You Want Me To WHAT?
-@--@-
Chapter 11
Brother Dearest
-@--@-
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
lostdreams: Okay sorry it's been a little while since I've updated. I had to read the new Harry Potter book and then I got sick. Seriously. Then I got sunburn really bad. My legs are still in blisters. (I'm not going to elaborate because it is way disgusting.) The third reason is my computer time at home has taken a nosedive. I'm never there so unless I get free time at work I don't type. Irritating yes, but that's the best I can do. Hope you all enjoy this one. I made up for the wait with length. My chapters usually range from 6 to 8 pages long, but this one is fourteen. YAY ME! Anywho, read and review!
-@--@-
Kagome woke reluctantly the next morning as the early morning sunlight started streaming through the blinds.
[Where am I?] she thought groggily, slowly recognizing the hospital walls. Her eyes slowly focused on the sleeping hanyou next to her bed. Without warning the incidents from the night before came back to her in an emotional rush. Jerking up Kagome instantly regretted the sudden movement. Her bruised body screamed in protest, the wave of pain leaving her woozy. Unable to bite back a cry, Kagome groaned loudly waking Inuyasha.
"What?" Inuyasha woke up alert. "What's wrong?" He looked disoriented for a moment before locking his gaze on Kagome. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. Kagome nodded weakly.
"Just surprised myself, that's all," she managed. The pain had left her a bit out of breath.
"Do you want me to call the doctor?"
"No need for that Mr. Kaiyou, I am already here." Dr. Yosho appeared on the scene, smiling brightly despite the earliness. "How are you feeling my dear?" he asked Kagome systematically, checking over some of her external injuries. Kagome sat torn for a moment. She was aching all over and wanted relief badly, but at the same time she didn't want to look so weak in front of Inuyasha. She eventually gave in and let her pride fall.
"I hurt," she said simply.
"That really is no surprise. You have eight badly bruised ribs as well as some other minor strains and such. In my professional opinion I don't see how you ended up with no broken ribs or any other more serious injuries from the encounter," Dr. Yosho explained curtly. Kagome winced inwardly, and couldn't help but remember the last time she had been here..she hadn't been near so lucky. "As of now I want to keep you here at least another day. Just to be sure that we aren't missing anything. Now then I'm sure there is something we can do for the 'discomfort' you're feeling."
"Please?" Kagome pleaded softly.
"Of course, but just so you know it is strong medication and will probably knock you out for a little while, though no worse than you were yesterday of course." He chuckled lightly at his own lame joke. Kagome didn't crack a smile and Inuyasha's normal scowl deepened into a glare. Clearing his throat nervously, the doctor avoided both of their looks. "Right then, the nurse will be in shortly with the medication. If you need anything else press this button here. That will call the nurse." Dr. Yosho turned to leave, but stopped at the door and spun around in an afterthought. "Oh and by the way, I have informed the police on your situation Kagome. They picked up that bastard this morning." Kagome and Inuyasha both looked stunned, but Dr. Yosho only chortled lightly.
"Already?" Kagome inquired. Could they really nab Koga that fast?
"Yes my dear. Being a doctor of my sort I am allowed, if not required, to inform the police on cases such as this. It just happened to help that I knew who the assailant was. There will probably be an officer in sometime today or tomorrow to get your statement Kagome. Alright then, I'll be off. The nurse will page me if you need me." The doctor bounded out the door.
"Ya know for an old guy, he sure is spunky.." Kagome muttered, laying back against the pillow. She closed her eyes, but there was no peace on her face. Inuyasha felt the guilt coarse through him.
"Kagome.." he started awkwardly.
"Yeah?" Kagome whispered.
"I'm.."
"Inuyasha?" Kagome interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"Shut up," she told him firmly. She knew he was going to apologize again and that no amount of explaining would convince him that it wasn't his fault.
"You got it," he replied, unable to stop the small grin from tugging on his lips. If it weren't for her voice sounding so tired, he never would have guessed that anything was wrong just by talking to her.
"Excuse me sir?" a nurse had walked in with a hypodermic needle (a/n: *involuntary shudder*). "If I may, I have the medicine for Miss Higurashi.." Inuyasha stood up quickly and moved out of the nurse's way. Kagome and Inuyasha both looked away as the nurse administered the shot. "The medicine should work quickly. You'll probably feel a little tired." Kagome nodded waiting for the release to come. Inuyasha remained silent, watching the nurse go about her work. She checked the sheets and made sure that all of Kagome's equipment was functioning normally. By the time the nurse was done, Kagome was already slipping into her dreams. The nurse, noticing the dazed and exhausted look on the young man's face, kindly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sir, there is a cafeteria reserved for guests if you care to have something to eat," she offered kindly. Inuyasha had zoned out a moment, but started and nodded.
"Yea, right, thanks," he muttered, giving the resting Kagome one last glance. As he left the room his concern melted into exhaustion. He hadn't slept much at all in that hard hospital chair. Slowly and tiredly he managed to find the cafeteria. Sitting down with his coffee, Inuyasha lay his head on his arms and fell fast asleep.
-@--@-
"So are we going to head back up to the hospital today?" Sango asked rolling out of bed. She had gone home with Miroku that night and crashed at his place, to tired to drag herself down to her own. Being the gentleman that he was, Miroku let Sango have the bed, while he took the couch. (He had been more than willing to share the bed, but one slap later he too agreed that the couch was best..)
"Huh?" Miroku asked groggily, his voice muffled by the pillow in front of his face. Sango stretched her arms out over her head and shook her head in mild amusement. Grabbing the pillow from under Miroku's head, she brought it down hard on his back. Snapping to attention, Miroku fell off the couch in a mess of arms, legs and blankets. With a thud he hit the floor and lay groaning for a while. Nudging him with her toe, Sango felt a little bad for causing the chain reaction that led to Miroku ending up on the floor.
