PLEASE. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me! Because I'm really really really really REALLY REALLY sorry for taking so long! I've been charging through school, cadets, concert band...plus lack of inspiration and motivation too! But I finally finished this chapter! YAY! I will attempt to finish the story by the end of October/beginning of November! Thank you all for bearing with me! Please enjoy this long awaited chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha and co. If I did, well...that would be really cool.
Chapter 13: That Much Closer
The sun had completely set. Minutes had gone by in what seemed to be hours. Breathing became extremely difficult, and Kagome didn't know how much longer she could last. Sweat and tears rolled down her face as immense pain shot from where the snake had punctured its poisonous fangs.
Please…someone…find me…Her mind called out as her voice was now useless. Her vision was cloaked with darkness…her body just wanted to sleep, and she felt herself slowly giving into that desire. Her mind tried to resist it with all its might, but the realization that no one was coming…
InuYasha…please…I'm sorry for everything…please…her heart cried out, but knowing all too well that no one could hear her.
InuYasha tapped his fingers against the armrest of the chair. His foot shook in no particular rhythm. He stared at the fire intently trying to look angry, but Sango and Miroku knew better: he was worried.
It had been a while since Kagome left. The sun had long since set since their argument. Sango was also worried about her friend…she assumed that she went to the hot spring to relax, but when Sango went to go check up on her, she wasn't there…she feared the worst.
Miroku was in tune with his girlfriend's emotion and tried to comfort her. Surely InuYasha would soon go after her. She couldn't have gone that far.
But both had to admit his tapping was annoying. Kagome was out in the jungle somewhere while he was sitting here being his own percussion band! Sango wanted to say something, but Miroku held her back. She reluctantly complied, seeing as he knew him more than she did.
Kagome's been gone too long…I can't smell her anywhere near here…InuYasha thought as he stared into the fire. After Kagome stormed off crying the horrible sense of guilt overwhelmed him.
I shouldn't have said that to her. She deserves better than that…Damn it! I really AM a stupid hanyou…
Don't say that. She didn't mean it.
Who the hell are you?
I'm your conscience, the same conscience that you argued with over that whole spider prank…
Great, I'm talking to voices in my head. I'm now officially insane.
No you're not. Everyone talks to their conscience once in a while. Some more than others, of course…let me just say you and I don't talk that often…
Shut up. Unless you have anything important to say, go away.
But I always have something important to say. And 'going away' isn't as easy as you think…being a conscience is a full time job. A very poor paying full time job, I mean working for YOU isn't a piece of cak---
GET ON WITH IT.
Sheesh, tough crowd. Anyway, you've got to know that Kagome cares about you and would never do anything to hurt you.
I guess…
She was just reacting on anger, since you didn't consult with ME before you opened your big mouth. I mean, c'mon, I'm here for a reason you know!
I get it!
Well, I guess what I'm trying to tell you, is that you should go find her and apologize. Even if you think she started it, you should let go of that huge ego of yours and tell her you're sorry. She'll most likely do the same.
sigh I guess you're right…
You guess? What are you talking about? I'm ALWAYS right!
Shut up!
InuYasha then made his decision. He would find Kagome and tell her he was sorry. Besides, his gut was telling him that something bad happened and he wanted to make sure she was okay.
InuYasha was sure acting strange. He had stopped fidgeting, which was a relief for Sango's sanity, but now it seemed he was arguing with himself. Maybe the humidity was really getting to him…
He then stood up and began walking slowly to where Kagome had once stood earlier. He seemed to be familiarizing himself with her scent (not that he wasn't already familiar with it). Suddenly, he darted off into the jungle. Sango just looked at Miroku, who just shrugged.
The world seemed so far away. Where was she? It didn't matter anymore. The pain had gone away, that was all that mattered. Kagome had entered a sweet bliss…nothing mattered anymore. She was floating in a pastel coloured world, where the air tasted sweet and felt cool. It was her little dream world.
However, back in reality, nothing was tranquil. Her body temperature was reaching a dangerous point, and her entire leg was completely swollen and taking on a black colour. Her heart was beating extremely fast and irregularly. It was only minutes before she would die.
