…cough This chapter has a great many curse words, more than my past chapters. If you're offended…well I don't plan on editing, but I will apologize in advance, okay?...
Sesshoumaru graced his seat with the splendid posture that some people always resolved to accomplish on New Years Eve, but could never break their current habits to have. His neck didn't even touch the high back of the chair. His long hair tied behind his shoulders making the angles of his high cheek bones more pronounced. His golden eyes seemed even more slanted and almost cat-like with their color. Several other chairs surrounded the conference room table. The table was made of a dark cherry; in fact the stain was so dark that barely any of the original grain could be seen through it. However it was polished and kept nice for Sesshoumaru could see his face in it. There were windows to his left as he sat at the head of the table. There were one-way and looked down into the ward for the epidemic victims. The room was a loft above the room and was only for the executives of the hospital and fellow administrative personnel of supporting companies. There was a small stairwell leading up and the door to the well was left open. That curved once upon coming up.
His eyes lifted when he heard the click clack of high heels coming up toward him. The pace was unhurried with a loping bounce as she came into the room. Kagome was dressed plainly, but elegantly. It was skirt and jacket combination in a plum color with a cream blouse underneath. The blouse gathered at the center so that the fabric hung down in folds. No cleavage was shown, but the jacket was fitted nicely and snug to her giving away subtle hints of her endowments. The skirt was knee length and conservative being a simple straight cut all the way down. Most likely the waist line of the skirt starting actually at her waist and not her hips as was the current style among the younger masses.
However, Sesshoumaru was partial to this feminine style over the more fashionable youth cuts. When the fabric hung from the waist the curve from the hips to thighs was more generous as was the line moving over the small of the back and the bottom. This specific area of the woman's body was drawn to even more by the natural undulation of her walk. There was that bounce again that reverberated to her breasts. This provided a perk to watch each step Kagome took. It was all strangely alluring because her breasts were the only jiggling part of her body; the rest was tight and femininely muscular.
Sesshoumaru's eyes were drawn upward from the popular part of a woman's body to her hair because the style was different. Kagome's hair was pulled back in a French twist with two seamless Euro combs at the back of her head. One was mother of pearl while the other was jade. There were made of different materials, but were of the same basic design. Over her eyes was a light grey eye shadow and lining the lower lid was the palest lavender eye liner. It was so lightly done and expertly close to the inner edge of her eyelid that Sesshoumaru had to look for awhile before even noticing it at all. It enticed his eyes and every time Sesshoumaru glanced at the woman his eyes immediately found that purple hue.
Kagome's eyes seemed bright today despite her practically dragging feet and droopy upper lids. Her walk have been slower and not as light, but still contained that bounce he was beginning to appreciate. Maybe she was tired? Sesshoumaru chuckled inwardly when a groan escaped her.
Kagome whimpered softly when she sat down. Her third cup of coffee in hand that she just procured from the side table in this small conference room. She'd managed to get two fresh cups in the office, but it still wasn't enough. What made things all the worse was that she could practically taste Sesshoumaru's amusement in the air, that ass. Kagome was particularly grumpy today and it had nothing to do with her 'time of the month' as many rumors would, no doubt, spread like wildfire to explain her mood. When a woman wasn't perky, brilliant, and smiling it was always her period. What was that about anyway? God sometimes she just really wanted to hit him. Sesshoumaru was leaning over with his head resting on half his palm wearing that infuriating smirk just barely lifting the edges of his lips. As if she didn't know it was there. Kagome would know without ever having to look right at it. A scowl crossed her face behind the ceramic cup of coffee.
"Oh shut up."
"I don't believe I said anything."
Kagome made a face sitting back off her elbows in her chair. Her once huddled position matching his perfect posture lesson for lesson they were both taught as children. Sesshoumaru smirked. He so enjoyed watching her squirm and uncomfortable air, especially since they were the only ones in the room.
"You're impossible."
"Oh?"
