Innocent Resentment
"The feelings of those with stolen light"

Chapter 5 -Lust: Worst Hue of Onyx

I couldn't believe I was late! Even with my alarm clock broken I'd went to sleep so early last night. In fact I'd fallen into bed into second I got home. I glanced down at my watch and sighed as I entered the empty schoolyard. I'd already missed half of my first class.

"Great. Now what do I do."

My arms tightened around my bag and I lingered just outside the school before stepping inside. My footsteps sounded unnaturally loud in the empty hallway and I winced each time the noise echoed down the length of the corridor. My fear was one of the teachers finding me and my having to explain about why I was so late. I bite down on my lower lip and lifted a hand to run my head, worrying over the throbbing pain there.

"I guess I didn't sleep as well as I thought."

"Excuse me."

The voice that spoke behind me stopped my heart as well as my movements. I knew that voice. I could pick it out anywhere and all the feelings it stirred in me brought a kind of hopeless restlessness, as well as and unfamiliar sting in my chest. I turned and he smiled. That perfect smiled that promised to outlast rain and storm and life itself.

"Your name's Ayumi isn't it?"

I felt my self nod and my gaze descended to the bouquet of red roses in his arms. No more then buds the scarlet petals still had droplets of water glittering on them like diamonds on crimson silk. Hojo shifted nervously, ran a hand through his hair, smile turning sheepish. The sweet expression touched me and I felt a joyful apprehension. Was this it? Was I maybe, not so invisible to him after all?

"You're Kagome's friend aren't you?" He asked.

My hope wavered. Was he…. Was that all I was? Or maybe he's nervous. If there was a heaven that had to be it. He was nervous. I nodded again and he flashed another grin.

"I'm glad. I wanted to know…"

He'd say it. He had to say it. I lifted a hand, fingers arching towards the roses that quivered in his arms, fingertips just shy of brushing the petals.

"I wanted to know if you think Kagome would like these."

Something shattered.

"I didn't know if red or yellow roses would be better. I was worried yellow would suit her better. And cheer her up from her ailments, you know?"

Something broke. In my chest. It was as if a crack had lengthened in something fragile, something made of glass. Broken. A red haze descended on my gaze and mind and I watched one of the scarlet petals fall and drift slowly towards the ground. By the time it touched the marble floor with a soft whisper I couldn't think anymore.

"Kagome!"

"Kagome!"

Kagome turned as Eri and Yuka ran down the hall towards her. She turned her head to look out at the sun, setting in the distance throwing amber gold light through the large school windows then turned back to her friends and smiled. Hopefully they were in the mood to catch a movie. She still had 5 days before Inuyasha would come to get her and she did want more time with her friends. Her smile faltered at the frantic expressions on her friend's faces.

"Eri. Yuka. What's wrong?"

Eri frowned worriedly, lifting a hand to her mouth. "Have you seen Ayumi by any chance?"

"Yea." Yuka added with equal concern. "She wasn't in any of her classes. I'm worried."

Kagome felt a chill go through her. There was something wrong about this. She fell still and tried to feel a jewel shard near by but it was nothing like that. But still there was something here….

"I think we should look for her." Kagome said.

Yuka nodded. "Right."

"We'll split up." Eri put in. "I don't have a good feeling about this."

Kagome and Yuka nodded then turned and ran off in different directions. Had something happened to Ayumi? If it did it had to be a demon in her time, just like before. Something awoken by the presence of the jewel shards. Something glittered on the floor in the fading sunlight and Kagome glanced down to see a small pool of blood sparkling on the floor. Droplets made a path down the hall and through the open door that led to the school roof.

"Ayumi!"

Kagome ran past quickly, pausing at the door and glanced up the dark flight of stairs. If Ayumi was hurt by a demon it would be her fault! She took that stairs two at a times, silently wishing that Inuyasha were here, or at least that she had a bow and arrow with her. There wasn't much she could do about a demon the way she was now. But what else could she do but try to save Ayumi? If the demon wanted the jewel shards could she give them over to save her friend? What other choice did she have?

That dark stairwell broke ended at a heave metal door finally. Blood stained the silver doorknob and Kagome gasped in fear and worry. Drawing her hand back nervously before grasping the knob and turned it, pushing the door open and stepped onto the roof.

Empty.

She stepped further away from the door, jumped and gasped when it slammed shut heavily behind her. A wind lifted, whipping her hair around her face and Kagome lifted a hand to push it back, wincing when it got stronger throwing leaves and dust into her eyes.

"You came."

The voice was familiar and different. Kagome opened her eyes and lifted her head to look across the roof at the person who stood opposite her and gasped.

"Ayumi!"

Ayumi was poised on the roof's ledge with a bleeding, unconscious Hojo at her feet. Ayumi's curly hair whipped around her cheek and she smiled coldly, dark eyes tinted with scarlet narrowing in disdain. Her arm was extended, fingers curled around the polished black shaft of a silver bladed scythe. There was no recognition in her eyes and Kagome took an involuntary step back.

"