Chapter 8: What's Done In The Dark

'Soft, like a cloud.' As Kaede comes to her hands reach for the plush cushions beneath her. She needs something to ground her, an anchor to prevent her from floating away. Slowly her eyes blink open and above her a ceiling fan is rotating at top speed. The breeze floats down and cools her heated skin. She sits up slowly and suddenly there are gentle hands at her back, helping her get comfortable.

"How you feelin'?" Kohaku asks her. Kaede hears his voice and wants to answer his question, but her eyes are still scanning the room. Hakudoshi is sitting at a desk across from a few other men. Her eyes quickly move past him, they gaze over the unfamiliar faces, until finally they focus on the man at the head of the desk. His skin is pale and his hair dark, like the blackest ink. It's pulled away from his face, held securely by a hair band and flowing down his back. She's staring at him openly, fearfully, because she knows who he is. She knows what he hides beneath his thick lashes.

'Crimson eyes.' Two words. A single thought. It's enough to send her pulse skyrocketing and get her to her feet. Kohaku is calling her name, there are eyes watching her. She's across the room in two strides and opening the heavy door in front of her. Her breathing is quickening and the walls are closing in. She feels a chill crawl up her spine and she knows he's watching her. She hears a chair scrape across the hardwood floor. The pounding of two feet moving closer keeping her rooted in the doorway. There's a hand on her shoulder and slowly she's being turned around. Her eyes dare not look any further than his chest, but he rests a finger under her chin. Gingerly, painfully slow, he's guiding her towards his face and her heart stops when their eyes meet.

"You took quite the tumble little girl." His hand is cold as it rests on her forehead, moving her bangs from her face. Her eyes are wide, unfocused. His thumb is rough as it rubs against her cheek, wiping away her tears. "Go home. Get some rest." She nods mechanically and like a dove finally set free she's out the door, down the stairs, and through the house. The night air whips through her hair as she continues to run.

Her lungs are burning, heaving, but she doesn't stop. Her heart is pounding, beating against her ribcage begging to be released. Finally Kaede slows from a sprint, her feet crawling to stop in front of some large concrete stairs. Without giving it a second thought she begins to climb. She takes them one at a time as she breathes. When she reaches the top she's greeted by a large courtyard. There's a house off to her left with a nice garden in front. Straight ahead there's a small shrine, candles and incense burning to light the path. What she's drawn to is off to her right. A massive tree whose branches extend past where eyes can see. She walks closer as an aura of peace washes over her. There's a large scar on the trunk and her fingers run across the rough bark.

As tears begin to cascade down her face Kaede drops to her knees. She doesn't understand it but this tree, this place, makes her feel safe. Digging her hands into the dirt at the base of the tree, Kaede wished she could step back from her life. She wished she could be like this tree, standing strong and tall in the face of all life had to throw at her.

"I was always strong when I was with you Kikyou, or maybe you were just strong enough for the both of us. Until it became too much for you too."

"Excuse me, are you alright?" Kaede jumped to her feet, startled by the sudden intrusion. The young girl's eyes widened as she resisted the urge to call out her deceased sister's name. Kikyou and this woman barred such an uncanny resemblance it was kinda creepy, but Keade knew better as the woman got closer. Her skin was pale, but not porcelain as she remembered Kikyou's. The hair was wrong too, too wavy, too wild. Kikyou's silky straight strands never moved out of place. The biggest give away was the eyes. Though the color was similar, this lady was much too happy to be her sister, her eyes were warm compared to the coolness contained in her sister's pupils.

"S-sorry," Kaede sputtered, "I didn't mean to trespass. I got to the stairs and I was just-"

"Drawn to this place?" Blushing Kaede nodded, the woman in front of her smiled kindly. "Don't worry you're not the first to make an after hours visit, I'm sure you won't be the last. This shrine is a place where the lost and weak hearted find refuge, solace. This tree especially is a place where people feel as if the darkness clinging to them finally goes away."

"Is it real? How this place makes you feel? Do you think once people leave this place, the things that haunt them find them again?" The wind howls and nips at Kaede's exposed skin. She shivers. Before she can protest she's being ushered inside the small house. It's warm and quaint and quiet.

