A/N: OH MY FUCKING GOD FINALLY! I was dying to get to that part lol I hope it lived up to you guys expectations! This is the last chapter! I gotta say that it's been a wild ride! I'll be posting an epilogue as well…but don't be upset if someone's dead and it's not the 'happily ever after' ya'll are expecting. I hope to see some of you guys reviewing and enjoying my next stories too!
ALSO! The songs for this chapter come from Michael Buble's cover of 'God Only Knows' as well as 'Halo' by Beyonce. Both are beautiful, though I think the first one is a bit more fitting.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter fifty: God Only Knows
Five years seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, though it's often said that time flies when you're having fun. With all the drama and pain put behind them, Inuyasha and Kagome embarked on the next chapters of their life together; as did the rest of their loved ones. Despite the unanswered questions of Kikyou's whereabouts and activities, no one let that stop them from moving on.
Kagome didn't miss a beat as she began her new career as a ballet instructor, stepping into the role once held solely by her aging mentor. Madam was approaching seventy-years-old and needed someone to take on the responsibility she had carried for nearly four decades. With Kagome's credentials and history, no one doubted or argued Madam's decision to arrange for Kagome to be her successor. There was nothing more humbling or gratifying for the twenty-something-year-old to give back to the place that had given birth to her dreams.
And if that wasn't enough, Kagome also found the time to manage the responsibilities that came of her contract with the New York Ballet Company, whom she served as a principal dancer for. She had become the Prima Ballerina of New York. Kagome's story was one that many followed and were inspired by, and she was often asked to speak to various groups and crowds around the State that felt she had something important to share.
However, there was no role more important to Kagome than those relating to Inuyasha and Shippou. She and her adopted son moved into Inuyasha's apartment merely weeks after her return. The three formed a very close family unit, finding comfort and fulfillment in finally being together. Shippou loved both Kagome and Inuyasha as his true parents, having never felt more safe and secure than when they were all under the same roof. He attended the same academy they went to as children, and seemed to be walking a similar path as Inuyasha. Kagome was the most attentive and patient mother a child could ever hope for, and she made sure that Shippou always knew how loved and important he was.
Understandably, Inuyasha had a very demanding career as an in-demand new artist in the music industry. As the first few months and year rolled by, the label's demands of him skyrocketed as his name and talent became famous throughout the entire country. He had public appearances to make, recording sessions, and everything else that was associated with building one's reputation and name as a break-out artist in a highly competitive genre. It often caused Inuyasha to return home late at night, or altogether away for stretches of time. Only someone completely secure in their relationship could put up with such an unpredictable and frustrating arrangement, and Kagome was that person.
Both she and Inuyasha had come to the agreement that neither would ask the other to sacrifice their career; not while they were still young and had relative freedom to chase their dreams. The two trusted that their love and mutual respect was enough to maintain a relationship during the times spent apart.
Of course, Kagome minded falling asleep alone and bearing the brunt of raising a growing teenager on her own; but she had a career that could afford her some freedom of time and a family more than willing to pick up the slack if she couldn't carry it on her own. She knew that when Inuyasha had to be away, it was all in aim of furthering his career. He was not a wild and reckless boy anymore, but a conscientious and devoted man who constantly reminded her of his affections. If there was one upside to the days and weeks that they often had to be apart, it was that the reunions were spectacular and more than satisfying. Shippou was always sent to spend the night away from the apartment upon Inuyasha's homecoming.
Kagome also found great enjoyment in accompanying Inuyasha at every single red-carpet ceremony or public event. It was obvious that her presence at the award shows and photo-ops made Inuyasha feel more at ease, a duty that Kagome would never shirk or dismiss for anything else in the world. She didn't mind having her pictures taken or being asked invasive questions by paparazzi when Inuyasha and their team of security guards were nearby to keep the situation under control. Nothing could drive a wedge between the two, not after all they had been through.
Two years went by before Inuyasha proposed marriage, inspired by the beautiful wedding between Kouga and Ayame (as well as Houjo and Amber later that year). Kouga was still leading the reform of the NYPD's reputation, and would eventually end a long and fulfilling career as the chief of police. Ayame could be found performing on Broadway most nights as a headlining performer, and her wedding was held on the stage inside her favorite theater. It had been a grand, opulent affair; though none expected any less from Ayame's wedding.
