Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Chapter Two: Sorry…
"speech"
'thoughts'
Note: This part of the story involves some legal and medical stuff. I being not a doctor nor a police officer just an avid CSI watcher who made up some of the things so don't hurt me for my misconceptions.
Her last sight before she fainted from exhaustion was the demon dissipating and her family and friends running up looking scared for her life.
"Mrs. Higurashi, how did your daughter get like this?" asked the doctor at Tokyo General Hospital. "She fainted with exhaustion, which does not happen very often and we have to look into the circumstances for signs of possible abuse."
Mrs. Higurashi looked worriedly at Kagome lying unconscious on the hospital bed in the other room. "Please doctor will she be all right?" pleaded Mrs. Higurashi.
"Answer the question ma'am, your daughter appears to have various scars all over her body, and bruises and she fainted from exhaustion in your care. How do you explain all of this?" he repeated.
"Well you know, like any kid she got into various scrapes and of course she would have bruises, she's at the age when kids can't walk down a hallway without bumping into something" said Mrs. Higurashi with a very phony attempt at a smile.
"I have also checked her school records and it seems that for the past year your daughter has contracted some very severe illnesses and yet, I have never seen this girl once at this hospital, or any other in the area" he said accusingly.
"Well we've been having her treated in America for a lot of her illnesses as they have the best medical care possible there."
"Back to my first question Mrs. Higurashi, why does your daughter faint from exhaustion on the middle of the street, why was she carrying a bow and quiver, and why was there a dead boy found not twenty feet away from where your daughter was found with an arrow through his chest?
Mrs. Higurashi gasped, "Wh-a-t" she stammered. Someone was hit by arrow, is he okay?"
"He was transported here but there was nothing we could do, he died from blood loss. If you cannot explain things more adequately then your daughter will have to go to court on charge of this man's murder."
"Nooooooo" screamed Mrs. Higurashi. "Not Kagome she, she, she, she wouldn't, she couldn't. She would never intentionally harm someone. She's a good girl, never would she do something like this, ever, and that's final." After saying her last sentence in a tone that would have no argument she ran into her room and hugged Kagome tightly.
"What can we do baby, you were just trying to protect us, you were just trying to protect the world. You've done things more selflessly this past year than more people would do in a lifetime. You put yourself in danger every day because you know its right. You want to do what's right, and here you are, doing what's right and getting punished for it," sobbed Mrs. Higurashi. "But don't worry, I'll protect you, I'll protect you, just as you protected us."
Souta came running into the room and saw his mom crying. He looked to the bed and saw Kagome lying there with monitors attached to her. "What happened mom?" What happened to Kagome?"
"Kagome did something Souta"
"Kagome did what?"
"She accidentally hit a man and killed him replied Mrs. Higurashi sadly. How are we going to explain this?' she wondered looking at Kagome lying in the hospitalroom.
"But how, Kagome would never do that" replied Souta. "She would never… kill someone"
"It was an accident. She was trying to hit a demon and the arrow hit a man on the street. Souta, I want you to listen to me, the doctors believe that we are abusing Kagome-
"Bu- but, but"
"No, just listen. They think the bruises and cuts on Kagome are from us, and she fainted because we didn't feed her or she had to run away from us. You, you are going to have to testify about our home. I said she got scars the way all kids get them, falling down and that sort of thing. The bow and arrow are for archery practice, which she does at a friend's house. She wasn't feeling that good that evening but she went anyway and fainted along the way. Someone must have grabbed an arrow and used it to kill a man. Do you understand Souta, this is very important.
Kagome, cuts and bruises 'cuz she fell down, archery practice at a friend's house, not feeling well, fainted, someone took an arrow and killed the man." Replied a very shocked Souta.
Mrs. Higurashi kissed him on the head. "Thank you, now keep to that story and only tell someone that if they ask you alright. Now get home and go to sleep and tell Grandpa that story and tell him to stay by it all right.
"Okay mom"
"Bye sweety"
As Souta walked out she looked back on her daughter. 'I don't know what else we can do, if they don't believe us then I don't know what we'll do.' Looking around she saw that she was alone and Mrs. Higurashi took down her strong façade and slid down the wall crying as her world ended.
Outside the room, the doctor from before and a police officer looked into the room.