He was taunting her now. That stupid ass jerk was poking fun at her. Kagome clenched her fists and tilted her head to one side restraining herself from saying something she really wouldn't regret that much. The phrases passing through her mind though weren't exactly 'PG' or appropriately decent in co-worker ethics guide to good 'work' relationships. Her cynicism was electrifying this morning and boy would she just love to shock the fuck out of him right now. Kagome shot him a look with narrowed eyes and tightly thinned lips. Her knuckles were white, but she hid them from sight beneath the table's edge in her lap. She was tired, hawked up on coffee making her jittery, and now she was in the last place she wanted to be with her oh-so-favorite person, Mr. Talkative. Kagome laughed bitterly in her head. Yeah- he'd sit there in his stupid chair with that annoying look on his face reveling in the fact that she was distressed.
Sesshoumaru remained unchanged. She was entirely too frustrated. What was the cause? Perhaps the young college student was sexually frustrated? He chuckled again, this time out loud only because he knew it would dry her insane and curious at the same time. She would be angry because he was supposedly laughing at her, which he was, but also curious because she would wonder what it was that he was laughing at specifically. Sesshoumaru found this humorous only because it was downright outrageous. Kagome could have anyone she wanted, if that was her desire. However he was sadly able to admit that he knew Kagome quite better than that after such a minimal passage of time. Sesshoumaru was always aware of others such as flaws, quality of intelligence, etc. Kagome was different because she knew him personally as well as Rin and he of her as well. Kagome wouldn't give herself away to just anyone, at least not without immeasurable reservations and guilt in the aftermath.
His theory still stood. In his opinion of her it was very possible that perhaps her lack of sexual encounters could be one reason for Kagome being tightly wound and on edge. Sesshoumaru openly smirked making Kagome sneer suspiciously at him. Sesshoumaru wanted to berate himself right now for even thinking so conclusively deep on such trivial matters like a simple girl's sex life, but he couldn't deny the fact that he would seriously consider assisting Kagome and supply her with such definitive relief that she would be screaming for more.
Kagome shifted in her seat pulling and straightening her skirt. It wasn't that she didn't like coming to the hospital either because Kagome loved coming. She hadn't been recently and for that she actually felt guilty. The hospital just always smelled so strongly of disinfectant, air purifier, and a pungency that she could never describe in words, but everyone could distinguish it. It was almost like death itself and it made Kagome queasy at time.
Kagome glanced over her shoulder before turning her chair on its rolling feet. Shi wasn't down there at the moment in her sick bed. Kagome frowned. Most likely she was in the 'other' room as the kids referred to it. Kagome had never known one place, a single room, to be more anxiously feared than those poor sick kids did to that second room. Kagome shrugged. She would have to go down to the gift shop later and get some flowers. Shi's flowers were nearly dried down there in the vase beside her bed. Kagome's brow knitted. Her bed was well-made and appeared untouched. She sighed, now she was paranoid. The nurse on duty probably just came by to make it.
"So…" Kagome attempted to make conversation, "When is this supposed to start?"
"Five minutes ago."
Sesshoumaru took a sip of his coffee just as a pair of shuffling feet stumbled up the stairs and into the room. The stride made it obvious as to who it was because he skipped every other stair on his way up. Miroku strutted to the table with his arms piled high up his chest almost to his chin with files. Once upon the desk the many collections of papers began to slip from in between their individual manila folders, of course. Kagome jumped up and laughed lightly with a surprisingly radiant smile as she grabbed a few files from the towering stack. Her arms protested the heavy weight. Kagome sighed. Either these files weighed bricks in disguise or Kagome really needed to go to gym and work out because this was getting ridiculous. Kagome, with some difficulty in her tired state, rearranged the huge pile into four more accessible ones. The woman sat down afterwards pointedly ignoring Sesshoumaru's amused face that was actually stealthily concealed, but Kagome could just tell. Now what was scarier, knowing a jackass like Sesshoumaru well enough to know what his moods were or being able to interpret the main reason, or source, behind them?
Meanwhile Miroku had helped himself to some hot chocolate. There was hot water for tea and he pulled the powder-filled packets from the pocket of his coat. He slapped the against his thigh concentrating the contents to the bottom before ripping open the top, which Kagome noticed was actually the bottom of the packet. Miroku did have this strange habit of opening things upside down. His envelopes, bags of chips, and even his water bottle, which got him into trouble all the time, were all opened upside down. His only excuse was that it was a habit. Why this was a habit, Kagome had no clue.
