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Title: Underneath Her Mask

Chapter 15: Loving Life

Dr. Bennett shoved his way past the old man and waddled his way towards Kagome.

"What the hell do you think your doing?" Toutousai bristled, brushing the shoulders of his white trench coat. His nose wrinkled in distaste.

"Shut up you old fool," snapped Dr. Bennett as he picked up her wrist and checked Kagome's pulse in time with his watch. "Hmmmm," he muttered pulling out his stethoscope and listening to her breathing.

"Why you...." Toutousai growled, rolling up his sleeves, looking all too ready for a fight.

"Toutousai," Inu Tashio's voice gently reprimanded only with the slightest hint of a command, as he grabbed his shoulder before the senior citizen could do much harm. "Dr. Bennett is here on behalf of Onigumo. It would be disrespectful if we didn't abide by his wishes and allow him to look after Kagome."

"Humph." Toutousai crossed his arms, but didn't say another word.

"Mmmm," Kagome moaned as her heavy eye lids fluttered open.

"Dr. Bennett?" she called out quietly, her tone a pitch lower then usual as her eyes struggled to regain focus.

"Ka...Kagome? You're awake? It's only been hours since you collapsed," he said. 'She shouldn't be awake yet' He thought grimly '. It's been much too soon after a fall like the one she did.'

"Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, come quick! Kagome's awake!" Inu Tashio called out the door. Kagome however was in a world of her own. 'I knew I heard his voice,' Kagome thought with a bitter smile. 'I don't think I'll ever forget.'

"You know Dr. Bennett, I don't hold you responsible for what you've done," Kagome continued softly, "Fear is said to drive us to do unimaginable things, but when you think about it, what you did was not that unimaginable. Most would have done the exact same thing in your position. Fear engulfs us with its presence, worming its way into our hearts and never truly letting go." Her lips curled upward once again. "You're afraid even now; I can see it in your eyes. But don't your not the only one..."

"What's she talking about?" Inuyasha said walking into the room with Sesshoumaru hot on his heels.

"She's delusional." Dr. Bennett responded wringing his hands. "It's because of her fever."

"I get afraid too." She whispered closing her eyes. "And I'm getting so tired of fighting. But I don't dare feel sorry for myself. That would be weak of me. Who I really feel sorry for is you."

"Sorry for me?" he echoed. "Kagome the only person you should feel sorry for right now is you... you're sick," he said, peeking at the other people in the room out of the corner of his eye. "Every one, I must ask you to please leave. She obviously needs her rest." A sudden bang startled everyone in the room. Sesshoumaru's fist was indented upon his desk. Wooden slivers were so deep embedded in his knuckles that he began to bleed, but he appeared not to notice, much less care.

"But what is she talking about?" Sesshoumaru demanded.

"Nothing logical. It is just mindless babbling. Now go," he said, the words tumbling out of his mouth in a swift, unsteady motion. 'He is lying. I'm sure of it. He's too jumpy to be telling the truth,' Sesshoumaru stood rigidly, his hand beginning to burn with pain; as the others were shuffled out his father put his hand upon his son's shoulder and Sesshoumaru's fury was slightly subdued, enough for him to be led out of the room. 'But what I can do about it?'

"Come on son. Let's get that hand fixed up." Little did his father know the pain he felt shooting up his arm was a welcome relief from the ache growing ever-so-slowly in his heart.

"Oh Kagome, I'm sorry." Dr. Bennett said sincerely as he heard the click of the door shut. He pulled out his own syringe from inside his trench coat pocket. It was safe to assume that the red swirling liquid wasn't another antibiotic to help her fight off the infection. "I'm going to give you some medicine, okay? You won't ever have to feel any more agony," he whispered softly, concerned by the way she was staring vacantly at the white wall on her right. 'Should I really be doing this?' He asked himself. 'I've...I've never taken a human being's life before. Will the regret end up driving me crazy? Well it is too late to think about that now....' "Your father will never be able to harm you again. I promise." She looked away, her eyes bloodshot and she internally cringed when he began to soothingly rub her forearm.