Miroku had proposed to Sango a month before Inuyasha finally did the same, though she was adamant about having a long engagement. Sango had just been accepted as a member of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team as one of their star players, and refused to put a wedding above making it to the next Olympics. Needless to say, Miroku agreed and promised to wait until she was ready. He had followed the teachings of Buddha and attained the status of holistic health consultant to very affluent people who could afford his coveted services.
Kagome, however, was determined to be married as soon as possible. She was tired of not carrying the same last name as the rest of her family, and soon Shippou would have it as well. In only a matter of months, they were standing on a beach in Hawaii, barefoot in the sand and looking out at a gorgeous sunset beyond the horizon. The ceremony was small, intimate, and completely perfect. They were married October third, in the year 2016, with only fifteen or so present to bear witness. Inuyasha was twenty-four, and Kagome was soon to be twenty-two, and Shippou had just turned fourteen; the future was bright for the newly cemented family. By then, it was a rare occasion that the past reared its ugly head. It usually came in the form of nightmares or triggered panic attacks, but there was always someone nearby to provide comfort and reassurance to the one needing it most.
It seemed as if their honeymoon period had only just ended when Kagome discovered her pregnancy the following year. Everyone rejoiced in the news, offering help and advice to the expecting parents-to-be. Kagura had been complaining that her children needed cousins to play with, and Sesshoumaru wanted his baby brother to experience the joys of catering to a hormonal, pregnant wife. Touga and Izayoi were ecstatic about having a new grandchild to spoil and fawn over. Their home had already become the official drop-off spot whenever their grown children needed a night to themselves, and once again the manor was filled with the sounds of youthful laughter and bare-feet against hardwood flooring.
As her pregnancy progressed, which was joined by Ayame's surprising first pregnancy two months later, Kagome was forced to step back from her contract with the Ballet Company. She still had issues with anemia and was prone to exhaustion, making it a risk to continue dancing professionally. The academy still needed her though, and up until the eighth month of her pregnancy, Kagome coached and trained her students with the same strictness that Madam Chachka had used with her. Many students had to hide their cheeky laughter whenever Kagome tried to lead by example in certain dance steps, as her extended belly made everything awkward and comical.
Thankfully Inuyasha had finished his national tour at the earlier stages of Kagome's pregnancy, which allowed him to spend a considerable amount of time at her side during those final months. The two enjoyed their time with each other as any other expecting couple might; they often bickered over insignificant things, gave the silent treatment, and eventually caved before the end of day just to fall asleep in each other's arms. Inuyasha accompanied her to birthing classes, stayed up reading parenting literature, and sat by Kagome's side at every sonogram appointment to see the development of their precious child.
But his favorite moments always came at night, as they lay awake in their bed, lost in the bliss of being with one another and their unborn baby. Inuyasha would often rest his cheek against her distended belly, a hand pressed against the stretched skin, and speak to the fetus of anything that came to his mind. And Kagome, if she hadn't yet fallen asleep or wasn't stuffing her face with late-night snacks, found enjoyment in playing with her husband's beautiful, white hair. They spoke about possible names, different future scenarios, and hopes for what their child would grow up to be one day.
With help from their friends, the apartment's third room was converted from serving as a storage unit into a darling nursery. Everything was painted and furnished in shades of blue and gold, with books and toys and clothes stocked until the point of overflowing. It was such a beautiful and stylish room that Kagome and Inuyasha were interviewed by one of the city's most well-known parenting magazines. Their pictures were taken and one was even put on the cover of said magazine.
In the final days of her pregnancy, Kagome waited anxiously for the arrival of her child. Never had an expectant mother been more beautiful than Kagome, at least that's what her family told her. It was often observed that she seemed to radiate with maternal affection that had been ignited by Shippou, but fanned by the unborn baby. Through Inuyasha's various interviews and TV appearances, which often eventually broached the subject of his family, the entire country fell in love with the woman who fueled his inspiration and motivation. Then, on June fourteenth, 2017, a beautiful baby boy was introduced to the curious nation who gushed over the beautiful images leaked throughout the internet and tabloid magazines.