Miroku stirred his hot chocolate with a coffee stirrer and took a small sip immediately blowing on the drink. His tongue was still slightly stinging when he sat down next to Kagome further down the table. There was still one chair between Kagome and Sesshoumaru. There was one at the end next to Miroku and three on the other side as well. Miroku's files took up the majority of the table; it was rather small for a conference table.
"So- Miroku? What is all of this?"
Kagome raised both her eyebrows at him punctuating her sentence with curiosity. Miroku cracked his usual boyish smile, but the light didn't touch his eyes. This observation made Kagome falter slightly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
There was an edge to his voice.
...With Sango…
Class just wasn't the same without Kagome here to die of boredom right along with her. Daily Sango was becoming more and more willing to ditch class for the beach. It was so close, yet too far away with a million responsibilities blocking her way. Sometimes, Sango was ashamed to admit, she could throw away these burdens. Her brother was a saint, he truly was. Kohaku had become an unusual source of sanity for her and it was wrong to call him a burden. Sango loved her brother more than life itself, but there were times late at night when she wished she could go to clubs and parties.
Sango didn't really drink, but having that option would be nice, and normal. Coming home drunk would not be the best impression to make on her easily influenced younger brother. Well- not exactly easily influenced because the boy wouldn't do anything dishonorable or illegal. It wasn't in his body to do that sort of thing, but the shame and embarrassment of showing Kohaku that side of her again would be unbearable.
Sango was a mother to her brother, proper girlfriend to Miroku, good friend to Kagome, and the prime owner of the Chikujitsu. It was a heavy load, one she was proud to carry, but sometimes…Sango wondered what would happen if she just dropped it.
Sure, being with Miroku was entertaining and exhilarating knowing that someone else wanted to be with her in all aspects of the word. Kagome was her humor and whose antics made her laugh until her sides hurt. Sango could have been worse off.
Nicodemus rambled unrestrained and seemingly unperturbed by the sheer number of sleepers in his classroom. Half the class had their heads down and the others were reading whether it be for school or pleasure Sango didn't care to know. God- she just wanted out! The door stood open where, no doubt, this jerk's booming voice would be ricocheting off the walls disturbing other classes in session.
Sango bit the end of her pen. Not too hard so that she would crack it like Kagome always did. Sango sighed remembering the first time Kagome had ink sprayed across the expanse of her cheek. This was of course followed by many future occurrences of the same basic conclusion.
A vacation was in order that was certain. Sango smiled. She would go alone, maybe to the beach. Sango closed her eyes imagining it. There would be damp sand between her toes, the coolness soaking into the bottoms of her feet. A warm breeze would whip around her tangling her long hair all over the place. Sango could roll up her pants to her knees and walk aimlessly through the washing surf. Maybe she could build a sandcastle that would persistently fall over or dig for clams like she did when she was little.
Before Sango knew it, she had fallen asleep with her cheek resting in her palm the pen still poised in her other hand against her lip.
…With Kagome…
Inuyasha had arrived late. His attendance made Kagome uneasy despite their pact to be friends or at least attempt it. He sat across from her. Kikyo walked in elegantly behind him in a flattering black pinstripe pant suit with black two or three inch high heels. Kikyo sat in between Inuyasha and her father, Hisoro Hamasaki, who was at the other end of the table. The two seats were empty on either side of Sesshoumaru, which made Kagome smile behind her hand. His eyes narrowed in her direction telling her Sesshoumaru had seen it and Kagome immediately swallowed her mirth seeing her death in the pools of his eyes. This normally would have made her crack up even more, but in the given situation Kagome was glad her body was, for once, listening to her commands and was silent.
Naturally, five minutes later two women walked in taking the open seats on either side of Sesshoumaru. One wore a white lab coat that went down to the middle of her calves with an apple green angora sweater showing from beneath the v-shaped lapels. The other that sat next to her was obviously a nurse due to her almost cosplay-like outfit. It was a one piece button down dress that halted at mid-thigh. Kagome raised an eyebrow in disapproval. Not that she was a mother or anything, but it was ridiculous. This was a formal business/research meeting and the girl looked like a whore stepping out of a playboy magazine. Kagome didn't even bother to listen for her name, but it sounded something like Wakana.
