Disclaimer: I own nothing. I never will.
Title: Underneath Her Mask
Chapter 13: Alone
Last time
"Because Sesshoumaru, that was our first and only date."
"Why? Didn't you two hit it off?" For some unexplainable reason, he felt a surge of joy.
"We had a great time, but some... stuff came up."
"What kind of 'stuff'?" She just looked at him and didn't answer. "Are you doing anything for Halloween?" he asked, changing the subject abruptly.
"No, why do you ask?" Kagome wondered curiously.
"Well I was wondering if you would like to join Rin, Shippo and I in trick or treating this year."
Sunday, Oct. 31st
"Come on Kagome, hurry up." Said Shippo, tugging on her hand. She laughed.
"Alright Shippo, alright." Kagome and Sesshoumaru stood at the foot of the driveway of some random house, as Rin and Shippo rang the doorbell.
It was 6:30 on All Hollows Eve, and the sun was just beginning to set for the people of Tokyo. Many young children could be found wandering from house to house with their parents by their side, breathing in the crisp autum air. Rin and Shippo had Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
"They are so beautiful," said Kagome, gazing at their doey-eyed expressions as they chortled "trick-or-treat" in sing song voices.
"Yeah." Sesshoumaru replied. The children ran ahead to the next house with their guardians keeping a close eye on them as they followed a little ways away.
"Is everything alright?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. 'Her body looks stiff, almost rigid when she walks,' he noted, slightly concerned.
"Yeah, everything's fine." She said with a smile that lacked conviction. 'She looks so tired,' he thought, seeing the bags beginning to form underneath her eyes.
"Okay, if you're sure." They were silent for a while, following the children who cut across lawns to save time. "Hey, I forgot to ask. How was your weekend?"
flashback
Kagome slowly work to the sound of birds outside the kitchen window. Here eyes fluttered open and the first thing she felt was the cold tile floor. "Mmmm," she groaned, putting a hand to her aching head.
'What happened?' she wondered. 'All I can remember is falling...and hitting my head. Then everything went black.' Slowly she sat up, nearly crying out when pain snaked its way through her entire body. Despite not wanting to, Kagome stood up and walked clumsily to her room when her body stopped throbbing. All the way, cursing whoever the hell came up with the idea for a second story house.
Now standing in front of the body mirror next to her closet, she gently undressed each article of yesterdays clothing until she wore nothing except her black bra and matching panties.
She was surprised not to see any bruises on her face or arms. In fact, there were an unusually small amount of them total. Only a few scattered along her stomach and upper thighs. 'He must still be happy about how I got the Takamada family to cave in about that stupid contract.' She winced as she traced a particularly nasty looking bruise on her left hip. 'That won't last much longer.'
End of flashback
"Better than usual," she responded truthfully.
"That's good." They lapsed into another somewhat awkward silence again.
"Is there anything you hate, Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asked suddenly.
"What do you mean?" He looked over at her.
"You always seem to be so happy. Unnaturally so, in fact. The only thing I've ever heard you even mention a dislike towards are those little cherry tomatoes." He said, smiling to himself. "But is there anything you truly hate?" Kagome was quiet for a long time and Sesshoumaru was beginning to think that she wasn't going to answer.
"I hate to lie," she said softly, keeping her eyes off of him and on the Shipp and Rin.
"Then why do you?" he wondered aloud.
"The question isn't why do I lie," she said shaking her head, "It's why don't I lie to children?"
" To children?" he echoed.
"Yes. Every adult I've ever met, lies. But children are innocent," she explained. "They look to you with complete and utter trust. They are so pure that many of them can't even comprehend why people should ever have to lie." She finally turned towards him. "I can't lie to the children who haven't lost their innocence ye,t because they won't lie to me." 'She...she has a point.' His silence after her confession forced Kagome to regain her lost composure."Is there anything that you hate Sesshoumaru?" she asked, switching the subject off herself.
"I hate men who mistreat woman," he said simply, shoving his hands into the pockets of his khakis. If he had been looking at Kagome at the time than he would have seen her eyes widen in fear. 'Does... he know?'
"Is that why you agreed to help with the self defense class?" she said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Yes," 'but even Hiten doesn't know that.'
"If you don't mind me asking, what brought this on?" 'I have to find out what he knows.'
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean, generally speaking, that unless people have a direct connection to someone being abused or mistreated than they don't honestly give a shit. Sure they say it's an awful to think about and no one should have to suffer like that, but that doesn't mean any of them do anything about it." He looked at her surprised.
