A/N: FAIR WARNING GUYS! This chapter gets REALLY dark. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. THIS IS A TRAGIC TALE OF A SAD GIRL. I'm gonna include Trigger Warnings, cuz I don't want someone to start reading without an idea of what might happen and then have a bad reaction. However, these things are going to be very prevalent in the rest of the story until the very end, so know that going forward.
-drug use
- rape
- physical, mental, emotional abuse
Now that I've got that out of the way. I gotta shout out to Bazookabg! who TOTALLY figured out where I got the pretzel thing in the last chapter XD I love that show and I've always wanted to use that situation in my writing!
Also, I had to change something about the Juilliard Audition portion of this chapter. I KNOW that usually it's done in March. BUT DAMMIT I had to take creative liberties and make it in December. so nyeh.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter forty: Primadonna Girl
The weeks following Kagome and Inuyasha's sudden break-up were frustrating to say the least. Like the flip of a switch, the shift in the household had been abrupt and jarring; which confused those who hadn't known the true nature of Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship. No one understood why Kagome was walking around with a scowl and Inuyasha was rarely seen inside the house anymore. And when asked about it, both teens deflected the questions and blamed it on their understandably stressful circumstances. Kagome was under extreme pressure to perform well at the live auditions, as well at her final dance competition of the year. Inuyasha had become a regular performer at a well-known bar and had built a loyal fan-base. He was also making arrangements to record his first EP that would be sent out to radio stations and music producers after the first of the year. But these circumstances were just a smokescreen to hide the fact that they were miserable without each other.
After the initial break-up, Inuyasha had flooded Kagome's phone with apologetic texts and phone calls. He recorded songs that proclaimed his deep sorrow and regret, but it fell on deaf ears and blind eyes. Despite her heartache and the desire to be with him again, Kagome could not let herself sink back into a situation that was doomed to repeat itself. Inuyasha still wanted her to be a devoted, doting girlfriend who followed him like a puppy; and that wasn't what she intended for her life. Eventually, he lost hope and ceased all attempts to reach out to Kagome. Their relationship went back to how it had been years ago; hostile and confusing.
In his loneliness, Inuyasha called Kikyou on a spontaneous whim. He heard through mutual friends that she was doing well in college, but hadn't entered into a serious relationship as of yet. Expecting outrage and anger, Inuyasha was happily surprised to discover that she had been thinking about him as well. It began as friendly texting during the day and throughout the night, then she started meeting him at his performances to offer support and rekindle what was lost between them. Inuyasha wanted to forget everything that had transpired between himself and Kagome, because it only brought him pain and regret. Being with Kikyou, though a pale shadow compared to what he and Kagome had, filled the void in Inuyasha's life that had been opened when Kagome drifted away.
Kagome, however, was not so apt at discarding her feelings when she discovered Inuyasha's return to Kikyou. It was the ultimate slap to the face that made her reconsider everything that had happened between them. Had anything been real? That first night they made love, had Inuyasha said those things just to get into her pants? Torn between knowing what was real and fake, Kagome decided to devote herself to school and dance. Denial was her closest ally. Never had her friends and family seen Kagome so determined and disciplined, but it came at the price of her joy and natural exuberance. In her desire to find reason behind the sacrifice of losing Inuyasha, Kagome was reminded that dancing and performing was enough to find fulfillment.
Her dream was to become Prima Ballerina Assoluta, to be celebrated and loved for her talent and devotion to the art of Ballet. To travel the world with a company and inspire other girls like herself was all Kagome wanted. She could not bring herself to care about romance or finding someone to love her; because she couldn't imagine putting herself in the situation to be hurt by someone again. All she needed was the support of her family and friends, and nothing more. Inuyasha be damned. He could have Kikyou and his unpredictable lifestyle; Kagome wanted nothing to do with it. If he wouldn't support her dream, she wouldn't support his. It was the only thing that made her feel somewhat better about her choices. Of course, this was very childish and selfish thinking on her part. But Kagome was still a child in many ways, unfinished in her maturation and a long way away from becoming a fully-developed adult.
The day was Sunday, December the fifteenth, and it was to be the deciding moment of Kagome's future. She had arrived at the Lincoln Center Plaza early that morning, dressed and ready to show the Juilliard faculty exactly what she was made of. Her black hair was pulled into a tight, coiled bun at the top of her head. Underneath her winter jacket and sweatpants, Kagome wore a basic black leotard with flesh-toned tights over her muscular legs, which cut off at her mid-calf. Such was basic ballet attire and would not draw unwarranted attention to her in a room of similarly dressed individuals. Over her shoulder, a black bag held her canvas slippers and satin point shoes, as well as a few water bottles, some snacks, and her headphones. This day was going to be long and grueling, but the longer Kagome stayed, the closer she got to her goal.
The auditions were comprised of five stages. After a brief warm up in the room numbered three-twenty-one, the forty or so male and female dancers were taken to the room directly next to it; the famed and highly coveted room three-twenty-two. In there, a handful of faculty members would sit behind a table to observe and direct the seventy-five-minute Classic Ballet class. Students who impressed them were invited to attend the following forty-five-minute Modern Dance class, and from there a select few were asked to stay and perform a solo-piece. It was a chance to express their love of dance, and mastery of skill, using choreography of their own. If the dancer's solo performance was satisfactory, they were asked to attend a final coaching session to showcase their ability to learn on their feet, take direction, and perform under added pressure. Thus, completed the dance portion of the day-long audition. Only a lucky few were invited to conduct a final, informal interview with an admissions counselor or faculty member.
Kagome stood outside, in front of the intimidating building's tall glass doors, looking inside with hope and fear mixing in her blue eyes. The wind that swept through the streets numbed her face, but she still felt unbearably hot. This was it; her moment to shine and be the dancer everyone knew her to be. So much was riding on this day that it made Kagome's knees buckle. She had asked for distance and privacy from friends and family. As well intentioned they may be, Kagome knew calls and texts would just make her more anxious and distracted. However, as she now stood alone, she wished someone could be there to hold her hand and wish her good luck. It was then that Kagome heard her phone ringing inside the pocket of her coat. Cold fingers handled the device and she was surprised to see Houjo's name lighting up the screen. Without a second thought, Kagome answered the call smiling.
"Hey, you called just in time. I'm about to go inside." She said breathlessly, taking a few steps to stand away from the entrance. Houjo was still one of her most dear friends, even with the distance between them, and was just the person to lift her spirits.
"Kagome, use your nerves to make you a better dancer. If you go in there with the same attitude you have at every performance, there's no way you'll lose. Remember to drop your shoulders, tuck your hips, and keep your face calm like Madam always says. You were the best dancer in Houston, everyone said so. Go in there and show them that." Without taking a break, Houjo rattled off the encouragement and professional tips that Kagome so desperately needed to hear. As she shut her eyes, Kagome nodded her head in affirmation of everything he told her. Her heart was racing and stomach flipping, but it was alleviated by his helpful sentiments.
"Thank you so much, Houjo. I promise I'll keep you posted. I've got to go now." As Kagome went to hang up, she heard Houjo call out to say one last thing.
"Have fun with it. If they think you're some uptight bitch they'll never want to work with you." It made Kagome laugh to hear Houjo use such crass language, but it did the trick to settle some of her nerves.
"Okay. Talk to you later." After ending the call, Kagome smiled to herself and squared her shoulders. This was no longer a terrifying, daunting ordeal; but instead became the most highly anticipated moment of her life. Even if everything else was going to Hell, she wouldn't allow that to ruin her chances.
It was a half-hour past one, and the remaining dancers were given a break to recover their strength and replenish their bodies with food and water. Kagome had flown through the Ballet and Modern sections of the audition with surprising ease. She thanked her lucky stars for all of Madam Chachka's relentless instructions and insisting that she study other forms of dance as well. It was sad to see other dancers being asked to leave. Their faces were so downcast after having their hopes dashed. It served to further motivate Kagome, if only to avoid the same emotional distress.
At the moment, Kagome was sitting on the floor of the dance room, legs spread open in a perfect split without sign of pain or discomfort. The room was beautiful, with its light grey tiled floor and bright, white walls. One wall was made entirely of windows, floor to ceiling, allowing natural light to brighten and warm the room. People went on with their lives outside. Barres stretched out along the walls and a piano sat in the corner to provide live music. With luck and hard-work, Kagome hoped to one day become very familiar with the room.
There were twelve other dancers remaining, varying in age and race, but all on a similar skill-level as Kagome. Some were chatting, but for the most part they all kept to themselves. Kagome had her headphones on, listening to the song her solo performance was set to. It was a mellow and mesmerizing song by Kate Havenevik, 'Grace'. Edited to meet a two-minute time restriction, Kagome went through the dance sequences in her mind as she forced herself to eat carrots and small cubes of cheese. Her nerves were still so intense that she had no appetite, but her body couldn't keep going unless it had some fuel.