"You know," she wheezed, "That I'm too...too weak right now, that if you decide to kill me... I won't be able to do a thing about it." She stated, visibly wincing at the fact that she was in such a vulnerable position right now. "I can't help but wonder did he put you up to this?"

"No. I...thought you wanted this," he said shocked. "Don't you?"

"Death to me is the coward's way out," she sneered. "But I won't lie. I've thought about it..." She gave a dry chuckle. "Probably more times than you can count. Sometimes when I was lying on the kitchen floor and every inch of my body was throbbing with indescribable pain..." she closed her eyes, reliving the memories that were crashing down upon her. "I would often feel like taking the knife the lie so innocently on the counter top and slitting my wrists, watching the life literally drain right out of me. But each time I had it in my hand, just before I was going to go through with the act, I stopped myself." She looked into his eyes and shook her head. "I never wanted to die." Her voice cracked and it took a few moments before she was ready to go on.

"Sometimes, in my darkest hours, I would wish that the earth would swallow him up and in the devil's presence, he'd learn to repent the crimes he has committed. But I'm getting off track aren't I? My point is," she continued softly, "is that just because I'm tired of fighting, that doesn't mean I ready to quit. Before I die, I want to ensure that my father gets what's coming to him." Her body was engulfed in a coughing fit, and Dr. Bennett clapped her back softly till she recovered. "I'm going to sleep now," she said thickly, "and if I don't wake up, I want you to know that I forgive you." She was panting by now and locked eyes with the man as he slowly helped her lay back down. "Goodnight Dr. Bennet." Kagome closed her eyes and fell asleep to the sound of quickening breath.

"Oh God, what have I done?!" he cried out. "I nearly... oh, God." His body began to shake. He jumped when he heard the sound of a door closing down the hall. 'I...I have to get out of here. Now.' He hastily shoved the syringe into his pocket and bolted out the door, never noticing when it fell out of his pocket and rolled beneath his charge's bed.

"I need to talk with you." Toutousai said to Dr. Bennett as he was repacking his bags.

"What about exactly?" he asked, the tone of his voice already setting himself on his guard. 'I've got to get out of here. Now.'

"About Kagome, what else?" Toutousai snapped and then muttered underneath is breath. "You incompetent fool."

"What was that?" Dr. Bennett asked, hastily throwing his belongings into a brown wool suitcase.

"Oh nothing." Toutousai chortled innocently. "But seriously, we need to discuss Kagome."

"What about Kagome?" He could feel a drop of sweat forming just above his brow and tried to wipe it away before Toutousai could see.

"I saw something before you got here." Samuel stopped unpacking his clothes from his suitcase and shifted his weight uncomfortably. Apprehension was slowly seeping its way into his core.

"Oh?" His eyebrows raised and his breathing got heavier.

"Yes. I've seen the bruises she carries on her stomach and thighs," Toutousai said, watching Samuel Bennett carefully as he struggled to regain control. "You wouldn't happen to anything about this would you?"

"I...uh..." he tugged at his collar."I don't know what you're talking about," he said, searching the room, looking for a way out, or a glass of water; anything just not to look into the old eyes that held accusation within their depths.

"Liar," Toutousai accused. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you? Tell me the truth."

"Umm, what I mean is that I'm not really at liberty to say," he stuttered. Before Toutousai could speak another word Dr. Bennet shoved his way out of the bedchamber.

"I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but it is getting late and I need to be going. When I report back to Mr. Higurashi I plan to tell him that I have full confidence in your ability. Goodbye and good luck." He said quickly closing the door abruptly, leaving Toutousai standing in an empty guestroom.

'Somehow I very much doubt that.' Toutousai thought, shaking his head sadly before strolling back towards his own room. 'There is something he is not telling me. That much is obvious, but what?'

