorrow glinting in her eyes. She pulled out a tiny wrapped gift, handing it to her brother. "I got this for you today."

Souta grabbed it quickly, pulling it open to reveal a copy of the movie Lord of the Rings- The Two Towers. "How'd you?!" He exclaimed in shock.

"I knew you wanted to see the second but since you can't leave the hospital…don't tell but I sort of taped it from inside the theater." Kagome chuckled, leaning in towards him.

"I don't care! Thanks a ton!" Souta pulled his sister into a hug that broke apart quickly. "Oh yeah…since when did you know Inuyasha?"

Kagome blinked in confusion. "Inuyasha…? The hockey player…?" Panic seized her- had the police gone to Souta? Did he know about her stealing now?

"Me." Inuyasha muttered from the doorway. He decided right there and then- whoever that girl he had just watched was- he wanted to know her more. She seemed so opposite from the girl who had stolen his car, it was almost like watching a whole new person and he found himself wanting to know this girl, this new side of her. Somehow, without even realizing it, Inuyasha had become wrapped up in her life.

Kagome's head snapped up and instantly she changed masks, her face hardening. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" She snarled at him. Before Inuyasha could react though, he was pulled out of the room and the door slammed shut. Souta could only blink in surprise as he stared at where they used to be. The door muffled Kagome's voice. "What did you tell him?! What are you doing!!" She screamed.

Inuyasha squinted, his vision clearing as he looked into the eyes of the woman who had stolen his car. "Hey…what happened to that sweet girl?" He suddenly snapped awake almost, pulling away from her abruptly before he moved forward again and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry!" He muttered, referring to Souta.

"What the heck?! Let go of me!!" Kagome squirmed out of his arms, blushing tomato red and in total confusion. "Just who do you think you are?"

"I'm Inuyasha. You don't really know me but I know you." He replied, grabbing her hand and pulling her down the hallway. Kagome instantly yanked free of his grip.

"What are you trying to pull? I stole your car and now you want to be friends? Where are the cops? The hidden cameras?" Kagome edged away from him fearfully, a large lump of money in her back pocket from the parts she had managed to sell.

"No, there are no hidden police. Listen, your mother told me your story and I'm willing not to press charges. You can keep the car, I'll even pay for Souta's surgery thing; all I need are a few papers from the glove compartment." Inuyasha smiled, wanting to help this girl out.

Kagome sighed bitterly, "Stupid mom…tells everybody our business. Listen, I don't know what kind of crap you're pulling but I don't take help from rich snobs and I'm sorry but I pawned the car in pieces this morning."

"You're joking, right?" Inuyasha's jaw dropped as he clenched his hand into a fist. "Tell me you're joking…"

"I'm not." Kagome stepped away from him, "It's all gone. Sorry to burst your bubble." Spinning on her heel, she dashed down the hallway towards the exit, not wanting to face Inuyasha's wrath.

Angry, Inuyasha was stunned when she suddenly sprinted past him but he regained his senses after a moment and ran after her. They both weaved through nurses and doctors. Kagome was surprisingly fast but Inuyasha was almost too her. They were out in the open now, nearing a busy street. Inuyasha reached out, his fingers brushing Kagome's wrist but missing as she ran out on the street, narrowly avoiding cars while Inuyasha had to stop or else he would be hit. After the road cleared for a second, he dashed across only to find no trace of the girl.

He cursed loudly before he turned and stumbled back into the hospital, growling to himself. If anyone crossed his path, they were in for a severe beating. After slowly climbing a few flights of stairs, he found himself back in front of Souta's room. Needing to get his coat but not wanting to disturb the boy, he quietly cracked open the door and tip toed in.

"Why'd Kagome seem so mad?" Souta stated, causing Inuyasha to nearly jump out of his skin.

"Keh, don't ask me. We haven't gotten off on the best foot so far." Inuyasha plopped down in the bedside chair, running his hands through his hair. What he needed now was a good game of hockey to clear his mind.

"Sorry to hear that." Souta mumbled, trying to push himself up in the bed. Inuyasha jumped forward, helping the boy to sit up and pushing his pillow up against the bed headboard. "I think she likes you." He smirked.

"What?!?" Inuyasha nearly dropped to the floor at hearing Souta's words.

"Seriously, I do. She never usually acts like that around guys. She only gets that mad with people she likes." Souta giggled.

"Listen kid, I think you've got the wrong idea. She hates my guts, heck, she barely knows me." Inuyasha sat down, leaning back in his chair while Souta seemed to smugly grin.

"Hey, if you both got married, that would make you my brother in law. Then you could teach me how to play hockey when I get out of this place. Wouldn't that be awesome? I bet every kid around this place would be so jealous of me." Souta excitedly exclaimed, bouncing almost on the bed.