The dance she and Madam had choreographed together was very mature and daring, as it relied heavily on blending classic ballet and contemporary dance into a graceful and emotional performance. The song choice had been very carefully made and considered, as it was more common for dancer to choose something fast paced. However, that could also be a method of hiding their insecurities as a dancer. Kagome's dance was not slow, but very precise with drawn out sequences and movements that would work to her benefit if she executed them perfectly. If not, the girl would look awkward and disjointed in comparison to the tranquil music.
During the private moment to herself, Kagome tried to will her thoughts away from Inuyasha. She didn't need his negative presence in her mind, but he was all consuming. Sighing softly, Kagome straightened her back and closed her eyes, finally allowing a wonderful memory to comfort her. Inuyasha was seated on her bed, watching her go through the steps of a difficult routine. It was one of the few nights he didn't have a scheduled performance, and they had taken full advantage of being able to relax. As she went through various leg stretches, Kagome could feel his gaze and smiled. Having his eyes roam her body had been a wonderful distraction that ended with them kissing on her bed. From there, they ended up naked in each other's arms, just happy to touch and feel. In those private memories, Kagome allowed herself to miss him. Nothing had felt more exciting and comforting than when he watched her dance, and she could only hope he felt the same when she watched him sing.
As Kagome listened to the song, she paid attention to the lyrics and couldn't help but relate them to her situation. To herself, under her breath, Kagome sang along.
"I'm on my knees…only memories…are left for me to hold." How accurate of a statement. The song continued, and she visualized every step of her upcoming solo. Towards the end of the song, at the final few lines, she felt a rush of emotions. "Nothing comes easily…Where do I begin?...Nothing can bring me peace…I've lost everything…I just want to feel your embrace."
"Miss High-ger-ehshi?" The botched pronunciation of her name drew Kagome back to reality as she turned her face towards the door, where an older gentleman stood holding it open. Removing the headphones from her ears, Kagome knew she was about to be called for her Solo.
"Yessir?" She replied politely, rising to her feet in one fluid motion.
"You need to come to the stage. You'll be performing next." The instructor waiting for her to gather her things and led the nervous girl down a long hallway. There were no words of encouragement from the older man walking in front, just a cold disregard. Kagome tried to control her breathing as she made her way to the stage. The same faculty that had been judging her all day would be seated in the auditorium, ready to watch her with a scrutinizing eye. The air was so still and quiet as she ascended the stairs backstage. The AV manager already had a copy of her music. Backstage, just a few yards away from her, he was adjusting the settings on the sound system. Kagome stretched and shook out her nervous muscles, waiting for her cue to enter stage left, and she said a grateful prayer to everyone who'd helped her get to this point. The stage lights dimmed, leaving only a few white beams to permeate the darkness, and Kagome stepped out with a graceful stride.
As the music filled the vastly empty auditorium, she moved into the first steps of her dance. Her strength was flexibility and control, and the choreography played to that. Weeks of perfecting the routine caused it to become second-nature as muscle memory guided Kagome's body. There were graceful arcs of her arm and high-reaching jumps that displayed her abilities beautifully. It told the story of a tragic love, and Kagome's pushed the message further with expressive emotions and gripping movements. The judges were captivated by the exhibition of technical skill and passion, and were unable to look away from her emotionally charged dance.
As the song came to its end, Kagome finished a series of difficult spins, pushing her body past its usual threshold, and finished by wrapping her arms around herself in a desperate, lonely embrace. Kagome's back arched and her neck craned painfully as she finished the solo with a striking pose that was excruciatingly maintained until the music faded. The dance was officially over, and she returned to a normal standing position. From so far away, the judges could not see her heaving chest or the sweat that beaded down her forehead. They regarded her with unreadable expressions, but Kagome didn't let her doubts show. She'd done her best, and that was all they could expect.
"Well done. Please return to the practice room and wait further instruction for the next portion of the auditions." A woman's voice echoed finally, beckoning Kagome to take her leave. The young woman nodded respectfully and gave a slight bow at the waist.
"Thank you so much for your time and consideration." With that, Kagome disappeared behind the curtains. After gathering her bag and coat, Kagome made her way out of the auditorium and returned to room three-twenty-two. She noticed that there were only eight dancers left, and concluded that those who performed before her had been asked to leave the auditions. Smiling to herself, Kagome reclaimed her place next to the window and allowed herself a moment to rejoice. All that remained was the coaching portion and the final interview; a piece of cake compared to that solo.
"Kagome, you've been a pleasure to work with today. We're impressed with your technical skills and adaptability. Your academic transcript and letters of recommendation are also more than satisfactory. But before we end this interview, I'd just like to know what sets you apart from the other candidates. What motivates you, specifically?" A kind faculty member had been sitting with Kagome in one of the open practice rooms to conduct the informal interview. It was only a fifteen-minute session, and yet it felt as if only five minutes had gone by. Kagome had been very comfortable answering questions and conversing with the friendly woman. The final question, however, was somewhat difficult to answer.
"Well, I suppose that I'm different from the others because I'm motivated by things they've never experienced." Swallowing nervously, Kagome wasn't sure how transparent she should be about her past. Her hands wrung together in her lap. "When I was younger, I was homeless for a few years. My mother had died and my father couldn't keep a job. I could have easily died, but I was found and adopted by a very generous family. They sacrificed a great deal to take me in and raise me as one of their own. I had a lot of health issues that put them under a lot of stress, but they loved me anyway. I began dancing as a way to get healthy, but it became something that defines me as a person. I dance for my mother who died and didn't get to see me grow up. I also dance for the little brother I never met. I dance for the daughter my adoptive parents lost before they met me. I dance for my mom and dad and brother who love me and believe in me more than anyone else in the world. I want to prove to myself that I'm worthy of such amazing fortune, and to repay them for all that they've done for me."
Kagome's voice trembled as she exposed the reality of her circumstances. The interviewing faculty member remained politely quiet. It wasn't until Kagome cracked a pretty smile and laughed sheepishly, that the other woman spoke up. She was smiling sympathetically, but could not show bias or indicate that Kagome had been accepted.
"Thank you for being so honest, Kagome. It was a pleasure watching you dance and getting to know you. You're officially finished with the auditions and are free to go home. You can expect a letter in the mail within the next two weeks with the results of the audition." The woman stood up from her chair, followed by Kagome, and they smiled at each other.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity." Kagome couldn't stop herself and stepped forward to hug the woman who was in charge of her fate. Glad to return the gesture, the two parted after a moment and Kagome bent down to hoist her bag onto her shoulder. She was still dressed in a leotard and tights, with a pair of comfortable boots on her feet. Kagome's winter coat hung across her forearm as she left the practice room to head towards the building's entrance. Kagome smiled to herself as she slipped the thick jacket over her body and pushed through the door to breath in the crisp, December air.
"I did it!" With two fists raising high above her head, Kagome let out an ecstatic cry of relief and victory. People were curious about the display, but did not bother her as she waited for one of the family drivers to pick her up. The time was five in the afternoon. Kagome couldn't wait to get home and tell everyone how the auditions had played out. She would thank them for their patience and support during the past few weeks of her temperamental attitude. It was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. Kagome felt such joy and satisfaction that it made her laugh and cry at the same time. She now understood that all her hard work and sacrifices were worth it, and no longer regretted the choice of breaking up. A future with Inuyasha had always been uncertain, but Juilliard was just within her grasp; she could feel it.
Inuyasha was seated on Kikyou's bed, waiting for her to finish showering, when he got a text notification on his phone. At that moment, he was in her private dorm room on campus, anticipating a bit of sexy fun before they both headed out for his gig that night. The text was from his mother, who announced with an abundance of exclamation marks that Kagome had passed through the auditions and all signs pointed to her being accepted into Juilliard. The news was bittersweet, leaning more on the bitter side, and he refrained from answering. Good for Kagome. All the stress and pain she put their brief relationship through seemed to have paid off for her.
Laying back with his hands laced behind his head, Inuyasha kicked his heel against the bedframe absentmindedly. He knew Kagome's auditions had been today, and vaguely wondered how they might be going, but any thought about her always turned into a memory of them together. Inevitably it ended with him cursing her name and blaming her for everything. The only solace Inuyasha had was that Kikyou was back in his life; while all Kagome had was dance to keep her satisfied. He knew she wasn't the type to rebound as quickly as he had, which left Kagome single and alone. These hurtful thoughts were the only thing that kept Inuyasha from acknowledging his fault in the situation. He hated being forced to look into a mirror and being held accountable for his actions; so Inuyasha opted for denial. Going back to Kikyou was like picking up a bad addiction.
She didn't care what he did while they were apart, never asked questions or pried for answers. All that mattered was that they were together again. Each indulged the other person's need for attention and affection. However, Kikyou was obviously still in love with him and was investing all of her emotions into the relationship. The only connection Inuyasha felt was a shallow attraction and a need to satisfy his physical needs. Like fire and gasoline, their joining was a catalyst for destructive behavior and terrible choices. When he got off work and she finished with classes, they spent their time getting high on easily acquired drugs or having sex in the nearest secluded area they could find. Kikyou was trying to make up for lost time, but Inuyasha was just trying to replace every memory of Kagome with one involving Kikyou.