"Are we going back to the hospital today?" she asked again as Miroku's disheveled head popped out of his blanket.
"What?" Miroku face faulted. Giving Sango the was-that-really-worth-all- this look, he began to untangle himself from the sheets. "We have to, to pick up Inuyasha if nothing else," Miroku answered with a yawn.
"Oh yea..forgot about that.." Sango murmured, yawning wide. "I wonder how Kagome is this morning." Grimacing she glanced at Miroku who sombered instantly.
"Well we'll know soon enough. Visiting hours start in about an hour if you want to start getting ready," he said heavily. Sango nodded and headed to the bathroom.
[Man, I don't why I'm so upset. I don't even know this girl.] Sango thought almost irritably. [If it wasn't for Inuyasha..] Sango stopped. That's why she cared, because Inuyasha cared. He was one of her best friends. This was killing him inside and slowly it had rubbed off on her and Miroku. Sighing, Sango splashed some cool water on her face and started getting ready. They would stay at that hospital as long as Inuyasha needed them. [It's not like Kagome deserved any of this anyway..] she thought angrily. Sango had always considered herself a very independent woman (a/n: understatement of the century! ^_^) and never really understood how girls could get so wedged under a guy that they were afraid to stand up to them. [I feel sorry for her, I guess, but how could she let herself get into such a situation?] Sango contemplated her face in the mirror. She would never be found in a situation like that, there was no way in hell. She was a hundred times stronger than Kagome.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Miroku drawled slowly, his lanky frame wedged in the doorway. His eyes regarded hers pensively through the mirror as she was facing away from him. Sango blushed lightly under his gaze, averting her eyes dark eyes away from his light ones.
"It's nothing," she said quickly, trying to busy herself with something else.
"If it was nothing you wouldn't have been thinking about so carefully," Miroku countered, wrapping his arms around her waist. He gently placed his chin on her shoulder and looked at her reflection intently.
"It's just that.." she started slowly, furrowing her brow in thought. "I don't understand how people can let themselves be controlled by other people. I mean, take Kagome. This wasn't the first time Koga had beaten her but that didn't stop her from associating with him. She didn't turn him in or anything.." Sango said quickly, not looking in Miroku's eyes. Judging by the gentle tension that rose in his arms around her waist, Sango knew that he wasn't expecting her question.
"I don't know.." he said finally. "I don't really understand it myself. But you have to think that Kagome grew up a very different way than you or me. Sometimes the only people they feel they can depend on are the ones who pay them the most attention, be it good or bad." Sango leaned into his chest during his explanation.
"That make sense.." Sango said slowly. She couldn't begin to fathom what Kagome's life must have been like to make her succumb to someone like Koga. "If I ever start complaining about my life being shitty again remind me about this conversation," she said softly. Miroku smiled and nodded.
"Only if you do the same for me," he replied, nuzzling her neck lightly. "Now hurry up and let's get going..Inuyasha could be up by now.."
-@--@-
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha squirmed away from the noise, mumbling in his sleep.
"Inuyasha."
Shrugging off the light shake on his shoulder, Inuyasha slept on.
"INUYASHA!"
"Waaaah!" Inuyasha sat straight up, clutching his ears in his hands. "What the fuck?!?!" he growled, glaring at the cowering Sango and Miroku.
"Sorry! We tried to wake you up quietly, but man, you have got to be the soundest sleeper yet," Sango explained. Inuyasha kept playing with his now ringing ears, snapping his fingers in front of them and what not.
"Damn wench! I'll be lucky if I can ever hear right again," he grumbled.
*WHAP*
"Ow!" Inuyasha held his now throbbing head.
"Don't call me a wench," Sango said coolly, hand on her hips. Miroku backed away from the bickering pair. He had been quite good lately and didn't need any Sango slaps just yet.
"I'll call you whatever the fuck I want, wench!"
*WHAP*
"Bitch!"
*WHAP*
"Whore!"
*WHAP*
"OW! STOP!"
*WHAP*
"Sango!"
"Oops! Sorry..thought that was another insult," Sango said with an embarrassed laugh. Inuyasha would have growled, but his head was spinning too fast for him to even see straight. "Inuyasha? Are you okay?" Sango asked tentatively after the hanyou remained silent for an extended moment.
"Mr. Kaiyou?" a nurse called walking into the cafeteria. She gave a disapproving cluck of her tongue when she saw the spiral-eyed hanyou on the ground. "The police are here to talk to Miss Higurashi and she has requested your presence." Inuyasha straightened instantly at the nurse's message, forgetting his tiff with Sango. Following the nurse quickly, Inuyasha even forgot to invite his two friends along. Luckily for him though, they were bright enough to follow.
Just as they reached Kagome's room, Inuyasha turned suddenly and tossed his cell phone at Miroku.
"Here, redial the last number that called me. Tell Reiana that Kagome needs her here for moral support," Inuyasha ordered carefully. Miroku looked confused.
"Who?" he asked dumbly.
"Reiana. It's Kagome's best friend. She'll want her here, not too mention, Rei's gonna wanna know what's going on," Inuyasha explained quickly. The nurse was motioning at him from the door. "Think you can handle that?" he asked edgily, walking away. Covering for the still out-of-it Miroku, Sango grabbed the phone and nodded hastily.
"Don't worry, we've got it covered," Sango assured him, playing with buttons. Inuyasha looked relieved that Sango had taken over.
"Thanks," he said gratefully. It was a tone that was seldom heard coming from him. Sango smiled broadly.