"How did you come across that theory?"
"It's the truth isn't it?" Again, he didn't answer right away. 'She seems so sure of herself.'
"Your right. Someone close to me was mistreated far too much by the men she loved." Kagome sighed in relief when it appeared as though that he knew nothing of her father's behavior.
"Who?" Kagome had to ask, pain lacing her voice. She almost didn't want to hear it. About another woman who was being trampled upon by someone who should have protected and cared for her.
"My mother." She could tell that he wasn't fully aware that he was telling her all these things. His eyes were glazed over as if he were far away, off in a dream, or maybe it was a nightmare, she couldn't tell.
Her heart went out to him and her chest constricted painfully. Kagome pressed a hand against her heart, trying to ease the pain she felt.
"Please don't tell me it was Inu Tashio." She begged. 'Please.' Sesshoumaru smiled to himself.
"No, it was an old flame. My father was the one who saved her." Kagome let out the breath that she hadn't been aware that she was holding. "She didn't go to the authorities because the guy was a complete head case she was too scared about what would happen."
"I know the feeling," she said, too softly for Sesshoumaru to hear. "What happened next?"
"She married my father and I was born. Then, 8 years later, she died from breast cancer." Kagome was beginning to feel dizzy.
"But... Inuyasha's only a couple of years younger than you," She whispered closing her eyes. 'No, Inu Tashio couldn't have done that. Not him."
"yes," Sesshoumaru said, colder than it had been before; the look in his eyes was frighting, but Kagome couldn't bring herself to be afraid. "My father had started cheating on my mother soon after they were married."
"How could he do something like that?" She cried, forcing her tears not to fall. Her emotional outburst brought Sesshoumaru's attention back to his companion and he the feeling of guilt washed over him.
"Don't think badly of him Kagome. He was young and stupid and despite his action, he loved my mother and took good care of her. But he had been in love with Inuyasha's mother. He married her soon after my mother died."
She shook her head. "I still don't understand how he could have done such a terrible thing."
"He was a different man back then. He's changed." Looking into his eyes, Kagome believed every word that Sesshoumaru spoke. There was no mask hiding what he felt, only a look of honesty. "My mother was a wonderful woman, and stronger than most. She had known that he was cheating on her, but overlooked it because she loved him."
"I wish I had known my mother." She said quietly.
"I've seen that picture of her that you keep on your desk. She was beautiful." ' And ou look just like her.'
"Yeah. From what I hear, she was... perfect." Kagome closed her eyes, and for a moment relived every single time her father shouted those very words at her.
"How did she die?" he asked, startling her. 'How can I lie to him when he just told me something so personal? But what would he say? Would he ever speak to me again?' Suddenly a little boy's cry rang through the air. Kagome's eyes immediately snapped to Shippo and Rin. As soon as she saw Shippo kneeling on the ground with Rin beside him, she took off running.
"Shippo, are you alright?" she asked as she reached hearing range. her eyes franticly scanned him for any serious injuries, and he brought his palms up to her line of vision. Both his hands had been scraped mildly as he fell onto the driveway of some anonymous citizen, and fat tears ran down his cheeks.
"Well we better get you cleaned up." She said, kneeling on the ground next to him, not caring about the now dirty jeans she wore. She swiftly searched her bag, grabbing a couple of Band-Aids and a bottle of antiseptic. "This may sting a little," she warned before cleaning the scratches. He winced and bit his lip to keep from crying out. "Sorry" Kagome apologized, before gently applying the band aids on each hand. "but we wouldn't want them to get infected, would we?"
"No," he sniffed.
"Does it still hurt?" she asked concerned.
"Yeah," Another tear.
"Well I don't know if this will help or not but it always use to make me feel better." She held up both of his palms and laid a single kiss on each one.
"Thanks Kagome," he said wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He caught her off guard by giving her a great big hug and nearly knocking her over.
"I'm gad I could help Shippo," she said wrapping her arms around him and trying to ignore the way her body felt like it was burning. 'She will be an excellant mother one day.' Sesshoumaru thought to himself. When Kagome saw Rin rubbing her eyes tiredly and Shippo give a loud yawn, she glanced at her watch.
"Wow it's already 8:25. Maybe we should start heading back."
"Yeah," Sesshoumaru agreed.
"But I'm not sleepy," Rin protested half heartedly.
"Sure you aren't," Kagome laughed, rolling her eyes.
"Kagome will you carry me?" Rin asked holding out her arms. Kagome smiled softly.