Hours before, everyone had settled down for the night. He was staying in a lone guestroom while a skittish group of maids kept watch over Kagome. Sesshoumaru lay on his back, staring at the wide expanse of a ceiling above. Not sleeping. Not thinking; just staring into the empty space before him. His anger from earlier was still coursing though his veins, lying dormant till it finally decided to strike with full force. (A/n: I'm sure none of us will want to be around when that happens. Lol)

'I can't stand lying here, in this godforsaken bed. Not when I am so restless.' He stood up and began to walk, moving his limbs, letting his feet take him where they wanted him to be. He headed down the hallway and was walking past Inuyasha's door at the exact moment it was opening.

"Jesus, Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha hissed. "What the fuck are you doing sneaking around at this time of night?!"

"I could ask the same of you little brother," he retorted.

"I decided I would check up on her." His voice dropped off.

"I was doing the same," Sesshoumaru disliked the look of vulnerability on his face. Inuyasha couldn't even say her name. He inwardly sighed. "We may as well go together." 'Besides I can't leave you alone with Kagome'

They opened the door quietly and watched as a lanky looking maid jumped from her seat when she saw who it was.

"Oh, my young lords. I...um...what can I do for you?" She squeaked, nervously wringing her hands and giving a swift bow.

"You may leave now. Inuyasha and I will look over her now. We will call you when we are ready to go." She looked perplexed, pursing her lips, but none the less she nodded.

"Yes my lord." The maid bowed again before making her exit. Sesshoumaru turned his attention to Kagome. Lying in the middle of his plush king-sized bed, looking small and defenseless, Kagome shivered underneath a mountain of covers. It was a frightening contrast from when she was awake.

"She's cold." Inuyasha stated watching her quivering body.

"I see that. Now what exactly do you propose we do about it?" Sesshoumaru asked, not bothering to dull his sharp tongue, even though he knew that now was not the time to be making sarcastic remarks, but the sight of Kagome in her current state made his stomach turn. "What are you doing now?" Sesshoumaru wondered as Inuyasha began to roll back the comforters and started to climb in.

"Warming her up. What does it look like? Inuyasha spat, regretting the words the instant they left his mouth. He nearly groaned when he realized the implications...

"It looks as if you're jumping into bed with a completely helpless Kagome." He growled. That was certainly an interesting thought though. 'Kagome helpless?' He looked down at her still form. 'I guess you could call her helpless right now...' even as he himself was climbing in on the other side

"You're the one who is jumping into bed with her." Inuyasha accused from beside her.

"No I'm helping to "warm her up"," he mocked. "Same as you." For some reason, it wasn't all that funny. Not in the least. Sesshoumaru laid his head down on the pillow besides Kagome's and soon enough, dropped off to sleep, much more comfortable than he had been in that unfamiliar guest room.

That was how Inu Tashio and his wife found them in the wee hours of the morning. Kagome wrapped snuggly up in their sons' arms.

"Hmmm. Who do you think she will choose?" Inu Tashio asked his wife quietly.

"You are confident that she will wake husband?" she asked him seriously. He looked at Kagome's cheeks, now hinting with a light flush as appose to the sickly pale that they had been the day before.

"More than confident my wife. Onigumo was right all along. She is strong and will pull through this." 'I hope.' "So when she wakes up, who do you think she will choose?"

"Must she choose?" the woman asked him. "Everything seems so hard for her already. Can't she just have them both?"

"I'm afraid not." He stared at his sons with a critical eye. Both of them clutched Kagome possessively within their grip. "They will not settle for sharing." He sighed. "But the truth is she seems to need all the support she can get."

Day 2

Sesshoumaru sat in his desk chair, a plate of food getting cold on the table beside him. Inuyasha sat Indian style against the wall. There was a deafening silence that was making them both on edge.

"What are we going to do if she doesn't get better?" Inuyasha had finally asked the question that was plaguing both their minds.

"We move on." He wished he could take it back more than anything, but it was too late now.

"You heartless bastard!" Inuyasha shouted at him. "You can't mean that!"

"But I do. It isn't like that isn't millions of girls just like her out there." Sesshoumaru never once looked away from Kagome's face. 'I'm sorry.'

"That is complete bullshit and you know it! I've seen the way you act with her. You wouldn't be here right now if you really felt that way!" Inuyasha got up from the floor and stalked to where Sesshoumaru sat. "Look at me damn it!"