Koichi Inu-Taisho was the physical proof of Kagome and Inuyasha's enduring love. Both parents decided to take an entire year from their careers to devote all of their time and attention to the child's first twelve months. Koichi was instantly beloved by everyone around him, cherished and adored to the point of obsession on Izayoi's part. He had been gifted with the Taisho's trademark silver hair, but also Kagome's striking blue eyes; making it certain that he'd grow to be as attractive as both his parents. Shippou assumed his role as older brother with pride, despite being a fifteen-year-old with better things to do than change diapers.
Things were made even more exciting when Ayame and Kouga were blessed shortly afterwards with a chubby son, named Tadashi. Kagome and her childhood friend made a promise that their sons would grow up to be the best of friends, then demanded that Sango have her own child sooner rather than later. It only seemed fitting that their children grew up together. Sadly, it would take Sango quite some time to bring a pregnancy to full-term.
Everything seemed to be going perfectly, and it truly was for the most part. Despite the fact that Kikyou had never been apprehended, her general inactivity and absence from their lives lulled Kagome and Inuyasha in a false sense of security. Though they were never made aware of it, Kikyou had indeed returned to the city that she once fled from. Very little had remained the same as when she first went away, as much about the woman had been altered to keep her true identity a secret. Naraku had always been a smart man, and had made arrangements for the both of them to start new lives under false names. The only thing he hadn't planned for was being caught before getting to use his; or that Kikyou would be the one to get away and evade capture and punishment for her cries.
Ever since the raid of her brother's club, Kikyou had been forced to survive at any cost. She was left with nothing, not even her name, to leverage favors with the other crime lords that had been associated with Naraku. She fell from glory in a fiery display of complete desperation. Some nights were spent on the streets, while others were spent in the arms of men who needed an outlet for their sexual and emotional frustrations. Her drug problems began with a curious sampling of cocaine, offered by a man who eventually became her pimp, that escalated to a full-on meth addiction. Three years later, Kikyou was sleeping on park benches, strung out and begging for change from dismissive passer-byes.
No one noticed. No one offered the young woman the help and assistance she dearly wanted and needed. Kikyou did not appreciate being on the receiving end of judgment and rejection, which only fueled her to reach lower depths of depravity and desperation. Her bitterness and resentment found an outlet one day as Kikyou recognized Inuyasha and Kagome's faces on a magazine cover. The Grammy Awards had just aired and the two had been in attendance, standing out for their impeccable fashion choices. They were on the red-carpet, waving and smiling, and looked completely content with their picturesque lives. Further mention of them was made in one of the articles as it spoke about the expensive engagement ring on Kagome's left hand; which caused Kikyou to see red. Spurred by drugs and stripped of her humanity, Kikyou made plans to finally return to New York City. It was time to pay her dear friends a visit and to make amends.
"It's too cold for him to be out here." Kagome muttered as she strolled alongside her husband on that clear December afternoon. It was two weeks until Christmas, and the city had been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Koichi was six-months-old now, growing bigger every week, and continued to be the greatest joy of his parent's lives. At that moment in time, the three were taking a leisurely walk through Central Park, which was blanketed with a thin sheet of snow. It was beautiful, like something out of a classic painting, and snowflakes gently drifted from the sky like silent, frozen raindrops.
Shippou was attending the last day of school before classes were suspended for winter break; meaning that this was the last day Kagome and Inuyasha had to themselves before a grouchy teenager overtook their apartment for two weeks. Their day had started normally, with Kagome rising early to exercise and shower before she had to feed Koichi and make Shippou breakfast. Once the teenager was on his way to school, Kagome spent a bit of private time with Koichi until Inuyasha finally woke up to join them in the living room. He was often up late writing songs and coming up with new melodies, making it perfectly understandable as to why he woke up so late.
"You've got him bundled in like seven layers of jackets and hats and scarves. I'm surprised he can even breath! Ain't no way he feels cold, Kagome." Inuyasha was currently holding their infant son against his chest, content with carrying Koichi instead of pushing some annoying stroller. Kagome was at his side, looking beautiful in one of Inuyasha's heavy winter coats, dangerously narrowing her blue eyes at him. Her body had bounced back quickly from the pregnancy, and she was almost to the same size as when she had been dancing professionally. She was only twenty-four years old now and didn't accept the myth that pregnancy meant the end of her athletic body or dancing abilities.