"How about I make you some tea? I'll make a spot for you on the couch too, much too late and too cold for you to be wandering outside by yourself." Kaede goes to tell her that it's all unnecessary, but she's gone and up the stairs in no time. With nothing else to do Kaede makes herself comfortable in the kitchen, taking a seat at the wooden table. Soon the young woman returns and a plush throw blanket is draped over her shoulders. Within five minutes there's a hot cup of jasmine green tea sitting in her hands. The young woman pours herself a cup and sits across from her.

"Thank you for all of this," Kaede begins, "I really don't wanna be a burden."

"No trouble at all. I'd never let myself live it down if I walked away from someone who needed help."

"I'm not some whimp," Kaede blurted before she could stop herself, "I can take care of myself." She looked up, blushing at her rudeness. She half expected to be met with a glare, but instead a warm smile awaited her.

"Of course not, but it gets tiring trying to be strong on your own doesn't it?" In that moment Kaede couldn't agree more. She was tired, more tired than any amount of sleep could fix. The fatigue was in her bones, deep in her spirit as if it were a part of her.

"I am tired." Kaede admitted, clutching the warm tea cup in her hands. Her knuckles turning white with the force of her grip. "Would it be cowardly to let the weight of the world crush me? I can't tell if I'm strong or a fool for continuing to fight."

Kagome's eyes saddened as she gazed upon the young girl before her. So young was this child, yet so deep her pain ran, as if she'd lived a thousand lives in her short years. The older woman felt a shudder as she recognized the look in the teenager's eyes. It was the same look that Kikyou would bear when she thought no one could see. A deep pain that she carried silently and alone.

In all the years that had passed since Kikyou's death, she was shamed to admit that she'd felt anger and resentment towards her departed friend. Probably more times than she could count. Kikyou had so many people in her corner, so many people that she chose not to depend on. Instead she chose to leave them all behind.

She prayed that this girl would find what she needed, before she felt like she had no other options.

'Those feelings of anger seem so misplaced now that I know the truth. Would you have come to us Kikyou? Would you have bared your pain to us if you had been given the chance?'

"Kagome?" Came a groggy voice.

The two females turned towards the unexpected voice. The boy stood in the doorway, adorning a pair of loose shorts and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Sorry Souta did we wake you?" Kagome asked. Her little brother never answered as his eyes met those of the girl at the table. They both seemed to forget she was even there and Kagome watched, with peaked interest, as a small blush appeared on both their cheeks.

"Do you know each other?" Kagome spoke up once more. At this they both looked away. Kaede watched the steam rise from her tea and Souta suddenly found his feet very interesting.

"Uh..yeah. We both go to Shikon." Souta said nervously.

"Lovely!" Kagome stood up from the table and grabbed her drink, "Kaede will be staying with us tonight Souta. You'll make sure she's settled and comfortable, won't you?"

"Sure, no problem."

Kagome gave him a quick smile and turned to regard Kaede once last time. "By the way Kaede, I don't think you to be a fool at all. You seem to have a strong heart, the same as an old friend of mine. When you let your truth shine in the light, the darkness doesn't seem so powerful anymore. Never stop fighting, okay?"

With that Kagome made her way from the kitchen. Kaede continued to stare after her, letting the wise words bounce around in her head. Whatever truth she needed to set free Kaede didn't know what it was. All she knew were the nightmares, the sleepless nights, and those eyes. What truth could possibly lie in those?

"You alright?" Kaede looked to Souta then, who had made his way to the empty seat without her notice. She sighed and took a sip of her tea, wrapping the warm blanket even tighter around her shoulders.

"I'm fine, just tired."

"Well let's get you to bed then." Gently Souta took her hand and led her into the living room. He tossed around the couch cushions, revealing a mattress that could be pulled out and extended into a bed. Souta generously arranged the pillows and even had her lay down first so he could tuck her in with the blanket his sister had given her.

"Is there anything you need? Feel free to watch some tv or I could leave the light on in the hall for you?"

"Would you mind staying with me? At least until I fall asleep?" Souta hesitated for a second. Luckily his mother was on a weekend trip to visit some friends, but the thought of Kagome catching them and getting any ideas had him blushing. He must have taken too long because Kaede huffed and turned away from him.