In a swift, elegant motion Sesshoumaru was grabbing Inuyasha's shoulders, digging into his skin. His eyes, showing each of the emotions he felt, blending into another, making them all indefinable, except for one: anger. "Listen up you foolish pup," he sneered. "I've had enough of this, and if you need me to "teach you a lesson," than, by all means, keep talking, otherwise, shut the hell up!" he growled. With a push to the chest, he was knocked back and lost his hold on his stepbrother.

"Bring it on you arrogant fuck!" he said, already in a fighting stance. A whimper alerted his ears. 'Oh shit,' Sesshoumaru thought panicked as he and Inuyasha both hurried to be next to her. She wasn't awake, but clutching her head in agony. Both men held their breath till she it was over, neither realizing till afterward that they held each of her hands in their own.

Carefully, Inuyasha set Kagome's hand in her lap and turned grimly to Sesshoumaru. "This isn't over," he said before turning and taking his place against the wall once again. 'No, no it isn't.' Sesshoumaru thought. A battle was lying on the horizon and he intended to be ready for it.

They didn't speak to each other again.

It's funny in a sad sort of way. The woman that had been bringing the brothers together was now slowly tearing them apart.

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru stayed by Kagome's side, never leaving for more than a few moments till she woke up. She didn't wake up until seven days later.

"Mmmmmmmm," Kagome groaned, cracking open her eyes, and closing them just as quickly when the light hurt her eyes. "Water," her scratchy voice croaked.

"Inuyasha," was all Sesshoumaru needed to say before he was out the door and heading at a fast pace towards the kitchen. Sesshoumaru let out a small sigh of relief before his cold façade slipped back into place for the first time in a week. "That was very inconsiderate of you, you know." He informed her coldly, not even really sure whether or not she was actually coherent enough to understand him. "You nearly killed yourself. My family was really worried." 'What about you?' she thought hazily as she tried to focus in on his familiar face. 'Were you worried about me Sesshoumaru?'

"I've told everybody that you're awake." Inuyasha said guiding the glass of water that he carried to Kagome's shaky ones. He ended up helping her drink, and even then a great deal dribbled out of the side of her mouth which Inuyasha took the liberty to wipe it away with his sleeve. "Toutousai said he wanted to speak to you as soon as you're up to it."

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Sesshoumaru felt his heart clench but ignored the feeling at hearing her sweet sound once more, opting instead to hide his relief.

"So you decided to grace the world with your presence Ms. Higurashi?" Toutousai asked, walking into the room. She chuckled softly.

"Something like that," she told him smiling, not really sure whether or not she had ever even met before now. 'Is this...Toutousai?'

"Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. I must speak to Kagome alone for a little while." When they looked like they were going to refuse he added, "I promise it will only take a few minutes, if that."

"Make it quick." Sesshoumaru ordered, holding open the door for Inu before leaving right after.

"Wasn't Dr. Bennet here?" she asked, confused.

"He was... but he was called away," he said, choosing his words wisely.

"Hm? Oh." Her eye lids were droopy and the edge of her vision was fuzzy. 'What happened? I...can't remember.'

"You know they stayed with you all this time," Toutousai told her.

"Did they? How long was I asleep" Kagome asked shocked, leaning back into her pillow tiredly. 'Why would they do something like that?'

"Yes, they care about you a lot." She was quiet for a moment.

"I suppose," was her only response. "Do you mind if I ask your name?" She said, changing the subject suddenly.

"I'm Toutousai, the Takamada's family doctor." She nodded slowly. 'Oh, yeah...'

"Alright. What did you want to talk to me about? And was it really so important that you couldn't say it in front of the Takamada's?" Her smile dropped a little at the sight of his grim face.

"It's about the bruises on your abdomen," he said seriously. She stiffened. Apparently, some things can never be forgotten.

"What are you talking about?" She asked fighting to keep her emotion's in check.

"I saw them, that first night you were found laying in the middle of your office. Sesshoumaru told me that there had not been any blunt objects near where you fell."

