Umm...eh-heh...looks at angry mob of readers...anybody want a cookie??? mob gets closer Gah!!! Please don't hurt me!!!!! Here's the next chapter!!! The story's almost over!!! Please forgive my absolute tardiness!!!!!!!! It's just been really busy and I seem to have a bad case of writers block I guess. But I'm working on it! But here's the next chapter of "Anything but Paradise" that I give to you all as a piece offering as well as a box of cookies. Only one more chapter and an epilogue to go!!! Please REVIEW and ENJOY!
Chapter 14: Broken-Hearted Rescue
If this is a dream, I never want to wake up…
Feeling Kagome's lips against his was the most sensational feeling InuYasha had ever experienced. He felt her heart throbbing out from her chest; this told him she felt that way too. He felt they were the only two people in the world…he felt truly happy.
Never…
"Where is she?" Naraku demanded.
"Where is who, master?" Kanna asked quietly.
"Kagura! It's time to get rid of Sesshomaru," Naraku responded.
Just at that moment, as if fate was on his side, Kagura walked in.
"Where've you been?" he asked coolly, with a hint of anger.
Kagura had to think of something quick. I was just talking to Sesshomaru about how we're gonna bust you, she thought, but a little voice inside her told her that it probably wasn't the most appropriate thing to say.
"I was getting gas for my car," she replied smoothly. "There's this really cheap gas bar on the other side of town,"
Naraku seemed to have fallen for it, dismissing the matter immediately.
"Anyway, it's time to put our plan into action," he said.
Kagura gave a short gasp. "Already?"
"Bankotsu is promising me a lot of money. I would hate to disappoint him," Naraku smirked and looked at her. "I want you to kidnap that human secretary of his. He seems attached to her. Then lure him here so he can watch her torture then suffer his own death,"
Kagura sighed. "You have a knack for toying with people's emotions, don't you?"
Naraku gave a little chuckle, as if it was all a game. "It makes the job that much more interesting. Nothing like a little bit of blood shed to lighten up the day,"
That last comment struck a chord in Kagura, reminding her of the slaughter of her brother. She bit her tongue and fought back her emotions. She knew the task she had at hand.
"Well, what are you standing there for? Get to it!" Naraku ordered.
"Yes master," she said quietly exiting.
You're going down, Sesshomaru…
You're going down, Naraku…
Kagura met Sesshomaru up at the rendezvous point, telling him of Naraku's plan. Sesshomaru muttered something about Naraku being a fool, but reluctantly went ahead to make it look like Sesshomaru was falling into Naraku's trap. He seemed really reluctant when it came to Rin, however.
"I promise nothing will happen to her," Kagura reassured, taking hold of the girl.
Sesshomaru looked away. Kagura began to explain to Rin on how to act as a hostage as she tied her up to make it look convincing. She even put her in the trunk of her car.
Kagura closed the trunk. Sesshomaru was on his cell phone, calling the authorities, she assumed. He closed the phone, and walked in her direction.
"Is everything ready?" she asked.
"Yes, you can go now. We won't be far behind," he responded. Kagura nodded and started to head to the driver's seat of her car.
"Wait," his voice said from behind. Kagura stopped and looked at him.
"Please keep her safe," he said quietly. She gave a small nod and got into the car. She began to drive back to Naraku's hide out.
Kagura's car got further and further into the distance. Sesshomaru closed his eyes. This was it. Soon Naraku would be captured, and his brother would be returned to bring his company back into working order. Something inside him though wished that Rin didn't have to get involved…
"Sesshomaru-sama, the government authorities are on there way. Bankotsu and Jakotsu are just leaving the airstrip to get your brother too," Shippo explained. He heard sirens in the background.
Please keep her safe…
Kagura drove at a moderate speed so her arrival with the "hostage" wouldn't be so suspicious. She had deep faith that their plan wouldn't fail, but she still felt worried that something would go wrong. She made a promise to Sesshomaru that Rin wouldn't get hurt, and she couldn't go back on that promise. Kagura noticed the look in his eyes as Rin got into the back of the trunk.
He's certainly an unreadable guy, that's for sure…but at least I'll be able to avenge my brother by putting that bastard behind bars…
She picked up the speed a little, her fears being cast away with the road behind her.
Naraku leaned back in his chair and chuckled. Everything was going exactly as he planned. Get involved with the money-hungry girlfriend of InuYasha, woe her, and get her to help him take over his company. He already made lots of money from his "clients", but InuYasha's company had been in his sight for a very long time. Now he was managing it through Kikyo, his accounts were definitely growing exponentially.
Then Bankotsu came into the picture with his offer: Kill Sesshomaru and get even more money in return. Naraku couldn't resist a good business deal, and besides, maybe he could get rid of Bankotsu and get his money too.
And Kikyo was supporting him with everything. Not to mention she was also good for "other" purposes. Life was good.
Kagura came in, dragging in a tied up body with a bag over the head, which he assumed was Sesshomaru's secretary.
"Is that the girl?" Naraku asked just to make sure.