Kaede felt the thin mattress shift as Souta's weight was added. He was laying on his back when she turned to face him. He looked at her then, moving onto his side so they were face to face.

"I didn't know you lived in a shrine." Kaede spoke softly.

"Born and raised here. My grandfather was the priest who watched over the grounds, but this place has been around since the Edo period."

"Will I catch you all dressed up and preforming blessings?"

Souta chuckled before he answered," Only during festivals. My grandfather was determined to get my sister and I to follow in his holy footsteps, but it was never our thing."

"Your sister? She was the one who brought me inside. I figured she was too young to be your mother, but I wasn't sure. What's her name again?"

"Kagome. She's about ten years older than us. Her and her friends all graduated from Shikon High."

"She's very kind. She reminds me of my older sister, in both looks and personality. It's kind of scary actually."

"I think they knew each other. There's an old picture she has on her desk in her room, she's standing under that tree in the courtyard with two guys and two girls. I'll show you tomorrow."

Kaede's eyes begin to droop and sleep begins to claim her. She wants to stay up and keep talking, but Souta starts to run his fingers through her hair, the way he did at school on the bleachers, and she knows she's done for.

"Goodnight Kaede."

"Goodnight."

Inuyasha woke up sweating. Rays of light from the morning sun poured onto his bed and into his eyes. He groaned, rolled over, and pulled his comforter further over his head. It was quiet in the house. Kagome had gone to the shrine after work that Friday, wanting to spend the weekend with her brother. Things were better after the night they spent together. It was nice feeling like he had his friend back. He remembered her leaving the morning after she came to his room, she'd gotten up early for work and he pretended to remain sleeping.

He knew it was cowardly, but he wasn't good with words. They either got stuck in his throat or he said the wrong thing, and then situation turned from bad to worse. Even if he did decide to face her in the morning, what would he say?

'Thanks for cuddling with me all night. Now let's talk about our relationship and how you're engagement is kinda ruining it.'

Groaning again Inuyasha flung the covers from his body. As much as he wanted it, sleep had eluded him and there was no getting it back. He went straight to the shower, getting in right away and letting the cold water slowly grow warm on his skin. It had been a few months since everyone returned home and it seemed everyone found something to do with their lives except him. Kagome had found work, Sango and Miroku were both able to work from anywhere, and he spent his days killing time.

Sometimes he worked out or went for runs. He went grocery shopping a few times a week and even discovered a little coffee shop, not too far from the house, that he enjoyed. There was one place though, that he hadn't been to yet. A place that he thought about often, but always somehow convinced himself not to go. With a towel around his waist Inuyasha made his way to his dresser, and pulled out a piece of paper that he hadn't touched in almost four years.

It was the letter Kikyou had written for him. Her goodbye note. Inuyasha tried not to think about Kikyou often. Not because he didn't care, but because it still hurt. There would always be pain and residual guilt associated with thoughts of her. Floating around in his brain would always be 'what ifs' and 'whys' and 'how comes'. What if he had stopped Kikyou from walking away that day at school? Why didn't she trust him enough to help her with whatever hand she had been dealt? How come death seemed like a much better option than staying with him?

Pulling on a pair of jeans and a hoodie, Inuyasha made his way downstairs and out the door. The day was cool as a steady breeze whipped past his face. He stopped at the coffee shop, getting his usual greeting from the usual barista already making his usual drink. He snagged a table in the far corner of the cafe, next to a big window. He watched as thousands of people went about their day. Living their own individual lives and dealing with their own problems. It made him feel small.

The light chime to alert the cashier of customers went off. Inuyasha looked up and he watched as Kagura Fujiwari ordered herself a drink to go. She was acting casually enough, but if there was one thing he learned while in active duty it was how to read people. Her shoulders were stiff, her fingers drumming on the counter while she waited for her order. Her eyes were roaming every which way and every few minutes she looked over her shoulder.

Inuyasha always found Kagura to be a shady character. He never quite understood the friendship Kikyou had with her or the trust Kikyou placed in her. Kagura was popular because her dad had no issue selling them drugs and alcohol. Naraku was known for throwing wild parties at his house where the underage could get loose. Naraku being her father was enough for Inuyasha to want to keep his distance. Everyone in town knew you didn't fuck with him or he'd fuck you back, hard. He was a slime ball and the only people to give him the time day were his goons, or the feds. Inuyasha tried to warn Kikyou multiple times about getting too close to the girl, but she always grabbed his hand and said 'to know her is to love her.'