InuYasha searched frantically for Kagome. He smelled her clearly, but he also smelled some blood, and sensed a great deal of suffering. His heart wretched in pain at the thought of Kagome suffering…he continued to tear through the brush of the jungle floor, following her scent.
Suddenly, he came across a drop off, and it was the same place where Kagome's scent disappeared. He looked and saw that the mud looked disturbed as if something fell…
He quickly slid down the hill, finding Kagome's scent again. He got to the bottom of the hill, and his heart stopped.
Kagura checked herself for any tracking devices that might have been planted on her before she left the warehouse. When she felt she was clean, she made her way towards the city. She got into her vehicle and sped down the dirt road onto the freeway. She checked her mirrors constantly to make sure she wasn't being followed.
I'll get my revenge for Naraku killing my brother…she thought as she maneuvered her way in and out of traffic.
When she finally got to the city, she began searching for any sign of Sesshomaru. The company limo, his staff, anything…suddenly she caught a glimpse of a white-haired man entering a hotel. She stopped to get a better look.
It was Sesshomaru! She quickly parked the car, and waited until he went inside before she left the car. He probably remembered her scent, and wouldn't look forward to meeting her again. Once the coast was clear, she composed herself and got out of the car and made her way inside.
The hotel lobby was bustling with people checking in and out. There was no sign of Sesshomaru anywhere, so she went to the clerk.
"Uh, which room is Takahashi-san staying in? We have an appointment," she said in a business like tone. The clerk looked at her suspiciously, but complied anyway.
"In the Penthouse suite, on the twenty-second floor," he said politely. She bowed as a sign of thanks and made her way to the elevator. She closed the doors and pushed the '22' button. Slowly, the elevator began to move.
2…3…4…5…
She still couldn't believe that Musou was dead. She didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.
…6…7…8…9…
It really wasn't Musou's fault…it should've been her that died, not him…
…15…16…17…18…
She would make Naraku pay. Sesshomaru was the only one who could help her. Of course, he probably knew everything, but she wanted to be of some help…
…19…20…21…22
The doors opened up. She looked left and right. The sign indicated that the penthouse suite was left, so she ran that way. She turned a corner when…
…she bumped into someone who covered her mouth and quickly dragged her away. She tried to scream and kick the person away but he was much stronger. She then found herself being thrown into a room, where the door was quickly closed and locked.
"Did Naraku send you to kill me again?" said a very familiar voice. She looked up to see Sesshomaru, sipping a glass of wine by the window. She looked behind her to see the same man that she saw walking by her cell earlier…could he be working for Sesshomaru?
"I asked you a question," he said quietly. Kagura cleared her throat and tried to sound confident.
"No, he did not. I came on my own accord, in hopes of assisting you in Naraku's capture," she answered, standing up.
"You would betray your master?" he asked, looking at his wine glass.
"He slaughtered my brother. Not taking revenge for his death would be betrayal of my family. I could care less about what happens to Naraku," she replied calmly.
Sesshomaru looked at her intently with those gold eyes. A chill was sent down her spine.
"I do not need your help. My assistant Bankotsu has required all the information I need," he stated. Bankotsu shrugged.
"Well, almost," he said under his breath, but loud enough for Kagura to hear.
"What do you mean by 'almost'?" she asked, turning to him.
"The only thing that Naraku didn't spill was where InuYasha's plane crashed, but we're working on that," he explained. She turned back to Sesshomaru excitedly.
"I know where the plane crashed! I can bring you there! Please!" she said, in a tone that was mixed with excitement and pleadingly.
Sesshomaru looked at her for a moment. He could tell that she was telling the truth; she really did loathe Naraku, didn't she?
Her red eyes were begging him to let her help him.
"Alright, we will leave in an hour. Don't let yourself get caught," he simply replied, turning around to look out the window again.
"Thank you…" she whispered.
Kagome lay motionless at the bottom of the hill. She had never looked so lifeless…her leg was swollen black, her eyes were glazed over and sweat dripped down her face. InuYasha ran to her side.
