A/N: Oh my gosh! The response to the last chapter was so amazing and I am very very thankful that you guys think so highly of this story! There's still a lot that's got to happen, so you can expect around ten more chapters til the end! And then an epilogue haahahah
THIS CHAPTER! The song motivating this chapter is 'You Don't Own Me' by Grace, featuring my main man G-Eazy. I fucks with him so hard. So. Hard. There is a version without him in it, but he adds a nice masculine touch to it though!
Also: I still haven't been able to get my ADHD medication so I'm hardly able to sit down and write a lengthy chapter. It sucks so hard! I really hope this pathetically short chapter will be enough to tide ya'll over to the next one . I'm so sorry!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter Forty-five: You Don't Own Me
"Everyone know their position?" A woman's serious voice spoke to the group of heavily armored men in the back of a black truck. From head-to-toe the team of specialized shooters were decked out in black bullet-proof uniforms. There were two trucks, each holding a group of six, and everyone had the same objective; apprehend those in charge and rescue those trapped inside. The surveillance pictures and videos taken by Kouga and his accomplices had been more than enough to warrant the FBI's S.W.A.T. team coming down in full force. They had military-grade weapons and tactical advantage over the unaware villains inside.
Earlier that day, as they rendezvoused at Inu-Taisho's home, Izayoi had finally been brought into the plan and made aware of Kagome's situation. As she recovered from the truth's debilitating effects, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru fitted themselves into matching vests. They may not have the privilege of carrying a gun, but nothing would keep them from being the ones to take Kagome away from that place. As long as they promised to keep out of the way when things got hazardous, the brothers were permitted to be on the scene.
No one had slept since last night; there was too much to do in order to execute their plan effectively. The drive home from the club had been incredibly heavy and emotionally charged, especially when Sesshoumaru challenged Inuyasha on the nature of his relationship with Kagome. After watching the simulcast video of Inuyasha's hour spent with the girl, Kouga had been curious as well. What they saw went beyond the lines of a brother/sister relationship, or even that of friendship.
Unable to deny it anymore, Inuyasha divulged the history that he and Kagome shared; as well as the depths of his love and remorse he felt now. Though it came as a surprise to everyone, no one reacted with the disgust or anger that Inuyasha expected. He told them of his plans to leave Kikyou, of how he would work to help Kagome recover, and that he intended on marrying her one day. It was all very shocking and out-of-left-field for his brother and friends; but his interaction with Kagome inside the club was enough to convince them that he was serious.
The plan was for the larger team of six agents to storm the side entrance, while the smaller team of four covered the back exit to trap anyone that might attempt to flee. Kouga was the lead officer of the smaller team, which comprised of three other S.W.A.T. members. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru sat in the back of the van with them, their somber expressions matching everyone elses. If the raid went as expected, all guilty parties would be walked out of the building in handcuffs, and their numerous victims would be taken to the nearest hospital to be treated. Blood didn't have to be spilled; though much of would be.
"Inuyasha…who are you texting." Kouga asked when he saw the other typing away on his phone. Inuyasha didn't look up from the device.
"I'm telling Kikyou that we've found Kagome and are gonna bring her home. Don't worry, I'm not telling her where we are or anything. I just have to be honest with her before everything changes…she deserves to know." After sending the text, Inuyasha tucked the phone back into his back pocket, his movement stiff due to the constricting vest. He looked at the faces of his brother and friend, and saw acceptance and support reflecting in their eyes. It all was going to change; it already had.
"We're five minutes away. Get ready boys." The driver said through the small window between the front seats and back of the truck. The officers all shifted their weapons, renewed with determination and emboldened with the strength of number and ammunition. This day would be a victory for justice and righteousness.
"So, you think it's time?" Naraku asked a very irate old woman, who was cradling her bleeding hand carefully.
"Yes! That girl is barely able to stand, let alone serve or work. I have no idea where she got the strength to bite me. Last night she barely got through service and made the others pick up her slack. She's no good anymore." Miss Jane was seething with indignation. The morning had started normally enough, but became derailed when Kagome sunk her teeth into the woman's finger when she tried shoving the drug down her throat. Kagome was wild and unhinged, as if her mind had broken along with her body, and would have caused Miss Jane further harm if there'd been the chance to. Miss Jane had locked Kagome alone in the holding room, and despite her bleeding hand, maintained her composure enough to send the girls off to their chores.
Naraku and Charlie had been called to deal with the issue, as it took a joint decision to put an end to any one of the girls' life. Both men stood in the office, watching as the third leg of the operation left to oversee the completion of chores downstairs. Miss Jane had no attachment to any of them, let alone one that dared to bite her, and callously demanded that Kagome be taken care of that day. And like that, Kagome's fate was sealed. Charlie looked over at his partner with a bored expression, completely unfazed by the notion of ending his own daughter's life.
"You wanna do it? Or should I?" He asked gruffly, feeling more bothered by the fact that his sleep had been interrupted. Naraku shrugged nonchalantly and went behind the desk to open one of its drawers. A gun rested at the bottom, complete with a silencer attached at the muzzle; her death would be noticed by no one.