"No biggie," she said as she pulled up Reiana's number. Inuyasha nodded and headed into Kagome's room.
-@--@-
"So Miss Higurashi will you be prepared to testify in court against Mr. Koga Shimi?" the officer questioned Kagome gruffly. Kagome swallowed nervously. She had been all brave faced in front of Inuyasha last night, but now that it was really happening Kagome felt her courage falter.
"I..um.." Kagome couldn't meet the officer's stare. Looking away, her old doubts on whether this would really work crept back over her. [The only way this will be over is if he's convicted and what are the odds of that happening? If he gets off it'll be over for me and who knows what he'd try to do to Inuyasha for interfering. Gods I don't know if I can do this..] Kagome felt a gentle squeeze on her hand that brought her mind out of its ramblings. Turning her gaze to Inuyasha, she caught his reassuring look and it suddenly hit her that she wasn't alone. Inuyasha wasn't going to let Koga get away. For the first time since she had met Koga, Kagome felt free. It would all be over soon and she could leave. Forever if she wanted, anywhere she wanted to go. Free.
"Ma'am?" the officer persisted after Kagome's extended silence. Kagome glanced back up at the man, and returned Inuyasha's squeeze.
"Yes sir. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to end this," she answered firmly. The officer nodded approvingly.
"But she really won't need to go to court right? There is enough evidence with her pictures and her testimony correct?" Dr. Yosho cut in. He had been listening to the entire conversation, as he had been the one to alert the police.
"There is a chance she won't have to go to court, but we need to know that she is compliable to come in should the need arise. We're trying to cover all of the corners so there won't be any sort of confusion. Now, Miss Higurashi, do you have anyone who can attest to Mr. Shimi's past abuse? Anyone who will correlate your story?"
"My friend Reiana," Kagome answered thoughtfully. "She knows everything." The officer nodded and made a note.
"What's her full name and how is she connected to the case?"
"Reiana Toshida..she..she used to help me hide the bruises.." Kagome said quietly, looking down at her hands. Inuyasha tensed up beside her, anger burning through his veins. How anyone could treat someone as sweet and gentle as Kagome in such a brutal way was completely beyond him. The officer nodded and jotted down some notes on his report.
"Now Miss Higurashi, I need you to describe to me in your own words what exactly Mr. Shimi has done to you, by means of assault," the officer told her gently. He had worked this kind of case before and knew how difficult it could be for the victims to tell of their experiences. Kagome looked mortified.
"You want me to what?" she whispered, her eyes wide. She hadn't been planning on this.
"He wants you to tell him everything that asshole did to hurt you Kagome. Jeez don't you listen the first time?" A cool, confident female voice echoed into the room. All heads turned to the newcomer who looked very out of place among the crowd. She was tall and full figured with short black hair and vivid eyes. In short shorts, a tight tank top, a colorful scarf and large cat eye glasses her covering most, Reiana looked like she was headed for the beach not a hospital. Miroku almost started drooling at the sight of her, but a sharp nudge from Sango kept him quiet.
"Rei?" Kagome looked surprised to see her friend. The older woman had on large dark sunglasses and a scarf on her neck, very uncharacteristic of the girl. "What are you.."
"I'm here because you're my best friend and you're in the hospital. Do I need another reason?" Rei teased in mock frustration. Kagome grinned and shook her head.
"No, sorry.." Kagome answered sheepishly. The officer began looking a little impatient.
"Miss Higurashi if we could continue.." he persisted. Kagome still held a slightly mortified expression and her eyes darted around all the open ears in the room. Rei noticed and being the straight-forward-overprotective friend she was decided to step in.
"Does she have to do this now? She was just woke up yesterday. She's hurt, she's tired and she's clearly not in the mood to talk about what kind of a sick pervert that jackass is in front of all these people. Why don't you back off, give her some space and we'll mail you her report okay?" Reiana's attitude silenced everyone. Inuyasha wanted to applaud her. He stood next to Kagome's bed grinning wickedly watching the reaction of the officer and the doctor. Slowly the officer looked from Kagome to Reiana and back again. It was becoming more and more clear that he really wasn't interested in provoking the girl.
"Yes, I see, I'm sorry if this has been a burden," the officer acknowledged, looking at Kagome. "When you're feeling up to finishing this, here is my number." The officer handed Kagome a business card.
"How long will the proceedings last?" Inuyasha asked curtly. The officer, who had already been informed on who Inuyasha was related too, looked up respectfully.
"Well sir, given the evidence, all we need is a judge and a courtroom."
"Make it happen as soon as possible," Inuyasha ordered. Kagome had already been through enough strain. Right now they needed to get Koga off the street and out of her mind.
"Of course," the officer agreed. He was no fool. He knew exactly how much prestige the Kaiyou name held and he actually pitied the poor fool Koga for getting mixed up with them. With a tip of his hat, the officer left. Dr. Yosho kept his expression blank as he regarded Reiana.
"Right then. I suppose it's for the best. By the way my dear, you may want to get that bruise looked at," he said dryly, exiting the room as well. At the mention of the 'bruise' Rei pulled off her sunglasses and revealed a large ugly bruise surrounding her eye and the right side of her face. Kagome gasped when she saw it.
"Rei?" Kagome questioned. Sango and Miroku both looked horrified and even Inuyasha winced a little.
"That bastard did a number on you. No offense girl, but you look like shit," Rei commented taking in Kagome's pale skin and dark bruises.
"You don't look much better," Kagome shot back.
"It's nothing," Rei grumbled. "Honestly Kagome, you're the one sitting in the hospital bed and you're worried about a little bruise on me."