"Yeah, well, just don't let his hat fall off. Inuyasha! His hat is falling off!" Kagome whined as she watched her husband's clumsy hand unknowingly push the back of Koichi's knit cap up, exposing his head to the bitter coldness that surrounded them. As the couple fussed and nagged each other, which only garnered endearing looks from the those that passed by, they were ignorant of the deranged eyes watching from a distance. They were stopped in the middle of the trail, surrounded by white-capped bushes and grass, lost in their own world.
Kikyou had finally managed to get herself back into the city, past the NYPD's watchful eye, and even got her hands on an illegal firearm. All of that had been surprisingly easy. Tracking Inuyasha and Kagome had proven to be the difficult part. Weeks went by before Kikyou came across the two on the street, unrecognized due to her diminished appearance. At the time, they were surrounded by a team of plain-clothed security agents and had Shippou in tow. So, for the next few days, she stalked them in wait of the perfect opportunity to strike. On this day, they were headed towards Central Park, without the protection of bodyguards. Kikyou had to remind herself to breath when she saw Inuyasha carrying an infant son in his arms; that was supposed to be their child! Not his and Kagome's!
Kikyou felt the gun hidden inside the pocket of her jacket as she shadowed the couple, unnoticed in the crowd of other citizens that bustled about the city sidewalks. The hood was drawn over her head, and yet she still looked severely under-dressed for such a frigid December afternoon. But since she was riding on a very intense high, the cold did not permeate her as it would a normal, un-addicted person.
She watched with darkened eyes as Inuyasha and Kagome spoke to each other, and took sick pleasure in their ignorance of the inevitable pain that would soon befall them. Though she could not make out what Inuyasha and Kagome were saying to each other, the loving expressions on their faces was enough to convince Kikyou of the decision she'd made nearly a year in advance. One of them had to die. At this point, Kikyou didn't care which, though her inclination was towards Inuyasha or the baby. For some reason, watching Kagome suffer the pain of losing them was more satisfying than the other options.
It was now or never, especially since the two were distracted and other park visitors had left the area. Kikyou stepped out onto the trail, revealing herself to the unaware pair. There was one woman walking by now, but she didn't see anything out of the ordinary; which attested to the jaded nature of New Yorkers. It wasn't until Kikyou lifted the gun from her pocket that said woman noticed and let out a shrill cry.
"She's got a gun!" This caught everyone's attention and people bolted from the surrounding in a panic, screaming fearfully and determined to protect themselves. The only ones unable to flee were the two directly in the line of fire. Inuyasha and Kagome had heard the initial cry, and their fearful confusion quickly became terrified realization when they saw who held the gun towards them.
"Inuyasha!" Her voice was rough after years of drug abuse, but strong enough to remind them exactly who she was. Kagome was wide-eyed and frozen as she turned her body towards Inuyasha, a cold hand coming up to rest on Koichi's back protectively.
"Kikyou? What are you doing?!" Inuyasha hollered at her, his voice laced with concern for his family's safety and fear of what could happen. This didn't feel real. Why, out of all the times she could have returned, did Kikyou chose now? There was rage in her dark brown eyes that frightened Kagome, especially when she noticed the unsteadiness of Kikyou's hand. That gun could go off at any second, and it was impossible to discern where the bullet would fly.
"You lied to me! You said you loved me! But you never did!" Kikyou began shouting hysterically, taking a few steps towards the trapped couple and their child. Kagome whimpered softly as she grasped Inuyasha's arm, fighting every urge to grab Koichi and run away. The gun continued to waver between the three individuals, and Kikyou's finger was held over the trigger with the promise that it'd be pulled soon.
"Kikyou, don't do this." Kagome begged softly, feeling sick from being so near the woman who had once been the source of her torment. "Just put the gun down and go away." This only upset Kikyou more, who screamed as she jostled the gun in Kagome's direction.
"Shut up! You don't get to talk to me! I'm the one with the gun so I'm in charge!" Tears stung Kikyou's eyes when she saw Inuyasha step in front of Kagome, his body turned to keep Koichi out of the line of fire as much as possible. His angered face looked back at Kikyou over his shoulder, while Kagome maintained a tight grip on her husband's arms as she waited with terror in her eyes.