"Fine by me. I suppose I have a few final words for her." As he looked over the deadly piece, Naraku brushed past Charlie and made his way up the flight of stairs to the third floor. For two years she had managed to stay alive, an impressive feat; but one that would be forgotten in time. As he opened the door, shedding light into the pitch-black holding room, Naraku came face to face with a deceptively calm Kagome. She had been standing near the door when Miss Jane shut it and locked her inside. The dark didn't scare Kagome, neither did being alone; not even death gave her cause to fear. This was her time to go, and she'd go in a blaze of glory; not drugged and out of her mind.
"Ah, May," Naraku's slick voice made the furious girl release a sharp breath through her nose. Kagome's jaw fixed itself defiantly and her bright eyes narrowed menacingly. "This is the most spunk I've seen from you in years. It's almost attractive." Naraku laughed to himself as he pulled the gun from behind his back, which drew Kagome's attention briefly. Still, she didn't react. "I think you know what's going on." He almost sounded apologetic.
"You're going to kill me." She stated bluntly. Her acceptance of the situation unsettled Naraku; he usually preferred the girls to beg for their life or promise better behavior. Kagome seemed eager for a bullet in the mouth, almost taunting him with her sudden burst of defiance. "I'm not going to cry." Naraku entered the dark room, his figure suddenly silhouetted by the lights from behind him. Still, Kagome remained unflinching and unyielding in her resolution.
"I think you will. I know that there's something that you still value more than your own life." Suddenly he was upon her, taking her entire lower-jaw in his vice-like grip. The pain was instant and all-consuming, but she chose to fight instead of scream. Kagome's strength was weaning, but she was still able to bring her hands up and swipe at his face. It was a nuisance that Naraku responded to by squeezing his grip around her delicate neck. Air and blood were constricted, cut off immediately, and left her seeing black and white spots.
"I will do the same to that boy that you love so much if you don't stop this brave act. Can you imagine it? His life being squeezed out this slow and painfully? And it's all because of you…Is that what you want?" Naraku didn't allow Kagome the chance to respond. Her mouth hung open as she desperately tried to take in air, but all that occurred were short, gasping squeaks that gave him immense pleasure. Just as her hands fell limply at her side, Naraku loosened his hold and pulled Kagome's face towards his. Their lips met in a forceful kiss, but Kagome couldn't do much besides take in deep breathes through her nose. He overpowered her in every way, manipulated her to do his bidding even without the use of drugs.
"Ah! Fuck!" Naraku suddenly jerked away from Kagome, throwing her away from him as he held his bloody mouth carefully. The red liquid covered his chin and had begun dripping down the front of his shirt, and between his fingers. She had bitten down on his lip so hard that a portion of it was nearly cleaved from his face! Naraku turned his furious eyes towards Kagome, who was spitting blood onto the floor and wiping her stained mouth with the back of her hand. She returned the look ten-fold, which pushed the man past his boiling point.
Naraku took Kagome by the back of her hair and began forcing her out of the room, then down the flight of stairs. He would take her away from this place, then put the girl out of her, and his, misery. Kagome's neck was stiff as she stumbled behind him, trying not to fall down the flight of stairs to her certain death. The girls on the first floor were still busy with chores, but some did pause to watch their companion being dragged out of their lives. As the two of them were moving across the dance floor towards the bar, Naraku's phone began ringing inside his pocket. Both of his hands were fully occupied with holding a gun and the mass of Kagome's hair. But if he had answered the call, Naraku would have been alerted by Kikyou that a team of FBI agents were swooping down at that very moment.
"Say goodbye, Kagome." He demanded coldly, forcing her to look back at the remaining captive girls. She looked upon their vacant faces, but only saw the same future they would each come to realize. There was no point in saying goodbye to them. Suddenly, an echoing thud coming from the side entrance and captured everyone's attention. It was as if some massive force had crashed against the metal door, and no one knew what to make of it. Naraku's bloody face was drawn into a concerned expression, his hand gripping the gun tighter as a nervous reaction. Suddenly, the same noise filled the room and they saw the door rattle against its hinges. On the other side, S.W.A.T. agents were using a battering ram to force their way inside.
From the kitchen, Shippou appeared curious and fearful. He'd heard the commotion and came to investigate, but knew exactly what was going on. Their rescue had finally come. He looked over at Kagome, who was still in Naraku's clutches, and hoped that the evil man wouldn't do something reckless. Upon the third strike, the heavy door fell from its hinges and locks before clattering loudly to the floor. Girls began screaming as strangers dressed in terrifying black uniforms flooded the club, weapons aimed at any moving target.
"Hands up! Everyone on the ground! Now!" The lead agent hollered, her gun pointed directly at Miss Jane, who was paralyzed with fear. The girls all seemed to understand and fell to their knees, faces contorted as they wept and prayed for survival. They didn't understand yet that this was a Godsend that signaled the end of their captivity.
"You there! Don't move!" Another agent turned his gun towards Naraku, who held Kagome in front of his body as a shield; his own gun pressed roughly against her temple. There was terror in Kagome's eyes as she complied with his every move, walking backwards towards the kitchen and back exit.