What do you think officer?" asked the doctor. "Should I check the girl further for signs of abuse?"
"What did the mother say?" said the policewoman.
"She gave a story that was perfectly plausible but, I don't know, just something feels wrong.
"If in your judgment, the signs on the girl warrant an abuse case then that is your decision. It's up to you doctor."
"Yes, I would like to look further into this. I will examine her right now."
"I will come inside as well to inform Mrs. Higurashi about what is happening.
The two of them walked into the room and wee shocked to see Mrs. Higurashi sitting down on the wall her eyes red from crying.
Mrs. Higurashi, I'm Officer Eilke, I'd like to inform you that Doctor Yasuma here has determined that your status as safe guardian is being challenged and we are going to take Kagome and Souta out of your custody temporarily. She is to be examined and then taken to the police station to be questioned, and Souta will be taken to a temporary care home.
Noooooo, please don't, not my daughter!" cried Mrs. Higurashi. I'm a good mother I love her please no don't. They're all I have, don't take them away!"
"The girl has a rather large scar on left side at approximately the hip area, various scars of various sizes on her arms legs and torso area, bruises of multiple stages in these same areas, some looking very recent and others just fading. Various contusions are also present though none of them appear to be severe enough for scarring. Girl appears to be well nourished and healthy other than that."
"So what's the prognosis doctor?" asked Eilke.
"Although none of the injuries appear to be life threatening the number of them is quite astonishing. Is this normal in a typical abuse case?"
"Well there are two types of abusers, one takes great pleasure in large-scale assaults such as a beating with a baseball bat. The other is prone to induce numerous small injuries that can be explained under circumstances. Those are the ones that are the sane ones who know that their child may report them and they need to be able to explain the injuries. Did you find any evidence of these "illnesses" that the girl has reportedly had."
"No, her immune system is healthy and there is none of the long-term damage that is to be expected from some of the diseases she is reported to have had."
"What about any injuries that could support any long absences in order to have them be covered up at home?"
"No, none of the kind" reported the doctor. Unless they were made by a blunt object and would only leave bruises, but ones of that magnitude usually mar the bone underneath. This girl has none of that."
"Very strange, what about sexual abuse?" asked the officer rather tentatively. "Some abusers would not want their victim to be marred to much. I've seen it happen before" she said sadly.
"I've found no trace of sexual abuse by either sex. I know it's wrong to say, but I don't know, she just doesn't look abused. I mainly wanted her here because the story of her mom was off. But the girl is fine, healthy and just a little banged up. Not enough for abuse but more than being normal for a girl of this age."
"What do you suggest?" asked Eilke.
"I'll put her back in her room and when she wakes up we'll see if she can explain anything."
"Wha-what, where am I" said Kagome as her eyes fluttered open. She looked around and all she saw were white walls and she was attached to a lot of wires and there were monitors around her. 'The last thing I remember is that demon, and me shooting that arrow, wow I was so tired.' "Where am I?" she voiced her last concerns aloud and almost jumped when she heard a voice from the corner of the room.
"You're at Tokyo General Hospital. I'm Officer Eilke and you are here because you collapsed because of exhaustion last night."
"I'm at the hospital, I fainted, why?"
"That's what we're trying to find out."
'Right I used my purification arrows; I remember the last time I used to many. I collapsed. Kaedae gave me some herbs but she pretty much just let me sleep. Did that happen here?"
Doctor Yasuma watched a combination of understanding and shock appear on the girl's face as she was lost I her own thoughts. He decided to cut right to the point and ask her straight out before she could have a chance to build up any walls.
"Kagome, do your mother or your grandfather ever hit or beat you?" he asked rather blandly.
"Whaaaaat!" screamed Kagome. "Are you serious?"
"We found an unusual amount of cuts and bruises on you and this is usually associated with abuse, and-"
"No!" she cut him off. "No my parent have never abused, me hit me, or done anything to me. The worst they have ever done is send me to my room. They love and if you assume that about them again then, then, then I'll… hurt you.
Yasuma looked at her with no expression but inside he was shocked at her vehement denial. 'It's to much to think she's lying with a refusal like that' he thought. 'She seems genuinely angry that we ever thought that, but then where did she get the bruises from?'