"Sure munchkin," she said picking the tiny girl up and taking her pumpkin bucket, which was full to the brim with candy. Sesshoumaru wordlessly picked up Shippo who looked as if he was about to fall asleep standing up. Within seconds both children were sleeping noiselessly.
Kagome couldn't help but sigh with relief when she realized that Sesshoumaru had forgotten that she had yet to answer his last question.
Sesshoumaru's house was the closest and Kagome dressed Rin in her pajamas while Sesshoumaru waited outside the door, still holding onto Shippo.
"Kagome," Rin said, grabbing her arm when she moved to get up. She cracked her eyes open and peered up at Kagome, who sat back down on the bed beside her. "Will you sing me a lullaby?"
"I don't know any lullabies Rin," she said shaking her head.
"Please." Kagome sighed.
"Alright. Let me think. Um...Oh I know."
(Feel free to skip. That's what I usually do with songs...heehee)
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do?
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time
Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time
Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for
Outside the door, Sesshoumaru leaned against the wall with a sleeping Shippo still laying snugly in his arms. 'She's perfect,' he thought to himself. 'Absolutely perfect.' Her voice was stunning, not like professionals, but someone whose whole heart went into every word that came out of their mouth.. He opened the door and peeked inside. She was tucking his sister in as she sang. Rin lay with a content smile on her face as she was buried beneath a mountain of blankets. They made the perfect picture of mother and daughter. 'I envy the man she chooses to love...' The weight of his thoughts abruptly crashed down upon him.
'What's happening to me?' he wondered astonished. 'I don't want to fall in love with her. I don't want to even like her but... that's impossible. How could anyone not like her?' Sesshoumaru thought as she finished her song and turned towards him, and smiled a secret sort of smile, as if she known he had been there all along, watching and waiting for her to notice him. Soundlessly she got up off of the bed and made her way towards him. 'I'm doomed.'
"We should go," she whispered bring her hand to smooth down Shippo's untidy hair.
"Yeah,"
They were only minutes away from the restaurant/Shippo's aunt's and uncle's home when Sesshoumaru spoke.
"Kagome, were you aware that we are being followed?" he said in a low voice.
"I have been for the last ten minutes." He was surprised. He had only just noticed, not that he was about to admit that. "Don't worry Sesshoumaru. He's here for me."
"And that's not suppose to make me worry?" he asked skeptically. "Who is it?"
"Naraku."
"What's that bastard doing here?" he said vehemently, trying desperately not to wake the slumbering Shippo.
"He wants to talk."
"About what Kagome? And how in the hell do you know?" Sesshoumaru was more than irritated. 'How can she be so calm about all this?' What he didn't know was that Kagome was anything but calm. Inside she was shaking with terror. 'What could he want? He never lets himself be seen when he's watching me,' she thought panicking.
"The only thing I know is that he's waiting till I'm alone."
"Yeah, that's really going to happen," he said sarcastically. They both stopped when they reached the entrance to the café.
"Sesshoumaru, why don't you go inside and I'll talk to him."
'Are you kidding me? Did you see the looks he was giving you at that fucking conference?' he wanted to shout but the little boy in his arms prevented him from doing so. Instead his jealousy lashed out with a vengeance. "One would think that you want to talk to that scum Kagome," he snarled. "Well don't worry, I won't be in your way a second longer," and he stalked inside, leaving her standing shocked in the doorway.
A black Sedan pulled up next to her, and a dark figure stepped out, blending into the night.
"What do you want Naraku?" She asked without looking at him. Kagome felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on end.
"Well hello to you too, love," he mocked, but his expression was serious as he drew closer.
"Just answer the question," she ground out angrily. Sesshoumaru's brush off had left her in a foul mood, and being provoked by Naraku wasn't helping.
"I'm here to tell you I'm leaving," he stated gravely. She raised her eyebrows. She certainly wasn't expecting that to come out of his mouth.
"What's happened?" she couldn't help but ask.
"I'm in some legal trouble. A lot of it. I'm a suspect in an embezzling scheme that's going on at my sister's company."
"Did you do it?" she blurted before he could go on.
"Yes, but that's not the point," he said with a small smile. "The point is that I'm leaving, for months possibly and I won't be able to look after you for your father."
"What, can't my daddy bail you out this time?" she asked sarcastically. He chucked, darkly.
"Not this time, love, but don't worry. I'll be back before long. But in the meantime I've convinced your father not to send any of his goons to guard you. So unless you want one of your fathers's dense henchmen lurking around every corner than I suggest you keep a low profile. Don't do something stupid," he warned.