"Does he know?" She asked, panicked. "How is in that you were able to see those anyway?" Her heart was thumping so hard, she was surprised Toutousai couldn't hear it as well.

"No he does not, but I have the feeling that Dr. Bennett does. And as for about how I saw the abrasions...I performed a checkup on you to see if you were suffering from any life threatening danger." She could only wonder why he was blushing. "Now would you mind telling me how you got them?"

"Sir," Kagome said shaking her head. "I beg of you not to tell anyone. I swear I'll answer all your questions if you just promise not to tell anyone, especially the Takamada's."

"I can not make that promise," he informed her calmly. She opened her mouth but closed it just as quickly.

"Perhaps you would be more willing if you knew what happened," she told him, meeting his old, bulging eyes. "I...recently found out that a friend of mine wasn't as great a guy as I originally thought."

Understanding what she was saying he was immediately on the alert. Assuming something and hearing it from the source were two very different things. "Did he...do anything else?" he asked, alarmed.

"Oh no! Nothing like that," she hastily replied, sitting up quickly. A little too quickly for Toutousai's old hands were needed to keep her steady.

"Are you alright?" he asked her.

"Yes, I'm fine," she said lying back down. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to trouble you." Before he could tell her that it was no trouble she interrupted.

"Although he didn't do anything more than this," she motioned towards her stomach and legs," I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell them about this." The 'them' in question being the Takamada's. "They have been so kind to me," she explained. "I wouldn't want to make them worry anymore than I already have. And anyway I've made sure that this won't be happening again." She shook her head discretely, trying to stop her vision from swaying.

"How can you be so sure?" he wondered dumbfounded.

"I...he was my blood Toutousai." Her eyes glazed over and she smiled a small smile. "You know, they say hat blood is thicker than wine but it's really not true. I feel closer to the Takamada's than I ever did to him. Your family doesn't have to love you. They don't even have to like you but they are none the less bound to you. That in turn puts even more strain on your relationship. Your family can either accept you for who you are or...not."

"My... cousin certainly didn't." If he noticed the slight hesitation in her voice he didn't comment on it. "When he hit me, his eyes held an immense sort of...satisfaction. I'm positive that his cold, frightening eyes could scare the devil himself." She shivered.

"How do you know that he won't come after you again?" His question seemed to bring her back to earth and the glazed look left her.

"I talked to my father about it. Now my cousin is living in the states and taking anger management classes. If he ever comes within a hundred feet of me again he will be thrown in jail. I know that my father and I don't always get along the greatest but when it comes down to it." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I know he loves me." 'I've never told a larger lie. "So you see? While my father is looking after me I have nothing to worry about."

"I understand. I won't tell the Takamada's but you have to promise me that you will watch your back." He said seriously.

"I will and thank you." She said sincere, her eyes oddly shining. 'What a kind old man...' Toutousai cleared his throat.

"Well, yes, I'll leave you to get your rest. Oh and by the way, why did you attempt to go into work if you knew you were sick? I know you couldn't have not known..." She looked at him surprised.

"So I was sick? Yes, I remember now. I didn't want to let Inu Tashio down." she said simply, then added, "or my father."

Toutousai shook his head frowning as he closed the door behind him. 'Why can't she see that Inu Tashio thinks more of her health than all the years he has spent at that blasted company?' Just as he thought that, there was the man himself, standing anxiously not to far away, and obviously waiting till he came out.

"Is she alright?" Inu Tashio asked his eyebrows deeply creased. 'How did he get so predictable?' Toutousai asked himself, and tried not to roll his eyes.

"She'll be fine." 'I think.'

A/n: So is this any better? It may not seem like it, but I have been busting my ass trying to tweak this baby. I'm sorry to all of you who have been waiting forever for another chapter, but there were some important changes in this one. It is just dripping with symbolism if you look closely. And I'd like to tell all of you something right now. I write for me, not because a few people think I have some talent. For a period of time, I lost sight of that. I don't think I will again. I hope not anyway. So even if you beg or plead, I will only put out a chapterwhenI think it is good enough, not because I'm being pressured. Feel free to give me your views. Chai.