"Kagome? Can you hear me?" he said, shaking her lightly. He glanced down at her swollen leg and noticed two puncture marks.
Was she bitten by a poisonous snake? The wound seemed fresh, but the poison was taking quick effect. He supported Kagome's head with his arms and tried to get a response out of her.
"Kagome, please say something! It's me, InuYasha! Say something if you can hear me!"
Kagome's peaceful dream world was being disturbed by something. She felt herself shifting positions.
Kagome? Can you hear me?
Who was calling her? The voice sounded so familiar, but so far away…she wanted to find out who it was, but didn't want to leave her lovely bliss.
Kagome, please say something!
Was something wrong? The person seemed concerned…I'm okay…she responded thinking the person could hear her.
It's me, InuYasha! Say something if you can hear me!
Inu…Yasha…? InuYasha!
Suddenly all the pain was coming back to Kagome. The world around her began to form, and above her was a pair of gold eyes who were looking down on her…they looked very scared.
"Inu…" she whispered.
"Kagome! Don't worry! I'll get you out of here!" he said, picking her up bridal style and started running up the hill.
She felt a breeze hit her face, and heard InuYasha's breathing as he ran. He came for her…that thought enough made the pain go away once again.
Please don't die on me, Kagome! InuYasha thought as he once again tore his way through the dark jungle.
InuYasha soon saw the glow of the camp fire. He began shouting for Sango and Miroku's assistance.
"Sango! Miroku! Come quick! Kagome's hurt!"
When he reached the beach, Sango and Miroku were ready for the worse. When they saw Kagome, they turned pale.
"I found her at the bottom of a hill. I think she was bitten by a snake. Sango, can you do something to save her?" he asked pleadingly. She looked up at him and back to Kagome. All of her studies on snake bite treatments in medical school had some how left her mind. She scrambled to remember; what she could tell was that Kagome was running out of time.
"Uh…you…we need to lay her down," Sango stuttered, leading him to the plane.
Miroku turned on the emergency flashlight they found weeks earlier to allow for some light for Sango to work in. When InuYasha laid Kagome down, Sango began examining her quickly. It was all coming back now. Kohaku had been bitten by a poisonous snake once, so this wasn't new to her.
Of course, Kohaku hadn't been left untreated for so long…
She looked at the punctures on Kagome's ankle, and noticed it was started to get infected. She ordered Miroku to get some ocean water, and InuYasha to get a cool cloth for her head. Kagome was also severely dehydrated, Sango noticed, but she needed to get the venom out first. She went down to the wound and started to suck the venom out.
Miroku and InuYasha returned. She told InuYasha to put the cloth on her head, and he quickly complied. She then slowly began pouring the salt water over her wounds. Kagome screamed in pain.
"You're hurting her!" InuYasha yelled.
"It's to prevent infection so that she will survive longer! Now shut up and let me do this!" Sango shouted back. InuYasha shut his mouth. Kagome's breathing was very shallow.
"Miroku, look through the first aid kit for antiserum or something," Sango ordered, checking Kagome's circulation and pulse. He did immediately what he was told.
"InuYasha, help her sit up so I can give her some water," she ordered. InuYasha tenderly supported her neck and head as Sango poured the water into Kagome's mouth. InuYasha gently put her back down, while Sango placed a cool cloth on her head. Then she put a blanket over her upper body to prevent shock. She then moved down to Kagome's wound and continued to suck the venom out.
InuYasha looked at Kagome's paled face. Her eyes were clenched tight from the pain. She moaned quietly now and then. He felt as if he felt her pain, only in his heart.
I should've looked for you sooner…
"Sango, I couldn't find anything…" Miroku said quietly.
Sango looked at him. Damn…then she resumed sucking out the venom.
"What are we going to do then? Kagome can't just die!" InuYasha yelled.
Sango stopped and looked up at him with a devilish glare.
"We're going to keep calm, as to not worry or excite Kagome, and I'll keep sucking the poison out for about half and hour. Then I'll give her a mixture of charcoal and water for her to drink. I might bring her to the hot spring to sweat it out, if she's well enough. Now, sit and be quiet," she said darkly. InuYasha gulped. Sango resumed to sucking the poison out.