Kagome sighed. This was going to a long meeting, she could tell just by looking at the girl beside her as the nurse leaned her elbows on the table flashing Sesshoumaru some cleavage. He didn't even pay attention, but still Kagome wanted to so tap the freak on the shoulder and tell it was rude to place ones elbows on the table. It was all manners and this chick didn't seem to have any along with decency…or perhaps Kagome just needed more coffee and aspirin for her budding headache.
Nothing really new had occurred in her absence. All the previously known facts were reviewed and summarized mainly by Miroku or the woman in the lab coat, who was introduced as Shiori. The woman had shoulder length, or just below, hyper blonde hair. She wore rounded square rimmed glasses that shined silver on her nose. Her eyes were an odd crimson color nearly magenta. This may have shocked any normal person, but Kagome, who was habitually surrounded by people with strange colored eyes, this was nothing new. In fact, for a natural born descendant of Japan, Kagome's eyes were rare, if not nonexistent, as well. Sesshoumaru probably had some foreign blood in him or maybe it was just bad genetics, but Kagome found herself partial to their color after noticing them for so long. Sesshoumaru wouldn't be himself without the honey irises.
Kagome drew herself from her own inner conversation, one she'd used to occupy herself and to pass time. Now however something seemed to be going on and not one to be out of the loop Kagome struggled to catch up.
"Well, I suppose we should…go down to the lab." Miroku said standing up.
The others attending followed his lead and made way for the door. Miroku looked over at Kagome uneasily, meeting her gaze. Miroku searched her face and his mouth dropped open when he saw her confusion. She hadn't been listening at all. Miroku shook his head. This wouldn't bode well for her or anyone else, but the woman should have been paying attention. Miroku tried to think of some excuse so that he could pull her aside and explain the situation, but of course when you have to think of an idea, you can't. Such was Miroku's current dilemma. He sighed and followed the others trailing from the room. There were a dark foreboding clench in the pit of his stomach and Miroku couldn't help glancing worriedly over at Kagome. She was blissfully unaware and here he was stuck feeling guilty.
The group went down the stairwell to the right, past the ward, and down the elevator. Miroku pushed the button for ground instead of first where you would normally enter. In the basement, or the ground floor, was basically only the morgue, a few labs meant for autopsies, and the janitor's office in the back. When they rounded the corner past the morgue's double wide steel doors, Shiori took the lead as the coroner who observed the body. Kagome frowned, her eyes flitting back and forth across the area. In front of her was a simple door painted the same blue grey that coated the entire ground level. On the outside in black stencil was the word 'examination' in all caps. On top of Miroku's serious face coupled with his uneasy expression from earlier, Kagome knew this wasn't a good thing she was about to see.
Kagome was about to enter after Sesshoumaru when the nurse pushed past her with a slight jab of her elbow knocking into Kagome's shoulder. Normally, that would have pissed her off, but right now surrounded by the president of both Taka. Tech. and Hama. Corp. set her into more of an anxious stage. Hisoro waved his arm out in front of him and Kagome smiled wanly accepting his gentlemanly gesture also with a slight bow of her head. Kagome slid into a corner just opposite the door. Shiori had taken her place right by the body. Sesshoumaru was across from her though not as far into the corner since Kagome was more or less hiding and he wasn't so cowardly. Kagome scowled. She didn't like this.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, this is corpse number 04. The patient was eleven and contracted the disease just after her tenth birthday. She was entered as an undiscovered cancer patient and was diagnosed as such. She underwent several tests and it was only until recently did her symptoms begin to match up to the more recent victims. She is our largest clue into breaking this epidemic."
Shiori paused and pulled back the sheet. The curtain was unveiled slowly beginning at the head to reveal snowy hair cut short around the ears. Kagome's heart beat rapidly in her chest as if it wanted to break free of its prison halfway behind her sternum and through her lung. Her hair was shorter than when Kagome had seen her last. Alabaster skin, slightly blue and purple in some areas was hollowed in revealing high set cheek bones. Milky pupils lay in white irises that appeared reddish due to reflected light almost like an effect from a camera. Her eyes were rolled halfway back peering at the ceiling. Shi's mouth was parted, but not so far as a gape. Her chin was raised from her chest, the delicacy of her chin pronounced. Her hands were resting stiffly at her sides.