In his time alone, Inuyasha was plagued with thoughts of Kagome. Try as he might, she had secured a place inside his mind that required major narcotic or alcoholic interventions to allow sweet reprieve, if even for just a few hours. Inuyasha had become skilled in hiding the dark deeds from his family, never letting them see how tormented he was or how he chose to cope. All they saw was his successful rise as a musician and the development of a healthy relationship with Kikyou. No one, especially Kagome, knew how badly he missed her and that give anything to repair what had been broken. Alas, it was a futile option and he was resigned to pursuing an empty relationship with Kikyou. It was better than nothing.
The bathroom door opened, allowing steam to billow into the cold room, and a naked Kikyou stepped into view. Her black hair clung like a second skin to her face, neck and shoulders as water beaded down her heavenly body.
"Inuyasha~" She spoke his name huskily, grinning at his wide eyes and parted mouth. "wanna make me dirty again?" She teased him and put a knee on the bed between his legs.
"Fuck yes," he growled and took hold of her wrist before yanking the naked girl onto the bed. She laughed and allowed Inuyasha to ravage her body, enjoying how rough and demanding he was. But the reason for his dominating actions wasn't due to his desire for her; not entirely. It was mainly attributed to his longing to be with Kagome again, but being frustrated that it would never be. There was no intimacy between him and Kikyou, none that was significant at least, and it only magnified how much better it was with Kagome.
A week later, the following Sunday, was the final dance competition of the season in New York City. Individuals and teams from across the surrounding states came to participate in hopes of winning one of the twenty-thousand dollar checks to go towards scholarships and continued education. Madam Chachka naturally enrolled her prized competition team, which comprised of Kagome and seven other students. This was the biggest event of the dance calendar, and Kagome's entire family came to support her. In addition to the group routine, she had been entered in the individual competition, and was going to perform the same solo routine from the Juilliard audition.
It was a week before Christmas and the atmosphere was one of general excitement and anticipation. The family was going to take another international vacation to escape New York's cold weather, opting to spend the Holiday in a warmer climate. But, before that could happen, Kagome had to get through this competition. The group routine had finished without a hitch, earning resounding applause from the crowd in the theater's auditorium. Madam Chackha herded her students into the private room they reserved for preparation and storing their personal items. She praised them warmly, unable to find something to criticize. However, Kagome still had one more performance before she could consider the competition over. The other students pulled jackets over their dance attire and wished Kagome luck before leaving the room, allowing her privacy with Madam.
Unlike the solo audition, where she'd only been allowed basic dance attire, Kagome was going to wear an elaborate costume to match the emotion of the song. Madam helped the girl step into the open bodice and pulled the piece up her lithe body. It comprised of a white satin bodice designed with a plunging neckline, though it held her ample chest in place effectively. Intricate designs in black had been hand sewn into the delicate fabric, winding and twirling gracefully. The frilled sleeves hung just below Kagome's feminine shoulders, white tulle with black lacing at the end. Finally came time to put on her tutu. The stiff, circular skirt, which jutted out at a ninety-degree angle from Kagome's hips, was made up of layers of snowy white tulle. Along the border, similar black designs had been sewn in carefully. It was simplistic, but impactful. Kagome's legs were clad in white stockings, and a pair of white pointe shoes held her feet in a satin bind.
While Madam Chachka adjusted the bun atop Kagome's head, the younger girl applied shimmering makeup to her cheeks, eyes, and nose for a subtle enhancement of her natural beauty. Nothing dramatic needed to be added to make Kagome shine, her talent and beauty was more than enough to do that.
"Alright, Kagome, go through the routine. We have some time to run through it a few times before you have to be backstage." Madam took a seat as she watched Kagome perform a dialed down and condensed version of the routine. Seeing her student so accomplished and mature made the normally unemotional woman smile proudly. "I would like to make this offer to you, Kagome. No matter what happens with Juilliard, you have an open position as a junior instructor at the academy." The generosity caught Kagome off guard, making her stumble through one of her sequences. Madam Chachka clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Clumsy girl! Don't let yourself get distracted!"
Kagome resumed her dance, but now she was smiling ear-to-ear. It was an honor to be invited to teach at the nationally renowned dance academy. While the two waited for individual dancers to be called to stage, they spoke to each other as equals and friends.
"Madam, thank you so much. I'm really grateful for how hard you pushed me since I was little. No matter where I dance or who I dance for, I will work very hard to maintain your reputation and the reputation of the academy." The older woman smiled sweetly and patted Kagome's cheek. She didn't need to say anything else, and instead returned to her shrewd behavior.
"Get to the stage! I want you to win gold or nothing at all!" Kagome hopped-to and rushed down the hallway towards the auditorium. It was a hectic scene, what with many other students in a similar situation, but Kagome found familiarity and security in it.
"Now welcoming Kagome Higurashi to the stage, performing a contemporary piece with original choreography." The room was dark as the audience applauded her appearance on stage. Below the stage, and in front of the first row of seats, a panel of judges sat quietly and in wait for her to begin. A soft light illuminating the stage and cast Kagome in an angelic haze. Her family was seated towards the middle of the auditorium, taking up a large section of the row since her friends were there as well. Everyone was struck by her beautiful appearance, though none more so than Inuyasha. It was the first time in weeks that he'd seen her, and it was as if the first time at all. Like a character from a fairytale, her ethereal grace took everyone by surprise as the music triggered the dance to begin.
Just as she'd done for the Juilliard faculty, Kagome went through the routine with impressive acting skills and a passion that touched the hearts of all who watched. There was a reason she was hailed as New York's rising star; no one could argue that she excelled in every category that made a dancer great. Inuyasha was haunted by the performance, because he knew the pain on her face was a result of his actions that caused her to leave him. Being a musician, he paid particular attention to the lyrics of her chosen song. His bitter heart felt tight inside his chest; was Kagome in the kind of pain that the song described? Kikyou sat next to him, watching from the corner of her eye as he reacted to Kagome's performance. She knew something had transpired between the two, but none of it would matter anymore. Tonight was the last time Inuyasha would see Kagome, of that Kikyou was sure.
The song ended softly and Kagome struck the same dynamic and powerful pose as before, her chest rising and falling to regain her breath. The crowd erupted in applause, which she thanked by smiling and taking a respectful curtsy before gliding off stage to allow the next dancer their opportunity. Letting out a quick breath, Kagome thanked the dancers who congratulated and praised her as she went back to the changing room. Madam Chachka wasn't there, most likely wrangling the other dancers back into a group for the award ceremony, allowing Kagome a bit of solitude while she dressed in something more comfortable than a rigid bodice and stiff skirt.
Little did she know that her phone, which had been left on the makeshift makeup table during her solo performance, had been taken by an unknown intruder. Her mind was so preoccupied that she didn't think about it and continued with the evening as though nothing was amiss.
"bye Kagome! We love you! See you in a bit!" Ayame screamed from the passenger side of Kouga's car. Her bright, bubbly grin and eagerly waiving hand warmed Kagome's heart as she returned the gesture. Sango and Miroku had already given their warm congratulations and left, but they were all going to meet up later that night at a restaurant to really celebrate. Everyone was standing around the exit of the theater, ready to go home and relax. Kagome had won first place for individual performances and their team had taken first place in the group category; as expected and demanded by Madam Chachka. Kagome had been awarded one of the grand-prize checks and a massive, three-tiered trophy as proof of her victory. Her room was full of them already, but this was the crowning achievement of her career in competitions.
Inu-Taisho and Izayoi had agreed to take the check and trophy home in their vehicle, offering to take Kagome with them as well. Kagome politely declined, as she wanted to enjoy the drive home with Sesshoumaru. He had come in his own car after leaving the gym, where he continued to cultivate his swimming abilities. Inuyasha had come with Kikyou, though she insisted on taking her car. Oddly enough, right after Kagome's solo, she left early. So, Inuyasha was had to reply on his older brother for a ride home. It didn't set well with Kagome, but she handled the situation maturely as the three walked across the parking lot.
It was the time of day that the sun had already set, causing the street lights to flicker on and illuminate the pavement with fuzzy, yellow circles. Kagome was exhausted and famished, ready to gorge herself on fried foods and carbonated, sugary drinks. It was a treat she indulged in at the end of every competition season and school semester. As they approached Sesshoumaru's car, something caused Kagome to check her phone. That was when she noticed the missing bulge in her jacket pocket that had been there earlier that day.
"Hm?" Stopping in her tracks, Kagome dropped the dance bag that hung from her shoulder and quickly began riffling through its contents, growing more worried the longer it took to find the device.
"Missing something?" Sesshoumaru questioned boredly when he looked back to see her frantically searching through her back. Inuyasha watched Kagome as well, hiding his annoyance with her forgetfulness.
"My phone is missing." She groaned and stood back up. "It must have fallen out in the changing room. Look, I'm gonna run inside and get it. One of you call so I can find it. Don't stop calling til I answer!" Taking off towards the theater, Kagome hoped the doors hadn't been locked yet. Everyone had already left and custodians should still be there to clean up.