"That's scarcely a little bruise," Miroku pointed out innocently. Rei only shot him a dirty look.
"Koga did it, didn't he.." Kagome whispered. Everyone in the room tensed. Rei looked defeated before she grabbed a hospital chair and plunked down.
"Yea he did, but oh man Kagome, you should have seen it. Leilong came in and pointed a gun at him telling him never to show is sorry face in the club again. It was classic." Rei said in a bemused voice. Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku were completely lost, but Kagome cracked a small smile.
"Wow..that's a first.." she said lightly.
"Yep." The room became quiet after that. Rei felt out of place among the rich folk and none of the others, save Kagome, knew how to really deal with the loud woman.
"Well..um.." Sango started slowly, trying to break the silence. "I'm getting kind of hungry, aren't you Miroku?"
"Hmmm?" Miroku asked. "No, not really."
*Bam*
"Well now that you mention it, I could use a snack," Miroku groaned, rubbing the back of his head. Sango smiled and the two left the room. Reiana seemed glad that they had gone.
"So what happened? Clearly that asshole found you before you found Inuyasha," Reiana pressed, pulling her chair next to Kagome's bed. Inuyasha remained silent, leaning against the wall. He didn't really care if Kagome and Reiana wanted 'girl' time, he wasn't going anywhere. Neither Kagome nor Rei seemed to mind, nor did they pay him any attention for the time being.
"Yea, but luckily Inuyasha found me before Koga really got going," Kagome said glancing up at the hanyou. "That reminds me..how did you know to come looking for me Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, the thought just striking her. Inuyasha gave a glance at Reiana.
"She called me," he told her motioning at Rei. Kagome looked confused for a moment.
"But how.."
"Look Kag. About ten minutes after you left the fucker showed up and he knew what was going on. Yelling and screaming, causing a scene. So of course after he figured out you weren't there he came after me thinking I knew where you were..go figure," Reiana added with a little smile. "Of course I played it innocent, but he was too far gone by then that he didn't buy it. Knocked me around a bit, but Leilong stepped in and did me proud. Let me go home early too," Rei bragged lightly. Kagome looked slightly impressed, but a guilt rose in her throat when Rei mentioned being 'knocked around'. "Anyways, after dumbass split I knew it was bad. Oh man Kagome I was so scared. He would have killed you. Without a doubt. If you would have seen him. And then when I called Inuyasha to see if you were there and he told me he hadn't seen you, man oh man. I was freakin'." Rei's eyes were glistening with tears she would never shed. Inuyasha took a new appreciation of Reiana just then. He had been grateful that her early warning had saved Kagome, but he was now beginning to understand just how much the older girl looked out for Kagome. It wouldn't surprise him one bit if Reiana was the reason Kagome had survived all she had been through.
"I'm sorry Rei.." Kagome started, but the older girl shut her up with a hug.
"No apologies. I'm just glad you're okay. Keep me posted. I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm opening tonight so I've gotta jet. Don't talk to that stupid officer until I sit down with you and go over what you're going to write. Knowing you you'll leave stuff out and I want to make sure that jerk gets what's coming to him." Picking up her bag, Rei began backing out of the door. "Later babe! Feel better soon! Call me!" Reiana disappeared as quickly as she had shown up.
"I like her," Inuyasha said thoughtfully after Rei had gone. Kagome smiled up at him.
"Yep, she's one in a million alright."
"She didn't say Koga's name once the whole time she was here," he mused with a grin. Kagome had to think a moment, but then nodded.
"Nope. Reiana never really liked him to begin with."
"Smart girl."
"I'm sorry I wasn't," Kagome whispered. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Kagome I want you to make me a deal. You stop apologizing for Koga and I'll stop apologizing for you pain. Deal?" Inuyasha offered leaning into Kagome's face till their noses were centimeters apart. Kagome smiled up at him.
"Deal," she whispered closing the distance between their lips.
-@--@-
That evening Sango and Miroku had to practically knock Inuyasha out to get him home that night. He had kept insisting on staying at the hospital with Kagome, even though the doctors had assured him of her safety. Finally after about a half and hour they had him convinced that with Koga in jail there was no one left to hurt Kagome and they both (Kagome and Inuyasha) needed a good nights sleep.
"I can still stay. The doctor said so," Inuyasha argued.
"Inuyasha stop being stubborn. You need some good sleep and you're not going to get it sitting in one of those hard plastic chairs. Trust me," Sango pleaded.
"Mr. Kaiyou, I assure you Miss Higurashi shall be fine. We'll take good care of her I assure you," a nurse tried to explain.
"But,"
"No."
"I just.."
"No!"
"See.."
"Inuyasha NO! You're coming back to the dorms and that's that!" Sango growled. Inuyasha looked ready to argue again, but thought better of it. He was really exhausted and his bed sounded wonderful.
"Alright. But we're back here first thing tomorrow," Inuyasha agreed sullenly.
"Atta boy," Miroku teased, clapping Inuyasha on the back. The car trip home was very uneventful. Inuyasha practically fell asleep in the car. Walking up the stairs to their room, Inuyasha and Miroku dropped Sango off an proceeded to their own dorm. Pushing open the door, Miroku came face to face with a very tall silver-haired someone. Stopping fast, Inuyasha almost ran into the back of the other boy.
"What's the deal?" Inuyasha growled irritably. His scowl only deepened when he saw the reason. Snarling softly, Inuyasha glared at the visitor who regarded him with cool disdain.
"Good evening little brother.."