"Kikyou, stop it! Shooting us won't make your life any better." His furious eyes stared at the deranged woman unabashedly, never leaving her figure lest Kikyou try to attack. There were sirens in the background that were growing louder and louder, meaning someone had finally called the police to report the situation. "That's the police coming now. You're going to get caught no matter what…so just drop the gun and give yourself a chance before it's too late." There was no reasoning, not with someone so far gone, and Kikyou shook her head sadly.
"You didn't care about me then and I know you don't care now. You're just trying to protect that bitch. What about me? No one protected me!" Kikyou began to breathe raggedly as she felt the nagging symptoms of withdrawal eating at her nerves. As the sirens came closer and the sounds of running footsteps became clearer, Kikyou realized that this was the end. "Goddamn you, Inuyasha! I loved you!" As Kikyou shut her eyes, her finger squeezed the trigger that released a single bullet aimed for Inuyasha's chest.
Kagome had seen it coming; she knew that there were only seconds left before Kikyou decided to shoot. The decision came without hesitation or a second thought, and as the mad woman began shutting her eyes, Kagome gave Inuyasha's stomach a powerful shove. The space he once occupied was taken by Kagome, who released a pained, guttural sound as the bullet ran through her stomach. It tore muscles and organs instantly and escaped through Kagome's back only to imbed itself in a tree behind her.
Inuyasha had not been expecting the sudden push and staggered to stay on his feet as his arms protectively clutched Koichi's small body. The gunshot echoed around them, causing the confused baby to scream and wail as his ears rang uncomfortably. There were screams in the distance as others heard the familiar sound as well, and soon police were on the scene; but Kikyou had already fled. She took off into the wooded area, heading towards the nearest street entrance. Uniformed officers took off after the woman, swarming the entire park and its boundary to apprehend her quickly. But none of that registered with Inuyasha.
As his mind finally caught up with the situation, pulled back into reality by Koichi's incessant crying, he realized that the bullet had not met it's intended target. Dark brows furrowed in confusion as Inuyasha turned back around in search of his wife, only to see Kagome fallen onto the muddy, snow-covered ground. A red stain was slowly forming beneath her sprawled form, causing all the blood to drain from Inuyasha's face.
"Kagome! Someone call an ambulance!" Keeping his son carefully held in one arm, Inuyasha fell to his knees beside Kagome. His dark jeans fell into the damp, reddened snow and became stained by the blood of his courageous wife. The white coat she had been wearing was torn where the bullet entered, and blood had begun to seep into the pristine fabric. "Kagome, no…no, no, no." He begged nervously and tried to hold his free, trembling hand against her bleeding stomach; but all it did was force more blood to spread beneath her. Kagome's eyes were wide as she gazed up at Inuyasha's terrified face. She could feel her extremities beginning to grow numb, a sign of blood loss that was not helped by the freezing temperatures. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth as some of the red liquid rose into her throat.
"You crazy idiot! Why did you do that?" Tears began falling from Inuyasha's eyes as he tried to think of what to do. One of the officers had already called the ambulance and was taking off his jacket to place over Kagome's vulnerable form. Curious park visitors began to flock the scene, willing to put their safety at risk to observe someone else's personal tragedy. Other officers worked to maintain a clear path for the ambulance truck drive through, and kept the civilians at a respectful distance. Still, Inuyasha took no notice. Koichi was still whimpering and trembling against his chest, desperate to feel the familiar comfort and protection of his mother's embrace.
Kagome took a gurgling breath, which caused her to grimace as pain erupted throughout her damaged torso. Inuyasha heard the heart-stopping sound and felt his stomach lurch with fear and dread. His bloody hand lifted away from Kagome's midsection to gently brush the hair out of her face, but it trembled so much that he could barely control the action. Kagome gathered a bit of strength as she reached up to touch Inuyasha's face, her hand feeling strangely weightless and leaving a stain of bloody fingerprints against the pale skin of his cheek.
"Ssh..it was m-my turn to take a…to take a bullet fff-for you." Speaking past the blood in her throat and the pain radiating through her body was harder than Kagome thought. Her vision was beginning to blur and sounds became muffled. Her blue eyes looked down at the small child still crying into his father's warm chest, and a sad smile stretched across Kagome's face. Kagome's hand limply fell to the front of Inuyasha's jacket and her finger's curled weakly into the fabric to pull him towards her.
