Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inuyasha series or characters or any other copy written stuff that I may have referred to or used in this story. And my life sucks because of it. j/k
From Our Past
Chapter 9 Tough Choices
Natai laid on the bed in the dark room sulking. Her mind condemned her for her betrayal to her mate yet at the same time she could not think of what else she could have done to avoid it. She felt filthy inside and out even though she had spent over an hour in the bath. Totally disgusted with herself and her stupidity. She should have stayed at the Plaza and never returned. What had possessed her to even come back. Her mind hurt trying to think of the answers to all her questions and she could not find any. A sob escaped her as a fresh tear fell from her eye. She scoffed at the idea of being so week. Surely she had cried her last tears and there were none left but this one was only a testimony to the fact that her heart would not forgive her for her actions. A large hand stroked the hair away from her face and gently picked her acking body up into a warm hug. She flinched from pain when his soft touch ran across a cut on her cheek.
"What the hell Natai?" Lobo's voice was low and filled with concern. Even in this dim light he could see the damage that had been done. He reached over to the table lamp and turned it on. She bowed her head trying to hide her face but he placed his hand under her chin and lifted it up to look at her. More tears of shame fell down her cheek at his frown. A growl formed deep in his chest but his eyes held concern not the loath she felt he should feel. "My god what did he do this for?" He hissed so low she almost didn't hear him.
"He thinks I betrayed him." She whispered. Her lips still felt sore from his brutal kisses. Most of the minor wounds were already healed to almost nothing thanks to her recent rebonding with Sesshomaru but some were still very evident. A hiss filtered through her teeth when Lobo ran a gentle thumb over the nasty bruise on her lip.
"Tell me why he would think that. I don't understand." Lobo's eyes questioned her.
"You have a nose use it." She lifted her chin high enough to expose her neck to him. He frowned at her then leaned down to sniff her neck. A gasp from him told her he could smell the mark now. "You see I have a mate. I thought he was dead but it turns out he is still very much alive. He took me back last night and Naraku doesn't like it." She smiled ruefully then lowered her face shamefully.
"Why didn't you tell me you had a mate?" Lobo growled.
"Like I said I thought he was dead until last night. It was a long time ago before I ever knew of Naraku. I had no idea what was happening until I remembered him." Her hand shook a bit as she lifted it to pull the loose hair away from her face. Lobo did it for her and took her hand in his. He gently kissed it before setting it back in her lap but still held on to it.
"That explains a lot of things I guess. Like why I could never just take you as I have always wanted. I always thought it was because Naraku had marked you as a bound servant." He scoffed. "That is one powerful mate you have Natai. If he is serious he will come for you. I know I would." Lobo looked into her eyes to see the unshed tears she was holding back.
"He isn't going to come for you is he?" The thought of leaving a mate like this to suffer was insane to him.
"He has no choice. Things are complicated. I have to let him go." She tried to hold back the sob but it didn't work very well. He cradled her in his arms while she cried softly on his shoulder. Never in all the years he had worked with her had he ever seen her this emotionally lost. He ran his fingers through her hair making hushing noises and hugged her even tighter never wanted to let her go. Considering the circumstances it was about all he could do for her. If it were possible he would destroy Naraku and be done with it but even that was not possible. He was not strong enough to take on a demon lord of Naraku's strength. It would be a foolish venture and a waste of his own life. Several minutes passed before she started to calm down.
"Thank you Lobo for just being here." She whispered and kissed his cheek. He smiled at her but had no words. "Did you bring your guitar?" He looked at her questioningly and nodded. "Play something for me. Something to match my mood." She gave him that smile he loved so much and he couldn't refuse her. With a sigh he went over to the closet and pulled out the guitar case. He sat on the end of the bed leaning over it to tune it.
Natai stood by the balcony door looking out at the late afternoon sky. It looked like it had been a beautiful day but to her it was nothing. Her heart was in less pain but her soul was drenched with guilt and regret. Soundlessly she unlocked the door to slide it open. She needed some fresh air. The room still smelled like Naraku and she was sick of it.
"Don't you even think about going out there. Naraku will skin you alive then have me for seconds. If you don't care about yourself then have mercy on me." Lobo's husky voice broke her train of thought. She settled on leaning her back against the door frame half in and half out of the room so the air was still flowing freely over her. She sighed heavily with her eyes closed listening to Lobo strum on the stings gently.