The next half hour was the longest half hour in InuYasha's life. The plane was thick with silence and grief. The good thing was, though, that Kagome seemed to become more relaxed. Her breathing was becoming even and her fever seemed to be going down. But the pained look on her face was enough to crush InuYasha's heart…
Soon Sango and Miroku were outside gathering charcoal for this concoction that Sango had described earlier. InuYasha just looked on worryingly and continued to flood with guilt each passing minute. Once they came back, they mixed the charcoal with water and assisted Kagome in drinking it. They gave her a sip every fifteen minutes.
It was very dark outside now. There were no stars in the sky, and the moon was cloaked by inky clouds. It was unusually quiet, besides the ocean surf lightly tickling the shore…but there was no breeze of wind to be felt. It was if nature was mourning for Kagome's pain with them.
After another had gone past, they stopped giving Kagome the charcoal mixture, and just decided to let her rest. Sango and Miroku went outside by the fire while InuYasha remained by Kagome's side. Her breathing was even now, and her body temperature seemed to have returned to normal. But she still seemed to be in pain, even if was only little. InuYasha continued to punish himself.
"I could've gotten to you faster. I should've never said any of those things to you. You had every right to call me a stupid hanyou, because that's what I am,"
She seemed to make no response. He continued.
"Dammit Kagome! Don't die on me! I would never be able to forgive myself ever…all you've ever done was be kind to me and I repay you by saying those awful things just because you were looking at me…fuck! I'm such an idiot! Please, I don't care if you can never forgive me, just please don't die!"
He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. Tears began to brim in his eyes. Her hands still felt a bit cold and clammy…hands that were once soft and warm…and had cared for him…
"Please, Kagome…I could never forgive myself…please,"
Tears were now strolling down his face. He put Kagome's hand to his face and nuzzled it gently.
"You can stare at me all you want, I promise I won't get mad…don't leave me here…I…"
Suddenly, he felt Kagome's thumb stroking away a tear. He shot open his eyes and found himself looking into Kagome's eyes…which were open!
"Kagome!"
"InuYasha…how are you?" she said smiling. Her voice was still a bit scratchy, but InuYasha could care less. She was alive!
He let out a small laugh, as more tears continued to fall. Nothing in the world could describe his current happiness. He held her hand tighter and leaned his face into it more.
Kagome tried to sit up. InuYasha immediately helped her, but protested against it.
"Kagome, you're still not well, you should lie down and rest,"
She shook her head, assuring him she was fine; just a little bit dizzy, but nothing overly serious. She used her free hand to wipe away InuYasha's tears.
"Everything's okay now, InuYasha…you don't need to cry anymore. I heard what you said…and don't worry; I've forgiven you. It's me that should be sorry. You're not a stupid hanyou. You're perfect the way you are, and wouldn't change a thing about you. I want to thank you for coming to find me and saving my life…" Kagome explained. Her face began to regain its colour. InuYasha pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly. Kagome wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. He buried his nose in her arm and breathed in her scent.
I could live off this scent…
They held each other like this for what seemed to be a blissful eternity. They let go to look at each other. Kagome had never seen InuYasha cry before…he didn't seem to be the type who shed tears. She had never felt happier…she truly loved him.
He looked deep into her eyes. He gave a small but sincere smile. What was this feeling deep inside him? He didn't care, he was just happy that Kagome was alive and with him in this very moment. That was when he decided.
He put his hands around her face, closed his eyes and leaned in, putting his lips against hers.
At first Kagome was shocked, but she closed her eyes and gave into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck.
I never want to leave…both thought at the same time.
It was just them in their own little world…that much closer.
Disclaimer: Do not use any of the methods mentioned for treating snake bites. I just got these ideas off random websites and therefore cannot be completely sure if this is proper treatment. If you do find yourself bit by a snake, my best advice is to get medical attention immediately.
Please review and tell me what you think! I hope you enjoyed InuYasha's conversation with his conscience. I think we all talk to ourselves like that sometimes :) Let me know if InuYasha seemed to sappy or not. Thank you and I'll get the next chapter out as soon as I can!