Lauren: Hey! Ah, it's so sad, I didn't pass my written permit test for the second time. I'm beginning to think I should take a break and try again when I really feel ready. But for some good news- it's Thanksgiving Break! W00t! Do you know what that means? It means I have five free days to write!!!!! YEAH! *cheers* And I'd also like to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving! Now on to the reviews comments...
Suzuko- Am I so cruel as to trick you all? Wait...don't answer that! ^_^;;
Soju- Kagome might make it out safe. It all depends on if anyone catches on to them.
Ryu- Dude!! I didn't know they sold mangas and DVD's there! Awesome, thanks! I must check it out sometime now! ^_^ hehe, calm down before you have a heart attack!
Cherrymecha- Ah, you're obviously thinking well! I might decide to do something with Naraku and Kagome ("Kikyo") but that'll be a surprise!
WarriorGL- Sure, I'd absolutely love to chat sometime again!
aurora earth- Aw, wow, thank you! I feel so special! Three cheers for all of my wonderful reviewers! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip horray!
Aberuncate- AH!! I'm hurrying!!! Don't get taller Bernard! Then that'll make me look even shorter than I already am! And I hail the spork and chicken gods. D
Syren- Hey, I confuse myself all the time! What I do for most of my stories is I write down the main gist of what I want to happen and then try to figure out some of the details. If I'm having trouble figuring it all out to fit together, I either A) Call my friend Lena on the phone, B) Hunt her down at school or C) Make her come over to my house or me to hers and tell her my detailed plans. She then usually gives me her input, ideas and helps me figure out how it'll all work out together. It helps a lot actually.
Mandy- *stares at the bent fork and uses her mind to make it straight* Don't ask. ^_^;;
Nytshad- That is awesome! I'd love to switch places with my siblings but sadly...I have two brothers so I don't think it would work out and plus, I'm the only one in my family with red hair. I'm the oddball of the group! I think though that I've seen up to about episode 60 of Inuyasha. I've seen the 1st, 2nd and 3rd box set and I've read up to manga 12. I want to see the 4th box set!!!
Tori- Yeah, Lauren is my real name! And I LOVE the story "Death, Greed and Hate". It's so good!
B-chan- Aww...you get a special shout-out always! You rock! I think what really makes the difference between Kikyo and Kagome IS that Kikyo is cold and Kagome is giddy. Expressions can surprisingly really change the look of a person. I hope you got your package and that you like it! You ordered the Inuyasha movie, right? What did you think of it? =)
T'laren- Gah, you're doing nothing for my figure!! Ha, but I love the fudge still! Thanks so much! I don't think there will be a Kouga and Inuyasha fight but there could possibly be one with 'someone else'....D Now is it more subtle? LoL!
Asilin- I LOVE THE IDEA!! I say we kidnap Santa and then Bernard will come to save him and we'll capture him! Or else we could sneak into Santa's sleigh and hide until he takes us to the North Pole, then jump out and grab Bernard and run! XD
Tenoko- Oh my gosh. Thanks to you I'll never be able to think of Naraku the same again. Michael Jackson?! Well...he is sort of like him, look wise. I can understand where you'd see the resemblance. And the voice that is talking to her can be trusted...mostly.
Thank you again- ALL of you! I love you all so much! And now...ENJOY!
~*~ Where Did You Go? ~*~
~By: Lauren~
-Chapter 15-
"Into The Sunlight"
Kagome fidgeted in Kikyo's suit. It consisted of a black shirt, black stockings, penny loafers, a silk white blouse and a black suit jacket. The raven-haired girl, Kagome, was extremely uncomfortable in the tight, heavy clothing after spending many years wearing cool, loose drawstring pants, a shirt and slippers. Not only did it feel very strange but also the clothing kept scratching and rubbing her bandages, which caused her wounds to hurt. It was a big change and something she would have to get used to. For a moment, Kagome had to wonder why in the world Kikyo of all people was helping her out. She just didn't understand it- the two of them had never gotten a long. She decided to let her unsettling thoughts rest for a second as she came upon the conclusion that no one would ever truly understand anyone else.