"God dammit." Inuyasha groaned as he went to get in the passenger seat. Sesshoumaru remained quiet as he picked up Kagome's dance bag. As he tossed it into the backseat, he checked his phone to see that the battery had drained to nearly zero percent. Damn thing was always dying entirely too fast.
"Inuyasha, you call Kagome's phone. Mine needs to charge." He commanded bluntly after sliding into the driver's seat. The car started with the push of a button, as it was one of the newest models released that year, and he pulled out of the parking spot. Inuyasha begrudgingly did as he was told, not motivated enough to fight his brother over something so trivial, and began calling Kagome's phone. It'd been nearly a month since the last time he had called her. The car pulled around to the front of the theater where Kagome was expected to come back out. It was the third time Inuyasha called Kagome's phone, but he was again answered by her cheerful, yet apologetic, voice message.
"How long does it take to find a damn phone?" He complained under his breath, earning a sidelong glare from Sesshoumaru. The brothers waited for Kagome quietly, the only sound coming from the speaker of Inuyasha's phone as it continued to call her. Neither suspected that they were playing right into someone else's dark plot.
Inside, Kagome was running through the halls, checking each door to hopefully hear her ringtone chiming loudly. The search was taking longer than anticipated, and she was confused how the device had been so terribly misplaced! There were no signs of custodians as well, which added an unsettling charge to the dark theater. Had she been more trustful of her intuition, Kagome would have ended her search there and returned to Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Sadly, she had the ironic misfortune of being raised with a false sense of security and naivety that so often landed girls in trouble.
Her search took her to the back of the theater. At this point, Kagome was growing upset with the notion someone had stolen her phone. Then, very faintly, she heard the familiar tune of her ringtone echoing down the hallway furthest from her. Oblivious to the red flags and warning signs, Kagome breathed a sigh of relief and jogged down the empty corridor that was used to transport props and set pieces in and out of the building. Her comfortable boots padded softly with each footfall. Kagome was still in her white tights and had slipped on a tight, black camisole after changing out of her leotard. A cotton jacket served as the only defense against the chilly December weather. Once Kagome was back at home, she would change into something more suitable for going out in public with her friends.
In the hallway, there was a small table pressed against the wall, and her phone sat innocently atop it. The ringtone echoed loudly in the empty hallway and Kagome quickly picked it up and answered the call. It was strange seeing Inuyasha's contact picture on her phone after going so long without calling him, but she was just relieved to have found her phone at all. Kagome's back was turned to the emergency exit at the end of the hallway as she brought the phone to her ear. Inuyasha complained about the amount of time it took for her to find the phone, but Kagome was accustomed to the irritated tone and wasn't upset by it.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Gimme a break, it was at the other side of the building. I'm walking back now-" Kagome's words were cut off when she felt strong hands grabbing her from behind, and she instinctually let out a piercing scream. As she struggled to break free, flailing her arms and kicking her legs, Kagome lost her grip on the phone and it clattered against the tiled floor. "Let go of me! Someone help! Inuyasha! Sesshoumaru!" Her frantic cries were heard through the receiver on Inuyasha's phone, instantly alerting the brothers to the dangerous situation. They stared in absolute horror and confusion as the struggle played out over the phone. Was this actually happening? They could hear her screaming against something against her mouth, but then things went quiet. Kagome's cries ceased and they heard distinct footsteps fading away before a metal door opened and closed.
"Kagome! Sesshoumaru what the fuck?!" Inuyasha's eye were wild as he turned to Sesshoumaru for answers. The older brother slammed his foot down on the accelerator, causing his tires to squeal before the car jumped forward. They came around the side of the theater to see an unmarked, white van taking off from behind the building. It was only natural to assume that Kagome was inside, so Sesshoumaru tailed the larger vehicle with the determination of someone with nothing left to lose. Inuyasha made himself useful by calling the police, frantically informing the dispatcher to the kidnapping that was underway. With the promise that all available officers had been alerted, Inuyasha remained on the phone with the agent as he explained what streets they were taking. Unfortunately, Sesshoumaru was not able to react quickly enough when the van took a sharp turn down a dangerous side street.
"Dammit!" It was not often that Sesshoumaru cursed, but the situation called for it as he desperately tried to find the speeding van again. He and Inuyasha were manic in their search, disregarding traffic laws and nearly causing an accident when he ran a red-light. None of that mattered when Kagome was in such immediate danger. But when it became apparent that the van had gotten away, both men felt their stomachs plummet with dread.
"You fucking lost them! Kagome's in danger and you fucking lost the van!" Inuyasha howled angrily as his brother pulled into the nearest parking lot they could find. The dispatcher told them to remain calm, but her words fell on deaf ears as Inuyasha continued his barrage of angry, terrified complaints. "Why are you stopping?! We have to keep looking!" Inuyasha punch Sesshoumaru's arm in an attempt to make him do something, but it did nothing. Sesshoumaru was gripping the steering wheel with such force that his knuckles turned white. His eyes were wide and breathing ragged from adrenaline and fear.
"We..we have to wait for the police. They'll know what to do and can better handle finding the van." He reasoned weakly, trying to find some sense of logic in the terrible situation. Inuyasha slumped back into his seat, his expression one of absolute dismay. A tear rolled down his cheek and was quickly followed by a sudden, endless onset of them.
"FUCK!" Inuyasha threw the phone down and threw the car door open. Luckily Sesshoumaru hadn't parked near any other cars or objects, or there would have been a significant dent. Not even bothering to shut it behind him, Inuyasha began screaming and cursing as his emotions became too much to contain. He kicked the pavement, pulled his hair, and punched a light pole without restraint. The pain wasn't immediate, most likely due to the adrenaline coursing through his veins, but slowly began to radiate through his entire arm. It wouldn't be until the next day that Inuyasha realized a bone had broken.
Eventually police were pulling in around them, lights piercing the dark night and alerting everyone in the vicinity that something amiss. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were dumbstruck as they tried to answer the officer's questions and give them as much useful information to begin a search. Everything had happened so fast and unexpectedly that they were having difficulty finding the proper words. It was pointless though. How could they have known that the van had led them on a wild goose-chase? It had only been a decoy.
At the back entrance of the theater, a black car was parked next to a white van. There were three men, all smart enough to wear concealing masks and gloves for what was about to ensue. Each knew what their job was and were prepared to go through with it, emboldened with guns and ammunition. An unknown fourth accomplice had already done their part by disabling the security system, including all cameras and alarms. They were also responsible for misplacing Kagome's phone. The custodial staff had been misled to arrive an hour later than usual, siting an unexpected delay during the competition. Nothing was left to chance, including any possibility of Kagome getting away or them getting caught.
While one of the masked strangers stood by the emergency exit, discreetly peeking through the door's narrow window to spot when Kagome finally found her phone, the other two sat in the driver seats of the car and van. The engines were already on, ready to take off at a moment's notice. Everything was quiet and the air was thick with ominous danger. As soon as Kagome came into view, the plan was put in motion. The man on guard motioned to his comrades before quietly slipping inside. Timing was a crucial factor in the plot, and the van took off suddenly when the driver heard tires screeching in the distance. The driver in the black car watched smugly as Sesshoumaru drove by in hot pursuit of the van. With a significant amount of time now on their hands, he waited for his partner to come out with Kagome's limp body. A rag dipped in chloroform had quickly rendered her unconscious and at their mercy.
Kagome was thrown into the car's trunk, her body unresponsive as they rolled her onto her stomach. With her arms bent behind her back, a plastic cable tie was tightened around her wrists. They rolled her back over and forced Kagome's mouth open before stuffing a balled-up rag past her teeth. A canvas sack was then pulled over her head. There was nothing she could do as she remained trapped in a cloudy, dark haze.
They shut the trunk, encasing Kagome in total darkness, and returned to the front seats before calmly driving away. There was no need to rush, and in doing so they'd only attract unwanted attention. In New York City's busy streets, a black car blended in seamlessly with the rest of traffic. Both driver and passenger had removed their masks and appeared just as anyone else who was stuck bumper-to-bumper. No one could suspect a helpless girl was held in the trunk.
Kagome was vaguely aware of her situation thanks to the sound of cars honking and breaking around her. She felt a dull ache due to her awkward position in the trunk; but it wasn't enough to bring her out of the drug-induced stupor. She had no ability to punch out one of the tail lights to gain a bystander's attention, or to even pull the emergency lever that would release the trunk's latch. The carefully crafted plan had been a success, unfortunately. Almost an hour passed before the car came to a stop.
Kagome moaned groggily as she was roughly pulled out of the trunk, handled in a similar way one might lug a heavy sack of potatoes, and was traded off to someone else entirely. There were no voices, all she could hear was the shuffling of her own feet and the men's breathing. Yet again, Kagome was shoved into the trunk of another vehicle. Only this time her head collided with the hard edge and caused her to see bright, vivid colors behind closed eyelids. She let out a desperate breath through her nose when the trunk was closed and felt the car pull away. Each turn caused her to roll and shift in the dark, cramped space.