-@--@-
lostdreams: Ahhh! Cliffie! I'm so mean. Oh well, it'll just make you all that much more appreciative of the next chappie. Okay, till next time! Chapter 12: Meet the Parents..tee hee
-@--@-
Chapter 11
Brother Dearest
-@--@-
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
lostdreams: Okay sorry it's been a little while since I've updated. I had to read the new Harry Potter book and then I got sick. Seriously. Then I got sunburn really bad. My legs are still in blisters. (I'm not going to elaborate because it is way disgusting.) The third reason is my computer time at home has taken a nosedive. I'm never there so unless I get free time at work I don't type. Irritating yes, but that's the best I can do. Hope you all enjoy this one. I made up for the wait with length. My chapters usually range from 6 to 8 pages long, but this one is fourteen. YAY ME! Anywho, read and review!
-@--@-
Kagome woke reluctantly the next morning as the early morning sunlight started streaming through the blinds.
[Where am I?] she thought groggily, slowly recognizing the hospital walls. Her eyes slowly focused on the sleeping hanyou next to her bed. Without warning the incidents from the night before came back to her in an emotional rush. Jerking up Kagome instantly regretted the sudden movement. Her bruised body screamed in protest, the wave of pain leaving her woozy. Unable to bite back a cry, Kagome groaned loudly waking Inuyasha.
"What?" Inuyasha woke up alert. "What's wrong?" He looked disoriented for a moment before locking his gaze on Kagome. "Are you alright?" he asked worriedly. Kagome nodded weakly.
"Just surprised myself, that's all," she managed. The pain had left her a bit out of breath.
"Do you want me to call the doctor?"
"No need for that Mr. Kaiyou, I am already here." Dr. Yosho appeared on the scene, smiling brightly despite the earliness. "How are you feeling my dear?" he asked Kagome systematically, checking over some of her external injuries. Kagome sat torn for a moment. She was aching all over and wanted relief badly, but at the same time she didn't want to look so weak in front of Inuyasha. She eventually gave in and let her pride fall.
"I hurt," she said simply.
"That really is no surprise. You have eight badly bruised ribs as well as some other minor strains and such. In my professional opinion I don't see how you ended up with no broken ribs or any other more serious injuries from the encounter," Dr. Yosho explained curtly. Kagome winced inwardly, and couldn't help but remember the last time she had been here..she hadn't been near so lucky. "As of now I want to keep you here at least another day. Just to be sure that we aren't missing anything. Now then I'm sure there is something we can do for the 'discomfort' you're feeling."
"Please?" Kagome pleaded softly.
"Of course, but just so you know it is strong medication and will probably knock you out for a little while, though no worse than you were yesterday of course." He chuckled lightly at his own lame joke. Kagome didn't crack a smile and Inuyasha's normal scowl deepened into a glare. Clearing his throat nervously, the doctor avoided both of their looks. "Right then, the nurse will be in shortly with the medication. If you need anything else press this button here. That will call the nurse." Dr. Yosho turned to leave, but stopped at the door and spun around in an afterthought. "Oh and by the way, I have informed the police on your situation Kagome. They picked up that bastard this morning." Kagome and Inuyasha both looked stunned, but Dr. Yosho only chortled lightly.
"Already?" Kagome inquired. Could they really nab Koga that fast?
"Yes my dear. Being a doctor of my sort I am allowed, if not required, to inform the police on cases such as this. It just happened to help that I knew who the assailant was. There will probably be an officer in sometime today or tomorrow to get your statement Kagome. Alright then, I'll be off. The nurse will page me if you need me." The doctor bounded out the door.
"Ya know for an old guy, he sure is spunky.." Kagome muttered, laying back against the pillow. She closed her eyes, but there was no peace on her face. Inuyasha felt the guilt coarse through him.
"Kagome.." he started awkwardly.
"Yeah?" Kagome whispered.
"I'm.."
"Inuyasha?" Kagome interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"Shut up," she told him firmly. She knew he was going to apologize again and that no amount of explaining would convince him that it wasn't his fault.
"You got it," he replied, unable to stop the small grin from tugging on his lips. If it weren't for her voice sounding so tired, he never would have guessed that anything was wrong just by talking to her.
"Excuse me sir?" a nurse had walked in with a hypodermic needle (a/n: *involuntary shudder*). "If I may, I have the medicine for Miss Higurashi.." Inuyasha stood up quickly and moved out of the nurse's way. Kagome and Inuyasha both looked away as the nurse administered the shot. "The medicine should work quickly. You'll probably feel a little tired." Kagome nodded waiting for the release to come. Inuyasha remained silent, watching the nurse go about her work. She checked the sheets and made sure that all of Kagome's equipment was functioning normally. By the time the nurse was done, Kagome was already slipping into her dreams. The nurse, noticing the dazed and exhausted look on the young man's face, kindly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sir, there is a cafeteria reserved for guests if you care to have something to eat," she offered kindly. Inuyasha had zoned out a moment, but started and nodded.
"Yea, right, thanks," he muttered, giving the resting Kagome one last glance. As he left the room his concern melted into exhaustion. He hadn't slept much at all in that hard hospital chair. Slowly and tiredly he managed to find the cafeteria. Sitting down with his coffee, Inuyasha lay his head on his arms and fell fast asleep.
-@--@-
"So are we going to head back up to the hospital today?" Sango asked rolling out of bed. She had gone home with Miroku that night and crashed at his place, to tired to drag herself down to her own. Being the gentleman that he was, Miroku let Sango have the bed, while he took the couch. (He had been more than willing to share the bed, but one slap later he too agreed that the couch was best..)
"Huh?" Miroku asked groggily, his voice muffled by the pillow in front of his face. Sango stretched her arms out over her head and shook her head in mild amusement. Grabbing the pillow from under Miroku's head, she brought it down hard on his back. Snapping to attention, Miroku fell off the couch in a mess of arms, legs and blankets. With a thud he hit the floor and lay groaning for a while. Nudging him with her toe, Sango felt a little bad for causing the chain reaction that led to Miroku ending up on the floor.