Blushing a beet red, Inuyasha snorted arrogantly, "Over my dead body."

"I'm sure she could arrange that." Souta broke out into laughter before his face grew serious. "Listen, I know she seems like a totally jerky person sometimes but that's just how she is. I mean, cut her some slack, she's had a rough life. She's always felt invisible, like she doesn't matter. I can tell and I feel bad sometimes because of the problem's I've caused. She needs to be spoiled a little bit and her eyes need to be opened. She's got some big grudge against every person she meets with a roll of money." Souta shrugged.

"Kid, it's not your fault." Inuyasha replied, in shock of how mature Souta was actually acting.

"I know." Souta nodded, yawning. "But it would still be cool…Inuyasha…my brother…" His head lulled forward before sleep claimed him.

Inuyasha smiled slightly but it came out somewhat lopsided. "Yeah…I'd be cool." He muttered before he got up, stretching as he slid his jacket on. Closing the door quietly behind him, Inuyasha left the room, the beeping monitor still sounding in the back of his mind.

He hadn't realized how long he had been wrapped up in finding her. As he left the hospital, he glanced up at the sky to see that night was already beginning. The sun was disappearing in the horizon, becoming a melted color of orange and yellow that somehow reminded him of butter. He sighed, his amber eyes gazing upward to see a half moon beginning to shine. A few glimmering stars were trying to beat the rays of the sun but it was hard. Inuyasha knew they would make it though, as soon as they got their chance, they would shine relentlessly for as long as they could.

"What am I supposed to do?" He whispered to himself, wandering down a cement sidewalk that seemed to be abandoned as a few people crossed the street, walking off to their homes, walking off to their families or their friends. Inuyasha turned, finding himself heading into the city park. It was a lush, green place with trees such as weeping willows and wild flowers. There was a tiny lake overgrown with moss and a few benches strategically placed along a pathway. His expensive shoes scuffed against the rough walkway but he ignored it and just walked along it, trying to figure out the mess that was his mind and somehow…it all led back to her.

Her.

Why wouldn't she get out of his mind? Why was she plaguing him so? What was it about her that was so great?

He tried to figure it out but it just wasn't adding up. She didn't have some huge amount of money, that was for sure. She had no fancy background or high family. She had no wonderful social status. She should have been nothing to him but somehow, she was everything and he couldn't figure out why. All his life, everything had been given to him without the blink of an eye and he had never appreciated it.

Why hadn't he thanked his father who worked so hard for it? Or told his mother he loved her recently?

Here was a girl who had barely anything except the clothes on her back and her family but yet, she still had so much more than Inuyasha. Maybe that was why. Maybe he was jealous of her family and their closeness. Jealous that her mother would cover for her and her brother wouldn't mind the things she did. But then again, she was doing it for them, wasn't she? She was totally unselfish. Even if she were broken apart, even if she was at the edge of insanity or had nothing, her family would still be there for her, no matter what. And she's willing to do anything for them, sacrifice her own life even.

He had never met someone like her. Someone so self-giving…someone who could be…everything that he wished for…everything he wished he could be too.

Inuyasha looked up to her for that. What was the contract to him anymore any ways? It was a sheet a paper. All of this for a sheet of paper that gave him money that he would only waste when other people NEEDED it so much more. They were the ones that deserved it; they were the ones that suffered because they didn't have it. And here he was, with tons of it, and not even a bit appreciative. Inuyasha was ashamed of himself; he wanted nothing more than to change but maybe he was changing himself even now. Maybe he was already on the road to change. He decided the first thing he would do when he got back his contract was to sign it and donate his entire salary to people like Kagome and their family.

But first he'd have to find her. He'd have to find the woman he'd grown to love. The woman who had stolen his heart, along with his car.

A few raindrops began to fall towards the earth.

~*~

Kagome rubbed her eyes as she briskly stepped through a darkened alleyway and around the corner, towards the city park. It was the one place she could relax and think. Above her, the night sky began to open up as a flood of crystal cold raindrops began to pour down to the earth. She didn't care as they began to soak into her clothes or flatten her hair. The ground took on a hazy gray color as a mist rose from the impact of the rain. It was as if the gray sky was washing away the world and cleansing it of the dirt. And still, part of her felt as if it was taking pity on the mere mortals of the world and sending forth its share of tears. All she wanted to do was just sit there, quiet all around her, just the gentle pitter-patter of the rain surrounding her. It was peaceful and restful. Gentle and quiet. It was how Kagome wished her own life were.