Eventually, they arrived at the final location and Kagome was becoming more aware of the situation. The chloroform's effects were beginning to wear off. Suddenly the trunk was open, and cold air whooshed around Kagome's body. Still no one spoke to her, even as they pulled her out of the trunk by her arm. The motion caused the cable tie to cut into her wrists painfully and Kagome screamed against the rag in her mouth. She tripped out of the car, relying on the man's strength to keep her standing. With her hands bound behind her back, mouth gagged, and head covered, Kagome was completely reliant on her captor. She couldn't make out where she was exactly, but thanks to the faint sound of traffic, Kagome gathered that she was still in the city somewhere.
"Walk." He barked rudely, leading her through the side entrance of a large, unremarkable brick building. Judging by the faint echo around her, Kagome surmised she was inside a spacious location. But there were no other noises to indicate what kind of space it was. Her legs felt weak as he pushed her in various directions, causing Kagome to trip and stumble a few times. Tears rolled down her flushed face as she stared at the inside of the bag. The rag was pushed too far back in her mouth. She tried to maneuver it out with her tongue, and nearly began to choke on it. What did these people want with her? What were they going to do to her? Kagome's foot suddenly collided with something hard and she nearly fell forward without hands to brace her fall. Thankfully, the stranger had kept his hold on her elbow and prevented that from happening.
"There's stairs in front of you. Start climbing." He demanded now, growing impatient. Kagome took an uncertain step up, getting her barring before trying to ascend the rest with more confidence. This, too, was taking too long for her captor's short patience. He eventually moved in front of Kagome and began dragging her faster than her feet could climb. Whimpering and crying helplessly, Kagome felt her ankle twist painfully as he jostled her body mercilessly. Finally, they came to the landing and Kagome was glad to be on a flat surface again. She obeyed when he told her to move forward, though her stride was hampered with a noticeable limp. She heard the turning of a handle and the creak of a door, but gasped when he pushed her into the unknown room.
It was an office of sorts. The floor was polished concrete and walls made up of exposed brick. There were too other doors opposite the one Kagome had entered through. She'd later discover that the left door opened into a room with a bed, and the right into a small bathroom. Had the bag been taken off her head already, Kagome would have seen that the office was decorated with lewd images depicting sexual acts that would have turned her stomach. A black, leather couch sat against the wall behind her, and next to it a mini-fridge encased various bottles of liquor. There was a metal chair seated in the middle of the room, and a few feet before it sat a steel desk. The supplies had been put away for now, leaving the desk a cold, flat surface. There was a black, leather chair seated behind it as well. However, the most daunting aspect of the room, of the entire building really, was the lack of windows.
"Sit." A hard pressure on Kagome's shoulder forced the girl's knees to buckle. She fell into a hard seat she hadn't known was behind her. In the next moment, someone was kneeling beside her, using a cable tie to secure her ankles to the front legs of the chair. Kagome attempted to free herself, but the tie was unrelenting and just cut into the delicate skin around her ankles. Her hands were still behind her, and they too secured to the chair. Completely immobile, Kagome turned her head in every direction so she might hear something. Whoever had been in the room with her left, shutting the door behind him. All Kagome could hear was her own heavy breathing.
The sight was reminiscent of daytime crime shows. It was late at night, and this was the moment that police came to the victim's home to let their family know what had just befallen them. Very gripping to watch on a television; It was actually quite dreadful in reality. Two cop cars pulled into the curved driveway, their red and blue lights flashing brightly for the neighbors to grow curious about. Other officers had been sent to the theater to investigate the crime scene, and some were out patrolling the streets in search of the misleading white van. Inu-Taisho had just settled into bed beside a sleepy Izayoi, both blissfully unaware of their families next tragedy, when an unexpected knock at the front door drew his attention. Disgruntled and bothered by the late-night intrusion, Touga frowned as he descended the stairs.
When he opened the door to see two officers standing there, as well as Sesshoumaru's car pulling up behind them, the fifty-something-year-old felt his heart skip a beat. Izayoi stood at the top of the stairs, watching with a confused gaze as the two uniformed men stepped inside her home. She was dressed in a white negligee, but had the forethought to throw a robe over herself before leaving the bedroom. Touga was dressed in a pair of flannel pajama pants and a grey shirt, his long hair tied behind his back in a neat braid.
"What's happening?" She called out worriedly, rushing down the stairs to be at her husband's side. One of the officers gave them a grave look as Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha came forward to enter their home. Inu-Taisho saw the fear and anger in both his son's eyes, then realized something was missing.
"Where is Kagome?" He asked strongly, looking between the faces of the cops and his children for an answer.
"Sir, it was reported earlier tonight that your daughter was abducted by someone driving a white van." Every parent's worst nightmare became their reality. Inu-Taisho's eyes glazed over as his heart beat irregularly. He had the fortitude to support his hysterical wife as she wept against his chest. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha moved to stand by their parents. They had the advantage of already coming to terms with the situation, while the older couple was just now being made aware of it. At seeing his mother so distraught, Inuyasha took over for his father and held her against his strong chest. She was wracked with grief and sobs powerful enough to jar her body, which served to further break Inuyasha's heart. His mother cherished Kagome in a way he would never understand.
"Sit down, mom." He said softly and led her towards the stairs, where they both sat next to each other. Izayoi crumbled into his side, and he gladly wrapped his supportive arm around her shoulders. Izayoi' held onto Inuyasha's hand and shut her weeping eyes tightly, wishing and praying for all of this to be some terrible nightmare.
"What do you mean she was abducted? How did this happen? Is someone going after that van? Do you have leads?" Unable to focus, Inu-Taisho prattled off every question he could think of. Sesshoumaru placed a hand on his father's shoulder and cut in before the officer could respond.
"Kagome's phone was left in the theater and she went back inside to find it. Inuyasha called her phone until she could answer, but then we heard someone attack her. She was at the back of the theater, and when I drove around the building, I saw a white van driving off. Inuyasha called the police while I followed it, but the van turned too quickly and I lost it." Sesshoumaru was clearly ashamed at his failure, and the recount of the incident caused Izayoi to cry out desperately. Inuyasha rocked his mother gently, while trying to keep a handle on his own emotions. He felt a terrible jolt of pain in his hand, but ignored it.
"Sir, we have officers at the theater now, questioning staff and investigating the scene. Others are out looking for the van as we speak. I assure you, we are doing everything within our power find your daughter. We'll put out an alert and have media attention very soon. But I have some questions that I have to ask. Does your daughter have any enemies? Maybe from school?" The audacious inquiry offended Touga, and he had to restrain himself from attacking the smaller, uniformed man.
"No. Kagome is very much loved by those who know her." He answered sharply. The officer took a few notes, then pushed on with more questions.
"Is there anyone you can think of that might want to take her? Possibly someone who has a personal vendetta against yourself or your family?" That question struck a chord within Touga, because there was a chance of that being true. In his rise to success, there had been many others Touga betrayed and lied to in order to get ahead. The thought that his past actions could be the cause for Kagome's assault made all the blood drain from Touga's face. Sesshoumaru saw his father take an unsteady step backwards and hooked a strong hand under the man's arm.
"Also, one of our officers will need to investigate her room for possible clues. We'll need access to her computer. Her phone was recovered at the crime scene and has been taken to the station to be examined." Everything was happening so fast. It was unrelenting against Inu-Taisho's psyche as he tried to answer the questions asked of him. There was a shooting pain in his left arm that made him cringe, but he ignored it in order to cooperate with the officer.
"I think my father needs a moment." Sesshoumaru cut in defensively, irritated by the man's relentless questions. However, a second later Inu-Taisho was groaning and collapsing onto the floor, clutching his chest and gasping for air. Sesshoumaru's grip tightened as he kept the impact to a minimal and cushioned Touga's fall. This couldn't be happening. Not tonight.
"Touga!" Izayoi screamed when she saw her husband fall. The police officer reacted immediately and spoke into the radio strapped to his shoulder, requesting an ambulance be sent immediately. The family rushed to Touga's side, but were quickly told to back up so not to overwhelm the situation. The officer dropped to his knee and began performing CPR, keeping the Inu-Taisho's heart beating and oxygen flowing in his blood until the ambulance arrived. His family watched anxiously as the once indomitable man lay vulnerable on the floor. It was a living nightmare that seemed to get worse at every turn, with no end in sight.
Kagome wasn't sure how much time passed while she was kept alone in the room. She had tried calling out for help or shuffling the chair, but she had no leverage in which to do so. Finally, a door opened and there were footsteps coming closer, which relieved and worried Kagome to no end. As they came towards her, she tried to lean away but could only move so far before the plastic cut further into her skin. Then, in a sudden rush, the bag was yanked away from her head. Kagome shut her eyes as light flooded her vision and she turned her face away, chin pressing into her shoulder. Laughter filled the room, mocking her and causing Kagome to blush. The scent of acrid cigar smoke burnt her nose and eyes, but the unknown figures seemed unsympathetic.