"Are we going back to the hospital today?" she asked again as Miroku's disheveled head popped out of his blanket.
"What?" Miroku face faulted. Giving Sango the was-that-really-worth-all- this look, he began to untangle himself from the sheets. "We have to, to pick up Inuyasha if nothing else," Miroku answered with a yawn.
"Oh yea..forgot about that.." Sango murmured, yawning wide. "I wonder how Kagome is this morning." Grimacing she glanced at Miroku who sombered instantly.
"Well we'll know soon enough. Visiting hours start in about an hour if you want to start getting ready," he said heavily. Sango nodded and headed to the bathroom.
[Man, I don't why I'm so upset. I don't even know this girl.] Sango thought almost irritably. [If it wasn't for Inuyasha..] Sango stopped. That's why she cared, because Inuyasha cared. He was one of her best friends. This was killing him inside and slowly it had rubbed off on her and Miroku. Sighing, Sango splashed some cool water on her face and started getting ready. They would stay at that hospital as long as Inuyasha needed them. [It's not like Kagome deserved any of this anyway..] she thought angrily. Sango had always considered herself a very independent woman (a/n: understatement of the century! ^_^) and never really understood how girls could get so wedged under a guy that they were afraid to stand up to them. [I feel sorry for her, I guess, but how could she let herself get into such a situation?] Sango contemplated her face in the mirror. She would never be found in a situation like that, there was no way in hell. She was a hundred times stronger than Kagome.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Miroku drawled slowly, his lanky frame wedged in the doorway. His eyes regarded hers pensively through the mirror as she was facing away from him. Sango blushed lightly under his gaze, averting her eyes dark eyes away from his light ones.
"It's nothing," she said quickly, trying to busy herself with something else.
"If it was nothing you wouldn't have been thinking about so carefully," Miroku countered, wrapping his arms around her waist. He gently placed his chin on her shoulder and looked at her reflection intently.
"It's just that.." she started slowly, furrowing her brow in thought. "I don't understand how people can let themselves be controlled by other people. I mean, take Kagome. This wasn't the first time Koga had beaten her but that didn't stop her from associating with him. She didn't turn him in or anything.." Sango said quickly, not looking in Miroku's eyes. Judging by the gentle tension that rose in his arms around her waist, Sango knew that he wasn't expecting her question.
"I don't know.." he said finally. "I don't really understand it myself. But you have to think that Kagome grew up a very different way than you or me. Sometimes the only people they feel they can depend on are the ones who pay them the most attention, be it good or bad." Sango leaned into his chest during his explanation.
"That make sense.." Sango said slowly. She couldn't begin to fathom what Kagome's life must have been like to make her succumb to someone like Koga. "If I ever start complaining about my life being shitty again remind me about this conversation," she said softly. Miroku smiled and nodded.
"Only if you do the same for me," he replied, nuzzling her neck lightly. "Now hurry up and let's get going..Inuyasha could be up by now.."
-@--@-
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha squirmed away from the noise, mumbling in his sleep.
"Inuyasha."
Shrugging off the light shake on his shoulder, Inuyasha slept on.
"INUYASHA!"
"Waaaah!" Inuyasha sat straight up, clutching his ears in his hands. "What the fuck?!?!" he growled, glaring at the cowering Sango and Miroku.
"Sorry! We tried to wake you up quietly, but man, you have got to be the soundest sleeper yet," Sango explained. Inuyasha kept playing with his now ringing ears, snapping his fingers in front of them and what not.
"Damn wench! I'll be lucky if I can ever hear right again," he grumbled.
*WHAP*
"Ow!" Inuyasha held his now throbbing head.
"Don't call me a wench," Sango said coolly, hand on her hips. Miroku backed away from the bickering pair. He had been quite good lately and didn't need any Sango slaps just yet.
"I'll call you whatever the fuck I want, wench!"
*WHAP*
"Bitch!"
*WHAP*
"Whore!"
*WHAP*
"OW! STOP!"
*WHAP*
"Sango!"
"Oops! Sorry..thought that was another insult," Sango said with an embarrassed laugh. Inuyasha would have growled, but his head was spinning too fast for him to even see straight. "Inuyasha? Are you okay?" Sango asked tentatively after the hanyou remained silent for an extended moment.
"Mr. Kaiyou?" a nurse called walking into the cafeteria. She gave a disapproving cluck of her tongue when she saw the spiral-eyed hanyou on the ground. "The police are here to talk to Miss Higurashi and she has requested your presence." Inuyasha straightened instantly at the nurse's message, forgetting his tiff with Sango. Following the nurse quickly, Inuyasha even forgot to invite his two friends along. Luckily for him though, they were bright enough to follow.
Just as they reached Kagome's room, Inuyasha turned suddenly and tossed his cell phone at Miroku.
"Here, redial the last number that called me. Tell Reiana that Kagome needs her here for moral support," Inuyasha ordered carefully. Miroku looked confused.
"Who?" he asked dumbly.
"Reiana. It's Kagome's best friend. She'll want her here, not too mention, Rei's gonna wanna know what's going on," Inuyasha explained quickly. The nurse was motioning at him from the door. "Think you can handle that?" he asked edgily, walking away. Covering for the still out-of-it Miroku, Sango grabbed the phone and nodded hastily.
"Don't worry, we've got it covered," Sango assured him, playing with buttons. Inuyasha looked relieved that Sango had taken over.
"Thanks," he said gratefully. It was a tone that was seldom heard coming from him. Sango smiled broadly.