He watched as Kagura's perfectly manicured nails wrapped around her drink. The need to follow her suddenly became so intense he couldn't help himself. He watched her round the corner before he took off. He felt like a solider on a mission and he wouldn't return until it was complete. He left his lukewarm and barely touched drink behind.

Kagura used her steaming latte to keep her hands warm. Her heeled boots clicked loudly on the concrete. Summer was quickly fading to fall. She tucked her scarf more securely around her face.

"Goddamn Kouga and his early morning meetings." She grumbled to herself. He'd called her at the crack of dawn, telling her he needed to speak with her and to bring certain files of information. She was getting sick of this! Running to her master every time they said 'come'. Wasn't the truth supposed to set her free? If she had known spilling her guts was gonna put her in the middle of all this shit she would have kept her mouth shut.

The building looked abandoned from the outside. It was dirty, the painting chipped, a couple of boarded windows showing in the front. "Sick of coming to this rat infested building. These shoes are goddamn Prada!" She said between clenched teeth. She continued to grumble to herself as she approached a metal door. She knocked lightly three times, waited three seconds, then knocked again. The door opened for her and she slipped inside. Soon Kagura found herself standing in a room, that looked liked something out of Law and Order.

There were a dozen computers running, all the screens covered in codes with quick fingers typing away. There was a chalkboard covered in the kind of scrawl only the person who wrote it could read. There was another board full of pictures and maps and strings of yarn connecting everything together in a tangled web.

"It's like looking at a rubik's cube. We've got all the pieces now it's time to find out how they fit together." Kagura drew her eyes away from the board as Kouga approached her. His hair was pulled back in his usual style, he looked casual in jeans and a button up. His gun and badge were on full display on his waist.

"I brought what you asked for. Not sure why you need it, but I hope it helps." She put the manila folder in his hands and Kouga began to comb through it on the spot. In the folder were pictures of her and Kikyou. In the photos they were making drops, counting money, driving in unmarked cars.

"We're trying to rule out that Kikyou's murder was some type of retaliation against Naraku. If we want to take Naraku down with this we need a solid motive." Kouga explained.

"I already told you why he killed her. He raped her, she was going to the police, he had to silence her." Kagura seethed.

"I believe you, that's not the problem. We need a jury to believe you too and they won't do that without evidence. It would be your word against your father's. Without a living victim we can't prove the rape." Kagura ran a frustrated hand through her hair. Justice was like a fine roast. Warm and tender once you got it, but the wait was painstaking.

The sound of someone clearing their throat came from the shadows, and immediately a handful of guns were drawn. Kagura shook on the inside, a bead of sweat rolling down her neck. Slowly the figure walked forward, their hands up in a sign of surrender.

"Inuyasha?" Kouga and Kagura exclaimed at the same time. Soon Kouga was telling his team to stand down.

"What the fuck is going on here?"

It was hard being powerful. Being powerful was so tiring, so draining. Can you even begin to comprehend? Having to manage all the lessers, keep them in line, keep them disciplined, maintain respect and fear. It was damn exhausting.

Slim fingers combed their way through wavy black tresses. He felt another pair of hands on his abs, touching lightly, trailing down and then down some more.

"You seem distracted baby, something on your mind?" Crimson met Crimson. Naraku brought the woman down for a brutal kiss. He wanted silence, he needed to think. He grabbed her by the throat, looking her in the eyes as he squeezed ever so slightly. He pushed her back, moving so the second woman had to release him from her mouth. The woman with the bob, laid on her back and took what he offered. The second woman sat on her face, all the better, like he said silence was essential.

'Goddamn bitch doesn't know when to leave well enough alone, never has.' He thought darkly. He loved his daughter, more than most things, but she was a damned fool. Naraku opened his eyes, to watch the woman in front of him. Her black hair, ending just past her shoulders, was sweaty and tangled in some places. Her eyes were closed, head thrown back in ecstasy. She bit her lip and a wallop of blood ran down her chin. For a moment Naraku was stuck, hips thrusting but his gaze fixed on the blood. He missed her blood, the sweetest he'd ever tasted. The sweetest he thought he ever would.