"Look at you…all grown up." A deep, gravelly voice broke through the quiet room and caused Kagome to look up. A man, fat and covered in garish, expensive clothes, grinned down at her with a cruel sneer. He was Asian, like herself, which struck Kagome as surprising. The rag in her mouth prevented her from responding, but she wasn't even sure what to say back to him. There were two other men in the room with them, standing at the back and out of Kagome's line of vision. The man before her was leaning against the edge of a desk, his ankles crossed and arms folded smugly. "Got something to say?" He asked teasingly, then reached out to grab the small section of fabric that escaped her lips. Without warning, he ripped the rag away from Kagome's mouth, laughing as she cried out and gasped for hair. Her tongue and gums were dry and desperate for water.
"Please," She gasped pitifully, voice raspy and fearful. "I want to go home. My family has money and they'll pay whatever you want if you let me go." New tears rolled down Kagome's face as she thought of her family. They had to know she'd been kidnapped by now. The idea of her parents suffering and confused tore at Kagome's heartstrings. Sobbing softly, she leaned forward in her seat and stared pleadingly into her captor's ugly face, which was distorted with a devilish grin. "Please…" Her bottom lip trembled as the word ghosted out on a breath. "I want to be with my family." A chuckle was his response.
"But you are with your family. Don't you recognize me?...Kagome." Like pulling a trigger, hearing her name spoken with that evil voice brought back a rush of memories. Her eyes widened and mouth fell open, unable to form the words to express her shock and horror. Her father couldn't be alive. The stunned reaction pleased Charlie and he let out a contented sigh, as if satisfied by her emotional distress. "You look so much like your mom, Kagome. She was a skinny little thing too. But I gotta say, you got better ass and tits than she ever did." Hearing such disparaging remarks about her mother, and the unsettling appraisal of her body, made Kagome's blood run cold.
"You're supposed to be dead. I identified a body. They told me you were dead!" She yelled angrily, unable to wrap her mind around the horrible truth.
"Yeah, I know. I had to make sure everyone thought I was dead. Thanks for the convincing 'em." Stating it rather flippantly, Charlie allowed Kagome a moment to calm down as he took a drag from the fat cigar hanging between his first and middle finger. Blowing the smoke into her face, he grinned as Kagome coughed and tried to find fresher air. "Must have been nice, getting adopted by that rich family. They spoiled the shit out of you, I can tell. Undid all that progress I made before you got scrapped off the street." His tone became bitter, and Charlie stood up to seem even taller compared to Kagome's seated form. She could do nothing to widen the distance between them, and trembled when he reached out to stroke her soft cheek with his calloused hand. "We'll fix ya, don't worry." Kagome jerked her head away and glared up at him to seem braver than she was.
"Why are you doing this?" It was a reasonable question; one that made Charlie shrug his shoulders dismissively.
"You were in the way. Plain and simple." It wasn't even close to an adequate answer, which infuriated Kagome.
"I have no idea what you're talking about! Please, if you ever cared about me you'll let me go home." She tried to appeal to any shred of fatherly love that might still linger inside him, but it was to no avail. Charlie just took another drag of his cigar and shook his head.
"This building is your home now. You'll never get past the doors alive." The cryptic words confused Kagome just as much as they terrified her. What did he mean by that? It was then that the door opened once more, drawing Kagome's attention and causing her breath to hitch in her throat.
"Mr. Itou! Oh, thank God! Please, help me!" She recognized him as Kikyou's older brother and an occasional acquaintance of her father's. For a moment, a flicker of hope caused Kagome to smile. However, when she saw his eyes rake over her with a darker look than normal, Kagome realized that he was not there to save her.
"Good job boys. Feel free to have your fun with whichever girl you'd like." Dismissing the two henchmen who stood silent in the background, Kagome watched as they exited the room. It left her alone with Naraku and her father, a man she'd come to know as Charlie. "Hello, Kagome." His tone might have been warm and friendly, but there was no sign of that in his amorous gaze. Kagome straightened her back and stared heatedly back at Naraku.
"What do you want with me?" She spat out, amusing the two men with the show of defiance.
Naraku pushed Charlie out of the way and stood before Kagome, his face a cold mask of indifference. Suddenly, his hand shot out and took hold of her bottom jaw in a crushing vice, his blunt fingers digging into the tender skin and forcing her to look up. Kagome cried out, quickly complying in hopes that he'd release her.
"I have nothing against you personally. But Kikyou does." Naraku finally freeed Kagome's chin and smirked as she held back tears. There was no point in explaining his plan any further, and there was a sick thrill in keeping Kagome in the dark. "The reasons don't really matter. Not for you, anyway. All you need to know is that you have two options; acceptance or refusal. This building is my private night club, which your father manages, and is where you'll spend the rest of your life until your body wears out. You can accept this and make the transition easier, or refuse it and make it quite difficult for yourself." Kagome watched sadly as Naraku circled around her, like a predator that was about to close in on its prey.
"My Dad will go to the police and they'll find me. He won't stop until they find me!" She argued loudly, but a harsh jab to the back of her head cause Kagome to gasp in pain.
"No, they won't. Because I have a considerable amount of dirt on the chief of police, including his lead detectives too. They won't come within a mile of this building. Don't interrupt." Kagome lifted her face to see Naraku peering down at her again. She was suddenly aware of how near his lower half was to her face, and pulled away.
"You're no longer Kagome Higurashi. Starting now, your name is May and you have no family, no friends, and no past. From now on, you live to serve. You're going to pour drinks and strip for the patrons of this club. And you'll be my willing sex toy until I get bored of you." These were statements, spoken as if she had no say in the matter. Kagome just narrowed her eyes in disgust while Charlie sniggered in the corner.
"I'll scream and tell people what you're doing. I'd die before I do any of that." Her defiance was met with another painful strike, only this time it was to the side of her face, causing a deafening ring to flood her ear. Kagome's head was turned to the side while Naraku continued speaking as if nothing happened.
"I said you have two options; acceptance or refusal. If you keep going this rout, May, I'll have to resort to other methods to make you obey. And you really don't want that. So, take my warning to heart, and just do as I say." Naraku was standing behind Kagome now. She did not turn to look at him, but shuddered fearfully when his hand came out to gently touch the exposed skin of her neck. The contact was like fire, and she jerked away violently.
"Fuck you!" Taking a tip from Inuyasha's obscene playbook, Kagome shot him a seething look over her shoulder. She would not so easily give up her identity and free-will; not without a fight. It was the final nail in the figurative coffin though. Kagome could hear Naraku pulling something out of his pocket, then blinked as a small plastic bag hovered a few inches in front of her face. In it was a small, green pill. She wasn't familiar with drugs, so Kagome didn't know what to make of the deceiving tablet. "What's that?"
"Very soon, May, you'll be willing to do anything for this. It's a drug of my own design. A compound of various substances found in other parts of the world." He pulled the bag away from her face and came around to lean against the desk again. "Its base is scopolamine, also known as devil's breath. Have you ever heard of it?" Kagome shook her head. "It's Colombian. The Datura pod, a plant, produces seeds that contain very specific chemicals. Scopolamine, in the most basic terms, is the zombie drug. When I shove this down your throat, you'll follow every single command without resistance. If I told you to get on the roof and jump off, you'd do so without a second thought." Taking a brief pause to enjoy the fear in her eyes, Naraku grinned and leaned back smugly.
"I've combined the intoxicating qualities of scopolamine with the addictive properties of heroine. One taste, and you'll be hooked. You'll be aware of what's happening, but powerless to resist doing whatever is commanded if you. And when the drug wears off, you'll remember every moment in vivid detail. Even if you try to fight it, you'll beg for more because it just makes you feel that good. Do you understand me, May?" Naraku leaned in closely to Kagome's terrified face and gave her the most ominous look she'd ever seen. "You'll be my willing slave for the rest of your life; however long it is. Open up." Naraku leaned back to deposit the small pill into the palm of his hand, then gently held it between his thumb and fore-finger. She shook her head and leaned as far away as possible, clamping her mouth shut defiantly. Naraku rolled his eyes and gestured to Charlie.
"Stupid girl." Her father came up behind Kagome and took hold of the tangled bun atop her head, jerking down so hard that the back of her skull collided with the metal chair painfully. The immense shock caught her off guard, causing Kagome to cry out. She felt something fall into her mouth and roll to the back of her throat.
"NO!" Kagome screamed, coughing violently to prevent the drug from entering her system. Charlie clamped his hand over Kagome's mouth and nose, holding tightly until he felt her swallow in desperation for air. All the while, Naraku watched with sick satisfaction. In twenty minutes, give or take, Kagome Higurashi would no longer exist.
"Girl, hold your head up." An older woman's voice broke through Kagome's euphoric haze, and she instantly complied. Still tied to the chair, Kagome was now at the mercy of a woman sent to alter her appearance. Miss Jane was a cohort of Naraku's, the one who wrangled the girls and put them to work during the day. Part of her job was to get each new arrival ready. The sting of hydrogen peroxide burned painfully at Kagome's scalp, but her face remained void of emotion as she sat limply in the metal chair. Her beautiful, black hair was being bleached into an unnaturally blonde color, damaging the virgin locks beyond repair. While that was processing, Kagome remained motionless while Miss Jane unzipped her jacket and cut the right strap of her delicate black leotard with a pair of scissors. Exposing the bare skin of her right shoulder and chest, the fabric barely held-on to keep her modesty intact.