"N-now, kiss me be-before I pass out." There was a hint of amusement in her faint voice, and Kagome tried to laugh as more blood began to seep into the spaces between her teeth. In the corners of her mouth, red pooled and eventually trickled out. It formed a sick ribbon that rolled towards the back of her neck. But Inuyasha didn't hesitate and he swiftly leaned down to plant a trembling kiss to his wife's cold lips.
"Don't do this…don't leave me to raise him alone. Kagome. Don't leave me." Inuyasha begged sadly, refusing to accept that this was the last time he'd speak to his wife. "We need you; Me, Koichi, and Shippou. I can't live without you…so don't die. Please, please don't die." Kagome shook her head weakly and took another gasping breath, this time forced to cough as blood tried to fill her lungs.
"I don't plan on it…bu-but in case I don't wake up." Tears glistened in her blue eyes and slipped out from the corners silently, disappearing into the dark hair beneath Kagome's head. "I love you, Inuyasha. And I love-I love Koichi and Shippou." Her words began to slur together, and Inuyasha watched in horror as Kagome's eyes drifted to stare up at the grey sky above them. Snowflakes cascaded silently downwards, landing against her cold skin and catching int he dark fibers of her hair and lashes. Her hand lost its grip on Inuyasha's jacket, and fell into his lap. "It doesn't hurt…anymore."
"Kagome?" Inuyasha took hold of the small hand that had fallen into his lap. "Kagome, no! Wake up! Kagome!" There was a flurry of activity around the couple as paramedics finally arrived on the scene, quickly working to get Kagome to the safety of the ambulance. A sympathetic police officer helped Inuyasha to his feet, telling the distraught husband that he would be given a police escort to the hospital. Inuyasha couldn't bring himself to look away from the scene inside the ambulance as paramedics desperately worked to start her heart and preserve what was left of his wife.
Kikyou had almost immediately dropped the gun upon pulling the trigger. She stayed frozen long enough to see Kagome hit the ground, and then bolted into the dense foliage to make an escape. Frantic and afraid, she was like a trapped animal in search of any chance to avoid capture. The sirens grew louder, the voices of angry police echoed around her, and Kikyou knew it was only a matter of time before they caught her. She tore through branches, tripped over roots, ignoring the pain such actions caused her malnourished and drug-riddled body.
Finally, she saw the wrought-iron fencing that surrounded the park. Beyond it, the street. If she could just get to the street, Kikyou knew her freedom was still in reach. Pushing her body past it's physical abilities, Kikyou scaled the tall fence and startled unsuspecting civilians as she jumped down onto the crowded sidewalk. The sudden impact sent a shock through her legs, and Kikyou was only awarded a few seconds to recover before she heard a harsh demand being yelled a few yards away. How had the police already found her?!
Kikyou stood up on unsteady legs as she looked to either side of her; police were closing in fast and armed. Panicked and afraid, Kikyou ignored their demands to drop to the ground and challenged fate by darting out into the busy, one-way street. Cars came to grinding, and screeching, halts as the mad-woman awkwardly fled across the lanes. Police quickly began to chase after her, further delaying traffic as other officers were called onto the scene. Kikyou's breath was ragged and high-pitched as she started to cross the final lane. If only she had waited a few seconds, because a massive moving van was barreling through at that very moment.
In the blink of an eye, her body took on the full force of the metal vehicle. Witnesses screamed and gasped as they watched a woman's body roll beneath the tires, then was dragged nearly a block before the truck came to a final stop; leaving a bloody wake in its destructive path. A second ambulance was called, though no one believed that Kikyou would even survive the drive to the hospital.
"Miss Itou, I know you're scared right now." A woman's gentle voice vaguely registered in Kikyou's hazy mind. The sounds were subtle and slurred together, though slowly became more clear. A pair of brown eyes slowly opened, though pain erupted like fire along the left half of Kikyou's face for some reason. Why couldn't she see clearly? What was going on? The sound of a racing heart monitor further terrified the confused and pained woman. Again, someone spoke to her.
"You're in the hospital. You were hit by a truck and sustained multiple and severe injuries." Kikyou's right eye watered as it shifted in its socket, looking about the room for the person speak to her. Why couldn't she move her head? Why couldn't she move her body at all? A nurse finally stepped into Kikyou's vision, though she seemed unsympathetic as she adjusted a few of the instruments connected to the patient's body.