"What's in this for you?" she asked suspiciously. "Why are you helping me?"
"The next guy might not be as nice as me Kagome, who knows what he would be capable of?" She held back a shudder as she heard his sinister voice. In other words he was saying, 'The next man who your father sends might not give a second thought to raping you in your sleep.'
"That still doesn't tell me what's in it for you." She said nauseated.
"Let's just say, I'd like to have you untouched for myself," he said tracing her jaw with a finger. She jerked her head away, disgusted.
"As if." He laughed.
"Goodnight love, and remember what I said." She watched as Naraku got into the car and sighed wearily when he drove off into the night. She felt like crawling up in a ball and falling into a deep sleep. Her eyelids were heavy and her stomach felt like it was going to lurch.
Inside Sesshoumaru was tucking Shippo in. "Mmmmmm," he groaned, in semi consciousness. "Where's Kagome?" he asked, looking sleepily around the room.
"With Naraku," he spat without thinking. Suddenly Shippo got very pale.
"N..Naraku?" he stuttered. "How could you leave her with him?!" Shippo scrambled up from his comfortable bed and raced to the window. When he saw the Kagome within reach of Naraku, he exploded.
"No!" he shouted from the window, painfully aware that they couldn't hear him. Hot tears began running down his face..
"Why didn't you protect her?!" he shouted, turning on Sesshoumaru. Alarmed, Sesshoumaru slowly approached the boy.
"What's wrong Shippo?" His question was ignored.
"I don't care what Rin says! At least Hiten wouldn't leave a guy like Naraku alone with her!" Sesshoumaru stopped where he was and closed his eyes.
"How do you know about Naraku?" he asked his voice strained.
"How do you think?" Shippo shot back. "Kagome told me." Sesshoumaru didn't stop to say another thing as he rushed out of Shippo's bedroom door and down the stairs.
"You don't deserve her!" he shouted after him. 'Kagome,' he thought sinking to the ground. 'Please be okay. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.'
She heard the door open up behind her by the sound of the bell ringing.
"Hello Sesshoumaru," she said dejectly, turning around to face him. He surprised her when he crushed her body to his own.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in her fragrant hair. "I'm so sorry I left you alone with him."
"It's... okay. I'm use to being alone."
A/n: First of all I would like to send a special shout out to Kagome loves Inuyasha for giving me excellent advice about what I can do to make my story better and Sesshy's Hime for making me fall out of my chair because I was laughing so hard. Sorry about the song. I'm a sucker for Billy Joel. Lol. So what did you all think? Is it going to fast? That's my main concern. But you tell me. I don't know about you guys, but I like the ending, it really surprised me. Lol. I suppose it shouldn't because I'm the author, but it did. Does anybody think I should redo this chapter? I kinda rushed to get it done... Oh yeah, and I want to thank all of you who reviewed, It took me more than an hour to finish them all! And I now have over 300! I love you all!! Break out the champagne! Oh wait, I'm not old enough to drink...Damn. Lol.
Guideline:
Kagome's says she's fine every time she's asked.
Shippo was angry at himself for not being there to protect Kagome. That's why he lashed out at Sesshoumaru.
Kagome has too much pride to ask anyone (even the Takamada's) for help.
Kagome doesn't get a job with another company because her father won't let her. Let's face it, the guys insane and he won't let her have her own life and be happy.
The Takamada men are the first people to really take a closer look at Kagome and that's what makes her feel more comfortable talking with them. She feels a certain connection.
Kagome is one of the reasons that Onigumo has survived all these years, but so is Naraku. And now Onigumo has the Takamada's to take care of the business. He doesn't REALLY need her.
Kagome didn't stand up for herself in the conference because if she did then she would only suffer later. And she wouldn't leave with any of the Takamada's to make it look like she was running away.
When it comes down to about how her mom died, she can be just plain stupid, thinking it's her fault and all.
Reviews Responses: Thank you everyone!
Jessyca: Muchos gracias! =D
DemonWicca: lol. Are you really wiccan?
BloodlustSelene: Thank you. Have you ever read the Sweep Series? There's a chick named selen and I was wondering if there was a connection...lol. Although there's a possibility that selene is your actual name. lol
Pink Camel: lol. Thanks but I think you have too much faith in my work.
hrc: Thanks for the review!
Rebx1: lol. Your reviews always make me smile. Lol
KillerKitty1106: I'm a dog person myself...lol.