Kagome's salty tears casually dripped down her face, rolling down her neck from her chin but it was unnoticeable as it mingled with the rain. She stepped down one of the pathways, not sure where she was going. She was so lost at the moment- so unsure of everything. It was all because of that rich idiot. Why couldn't she stop thinking about him?

It went against everything she had taught herself. She had always tried to avoid this; she had always tried to avoid everything. Kagome thought she had set up enough barriers, she thought she had learned her lesson with her father. They didn't care- they always left. They thought they owned the world, they thought they could buy her love; they thought they could buy everything but they can't. It was stupid- her father had tried to buy her heart over when he had had it all along. Then he left with it, taking a hurt part of her with him. All she wanted was her dad, the kind man she had once known, without the money. She didn't care about any of that- she didn't need the money or the fancy things; she only wanted the person.

So why was this Inuyasha person weaseling his way into her mind? Why was he taking another part of her heart also? Would he runaway with it too? Would he leave her without anything?

Kagome snorted, "This is stupid, I barely know him. I hate him." She clenched her fists angrily as she collapsed to the ground, shaking her head as she buried her face in her hands.

"What are you running from?" A voice spoke suddenly, causing her to nearly have a heart attack.

Kagome jumped up, spinning around, frantically searching for the source of the voice. "Who's there?" She muttered, trembling and shivering from fear and the cold.

"Why are you always running away? What are you so afraid of?" The male voice said while Kagome was still looking for the person.

"I'm not running." She growled, "Show yourself." But somehow, she had a feeling she knew who was there.

"I think you're running." It said again. "But you should stop. I'm not like him, I won't leave you." Inuyasha stepped out from behind a nearby tree, slowly advancing on Kagome as if she were a deer caught in someone's headlights.

"Go away! Leave me alone!" Kagome stepped backwards, yelling internally for letting her defensives down and not leaving sooner. Why had she come here in the first place?

That day when her father had left…she thought everything couldn't get any worse…but it had. Souta had gotten sick.

She knew he would probably die, of course, but could not accept it. And yet, it had to happen, he would be leaving her soon if she didn't raise the money. Once again, her world was falling. She was filled with darkness. She had been all alone, until she realized that there were still people all around her, the ones who cared. She was never alone, right from the start. She always had someone. And right now, that most important someone was Souta and…

Inuyasha.

Why him? Why? Kagome couldn't figure it out. She hardly knew the man but she wanted to know more. He seemed different from all the stuck up people she had met…he WAS different. She hated her feelings and didn't understand them. And yet…she knew that you feel what you feel. Nothing can change it and it can rarely be explained probably- but you still feel.

There was just something about him, something she couldn't quite place her finger on. The only problem was…it scared her.

It was that simple.

Kagome was scared. She was terrified.

Inuyasha stepped towards her again slowly, his arms reaching out towards her but this time, Kagome didn't step back. She hesitated before she remembered something her mother had once said to her.

It had been a bit after her parent's separation. Her mother had a date with an old male friend and Kagome was helping her get ready.

"Are you sure you want to go out with him mommy?" Kagome jumped up on her mother's bed in her old pair of overalls. She giggled as her mother sprayed on perfume.

"Of course I want to go." Her mother answered, pursing her lips as she applied lipstick.

Kagome paused, thinking for a moment. "But…aren't you scared?"

"Scared of what honey?" Her mother stopped putting on her makeup and turned around, walking to sit next to Kagome on her bed.

"Scared that he'll be like daddy and'll leave…" Kagome barely whispered, looking down at the floor.

Her mother lifted Kagome's chin up with her hand, smiling slightly. "Honey, I'm terrified of that but…you just have to be brave…you just have to…because a life without love is like not living at all. With everything in the world comes a price…with love, the chance of being left alone, but it's a risk you must be willing to take. The thrills of being together…the things you experience are priceless…they're worth the pain in the end…but you know…not everything in life ends with pain, remember that." Her mother embraced Kagome, sniffing at a few tear..

Kagome blinked, more hot tears now dripping down her face.

She just had to be brave…

"Stop running. I'm not him." Inuyasha murmured to Kagome.

"It's my fault he left!!! It had to be!" Kagome screamed, scrunching her face up in pain. "He left and I couldn't do anything! And I can't do anything to save Souta; it's my fault that I can't save him! I don't want him to die but I don't have the money! I can't let him die! I can't lose him too! I can't!!" Her face twisted in agony as she cried.

"Kagome, it's not your fault. Things like this happen and there aren't a lot of things that people can do about it. You have to snap out of it!" Inuyasha rushed towards her.

"But…" She was stumbling over her words, trying to think of something but the more Inuyasha talked the more she began to see some of the truth. Suddenly, she felt two warm, strong arms embrace her tightly. She fell against him, melting into him as she buried her face in his chest. He pulled her against him, rubbing her back tenderly while he whispered over and over again, "It'll be okay, it'll be okay."