"The bruises at her elbows and upper arms were caused when the patient was still living. The nurses on duty had to hold her down. Patient 04 was attempting to choke herself or speculatively concentrate pain somewhere else so as to lessen her focus from internal to external."
Indeed she was. Shiori, with a gloved hand, pulled down the neckline of the white gown Shi wore to reveal harsh lines starting from just above her collar bone all the way down to the center of her chest. The skin was still welted red as the ridged lines swerved here and there. No doubt the nurses had tried to stop her, but only managed to change the paths of her nails. Kagome slipped back against the wall holding a hand to her throat. Her chest hurt and she could feel that pressure building behind her eyes. Kagome struggled to swallow, to calm down. Her vision was swimming, blurry at the edges, but too clear when she gazed down upon Shi. Shi's back was arched upwards and her bare legs were spread a little wider than shoulder width. Her feet were flexed and there was a painful bewilderment frozen in her expression.
Kagome saw nothing else. She saw the still chest, the stiff posture, and lost it. It was too similar. She hadn't been there! Why? Why! Kagome grimaced bringing her hands up to cup either side of her face. Her breathing was heavy and loud in her head like it echoed in the room. She was dizzy and near faint, but couldn't tear her eyes away. Her face was white, she'd bet, but not nearly as white as the deceased innocent on the coroner's gurney. Her throat tightened and Kagome gagged. Kagome forcibly ripped her eyes away and stumbled towards the door. Perhaps someone was calling her name. She lifted her head, but no one came into sight as she turned the knob. The door swung open and even in her heels Kagome gained speed as she reached the elevator.
Miroku chased after her guilt washing in waves and practically devouring him whole. Who cared if he lost face with the other employees? He should have damned well pulled her aside. He should have made her stay in the room. The elevator was closing just as he came within sight. Kagome was holding her sides and bending over slightly one hand covering her mouth. At his approach she jerked up at him backing further into the elevator. Her hand frantically hit the 'close door' button. Miroku made to move his hand in between the doors, but stopped when Kagome shook her head 'no'.
"Kagome- where are you going?" Miroku said quietly knowing she'd hear him.
Kagome didn't say anything just kept her 'deer in the headlights' expression safely on her features and her true emotions tucked away as usual. If he knew anything, Miroku knew Kagome wouldn't want to burden another even though not saying something usually made things worse anyway. Miroku slammed his hand on the panel above the elevators buttons. So many should haves or could haves, but it wouldn't make up for this. It wasn't his fault, but he still felt that way all the same way.
-Kagome…you have the worst luck.-
Miroku stepped back, took a deep breath and went back to solemnly explain Kagome's mad dash for the exit. Those attending accepted this with open arms though the nurse had snickered a bit at Kagome's queasiness upon seeing death. This was struck dead in the water, ironically, by a sharp frosty glare from Sesshoumaru that everyone could feel in their bones. The meeting continued though without much delay, but the approach was a little more subtle and less direct.
Shiori's eyes were saddened looking down at the corpse of the young girl, but regardless hope burned in her breast. Shiori tucked a few loose strands of hair behind Shi's ear.
-She was sacrificed, but because of her many others may be saved.-
In the pause in Shiori's monologue conversations began quietly in small groups. Hisoro, at the moment, was speaking in quiet terms with Sesshoumaru regarding what use the girl could be used for as well as what samples should be taken. Kikyo conversed with Inuyasha considering the skin color and the lack of pigment. Kagome's outburst left the group slightly disheveled and unorganized. Wakana was idly sitting in one corner playing her hair wrapping it around one finger and then pulling it free again.
Shiori, however, looked up determined and inspired as she addressed her fellow attendees.
"We do believe there may be a cure."
The room went silent and for good reason.
…Boy…this took forever to get out and I apologize for that. It isn't like me to be so careless. I've just been out of sorts lately. Review for an update.
Next Chapter: Where's Shippou? Kagome…are you going to be okay?...