"Kagome, I'm very sorry we assumed this about you ad your family, but we've seen a lot of terrible things here. I guess it leads us to assume the worst" he tried to apologize.
"Fine, but don't you dare think that ever again!" she snapped.
"Why were carrying a bow in the middle of Tokyo?" he asked.
"Uh, um, I like archery"
"So you carry around a bow and arrow"
"Well, actually you see I was in a play and I'm an archer in the play, and that's why I had the bow, I have it to get into character."
"I see, then why did your mom say that you had archery practice?"
"Oh, well the practice helps me in the play because I have to shoot arrows and they want it to look real."
"So that's it," he said looking unconvinced.
'Crap, he didn't buy it. He's a lot harder to fool than my friends, they'd just ask me how the play's going' she thought.
"And why was there a man found on the street with an arrow in him?" he asked
"What?" "Someone got hit, with an arrow, I hit someone?" "Is he okay, is he alright?"
"I'm sorry to say this but he was killed."
"Oh, well um I didn't hit him, I mean I didn't mean to hit him, I mean… sorry…"
'She seems unconcerned, a little upset but not that shocked, who is this girl?'
"Um doctor, will I have to, uh testify?"
"Yes, I do believe that you will have to do that."
"Oh, um, when?"
"There's a hearing scheduled for tomorrow afternoon."
"Can I go home?"
"No, you will be going to your aunts house until we have the abuse charges dropped against you family.
"What, I can't go home? But I have to go see Inu- I mean I have to go home."
"You'll be able to pick up your stuff, but only with supervision from an officer at the time." 'What is up with kids these days? Who is this Inu person, her dog? But it seemed she was going to finish, a name?"
"I'll see you in the morning Miss Higurashi, sleep well" said Eilke as he walked out of the room.
As Kagome looked at his retreating figure she pondered over what she had been told. 'I never would have thought this could have happened… how did this happen. I mean there were demons in the middle Japan last night. They came through the well, but how? Only me and Inuyasha can go through the well. Oh crap, Inuyasha he's coming to pick me up tomorrow at noon, crap. If I'm not there and there are police officers crawling around the shrine… oh God what am I going to do?'
Her mind racing furiously she tried to think of a way to stop Inuyasha from coming but her mind was blank. She couldn't think of anything. The only thing she could only see was her tearing through the shrine courtyard and leaping into the well and staying the Feudal Era a fugitive in her time. While thinking of a way out of her predicament she realized how tired she was and her eyelids gently closed and she fell into an uneasy sleep.
"Kagome, how long will you be with us this time?" inquired Sango. "The last time it was only for a few days."
"It's the start of Winter Break so I can be here for at least two weeks" she replied.
That was about nine months ago. She had been in the Feudal Era for two weeks; they had found a total of two shards over the course of the two weeks. The one was found in a small rat demon that was terrorizing some farmer's fields. The second one, she still shuddered to think about it.
They had stopped at a small village after traveling for ten days straight. They were all dirty, and very tired. When the innkeeper offered them a place to stay because he remembered Miroku from a previous service he had done at the inn, the all readily agreed.
She didn't sense a jewel shard; only occasionally an ominous presence would be at the corner of her feeling, and as quickly as it came, it would be gone. She thought nothing of it at the time but she would soon regret never have taken the warning.
When they all retired to sleep that night they were so tired that they fell into a deep sleep very quickly. Even Inuyasha slept deeper than usual. As she opened her eyes during the middle of the night she heard what sounded like a struggle in the hallway outside of the room. Crawling out of her bed she crept to the door and peeked out. What she saw was carnage of unspeakable proportions. All the other people at the inn had been hacked to pieces and their bodies were strewn about as though whatever killed them was searching for something.
After a brief moment of shock she absorbed it all. The hacked pieces of humans strewn about where she had slept, the crimson fluid that stained the pale skin of the ex-patrons and above all the coppery smell of blood. She screamed in absolute terror and turned around retching into the room. The sight she saw forced everything she had ever eaten out of her
Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku leaped out of their blankets and stared at her crumpled body on the ground. Then they looked out into the hallway and in a moment's time they were running out of the door with their weapons. Inuyasha stopped only for a second to tell her to stay in the room and leave it to them.