"You spinal cord was broken, which has caused complete paralysis from the neck down. That's why you cannot feel your body. You're being kept alive by the intubation tube in your throat, and it will be there for the rest of your life. You sustained many lacerations and burns on over seventy-percent of your body from being dragged under the vehicle. Your left eye was punctured, which is why your vision is different. Tomorrow, we will be conducting skin grafts to remove damage and allow new skin to grow. I know it's scary, Miss Itou, but try to stay calm. If you need to communicate, you can blink once for yes, twice for no. Do you understand me?" The nurse hovered over Kikyou's immobile, grotesque face with a distracted expression on her face.
Kikyou was left reeling in shock, unable to grasp the completely terrifying reality of what her life would be until the sweet reprieve of death finally came to take her away. A tear slipped out of her remaining functional eye, which slowly blinked once.
Kikyou lost track of the days as she wasted away in the sterile and isolating hospital room. There were no visitors to come and cheer her up, only cold nurses that signaled the times for painful and humiliating procedures. Her every freedom had been stripped away, leaving Kikyou at the complete mercy of others who had no invested care for her survival or comfort. Everyone knew who she was, and though the staff abided their code of 'doing no harm', they also did nothing to comfort Kikyou either.
It was explained to Kikyou that once she recovered from the life-threatening injuries, she would be transferred to a facility that would take care of her for the rest of her days. She would be held in solitary confinement, away from the general population of other afflicted inmates, and left to suffer the punishment of her own mind until the end of her days. The idea alone was enough to drive someone to madness.
There were only three days remaining before her transfer, and Kikyou was left numbly watching the terrible day-time television provided by the TV in her room. She couldn't stand the mindless drama unfolding before her, but had no ability to chance the station or even turn it off. But the sound of her door opening drew her single-eyed gaze to the entrance of the room. She was expecting to see a doctor or nurse; but instead saw Inuyasha standing in the doorway.
His face was void of emotion, but the stubborn fix of his jaw told Kikyou that he was barely containing the rage below a calm surface. Behind him, she heard an officer say, 'You've got five minutes.' What did he have to say? Feeling suddenly ashamed and humiliated, Kikyou shut her eye and refused to watch Inuyasha stare at her disfigured body. She listened as he came forward, felt a surprising jostle of the bed that rested beneath her, and a strange sinking of the pillow behind her head. What was happening? When Kikyou finally opened her eye again, she was taken back by the sight of Inuyasha's face hovering merely inches away from her own. With a complete inability to respond, Kikyou was forced to wait in fear of what he might do to her.
"I hear that you'll be like this for the rest of your life…I'm glad." The coldness, and completely contempt, that Inuyasha regarded Kikyou with made her blood run cold. Her brown eye filled with tears and she shut it again, but Inuyasha would not have it. She felt his hand rest against the top of her head, and then his thumb roughly pulled at the top lid of Kikyou's eye. She could not resist as he forced her to look up at him, even as the air dried her eye to a painful degree.
"No, you don't get to shut your eyes and ignore me. Not til I'm done talking." Inuyasha allowed a few moments to pass as his enraged gaze met Kikyou's own guilty one. "I hope you live a long time, Kikyou. The longer you live, the more you'll suffer. And at this point, that's the only thing keeping me sane. My wife, the mother of my child, is barely hanging on for her life now…but I will be damned if she dies while you go on. You are the most selfish, cruel, and completely fucked up person I've ever known. My biggest regret is loving you…I wish I had never met you, Kikyou."
Inuyasha could see the kind of torture Kikyou was suffering as her eye rolled in its socket helpless; needing moisture and darkness to relieve the irritating dryness. Finally, he released her and stepped away from the bed, feeling somewhat better after saying those things to her. Kikyou shut her eye tightly and Inuyasha could see the anguish his words caused her; but it wasn't enough. It would never be enough until he could squeeze the life out of her body…this would have to suffice though.
"No matter what happens, Kikyou, this is the last time I will think about you or say your name. I will make sure that no one remembers who you are, because you don't deserve to be remembered. You will be forgotten even before you're put in the ground." Inuyasha turned to leave and opened the door with a vengeful force, startling the officers stationed on the other side. Kikyou watched pathetically as her previous love didn't even spare a final look back, and then the door was shut once more. If she had been able to, Kikyou would have screamed to let everyone know the depths of her despair.