A heavily tattooed man came into the room not long after that, walking in as Miss Jane washed the peroxide out of Kagome's hair. His hands carried a box containing a tattoo gun in. At the front of her shoulder, just under her collarbone, he traced a basic circle roughly two inches in diameter. Then, a diagonal line dissected it into two semicircles. It was the mark labeling the girls as property, alerting all staff that they were not permitted to leave the building. This would make it impossible to avoid detection. Kagome had no reaction as the needle painfully stabbed her delicate skin. Her eyes simply glazed over and mouth hung slack as she allowed them to do whatever they desired to her body. Sadly, it didn't end there.
A corrupt nurse practitioner was in league with Naraku as well, and arrived a little after midnight with a kit full of medical supplies. It was at this point that Kagome's binds were cut and she was directed to lay across the empty desk in front of her. Her jacket was removed, reducing her to just a torn leotard and her tights. One of Naraku's men held Kagome's arms above her head, pinning them despite it being unnecessary. Kagome merely blinked her dead eyes as the nurse organized her supplies before dabbing dark iodine on the inside of her upper-left arm. The brown liquid stained Kagome's olive skin. She didn't react when the nurse brought out a scalpel, or when she cut a shallow, two-inch incision into Kagome's arm. Something that resembled a plastic toothpick was inserted into the cut, then steri-strips served as makeshift stitches to close the wound. The implant would act as birth control during Kagome's incarceration; because hysterectomies were expensive and had too long a recovery time to be fiscally prudent. Once Kagome's arm was bandaged, the nurse and gruff tattoo artist took their leave.
"Strip." Miss Jane commanded, watching with a distant look in her eye as Kagome toed her boots off and peeled the tight leotard from her body, following with the tights. Looking nothing like her former self, she stood unsteadily in the middle of the office, swaying with disorientation. The drug had done what Naraku described. There was no pain whatsoever, despite the very painful procedures just done to her. There was a golden haze staining her vision and a tingling sensation under her skin. Everything was beautiful and felt amazing in that moment. Kagome's body was on display, but the poor girl was unable to cover herself or even react to the shame she felt in the recesses of her mind. She didn't notice when Naraku came back into room either. He thanked the old woman and dismissed her, leaving Kagome all to himself.
"Oh, May." He called out, conditioning her to respond to the name. Kagome turned to face him, arms limp at her side and face void of emotions. A surge of desire raced through Naraku's body as he gazed upon her, relishing in the joy of finally seeing her naked form. It certainly exceeded his imagination, that was for certain. "You look pretty with blonde hair. Say, 'thank you'." He instructed calmly, still refraining from touching her just yet.
"Thank you." Her voice was monotonous, so unlike her naturally expressive tone, and it pleased Naraku. The older man grinned evilly and reached out to feel a section of her damp, blonde hair.
"Do you want to go bed with me, May? Say, 'yes'." He insisted, grinning even more when she automatically agreed.
"Yes." Though outwardly she had no emotion, Kagome's mind railed and screamed for her to snap out of it. She wanted to claw his eyes out, kick him in the groin, and fight to the death to escape. Instead, she continued to follow Naraku's orders.
"There's a bedroom behind you, through that left door. Crawl over on your hands and knees." Naraku was practically giddy as he watched Kagome lower herself to the cold, concrete floor. She looked back over her shoulder to see a door at the other end of the office, and numbly crawled towards it. The cold floor sent chills up her arms. Had she been more mentally present, Kagome would be feeling the shame and humiliation that came with such submissive behavior. Naraku followed Kagome's slow progression towards the door, thoroughly enjoying the view; as well as the rush of having so much control over her. "Open the door, May." He said softly, watching as she reached up to twist the handle and push the door open.
It was a bedroom in the sense that a bed sat in the middle of the room. It had a red fitted sheet covering the mattress, but there were no blankets or pillows to provide further comfort. A light switch on the wall turned on a dim bulb in the corner. Kagome crawled on top of the mattress, sitting at the edge with her legs tucked under her. Naraku grinned at the tempting sight and began tugging at his necktie eagerly.
"May. Tell me you want me." Naraku quickly shed his expensive suit jacket and pulled at the white shirt tucked into the waistband of his pants.
"I want you." She responded dutifully, eyes watching him without emotion. He took a few steps towards her and let his shirt fall to the floor without a care. His abundance of dark brown hair hung in wild sections around his shoulder as he stared down at her hungrily.
**BEGIN LEMON HERE. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK**
"May. On your back." He said darkly while undoing the buckle of his belt. Kagome's body went limp as she fell backwards on the mattress, her blonde hair wetting the sheet and clinging to her skin. Sprawled out, she did nothing except stare blankly at Naraku. He was kicking off his discarded pants and boxers, exposing his exquisite nude form in all it's disgusting glory. "Don't move, May." He commanded before crawling on top of her vulnerable, unresponsive body. With an unnaturally gentle touch, he spread Kagome's legs apart to expose her feminine sex. He was pleased to see her so well-groomed and drank in the sight of Kagome's nubile young body. There was nothing more enticing.
Past her beautiful, dead eyes, Kagome screamed for freedom from the torture of being an uninvolved witness to her own rape. She wanted to close her eyes and wake up from this nightmare, but there was no escaping it. Naraku was already hard, his cock twitching in sick anticipation as beads of pre-cum rolled across the smooth tip. Reaching between their bodies, Naraku roughly inserted two fingers into Kagome's body, frowning when he realized how dry she was. It'd take time to train her to respond in a more desirable way; but for now he would improvise. He pulled the hand back up and spit onto the tips of his fingers, then returned them to her entrance.
"The only things you're allowed to say are 'Yes', 'Naraku', and 'Harder'." He spoke softly while wetting her tight entrance before settling between her. His erection rubbed against her inner-thigh, causing Naraku to roll his hips forward and moan at the sweet sensation. "Say it." He demanded.
"Yes Naraku, harder." Her dull voice responded. Naraku shut his eyes and grinned as he took hold of his demanding arousal. It was considerably larger than what she was used to, and it'd been over a month since she and Inuyasha made love. So, when he suddenly and forcefully forced himself into her, it was tighter than Naraku initially thought it would be. His voice came out choked as he moaned loudly, relishing in the tantalizing feeling of her squeezing around him. However, this pleasure was one-sided.
For the helpless girl below him, it was like being split in half with a red-hot iron bar. Even if her face barely registered the excruciating pain, she could not fight her body's natural response to it as tears welled up in her blue eyes. Rolling down the side of her face, as the pain flooded her unprepared body, Kagome stared into the space over Naraku's shoulder blankly. Her muscles tore and ripped apart to accommodate the intruding member, and blood began to fill the cavity. Naraku stayed still for a moment as he hovered over Kagome, watching her face for any kind of reaction. Her tears fanned his desire.
"Say it!" he commanded, giving a rough thrust of his hips. Kagome's body rocked against his and she eventually managed to respond.
"Ye-yes Naraku…Harder." Laughing sickeningly, Naraku leaned his head down to capture Kagome's plump lips in a bruising kiss. When he pulled back, he trapped her bottom lip between his teeth and tore a small cut into the tender flesh. It quickly began to darken with blood, which he could taste in his mouth.
"If you insist." While remaining planted inside of her, Naraku sat back on his knees and pulled her hips against his, forcing her legs to wrap around his waist. Kagome was like a lifeless doll, and her inability to resist him was intoxicating. With a tight grip around her small waist, he looked down between them to see red staining their skin. Naraku grinned evilly and slowly pulled his length from Kagome's warm cave, stopping before the head could slide out. She was, indeed, bleeding. Moaning in exquisite pleasure, Naraku rocked his hips forward and sank into her all the way to the hilt. "Say it." He whispered before repeating the motion at faster pace.
"Yes Naraku, harder." Kagome's voice trembled now and her brow knitted together in a faint sign of discomfort. Her hands were resting limply above her shoulders, but he could see them tense into weak fists each time he slammed back into her. Blood mixed with saliva and served as lubricant, alleviating a miniscule portion of the intense pain coursing through Kagome's body. Her breasts bounced with each thrust, and the bed began to creak as Naraku moved hard and faster against her. He released a short grunt with each short jerk of his hips, and they only became louder and angrier.
"You. Are. So. Fucking. Tight!" He groaned in ecstasy, punctuating each with a quick thrust into her tight crevice. Naraku licked his lips and brought one hand forward to hold the side of Kagome's face. His thumb traced over her swollen bottom lip, then pushed past it to feel the warmth inside her mouth. "Suck on it." He demanded. Kagome closed her lips around the appendage and gently sucked. It wasn't sufficient though and he sneered angrily. "NO!" The words were partnered with a forceful strike to her cheek, causing Kagome's head to turn sharply. "Harder than that." He refined the command, but this time shoved three two long digits into her mouth. Kagome coughed and gagged, somehow managing to do as told. Naraku's thrusting had become wild now, signaling his approaching orgasm. Their skin slapped loudly, growing sticky as her blood began to dry on her thighs and his abdomen.