"So should I take any notes on how you act?" Kagome questioned Kikyo who had just wiped off her makeup and was now moving towards Kagome to put it on her.
"Hm." Kikyo mumbled as she proceeded to put dark eyeliner on Kagome. For some odd reason Kagome felt as if she were getting dressed for a funeral for all of the black she was wearing. "Be cold to any male or female except for Naraku." Kikyo instructed. "Be sarcastic, especially towards Inuyasha. I'm going to leave my purse in your care but if you dare touch any thing in it...you'll pay." She threatened as second thoughts began to flood her mind. What if she got stuck in the asylum? What if Kagome and Inuyasha left her there? Kikyo shook her head. She had already agreed to help and the strange feeling of helping this girl kept pushing at her madly. It kept telling her she HAD to redeem herself to this girl. Why? Kikyo wasn't sure but she wanted to get the pushing feeling out of her- it made her feel weak that she would submit to her own emotions but she knew if she didn't do this, she wouldn't be able to live with herself. "My office number is in my cell phone address book- call in sick for me, ok?"
Kagome nodded, taking in all of the instructions.
"Any tips for me?" Kikyo asked as she smeared dark red lipstick on Kagome.
"Uh...act insane." Kagome chuckled. "But when you get transferred to the new clinic or wherever, act like a normal woman. Talk casually to the guards and your new doctor. Try to convince them you're sane."
Inuyasha suddenly broke into their conversation. "Don't let anyone take off your bandages until you're at the new clinic- the nurses are often too dense to check for the age of wounds. The files they'll give her new doctor will be the fake, messed up ones they gave me. They're in such a horrible and obviously fake condition that it'll probably help you convince them you're sane." They all suddenly froze as the door handle began to turn. It clicked as the person trying to open it realized it was locked. Inuyasha thanked himself quietly for taking Kaede's advice and locking it.
They all let out a sigh of relief before they realized that the person was most likely leaving briefly to retrieve a key.
Kagome finished tying her extra bandages around Kikyo in the exact spots she had hers on. A tiny noise was heard as someone turned a key, unlocking the door.
Kikyo dove onto the bed gracefully, snuggling under the covers as the doorknob began to turn. She shut her eyes, pretending that she was asleep.
Inuyasha's eyes widened as he realized he wasn't supposed to be visiting Kagome, so he dropped to the floor and pulled himself under the bed, hoping the overhang of sheets were enough to cover him up from all angles.
Kagome's body locked up as she came to understand that she was now on her own. "She" was supposedly asleep on the bed and "Kikyo" was the only one in the room. Why would Kikyo be in there any ways? Every possible excuse seemed to flee from her mind as Miroku opened the door. Kagome relaxed slightly as she stared in surprise at her old companion.
She began to lecture herself in her head as Miroku gave her a quizzical look. "Wait. Must be Kikyo like. Kikyo does not gawk in surprise at people. Kikyo is..." Memories of the past Kikyo flew back at her. If this Kikyo was any like the past one, she would...
"What are you staring at, leech?" Kagome hissed at Miroku, hoping she didn't sound too cruel.
Miroku sneered at her. "Nothing interesting. You scared me there for a second Kikyo, you almost had the look of something other than that of a bit-"
Kagome quickly cut him off, knowing Kikyo would not waste her time listening although it hurt her a bit to be so mean to one of her dear friends. "Shut up and get out of here unless you want to find yourself flying through that window." She motioned towards the tiny glass window on the opposite door. Kagome made sure to keep her voice stern and emotionless, which wasn't very hard to do considering all she had to do was think of the last few years of her life and she was instantly overwhelmed with anger and pain.
"Sorry to bug you, O' great one." Miroku rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. What he came here to do abruptly came back to him. "Hey- have you seen Inuyasha around? He's supposed to be meeting with Shippo right now and Sango later."