'Kikyou, my dear you could've been something amazing. I tried to show you, tried to help you, and you spat in my face.' Lost in his thoughts, Naraku fell back when he received a light shove to his chest. Yura, the one with the bob was now riding him wildly. Abi had taken to fingering herself and sucking on Yura's nipples, moaning wantonly clearing thinking the sound was meant to entice. It wasn't enough for Naraku. Quicker than anyone could see a shallow cut appeared on Yura's chest. She gave a small hiss a pain, but the wound didn't faze her. As the number of cuts increased on her skin so did the volume of her cries.

Crimson eyes watched as the blood trailed through her cleavage and down her stomach, collecting in her bellybutton until it overflowed. He licked her naval, almost seeing stars as he imagined Yura was someone else. The only one to ever make him regret, the only one to ever make him want.

Death and killing hadn't bothered him until it was her life his hands had to take. 'Damn you Kikyou, for all that you are and for that little brat you left behind.'

With her eyes closed he was reminded, reminded of another time, another woman. It all felt so long ago. Personally Naraku had never enjoyed killing. It seemed barbaric. A last ditch effort used by idiots, who couldn't think straight. He was better than that, always planned better than that. He hadn't went to her place that night to kill her. Hurt her? Scare her? Definitely, but kill? She didn't leave him with any options that night, she had taken things too far out of his control for him let it slide.

He was too powerful to be made to feel weak or foolish. Wet fingers slid across his face and he craned his neck to oblige. Opening his mouth the coppery taste of Yura's blood soaked into his tongue and he came on the spot. Filling the woman connected to him with all his rage and despair. His mattress shifted as the two bodies flopped next to him. He could still feel their hands, slippery and soft on his skin. He'd hoped a nut would clear his mind, but his thoughts continued to spiral.

"Both of you, out. Now." The girl's looked ready to object, but a single look had them fleeing. He pulled a cigarette from God-knows-where and lit it, inhaling the toxic smoke, enjoying the sudden calm that washed over his nerves. Kikyou Hayashi was not a face you forgot. She consumed him, always had from the moment he'd met her. It was unnerving, how the darkness and twisted evil doubled inside him when he thought of her.

That was a girl was unlike anyone he'd ever met. How could something so broken be so strong? It wasn't the strength of her heart that he admired, no it was the potential within her that he had desired. The potential to be his everything, his nothing. All he wanted was her, to keep her safe and under his thumb. He didn't understand the way he felt about Kikyou, the obsession she had ignited in him.

He grew hard as he thought about her. He grew harder still, thinking of how close he had been to completely controlling her. Just another ounce of pressure and he could've shattered her to pieces. Then she had bucked against him for the final time. Trying to use the love of her friends, her sister, and that damn Sujitani brat to overpower him.

Naraku almost laughed out loud at that thought. 'She truly thought she could do it, bring the most powerful man in this state, hell in this fucking country to his knees? Feh.'

He thought he'd buried all his skeletons, crossed all the 't's and dotted the 'i's. It was a shame really, the way things had turned out. Kikyou Hayashi, was one in a million. When Kagura brought her to him, he knew then she'd send him to hell in a hand basket. Oh, and what a sweet ride it had been. Naraku let the cigarette burn down to nothing in the ashtray. He needed a shower. Quickly he snatched up his cell and sent a text, throwing his phone on the bed and leaving it forgotten.

Kagome groaned when her alarm went off in the morning. The last thing she wanted to do was go to work. She loved her job, but she just wasn't in the mood today. Another day of fevers, rashes, and other mildly inconvenient illnesses. It was days like today when she missed Ghana. She missed feeling like she was on the front line, like she was doing something that mattered.

As the day ticked on Kagome continued to feel restless, almost anxious. She checked her phone a million times for nothing, her knee bouncing a mile a minute, she'd even popped off three of her acrylic nails. She felt numb as she treated patients, but then she noticed a young woman sitting in the waiting room. The woman looked about as anxious as Kagome felt and when her named was called to come into the exam room, she jumped.