"Shoot me if you have to! Just don't let him get out!" Kagome screamed desperately, fully prepared to die in that moment. There was a sudden tug at the back of her head, forcing her neck to crane painfully as he muttered hateful things in her ear.
"If anyone comes after me, I will empty this gun in her head!" Naraku threatened manically, his mind beginning to break with the realization of what was happening. As he pushed back into the kitchen, an angry voice from the side caught his attention.
"Let go of her!" Shippou launched himself at Naraku, fists reeled back and prepared to attack. Kagome didn't have time to stop him, because in one easy motion, Naraku had the gun pointed at the boy and the trigger pulled. The echo inside the room left a painful ringing in Kagome's ear, but her entire body was numb as she watched her dear friend fall backwards from the force of the gunshot. Shippou lay crumpled on tiled floor, body still and unresponsive to the pain he had to be feeling. Tears stung Kagome's eyes as she stared in horror before Naraku began pulling her back. Shippou was dead, and all she wanted to do was hold him.
"SHIPPOU!" Kagome's broken and hoarse voice filled the room as she fought to get away from Naraku, but she couldn't get out of his grip. The two of them tore into the back alley, and Kagome was blinded by the first rays of sunlight that she'd seen in two years. The fresh air smelled amazing, as did the breeze that rushed across her skin. The barefoot girl didn't feel the sting of gravel under her feet due to the numbness that penetrated her extremities. The gun was returned to the side of Kagome's head, metal rattling due to the tremble in Naraku's hand. Her eyes were still clamped shut, tears streaming down her face, when a familiar voice permeated the alley.
"You're surrounded, Naraku. Don't make things worse for yourself. Let her go." Kouga stood with three other S.W.A.T. members, faces like steel as they all aimed their weapons at the crazed man. From around the corner, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru observed it all, both completely shocked that Naraku had a part in the nefarious scheme. The brothers watched anxiously as Kagome was forced to serve as Naraku's shield, a gun held to her head, and looking completely battered. Her body was speckled with bruises and cuts, and her desperate cries tore at their hearts.
"This bitch dies today! She'll go out with me before I let you take me down!" There was a deranged fear in Naraku's eyes, and he pulled back the hammer of his gun to further prove his readiness to kill her. Kouga cursed under his breath, trying to remain as professional and unemotional as possible; but no one could ignore Kagome's heart wrenching cries.
"Just shoot him! I don't care if I die! Just fucking kill him now!" Kagome's voice broke from the force of her screaming, and she once again tried to rip herself out of his grip. Of course, Naraku only yanked her back into his body and laughed darkly.
"Yes, just kill us both. I'd love to go out feeling her body against mine." Naraku fixed his gaze on Kouga's face as he dipped his mouth down to kiss her bruised neck before giving it a painful bite. This was too much for Inuyasha to handle. Against all better judgement and direct orders, he tore around the building and started barreling towards Naraku.
"I'll fucking kill you!" He shouted, getting the older man's attention. Automatically, Naraku turned the gun towards Inuyasha's direction. With shots that were only a split second apart, both Naraku and Kouga pulled the triggers of their weapons. Kouga's hit its mark, which was Naraku's arm that extended the gun towards his friend. The bullet went through, imbedding itself in the brick wall behind Naraku. Caught up in his sudden pain, Naraku let out a howling cry of pain as he recoiled his arm, dropping the gun in his hand. Kagome took the opportunity to get away and rushed towards the body lying on the asphalt ground.
"Inuyasha!" Sesshoumaru met her at his brother's side, each of them instantly aware of the blood seeping from his left shoulder. The bullet had barely missed the vest, though it was unlikely that he would die from the wound. Thankfully, Inuyasha was alert and awake, breathing through the searing pain and reaching for Kagome. Behind them, agents were upon Naraku and securing his hands behind his back. Ambulances were on the way, their sirens growing louder in the distance. But none of it mattered for Kagome. Her blue eyes wept as she hunched over Inuyasha's injured form. Sesshoumaru was holding pressure to his bleeding shoulder, trying to contain as much blood as possible.
"You're so stupid! Why did you do that?" Kagome asked pitifully as she cradled Inuyasha's face in her trembling, bloody hands. She leaned down to press their foreheads together, her tears falling against his skin. "I was so worried that I'd never see you again." She whispered softly. Inuyasha chuckled despite the pain in his shoulder and turned his face to kiss the inside of her palm. His eyes never left Kagome's blue gaze, glad to finally see recognition in them.
"I was there last night, Kagome. You just couldn't recognize me." He watched as she thought back on the previous night, and smiled at the surprise registering on her face.
"You were there…that was you?" Clearly astonished, Kagome smiled as her body was wracked with another sob. "You found me." Inuyasha smiled back and opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced when her face suddenly looked pained and exhausted. None of them knew that adrenaline had been pushing her this entire time, and it had finally run its course inside her body. Now she was left having to rely on stores of energy that didn't exist, causing her to black out in that moment. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha watched in confused terror as her body slumped to the hard ground, as if someone had cut the one string holding her up this entire time.
"Kagome! KAGOME! Someone get over here!" Sesshoumaru yelled angrily as the ambulances arrived.