Kagome shrugged. "No, I haven't and even if I did, I wouldn't care." She chuckled to herself as she shifted the weight of her purse from one shoulder to the other.
"Ok." Miroku made to leave before he paused. "Wait a second...what are you doing in here any ways?"
Kagome lost her face for a second as she searched for an excuse. "I...uh...I...THAT IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!" She snapped loudly.
"Fine, I was just curious. You could get in trouble for being in here unauthorized." Miroku began to leave.
"If you tell anyone- ANYONE-" Kagome began.
"I know, I know..." Miroku snorted. "You'll get me 'fixed'." And with that said, he disappeared from the room.
Kagome let out her breath before she blinked. "Fixed?" She stated, staring down at Kikyo in the bed.
Kikyo opened her eyes before she let a small smile form on her face. "Yeah, that's my usual threat for him. Comes in handy a lot."
Inuyasha snuffled out from under the bed and stretched. "I forgot about Shippo's appointment. Listen- Kagome- do you think you could hang around in the doctor's lunch area until I'm finished? Afterwards I can take you to stay at my apartment."
Fear filled Kagome's heart. She wanted nothing more than to just get out of the damn clinic but if she did leave she wanted Inuyasha with her to hold her hand on the way out. Even if she left on her own, where would she go? She needed Inuyasha and therefore, she had no choice but to wait and pray not to be caught. "Sure. How long do you think you'll be?" Kagome tried to hide the tremor in her voice.
"Just an hour or so." Inuyasha responded, massaging his cramped muscles. "I'm going to head out of here before someone comes in." Leaning forward, he pulled Kagome into a quick hug and kissed her cheek before he disappeared from the room. He shivered. He knew it was Kagome he had kissed but she looked so frighteningly like Kikyo it still gave him the chills. How he had dated Kikyo in high school, he had no idea.
"Bye..." Kagome murmured before she turned to Kikyo. "Anything I can do for you before I leave? Any advice for me?" Kagome suddenly felt very tense.
"No." Kikyo coolly responded, sinking into the bed and closing her eyes. "This is kind of nice actually..."
Kagome snorted at this. "Don't get too used to it and believe me, it's not all fun and games." She paused for a minute. "Hey Kikyo..."
"What?" Kikyo opened one of her eyes to peer at Kagome.
"Thanks." Kagome smiled warmly at the other woman before she pulled her into a tight embrace.
Kikyo winced as the other woman hugged her and disappeared from the room. Strangely...she had felt a lot better when Kagome had thanked her. It felt as if a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders and Kikyo felt lighter almost.
A few seconds passed.
Kikyo stared at the white walls blankly, suddenly very bored.
A few minutes passed.
An hour passed.
The wall was still the exact same as it had been two hours ago.
She frowned. What had she gotten herself into?
~*~
Kagome stared at the can of Pepsi in her hand. She swooshed the soda around, watching the brown liquid move. She lifted up the can and took a quick savoring gulp of the soda. It was so delicious and pleasing, this drink she had. Kagome hadn't drank anything other than milk or water for years and to finally have Pepsi now only made her grin like an idiot. Kagome pushed away a tinge of sorrow. She had been missing out on so many things in life. She only now realized she didn't know who were the popular music bands, which were the new actors and movies, what had happened throughout the world, what kind of new developments had been made? There were thousands of things she had been missing. The world had gone flying by while she merely sat in a cell, locked away forever alone. In fact, until she had met Inuyasha, she had barely made any human contact. The realization that Kagome would be entering the world once again finally began to hit home. She shivered, unsure of everything. Even though she would have Inuyasha by her side, she understood that he wouldn't always be there with her. There would be times when she would have to be brave and face the world by herself. It was something she had to do alone, whether she wanted to or not. Kagome's attention was quickly diverted as a shadow appeared above her.
"What are you doing here Kikyo?" A woman stood before her, her arms crossed over her chest. Sango rephrased the question for Kagome could only stare at her in shock.