She listened intently while the notes became more legible before she recognized the tune. Her mind spun in a circle of words and thoughts until she was able to pick out the right lyrics. At first she hummed for a bit to make sure she had the right song then the words started to flow from her lips as the melody became clearer to her. A selfcouncious feeling kept her voice low but the emotions inside her were too strong to ignore.
Only you can bring me to my knees, yea
All this time when I have taken this, yea
All them times when I felt insecure, yea
And I lay the hurt is after that
Hiten stood from the couch and walked over to the balcony door just off the kitchen. He pulled the door open a few inches but didn't venture out into the open. They had all been instructed by Naraku to remain in the room. He glanced at Maten on the couch. The look on his brother's face showed him that Maten felt the same way. They could feel her anguish and pain. Her voice gained more confidence as the words began to fill her heart making her louder. The pain of her soul poured out through her voice with hard truths.
I'm on the outside
I'm lookin in
I can see through you
See you true colors
Cus inside you're ugly
Ugly like me
I can see through you
See who you really are
Naraku lounged on the bed in Kagura's room staring at the wall contemplating his actions earlier. For the first time in his life he felt guilty for what he had done and he hated the feeling worse then anything he had ever experienced. Subconsciously he watched Kagura rise from her chair where she had been looking at a fashion magazine and walk over to the balcony door with a disgusted look on her face. She pulled the door open and tilted her head to listen to something. The fresh air filled the room with a dark melody of an acoustic guitar. The voice that flowed with the melody was filled with harsh pain and longing. It was a voice he had not heard sing in a long time. He walked over to the door and pushed Kagura out of his way as he walked out to the balcony. Concealed in the shadows next to the far wall he watched Natai wipe a tear away from her cheek while she sang her soul felt song.
All this time that I felt like this won't end
once for you
And I taste what I could never have
its from you
All those times that I tried
my intentions full of pride
And I waste more time
then anyone
On the roof a couple more spectators could hear her mournful song. They looked at each other and with out question were thinking the same thing. Miroku stepped away from the edge leaving Inuyasha to watch over her. He tapped the mike of his communication phone.
"Can you hear her?" He whispered hastily. "We have to do something."
"Yes I can hear." Came the calm cool reply. "Inuyasha, how many are there?"
"Too many for us to take on with just the three of us. One is very strong. I have never felt this one before but he is almost as strong as you." Inuyasha whispered. "I can see a shadow of him on the balcony but I can't see her. Only hear her."
"We will not risk it. Leave before you are detected." Sesshomaru's voice remained as emotionless as ever.
I'm on the outside
I'm lookin in
I can see through you
See you true colors
Cuz inside you're ugly
Ugly like me
I can see through you
See who you really are
Her voice became stronger as the words flowed out of her very soul. The emotions filled the air around them all with such force they could feel their own hearts begin to clench from pain.
All the times that I've cried
all this wasted
It's all inside and I feel all this pain
stuffed it down it's back again
And I lie here in bed
The words softened on her lips as the real sorrow swam through the lyrics. Her once strong viberant voice softened to almost a whisper.
All alone I can mend
and I feel tomorrow will be ok
But I know
Then her voice became cool and void of almost all emotion as if her heart finally sealed its self away from the pain of regret and loss. A small hint of sadness still filtered through the melody as she continued.
I'm on the outside
I'm lookin in
I can see through you
See you true colors
Cuz inside you're ugly
Ugly like me
I can see through you
See who you really are
The song ended with the sound of the balcony door closing. Inuyasha now understood just what betrayal of the heart felt like. Her words rang too clear in his own heart.
"Sessh, we have to try and do something. She's dying inside." He tried to keep control of his emotions but it was becoming hard.
"No!" Was the response. "I will not risk the lives of my people for personal gain such as this. She knew what may happen when she left. The choice was hers." Sesshomaru's voice was as cold and emotionless as ever.
"Damn how can you not feel that? She's your mate." Inuyasha hissed hotly.