"No biggie," she said as she pulled up Reiana's number. Inuyasha nodded and headed into Kagome's room.
-@--@-
"So Miss Higurashi will you be prepared to testify in court against Mr. Koga Shimi?" the officer questioned Kagome gruffly. Kagome swallowed nervously. She had been all brave faced in front of Inuyasha last night, but now that it was really happening Kagome felt her courage falter.
"I..um.." Kagome couldn't meet the officer's stare. Looking away, her old doubts on whether this would really work crept back over her. [The only way this will be over is if he's convicted and what are the odds of that happening? If he gets off it'll be over for me and who knows what he'd try to do to Inuyasha for interfering. Gods I don't know if I can do this..] Kagome felt a gentle squeeze on her hand that brought her mind out of its ramblings. Turning her gaze to Inuyasha, she caught his reassuring look and it suddenly hit her that she wasn't alone. Inuyasha wasn't going to let Koga get away. For the first time since she had met Koga, Kagome felt free. It would all be over soon and she could leave. Forever if she wanted, anywhere she wanted to go. Free.
"Ma'am?" the officer persisted after Kagome's extended silence. Kagome glanced back up at the man, and returned Inuyasha's squeeze.
"Yes sir. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to end this," she answered firmly. The officer nodded approvingly.
"But she really won't need to go to court right? There is enough evidence with her pictures and her testimony correct?" Dr. Yosho cut in. He had been listening to the entire conversation, as he had been the one to alert the police.
"There is a chance she won't have to go to court, but we need to know that she is compliable to come in should the need arise. We're trying to cover all of the corners so there won't be any sort of confusion. Now, Miss Higurashi, do you have anyone who can attest to Mr. Shimi's past abuse? Anyone who will correlate your story?"
"My friend Reiana," Kagome answered thoughtfully. "She knows everything." The officer nodded and made a note.
"What's her full name and how is she connected to the case?"
"Reiana Toshida..she..she used to help me hide the bruises.." Kagome said quietly, looking down at her hands. Inuyasha tensed up beside her, anger burning through his veins. How anyone could treat someone as sweet and gentle as Kagome in such a brutal way was completely beyond him. The officer nodded and jotted down some notes on his report.
"Now Miss Higurashi, I need you to describe to me in your own words what exactly Mr. Shimi has done to you, by means of assault," the officer told her gently. He had worked this kind of case before and knew how difficult it could be for the victims to tell of their experiences. Kagome looked mortified.
"You want me to what?" she whispered, her eyes wide. She hadn't been planning on this.
"He wants you to tell him everything that asshole did to hurt you Kagome. Jeez don't you listen the first time?" A cool, confident female voice echoed into the room. All heads turned to the newcomer who looked very out of place among the crowd. She was tall and full figured with short black hair and vivid eyes. In short shorts, a tight tank top, a colorful scarf and large cat eye glasses her covering most, Reiana looked like she was headed for the beach not a hospital. Miroku almost started drooling at the sight of her, but a sharp nudge from Sango kept him quiet.
"Rei?" Kagome looked surprised to see her friend. The older woman had on large dark sunglasses and a scarf on her neck, very uncharacteristic of the girl. "What are you.."
"I'm here because you're my best friend and you're in the hospital. Do I need another reason?" Rei teased in mock frustration. Kagome grinned and shook her head.
"No, sorry.." Kagome answered sheepishly. The officer began looking a little impatient.
"Miss Higurashi if we could continue.." he persisted. Kagome still held a slightly mortified expression and her eyes darted around all the open ears in the room. Rei noticed and being the straight-forward-overprotective friend she was decided to step in.
"Does she have to do this now? She was just woke up yesterday. She's hurt, she's tired and she's clearly not in the mood to talk about what kind of a sick pervert that jackass is in front of all these people. Why don't you back off, give her some space and we'll mail you her report okay?" Reiana's attitude silenced everyone. Inuyasha wanted to applaud her. He stood next to Kagome's bed grinning wickedly watching the reaction of the officer and the doctor. Slowly the officer looked from Kagome to Reiana and back again. It was becoming more and more clear that he really wasn't interested in provoking the girl.
"Yes, I see, I'm sorry if this has been a burden," the officer acknowledged, looking at Kagome. "When you're feeling up to finishing this, here is my number." The officer handed Kagome a business card.
"How long will the proceedings last?" Inuyasha asked curtly. The officer, who had already been informed on who Inuyasha was related too, looked up respectfully.
"Well sir, given the evidence, all we need is a judge and a courtroom."
"Make it happen as soon as possible," Inuyasha ordered. Kagome had already been through enough strain. Right now they needed to get Koga off the street and out of her mind.
"Of course," the officer agreed. He was no fool. He knew exactly how much prestige the Kaiyou name held and he actually pitied the poor fool Koga for getting mixed up with them. With a tip of his hat, the officer left. Dr. Yosho kept his expression blank as he regarded Reiana.
"Right then. I suppose it's for the best. By the way my dear, you may want to get that bruise looked at," he said dryly, exiting the room as well. At the mention of the 'bruise' Rei pulled off her sunglasses and revealed a large ugly bruise surrounding her eye and the right side of her face. Kagome gasped when she saw it.
"Rei?" Kagome questioned. Sango and Miroku both looked horrified and even Inuyasha winced a little.
"That bastard did a number on you. No offense girl, but you look like shit," Rei commented taking in Kagome's pale skin and dark bruises.
"You don't look much better," Kagome shot back.
"It's nothing," Rei grumbled. "Honestly Kagome, you're the one sitting in the hospital bed and you're worried about a little bruise on me."