That moment's hesitation was enough to turn the tides in the battle to their disadvantage. As Miroku and Sango rushed to attack the woman that had walked out of the rooms, covered in blood. She turned to them and casually pulled out two swords and only their years of fighting kept the two of them from falling dead by the first strokes. Though wounded the charged again, this time with Inuyasha's aid and assaulted the mysterious woman. Their effort though was to no avail, and the woman moved like a snake to deflect all three of their attacks and cut them down.
"Come here Miko," she hissed with the sound of a blade being pulled out of its scabbard. "Your friends cannot help you now." "The jewels call to me, there is no escape for you girl. You are all mine"
As she glided towards her, Kagome was paralyzed with fear. She couldn't move if her life depended on it. She just watched impassively at the black shrouded woman slid towards her with increasing speed. Eying her quiver out of the corner of her eye, she made her move and lunged toward it. Grabbing one arrow out of it she gripped it and threw it at the woman's heart with all her might. Screaming in terror and pain the woman clawed at her in her final moment attempting to kill the one who had killed her.
As Kagome stared at the body she realized in shock that the woman was just laying there, her lifeblood pooling out below her from the wound in her heart. She wasn't disappearing as a demon would, but lying right in front of her. As Kagome looked at her hands she saw the blood of that woman on them. She had killed someone, not a demon but a human who had been so evil in life that the step to being possessed by a tainted jewel shard was a very small one.
Kagome Higurashi had murdered someone in cold blood. At that moment she didn't care that it was self-defense, or that she had been possessed by a jewel shard, all she saw was the blood of another human being on her hands. In 20th century Japan, girls did not have to worry about crazed people attacking her, they didn't have to feel the way she felt, they didn't have to live with the knowledge that they had killed someone.
She ran out into the hallway to help her friends, not for the first time, and most certainly not the last time. They didn't ask what happened in the room that night, and she didn't tell. As time passed she became immune to the bloodshed and carnage around her. In the same way a soldier becomes immune to the world he lives in, she became immune to the world she lived in. She could look at a battlefield, full of rotting corpses without flinching. She did not hesitate to firing when she, or her friends wee in danger. If it meant kill or be killed she chose the former, and she had to live with the consequences.
As Kagome looked at her hands she saw the blood of that woman on them. She had killed someone, not a demon but a human who had been so evil in life that the step to being possessed by a tainted jewel shard was a very small one… As Kagome looked at her hands she saw the blood of that woman on them. She had killed someone, not a demon but a human…As Kagome looked at her hands she saw the blood of that woman on them… As Kagome looked at her hands…
Kagome woke up drenched in sweat as she always was after that nightmare. Flying out of bed she ran to the sink and threw up, and it didn't stop, it didn't stop even when it was blood that came out of her mouth.
As Doctor Yasuma walked by to see to her nightly painkiller shot he was shocked by what he saw. The exuberant young girl from earlier was replaced a white-faced, trembling girl, huddling in the corner of the room holding her hands close to her chest while tears streamed down her cheeks.
He walked slowly up to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. When she flinched at this simple gesture and crawled even further away he backed away slowly.
"Kagome", he asked "what happened to you?"
"I killed a man Doctor Yasuma, I've killed a dozen men and I've forgotten how to feel," she said in a remarkably calm voice. A small smile graced her lips next as she held out her arm which was covered in a crisscross of cuts that streamed blood, while holding a piece of glass in the other. "This is the only way I know how to feel".
TBC
Authors Notes
Well that was unexpected. Seriously that entire self-mutilation part just well, came in. I think it works remarkably well though with the mood I was trying to set. At the end Kagome just well she sorta snapped. Don't worry this should pretty much be the most of it, unless inspiration of morbidity comes to me. And no this is not a suicide fic, or maybe it is. I just write as I go along. Hope you all liked it and here are my reviews. The first reviews I ever got.
To ms.uniqueful: Thank you thank you thank you. You gave me my first review ever. You question… or your one word question should have been answered.
To kikyo618543: I'm not to sure about the power thing and if it is... then this is my fic and I'll write it any way I want because Rumiko Takashi may own the characters, but she doesn't own this storyline mwahahahaha…. Okay I'll stop now
To Dariim: Here's the review. Late I know, kill me, whatever.
Until next time everyone!