**END OF LEMON HERE. GENERALLY SAFE TO READ NOW**
Naraku's eyes shut tightly as he hooked his fingers inside Kagome's mouth, digging them painfully into the tender gums behind her teeth, and forced Kagome's head to lift off of the mattress. With a few more powerful thrusts, he suddenly jerked away and pulled out as his semen spurted out onto her chest and stomach. The viscous liquid rolled slowly along the contours of her body, pooling in the hollow of her stomach. Naraku panted as he wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning lazily at her.
"You did well, May. Say, 'thank you, sir'." Naraku backed off the mattress and stood up, though never taking his gaze from Kagome's abused form.
"Thank you, sir." Her voice was hardly above a whisper, and she blinked away the tears that stung her eyes. Inside, where the real Kagome resided, she mourned the loss of her innocence. Not in the physical sense, but emotionally and mentally.
"Don't move." Back to his normal disinterested self, Naraku left the small bedroom and went into the bathroom on the other side of the wall. He cleaned himself with a wet towel, then came back out to gather his clothes. Kagome listened to the sounds of him re-dressing, the clink of his buckle and shuffling of a jacket. Eventually, Naraku came back into the bedroom and he snapped his fingers twice. "Up. Go shower. Miss Jane will take care you now. Listen to her." Naraku stepped back into the office as he checked the time on his phone. It was around one in the morning; Kikyou was at the apartment, no doubt, eager to hear all the gory details of Kagome's night.
Kagome's body fought every move she made to leave the bed. There was no strength left in her after such a violent ordeal, and it was by some miracle that she managed to stand on her own two feet. The pain was somewhat numbed due to the effects of the drug, but she could still feel discomfort deep inside. As Kagome stumbled into the office, no longer resembling herself at all, she stopped when Naraku put a hand on her shoulder.
"Look here." He told her plainly, holding up his phone. Kagome lifted her gaze and watched his thumb press once against the screen. The sound of a camera's shutter told her that he'd taken a picture, but she was not able to care about that. Before Kagome turned towards the open bathroom door, Naraku took the opportunity to kiss her bloody, swollen lips in a possessive nature. The hand that had touched her shoulder came up to caress her graceful neck before taking a firm grip of her hair. Kagome tilted her head back in response, and he chuckled softly into the kiss. Abruptly breaking the contact, Naraku released Kagome and gave a gentle shove towards the bathroom.
"I'll be back in a few days. You be good and listen to Miss Jane. I don't want to hear that you've been acting out." Kagome just nodded her head and disappeared into the bathroom. A thin ribbon of fresh blood rolled down her inner-thigh, stopping just before the swell of her knee. As she went to close the door, Naraku's voice made her halt the action. "You are not allowed to shut any doors." Again, she nodded her head, eyes fixated on the empty space in front of her as surroundings became blurred and unfocused. Kagome didn't notice her reflection in the mirror as she passed it, and she did not feel the ice-cold water against her skin when she turned the shower faucet. Outside, she could vaguely hear Naraku opening the office door and his voice getting someone's attention.
He and Miss Jane had a brief conversation, one Kagome could not understand over the shower. She stood unsteadily under the constant stream of water, uncaring as it rolled over her face and stung her eyes. The bandage on her arm became soaked, and would need immediate redressing. In between her legs, blood stains began to fade as the water carried it into the drain. Blue eyes began to drift shut, but a sharp, feminine voice startled Kagome. She numbly turned her face towards the open bathroom door, where Miss Jane stood with her arms crossed.
The sound of someone's loud snore pulled Kagome from the sleep she didn't know had claimed her. She was groggy and slow to awaken, and listened to the noises coming from various others around her. Kagome was on her back, laying across something soft and uncomfortable. The twitch of a finger was her first movement, then the tensing of both arms. Kagome felt a sharp pain in her left arm, as well as a stinging in both wrists. She lifted her right hand to feel what was causing the pain in her upper-left arm. Fingers grazed the rough surface of medical bandages. The contact caused her to remember being held down on a desk, and something being inserted into her arm. Kagome's eyes had remained shut so far, and she still refused to open them as tears well up behind her eyelids.
"Oh, God…" She whimpered, feeling the split in her bottom lip reopen as her face contorted into a heartbroken expression. It was all coming back now. As she remembered the burning bleach against her scalp, Kagome brought her hands up to feel unfamiliar course hair pooling around her shoulders. She took a shuddering breath and brought timid fingers towards the front of her right shoulder, where another bandage hid the healing tattoo underneath. Kagome felt hot tears streak down the sides of her face and used the back of her hand up to wipe them away. It was then she felt the tender pain of a bruise forming where Naraku had struck her.
"No!" Her voice became louder, though still only a whisper, and it caused her stomach muscles to tense. Then, a pain so immense that she was left gasping for air ripped through Kagome's body. It radiated from a place inside, then spread further through the abused muscles and tissue surrounding it. Every second of the rape began replaying in her mind, and she felt the residual pain from the injuries sustained. Kagome's eyes shot open, only to reveal that she was in a pitch-black room. Her stomach lurched as a wave of nausea overcame her, but she refused to vomit without being able to see. Breathing desperately through her nose, Kagome laid rigid on the metal cot, her hands grasping the smooth edge with a fierce grip until the urge to throw up passed.
"Someone, please help me." She choked out, too afraid to get up and in too much pain to even attempt it. No one responded to her. Were they all asleep? Mustering all her strength, Kagome took a shuddering breath and extended her right arm, hand reaching to touch someone or something. Her fingers felt something soft, and she soon recognized it as someone's foot.
"Please!" She grasped the appendage with a tight hold, quickly waking them up. "Help me! Help me!" Logic was not at the forefront of Kagome's mind; desperation was. Logic would have told her that the others in this room were in the same situation as she, and would have no method of helping her if they couldn't even help themselves. Still, that did not stop her from begging the stranger for their assistance. The foot she was gripping gave a lazy kick, shaking her hand off, and was followed by a soft, annoyed voice. But she spoke in a language Kagome didn't recognize. Followed by a flood of feminine voices shushing them, Kagome realized that she was the only one in the room who was frightened and in tears. The women around her settled down and fell back asleep, unsympathetic of the newest addition to the group.
"Mommy…Daddy…I'm so scared." Kagome sobbed quietly to herself, her voice tight and throat painful. Her arms slowly moved to encircle herself, in both an attempt to conserve heat and find some form of comfort. "I wanna go home. Please find me. I'm so scared." Praying to anyone who might listen and take pity, Kagome fell asleep with tears fresh on her cheeks and a pain in her body that she never imagined could exist.
"Oh…my God. Is that really her?" An astonished Kikyou stared wide-eyed at her older brother's phone. An imagine of a girl stared back, only she was clearly destroyed and left a shell of who she used to be. Kagome's altered appearance almost made Kikyou think it was someone else entirely, but those blue eyes were unmistakable. A chilling smile curled at the corners of her mouth. "Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out." She requested softly, eyes never leaving Kagome's terrible picture. Naraku sighed heavily, too tired to recount the entire night with the excruciating detail his sister wanted to hear, but grudgingly agreed. The siblings were seated together on the couch, safe to openly discuss such things in his apartment.
"Kagome was in the trunk of a car and had her hands behind her back, a rag in her mouth, and a bag over her head when she got to the club. They took her up to Charlie's office and tied her to a chair. After a bit of back-talk, I gave her a pill and pretty soon she was out of it." Naraku paused to take a sip from his whiskey drink. "Miss Jane did that bleach job, and then I had a new acquaintance come and tattoo her shoulder. My nurse put the implant in her arm after that. Miss Jane took her clothes to be burned and I took Kagome to the bedroom. There was no fight in her, at all." There was pride in Naraku's voice as he thought back on exactly how pliant Kagome had been. Kikyou was the edge of her seat, figuratively, absorbing each word with sick joy.
"What else?" She pressed, knowing he wasn't finished yet. Naraku chuckled at his sister's depravity and finished his drink in one final swig.
"She was so tight that I made her bleed. I'm pretty sure she'll need a few days to get over that; which is fine. I'll be preoccupied with work and dealing with her family. Anyway, after I was done I took that picture and made her shower. Miss Jane took care of her from there. Happy now?" Naraku groaned as he stood up from the couch, stretching his lethargic body before heading towards his room. Kikyou was basking in satisfaction, not bothering to answer him, and remained in the living room for some time.
Kagome was finally out of the picture. Sure, Inuyasha would need some time to get over it and move on; but he would be moving right into her arms. They'd get married, the companies would merge, and she'd never have to work or worry another day of her life. Whoever came up with the notion that selfish people always got what was coming to them could choke on their words and die; Kikyou refused to believe things would turn bad for her down the line.