"Hi, my name is Kagome. I'm the nurse practitioner here. What brings you in today?" Her voice was calm and quiet. The woman seemed easily startled. Kagome took in the woman's state of undress. Her skirt a little too short and her shirt a little too cropped for 10am.

"I've got some cuts I need cleaned and taken care off, and some plan b." The lady said quickly. Kagome wasn't sure how she didn't notice the cuts before. They almost seemed like the girl had did them to herself. Kagome started with the ones on the girl's thighs and worked her way up. There were several on her chest, the ones on her breasts were the deepest. It wasn't until Kagome got to the woman's back, that she realized someone else had done this to her.

"What's your name hun?"

"Ayame."

"How old are you?"

"20."

"Do you live alone?" Kagome asked. She was trying to be casual, seem like she was making conversation, but Ayame became suspicious.

"Why? Are there some side effects to the plan b I should know about? I've taken it before and none of the other nurses have ever asked me so many questions."

"They never asked about your injuries?"

"It's really none of their business or yours." The girl snapped. Kagome sighed as she finished treating the last of the cuts and giving her the emergency contraceptive that she asked for. Ayame took her medication and quickly began to gather her things. Before she could leave Kagome slipped her a note with her number on it.

"You seem like a strong girl Ayame, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that. I'm here at the clinic almost everyday, but if you ever come in and I'm not here or you need to talk you know how to reach me now, okay?"

Hesitantly she took the note from Kagome's hand. Maybe it was how nice the girl kept being after she snapped, or maybe it was the look of genuine concern that Ayame hadn't gotten in a long time, that made her take the note. Even if she knew deep down she'd probably never use it.

"Thank you." Ayame said kindly. When she left Kagome released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Treating women like Ayame was probably one of the hardest parts of her job. In general it was hard for women to speak out about abuse. Especially when it came from a man that woman was supposed to trust, like her significant other or father. Sex workers had it double as tough. It was hard trying to get them to be comfortable and open up. It was hard to make them believe that their occupation did not justify the abuse, it was hard trying to make the police believe it as well.

When Kagome left the exam room she found herself going into the office where they kept patient files. You'd think with it being the 21st century the clinic would switch to a computer system for filing, but instead they let them pile up in the corner of a dusty room. Ayame Tsukino had been the name she used on the intake form. Hopefully the name was real. When Kagome pulled the file, she was happy that false or not it was the name the girl had clearly chosen to go by.

As she combed through the woman's medical records, Kagome found herself becoming angry. This poor girl was coming into the clinic at least one a month, sometimes more, with the same types cuts and asking for emergency contraceptive. How come no one had said anything? Why did no one try to offer this girl more help?

Kagome stomped out of the office and made her way to the front desk. The blonde woman looked up at Kagome when the file plopped loudly in front of her.

"Tell me all you know about this girl." Kagome asked sternly and the woman gulped.

"I don't know much. I've never treated her myself, but I've heard stories. We get girls like her all the time coming in, though honestly I've never seen any of them come in as messed up as her."

"And no one has tried to help her? Tried to get her to go the police, and put whatever sick fuck is doing this to her behind bars?"

"I can't say for sure, but I'm sure they have. You can only do so much you know? People have to want you to help them." The anger that had been swelling within Kagome quickly shrank down to nothing at the blonde's words. She was right. You couldn't impose your wants on other people, even if you thought you were doing it in their best interests.

Souta's friend from school, Ayame from today. They both reminded Kagome so much of Kikyou. How many more young girls would she have to see suffering in silence? Kagome felt so helpless, useless, and she was tired of feeling like that.

"I'm taking a long lunch today, if anything serious comes in page me alright?" The blonde nodded and Kagome only took a quick moment to grab her bag before she was gone.

The ten minute drive felt like a lifetime, but soon Kagome found herself standing in front of the Shikon Valley Medical Center. She watched as the automatic doors of the main entrance, continuously let people in and out of the building. She wiped her sweaty palms on her scrubs, and before she could hesitate any longer she entered the building.

Kagome stopped at the front desk, patiently waiting for the woman to stop typing on her computer and acknowledge her.

"Sorry about that ma'am, what can I do for you today?" She asked kindly.