Comprehending her mistake, Kagome jerked up straight in her seat. "Waiting for Naraku." She replied, knowing that this was a response everyone would believe. Kagome tried to act cold but as she looked at her dear friend, her eyes softened.
Sango stepped back in surprise as she gazed into the eyes of Kikyo. Was this really Kikyo? Something about her was off. It wasn't right. "Are you feeling ok?" Sango questioned, holding a hand against Kagome's forehead.
Kagome pushed the hand away. "I'm fine." She hissed, turning her nose away from Sango.
Sango shrugged. "Whatever you say." She turned to go and find Miroku but the strange feeling that this girl was not Kikyo still ate away at her. She felt as if she knew the girl- this Kikyo imposter- but she brushed it off as the result of the lack of sleep. Sango turned a corner and disappeared down the hallway, carrying the lunch she had purchased for Miroku.
Kagome sat there in silence, basking in the glory of seeing another familiar face and basking in the fear of what the fates had in store for her. She smiled as she remembered the distant days that she could no longer touch. Kagome turned her hand over, studying her palms and the moon-shaped scars that were pinkish-white from her nails. Kagome's eyes seemed to go beyond her hand though, as she painstakingly turned it over. She sat there thinking.
Perhaps, if she ran away now...ran fast enough...she could escape all of this. Maybe even visit her grandfather's grave or watch one of her brother's soccer games. With a sigh of frustration, Kagome pushed back her chair and froze. No matter how much she thought, how much she dreamed of running away to some unknown Utopia, she knew it would never happen. If Inuyasha was not in her life...perhaps...but she knew that no matter what happened, or how he treated her, she could never abandon him. And she could never abandon her mother and Souta. Not when she, Kagome, was the cause of the death of her grandfather. Not when it was her fault that her mother had became the distant mother, the unperturbed woman Kagome had known in her recent memories. After all, if she hadn't have brought half of the Shikon no Tama with her- if she and Inuyasha had not gotten engaged and made the rings with the jewel- her grandfather may have still been alive...
Until they destroyed this unknown demon and purified the Shikon no Tama, she could make no human contact with the ones she loved with the exception of Inuyasha. And even now, as she pondered this, she questioned if she should stay with Inuyasha. He was human now so he was obviously much weaker than before and easier to kill. She was only putting his life in danger by staying with him.
Kagome's thoughts were swept away as a hand gripped her shoulder suddenly. Jerking her eyesight upward, she relaxed as she found Inuyasha's amber eyes smiling down at her. "You scared the crap out of me!" She exclaimed, jumping up from her seat to spin around and face him. She quickly tossed her soda into the nearest trashcan and gathered her things together.
"Sorry." Inuyasha smirked at her nervousness. "Ready to go then?"
Kagome stood before him, trying to stand as tall as she could. She took in a trembling breath and made a wobbly step forward. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be." She muttered, as they both began to wander down the hallways and towards the exit.
"Want to hear something strange?" Inuyasha finally said to break the uneasy silence.
"What?" Kagome looked up at him. She needed something to distract her from her overwhelming fears, so she directed all her attention to Inuyasha.
"In today's session with Shippo, he told me that the police caught the brothers who murdered his parents." Inuyasha stated before he was cut off.
"Hiten and Manten?" Kagome raised her eyebrows with interest.
"How'd you know?" Inuyasha gave her a shocked expression before he shook his head side to side. This girl really did know everything. Getting back to his point, he said, "Any ways, it ends up that the brothers didn't murder them for any of their own reasons. They told the police they were paid a lot of money by some freaky looking guy."
Kagome shivered, knowing all too well that this 'freaky looking guy' was most likely the demon who killed her grandfather but when she looked up, she found herself face to face with the exit door.
All she had to do was pull it open and step out. It was so simple to do, such an every-day task for a normal person and yet...so hard for her at this very moment.
Her hand shook as Inuyasha gripped it tenderly, letting her lean in against him for support.
Kagome couldn't believe that the long nightmare was over.
She couldn't believe it even as she walked with Inuyasha through the dark, echoing corridor and out into the bright sunlight.