Kagome could only cry into his shoulder and hold on as tight as possibly. Soon, the tears stopped and they only stood there silently, holding one another. After a few minutes of standing like this, they broke apart, Kagome rubbing her eyes while Inuyasha fidgeted nervously.

"So…" Inuyasha broke the silently, looking at her now.

"So…" Kagome repeated, her voice trailing off. She turned her head towards the lake, gazing out blankly. Inuyasha lowered his chin until he was studying the earth. They fell into a distinctly awkward silence, both cursing it very colorfully in their minds but neither quite brave enough to break it with actual words.

Be brave…

Kagome smiled warmly, "Wanna grab a coffee? I know a great place nearby and it's cheap." She almost laughed at the end of her sentence but decided against it and kept her amusement to herself.

"Sure." Inuyasha replied, returning the smile and chuckling to himself as they both turned around, heading out of the park and towards the café. Kagome ignored the fact that she was soaked but Inuyasha pulled off his jacket, which he had managed to keep dry thanks to a thick tree, and wrapped it around her. The pair disappeared from the park, enjoying a nice coffee and a soft-spoken conversation of their lives.

~*~

Kagome sighed to herself dreamily as she collapsed on her bed in her apartment. Thoughts of the delightful conversation she had had with Inuyasha filled her mind. They had ended up staying at the café for nearly seven hours, talking nonstop to one another about various subjects. Oddly, they had a lot in common. She grinned like a drunken woman while she pulled out the thick roll of money she had made from his car before. Another paper fell out of her pocket, landing on the floor. The raven-haired girl bent down, picking it up as she turned it around in her hands. She had found it in the car and had, for some reason, pushed it in her pocket, feeling it was of importance. Opening it now, she began to scan over it.

It was his contract.

A goofy smirk spread across her face. She could blackmail him with this. A more responsible part of her opposed this, saying he trusted her and she shouldn't do something so cruel. And yet…what if he left her when he joined the NHL? Clearing her head of her silly thoughts, she regretfully sighed, giving in to her more negative side.

This was foolish- everything was. She had only met the boy a few days ago and now she was acting as if they had been together forever. It wasn't right. For all she knew, he could be some masked serial killer. Frowning, Kagome distracted herself by counting her money.

She only needed two thousand more dollars and Souta could get his operation.

"Who was that with you?" A voice reached Kagome's ears. She turned her head to see Kouga standing in the doorway.

"Huh?" She dumbly replied.

"That guy, who was he?" Kouga stepped into the room, staring at her intently. "I don't like him."

"He's just a friend, okay?" Kagome raised an eyebrow, eyeing Kouga back equally. "What does it matter to you any ways? It's not like we're a couple or anything…"

Kouga rolled his eyes, "But you know I want to be!!"

"Listen." Kagome jerked up from the bed, tired of this familiar fight, which happened every time Kouga spotted her talking to anything male, not that that happened often. "I'm not interested in you. You're my best friend but no more."

"Fine but I still don't like that dog turd." Kouga growled angrily, stomping out of the room.

Kagome chuckled at the words Kouga had used before she grew somber. Why wouldn't Kouga just understand she had no feelings of love towards him? Sure, she loved him like a brother but not love love. Not worrying over it much longer, she closed her eyes. Kouga was a strong man; he would get over it eventually. Plus, Kagome still wanted to set him up with her friend Kagura. Yawning, she rubbed her eyes. She felt so tired. Not necessarily tired as in she wanted to sleep…she just felt weary and sick of all her troubles and the world. It had been a long, hard road that she had traveled and Kagome wanted to find a rest stop. Her head lolled down as sleep claimed her. Sometime during her nap, she heard Kouga tell her he was going out to meet some friends. It seemed that in a few minutes later, which in reality was a few hours, the phone rang. It was distant and caused Kagome to toss her head side-to-side, slowly waking up.

"W-wha?" She muttered, sliding off the bed to collide harshly with the floor. She pulled herself up then stumbled out into the living room. Once in there, she began to sort through the dirty clothes and empty food boxes until she found the phone.

Ring

Ring

She wanted it to just shut up so she could rest. Finally, she pressed the 'talk' button and held it against her ear. "Hello?"

It was silent for a moment…and Kagome swore she could hear sobbing noises on the other end. "Who's there? If this is a joke…I'm hanging up!"

The sobbing stopped and someone said, "Kagome, this is your mother. Get to the hospital right now…something's happened to Souta. I can't talk, just hurry!!" And then the line went dead.

Kagome swore her heart jumped into her throat at her mother's words.

Something's happened to Souta…