Dragon Rayne: Thank you. All I can say about Kikyo is that I won't make her sluttish or anything. In fact she is going to be somewhat normal! (I know your probably thinking, 'What the hell? Since when is Kikyo somewhat normal!!!' Just trust me)
Nagumi Strife: Thank you!
faithwings: lol. Thank you so much. You are excellent at putting my worries at ease.
Alex: I like that part too!!!
Vladygasckgyn: weird name. lol Thanks for your review!
Rynnie: Oooo ::blush:: You're so sweet!
kagomehigurashi12: Lol.
Formerly RorouniNikkitch13: People in love can be very fickle. (I love that word. Fickle. Hee hee)
Dragon Rae: Really?
lordKagome: I haven't gotten any yet, so that's a plus!
catsht: lol. Nice name.
WarriorZage: Lol. If told you then I would be totally spoiling the story and then what is the point of you reading?
Cloudymoon: Here is the Halloween. What do you think?
Kagome loves Inuyasha: Its cool that you're open minded about other pairings. Some people are completely set in stone. I want to thank you SO MUCH for all of your advice! I really appreciate it and you can believe that I will try to remember what you said as I am writing the rest of this story! Pleas, please, tell me what else you think I should be doing! I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Draconic Ban-sithea: Don't worry. Everything will work out. Lol
felicia: Thank you!
Mangars-Sistars: me too. He's an all around good guy and deserves to have someone he loves.
ShikonAngel19: Don't worry (I'm saying that a lot lately. Lol) Everything will work out for the best.
ioke: Thank you!
sess's little one: I'm glad you like it!
Cinnamon Pixi Stix: Mmmm...cinnamon. Lol. You'll see. Don't worry about the contract. Lol.
daniy: Thank you sooooo much! ::blush::
webweaver: I'm glad you find it interesting. As to about her getting another job... you've got to understand that her father is one of the most powerful men in Tokyo and is a very shady character. If he is nuts enough to beat his own daughter just think about what else he could do...(shudder) Her father is rich enough to find her pretty much anywhere and there would be severe repercussions. Friends can only do so much when the guy you are running from is seriously insane. I mean insane enough to give up EVERYTHING just because he doesn't want her happy or free. I'm glad that you are asking questions because they make me think. I hope that you ask more in the future!
---: thanks!
Shadowed fry: lol.
Yoarashi: oh what a tangled web I weave?
Shadowed rains:lol. I can't ever remember what I reviewed for anybody else. Lol. Dun dun DUN! Who knows if Inu Tashio will sign the contract. Oh wait, I should. Lol
Chikara: Yea, you have to admit the girls got brains.
myinuyasha04: Who says men have wills of steel? Lol. The Takamada's certainly don't.
Sesshys Hime: Lol. Did u mean to make a poker reference. Because either way it is funny as shit. Well let me start off by saying that the Takamada's are the first people to really take a closer look at her (besides Shippo) and there is something that draws her to them, although I'm not entirely sure what yet...lol. As for the business, he still has Naraku and now has the Takamada family to help him out. He is just as powerful as ever. She would have been safe in the conference room, but what about after? She can't hide forever and she doesn't want to. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing that she's afraid of him, (even though she is) It kind of all boils down to the fact that her father is a nut case. If she tried to leave, he would do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to maintain control over her. And yeah, using the favor was low, but you kinda have to understand why she did it. What would her father had done if she failed? I'm glad you ask questions. Not too many people do that. It makes me think lol. I look forward to hear what you have to say about this chapter.
nishasha: Cute name. lol. No it's probably not the best example but I get your meaning. I LOVE that word. Fanfuckingtastic. Lol. Not everyone agrees with you about how I portray peoples feeling but thank you! I can't wait to hear what else you have to say. You are so funny!'
YamiEmmy: Oooo, Sesshoumaru does have a nice ass.
Youka-White-Kitsune: Thank you! You know someone else asked if they could use my plot and write their own. Lol.
Eleature: Kagome has too much pride to ask for anyone's help.
Angel of the Heavens: Thank you! Now I have 2 perfect scores.
Sheeshys-only-luff: Of course! The bad guys always have to suffer!
Maukagurl: Lol. I will!
Alexis Barnes: lol.
augustsunset: Yep!
The-Piro-16: lol.
IcyAsh: Thank you much! ::takes a bow::
Mirror Maiden: Okie Dokie!
Why?What?Shutup: lol. Sorry.