"Hi, I'm looking for some patient information." Kagome clasped her hands tightly in front of her, resisting the urge to bite her nails or crack her knuckles. "I'm a nurse practitioner at the Monroe free clinic."

"May I see your credentials?" Giving the receptionist the information she desired, Kagome waited with baited breath as the lady verified her identity. "Thank you ma'am, which patient would you be looking for?"

"Kikyou Hayashi." The weight of the manila folder, felt like a thousand pounds in her hands. She stood there, staring, clearly for a second too long because the woman behind the computer gave her an impatient look. The world slowed as Kagome walked back to her car, unlocking the doors, and rolling down the windows so she wouldn't suffocate inside.

Why was she suddenly so scared? Why could she feel her heart pounding against her ribs? The sound of her blood rushing through her veins was all she could focus on. Kagome took a deep breath. What more could she learn about Kikyou that she didn't know already? How much more upside down could her world get?

With shaky fingers, she opened the folder. The first thing she saw was a picture of her friend. Cold and dead, frozen as an eighteen year old girl forever. Kagome covered her mouth to hold in the cries. Her eyes racked over Kikyou's medical history.

Name: Kikyou Belle Hayashi

Age: 18

DOB: 8/15/95

DOD: 6/6/2013

Time of death: approx. 10:30pm

Cause of death: Accidental Overdose, suicide.

The deceased was found in her bedroom by her neighbor. Heroin, needles, and other drug paraphernalia were found on or around the deceased person. Shallow cuts found on the deceased legs, arms, torso, and breast, suggest to self injurious behavior and possible mental illness. Several intravenous punctures were found in the arm, wrists, and between the toes. The lethal amount of Heroin discovered in the deceased bloodstream, suggest to an accidental overdose as cause of death.

Swallowing the bile in her throat, Kagome continued to comb through her dead friend's file. She quickly scanned everything in her hands. Glossing over unimportant information, like Kikyou's food allergies and the date of her last pap smear. Kagome's eyes widened as she reread the notes from Kikyou's last gynecological appointment.

Patient seen by Dr. Tamner. Consultation request for the IUD birth control. A routine pap smear revealed vaginal trauma consistent with sexual abuse, though the patient never reported she was encouraged. Request for birth control was denied upon positive testing for pregnancy. Patient is eight weeks along.

Kagome closed the file, and stepped out of her car. The tiny vehicle was too cramped, too hot. She couldn't breathe. It was all too much. Not only had Kikyou been dealing drugs, for the only kingpin they knew, but she had been sexually abused and was pregnant at the time of her death. So many secrets, so many lies. When would it all end? As Kagome slid down the driver's side door, she realized it would never end. Nothing would stop until the person who did this to Kikyou was put behind bars.

She looked up to the sky realizing sadly that her and Kikyou and had been pregnant at the same time, with Kagome only a few weeks farther along than her friend before the miscarriage. Kagome smiled sadly, as she envisioned their kids playing together. Kikyou's daughter laughing and out breath as she was chased by Kagome's son. Kagome remembered how alone she felt when she found out she was pregnant. How Sango had been her rock in those turbulent times.

"No one was there for you," Kagome whispered despairingly, "I'm so sorry Kikyou." Before the raven haired woman could stop herself, she wondered who the father of Kikyou's child was. It could've belonged to whomever was responsible for Kikyou's sexual abuse.

'It could've been Inuyasha's.' Kagome thought to herself. It was with great guilt that Kagome admitted the thought made her sick. Both her and Kikyou, supposed best friends, pregnant by the same boy at the same time. Wiping her face the young woman suddenly felt numb. On autopilot she got her to feet and dusted the dirt from her scrubs. She gave her face the once over as she settled into the driver's seat, turning on the radio to drown out her thoughts, and peeled off in the opposite direction of the hospital.

Hello out there! This chapter was a lot for me, and pretty sure it was longest chapter I've written for this story so far. Not only have I not really had time to write, but it was hard zeroing in on the direction I want this story to go. There was more I wanted to put in this chapter, but those details just didn't fit for this chapter. Hopefully it won't be another 2 years before this story is updated, but all that matters is that I'm determined to finish it!

Please review and favorite