"I feel more then you know little brother. Much more. Now leave before you are detected." Sesshomaru gazed out over the scenic view a mere three blocks away. A single tear slid down his cheek unnoticed. The pain in his heart was almost more then he could bare. He stared out the window in deep thought contemplating his next move.
LATER THAT EVENING---
"Come on Kagome it is the only way you are going to get a chance to confront Iyoutai in person. He won't see you otherwise." Sango pleaded with her from outside their limo door. "They are here and if we don't get over there soon they will think we aren't coming." Kagome looked at her with pursed lips and anger on her face.
"Funny how you forgot to mention that 'HE' would be there too." She spit out with venom.
"Look what did you expect. Inuyasha is one of his top advisors. You expected the man to meet with you and not have his top people with him?" Sango reasoned. Kagome just turned her head and looked the other way. Sango sighed then kneeled down resting her knees on the runner of the car door. "Come on Kagome, I know you are more professional then to let a personal matter get in the way of something this important. We really need to talk to him and he will only talk to you."
"Why can't you talk to him?" Kagome whispered not even looking at her.
"I tried that but Miroku said Iyoutai refused because you are the head of the investigation and he wants to get this cleared up so he can get on with business with out any further rumors floating around. Do you blame the man?" Sango kept her voice calm and low hoping it would convince her. Kagome sighed and scooted closer to get out. Sango stood up quickly and raised her hand with a thumbs up to Miroku letting him know they were coming.
Sesshomaru watched the woman named Sango as she talked to the reluctant Kagome in the other car. He eyed Inuyasha questioningly. The cool glare from his brother got Inuyasha's attention. He scowled at his older brother's look of disapproval.
"What?" He snapped then turned back to the conversation the two women were having trying to hear what was being said.
"What pray tell did you do to that woman to make her act as though she can't stand the mere sight of you?" Sesshomaru mused.
"Before or after the incident with Kikyou?" Inuyasha scoffed.
"Indeed, it must have been something rather bad." Sesshomaru shook his head.
"Look I already told you everything with out going into the complete minute by minute details. I can get this straightened out if I can get her alone so we can talk it out. That is all I am asking. And remember I didn't ask for your help in the first place you offered." Inuyasha sat back quickly when Kagome emerged from the other car.
"And what would you have done if I didn't offer to help?" Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha with a raised eyebrow.
"I would have run off with her and kept her captive in some place like Paris or Rome until she saw things my way." He grinned at the skeptical look on his brother's face.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru scoffed at him but said no more since the girls were too close to the car. Miroku made introductions as the two got in the car. Kagome sat next to the illusive Mr. Iyoutai so she didn't have to set next to Inuyasha. She scowled at him from her seat. Sango took a seat next to her. After closing the car door Miroku sat next to Inuyasha across from them. Kagome ignored Inuyasha's stare and turned to Iyoutai.
"Now Mr. Iyoutai I know you are a busy man so lets just get down to business. I have a few questions..." He held up his hand to stop her.
"I will be more then willing to answer your questions as best I can but for now I am afraid we will have to wait until after dinner." Both girls looked at him surprised. "Inuyasha, Miroku if you would please?" Miroku immediately tapped on the glass that separated the driver from the passengers and the car began to speed away. Kagome flipped around to see Charlie jump into their limo to come after them. Inuyasha opened the sun roof and stood up. He drew a gun out and fired at the limo behind them. Kagome watched in horror as both front tires were blown out of their limo and a burst of steam rolled out of the engine compartment causing the car to roll to a stop. She watched with relief as Charlie got out of the car and threw his hat on the ground. At least he didn't get hurt. Sango reached for the door handle but it wouldn't budge.
"I am really sorry about this ladies." Miroku said then whipped out a small canister which he sprayed in Sango's face causing her to slide back in her seat unconscious. Kagome turned back just as he sprayed it in her face. She realized a little too late and was rendered unconscious as well.
"Sort of along the lines I was thinking, it just went a little more smoothly." Inuyasha stated with a big smile. "Where to Paris of Rome?" He chuckled. Sesshomaru shook his head.
AN: Shoter chapter sorry about that but they were getting longer as the more I wrote. LOL. Song 'Outside' by Staind with Fred Durst. I don't own this or any other songs by anyone. Damn life sucks but hey it is a good song anyway.