"That's scarcely a little bruise," Miroku pointed out innocently. Rei only shot him a dirty look.
"Koga did it, didn't he.." Kagome whispered. Everyone in the room tensed. Rei looked defeated before she grabbed a hospital chair and plunked down.
"Yea he did, but oh man Kagome, you should have seen it. Leilong came in and pointed a gun at him telling him never to show is sorry face in the club again. It was classic." Rei said in a bemused voice. Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku were completely lost, but Kagome cracked a small smile.
"Wow..that's a first.." she said lightly.
"Yep." The room became quiet after that. Rei felt out of place among the rich folk and none of the others, save Kagome, knew how to really deal with the loud woman.
"Well..um.." Sango started slowly, trying to break the silence. "I'm getting kind of hungry, aren't you Miroku?"
"Hmmm?" Miroku asked. "No, not really."
*Bam*
"Well now that you mention it, I could use a snack," Miroku groaned, rubbing the back of his head. Sango smiled and the two left the room. Reiana seemed glad that they had gone.
"So what happened? Clearly that asshole found you before you found Inuyasha," Reiana pressed, pulling her chair next to Kagome's bed. Inuyasha remained silent, leaning against the wall. He didn't really care if Kagome and Reiana wanted 'girl' time, he wasn't going anywhere. Neither Kagome nor Rei seemed to mind, nor did they pay him any attention for the time being.
"Yea, but luckily Inuyasha found me before Koga really got going," Kagome said glancing up at the hanyou. "That reminds me..how did you know to come looking for me Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, the thought just striking her. Inuyasha gave a glance at Reiana.
"She called me," he told her motioning at Rei. Kagome looked confused for a moment.
"But how.."
"Look Kag. About ten minutes after you left the fucker showed up and he knew what was going on. Yelling and screaming, causing a scene. So of course after he figured out you weren't there he came after me thinking I knew where you were..go figure," Reiana added with a little smile. "Of course I played it innocent, but he was too far gone by then that he didn't buy it. Knocked me around a bit, but Leilong stepped in and did me proud. Let me go home early too," Rei bragged lightly. Kagome looked slightly impressed, but a guilt rose in her throat when Rei mentioned being 'knocked around'. "Anyways, after dumbass split I knew it was bad. Oh man Kagome I was so scared. He would have killed you. Without a doubt. If you would have seen him. And then when I called Inuyasha to see if you were there and he told me he hadn't seen you, man oh man. I was freakin'." Rei's eyes were glistening with tears she would never shed. Inuyasha took a new appreciation of Reiana just then. He had been grateful that her early warning had saved Kagome, but he was now beginning to understand just how much the older girl looked out for Kagome. It wouldn't surprise him one bit if Reiana was the reason Kagome had survived all she had been through.
"I'm sorry Rei.." Kagome started, but the older girl shut her up with a hug.
"No apologies. I'm just glad you're okay. Keep me posted. I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm opening tonight so I've gotta jet. Don't talk to that stupid officer until I sit down with you and go over what you're going to write. Knowing you you'll leave stuff out and I want to make sure that jerk gets what's coming to him." Picking up her bag, Rei began backing out of the door. "Later babe! Feel better soon! Call me!" Reiana disappeared as quickly as she had shown up.
"I like her," Inuyasha said thoughtfully after Rei had gone. Kagome smiled up at him.
"Yep, she's one in a million alright."
"She didn't say Koga's name once the whole time she was here," he mused with a grin. Kagome had to think a moment, but then nodded.
"Nope. Reiana never really liked him to begin with."
"Smart girl."
"I'm sorry I wasn't," Kagome whispered. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Kagome I want you to make me a deal. You stop apologizing for Koga and I'll stop apologizing for you pain. Deal?" Inuyasha offered leaning into Kagome's face till their noses were centimeters apart. Kagome smiled up at him.
"Deal," she whispered closing the distance between their lips.
-@--@-
That evening Sango and Miroku had to practically knock Inuyasha out to get him home that night. He had kept insisting on staying at the hospital with Kagome, even though the doctors had assured him of her safety. Finally after about a half and hour they had him convinced that with Koga in jail there was no one left to hurt Kagome and they both (Kagome and Inuyasha) needed a good nights sleep.
"I can still stay. The doctor said so," Inuyasha argued.
"Inuyasha stop being stubborn. You need some good sleep and you're not going to get it sitting in one of those hard plastic chairs. Trust me," Sango pleaded.
"Mr. Kaiyou, I assure you Miss Higurashi shall be fine. We'll take good care of her I assure you," a nurse tried to explain.
"But,"
"No."
"I just.."
"No!"
"See.."
"Inuyasha NO! You're coming back to the dorms and that's that!" Sango growled. Inuyasha looked ready to argue again, but thought better of it. He was really exhausted and his bed sounded wonderful.
"Alright. But we're back here first thing tomorrow," Inuyasha agreed sullenly.
"Atta boy," Miroku teased, clapping Inuyasha on the back. The car trip home was very uneventful. Inuyasha practically fell asleep in the car. Walking up the stairs to their room, Inuyasha and Miroku dropped Sango off an proceeded to their own dorm. Pushing open the door, Miroku came face to face with a very tall silver-haired someone. Stopping fast, Inuyasha almost ran into the back of the other boy.
"What's the deal?" Inuyasha growled irritably. His scowl only deepened when he saw the reason. Snarling softly, Inuyasha glared at the visitor who regarded him with cool disdain.
"Good evening little brother.."
-@--@-
lostdreams: Ahhh! Cliffie! I'm so mean. Oh well, it'll just make you all that much more appreciative of the next chappie. Okay, till next time! Chapter 12: Meet the Parents..tee hee