Kagura removed the bag violently to reveal a fear-stricken girl whose mouth had been covered with duct tape. She was sweating and seemed to have been crying.
Naraku seemed satisfied. "Put her in a cell and guard her until he comes," he ordered. Kagura dragged her out of the room.
Yes, it was all going according to plan.
Kagura dragged her to one of the more decent looking cells. She set her in the corner and removed her duct tape-covered mouth gently. She then chained her to the wall for show. She then got up and walked out of the cell, locking her in.
"Sesshomaru-sama will come for me! You'll see, you creeps!" Rin shouted. Kagura sat down the hall. She definitely had to give to Rin for her acting skills: Naraku was really convinced that she was kidnapped!
You're more of a fool than you let on Naraku…she thought.
Now it was all up to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru "brutally injured" the seven or eight guards at the front door, to make it convincing that he was enraged and came to rescue Rin and kill Naraku, apparently "falling into Naraku's trap". What a bother, Sesshomaru thought.
While walking in, he noticed the condition of the building; for a rich mobster, his headquarters certainly didn't reflect his wealth. Probably a scare tactic.
He turned down a maze of corridors, punching and kicking random guards or creatures or whatever out of his way, following Naraku's scent. The authorities were outside waiting for his signal to come in for the arrest. He was ready to "play along" with Naraku's plan. Just as long as Rin got out okay…
The echoes of pain crawling through the corridors. Sesshomaru was here for sure now. Soon foot steps could be heard. They were coming closer…and closer…and closer…until…
…until a very angry-looking Sesshomaru Takahashi stood in Naraku's doorway.
Naraku smirked his signature evil smirk as he turned his entire body to face Sesshomaru. He placed his feet from his desk to the floor, crossing his legs instead. It seemed to Sesshomaru that it was an attempt to look professional.
"How very nice of you to join me, Sesshomaru-sama," Naraku said, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed.
"I assume your looking for your young secretary, no? I ensure you she's safe, for now," Naraku continued. He snapped his fingers and soon Kagura came around the corner with a chained up Rin in hand. Anger flared through Sesshomaru, but his eyes remained calm and collected.
Please let this be over soon…Kagura thought as she dragged the girl closer to Naraku.
"Before I kill you, I want you to tell me some things," Sesshomaru said boldly. Naraku closed his eyes and let out a small chuckle.
"Even though I will be killing you, I guess there's no harm in letting you know whatever you want before you die," Naraku replied, showing no signs of being truly serious anytime soon.
"First, why did you kill my brother?" Sesshomaru asked. Naraku laughed.
"Well, well, Sesshomaru…you're deciding now to be the older brother figure? Hmf, no matter. He was in my way to getting what I wanted, which was his company. His girlfriend Kikyo was ever so useful in attaining that goal…now we're free to do whatever we want," Naraku answered. Figures, Sesshomaru thought.
"Well, if that's all you want to know, I believe your time in this world is up. But first I want you to watch me torture this little 'friend' of yours…" Naraku said, pulling out a large switchblade. Rin squealed through her duct-tape holding. Kagura was sweating nervously now. Naraku began to bring the blade down towards her chest…
Rin closed her eyes to embrace the impact she was about to confront. But it never came. She no longer felt Kagura's hands around her. She peeked open her eyes to see Kagura's figure in front of her. When she fully opened her eyes, she gasped.
Kagura's head was hanging low, as her arms were open wide in a protective stance. Rin saw the tip of the blade poking through Kagura's back. Naraku finally pulled the blade out, and Kagura fell over. He looked down at his subordinate with no emotion. A pool of blood began to surround her. Her eyes were lifeless.
Sesshomaru took this oppourtunity to attack Naraku while his attention was drawn to the body in front of him. Before Naraku could react, Sesshomaru punched him hard in the jaw, causing a loud "cracking" sound to resonate in the room. Naraku fell over, crashing into his desk. He freed Rin of her bindings, immediately assisting to Kagura.
"Kagura-san? Are you okay? Please Kagura-san! Just hold out a little longer!" Rin cried.
"I doubt she'll live now…" Naraku's voice said. He sat up, holding something in his hand. Sesshomaru believed it to be Kagura's heart, which had a dagger protruding it. It was beating irregularly and bleeding profusely. Naraku was smiling evilly, despite the purple swelling occurring on the left side of his face. Sesshomaru was angry now. With amazing speed, Sesshomaru stood nose to nose with Naraku, gripping his arm and wrist.
"I'll break your arm off if you don't revive her!" Sesshomaru hissed.
"Why have feelings for a useless puppet? That's all she ever was," Naraku said darkly. Sesshomaru lost it.
Snap!
Naraku cried in pain. The heart in his hand fell onto the desk. Naraku took hold of his broken arm and Sesshomaru took hold of Kagura's heart, being as gentle as he could. He walked over to Rin and Kagura's body, trying to figure out how he could save Kagura. Soon there was an insane cackling laughter from behind them. He turned to Naraku, who was holding a revolver, aiming at Sesshomaru's head.
"This is the end for you, Sesshomaru!" Naraku cried.
BOOM!
Soon the room was flooding with S.W.A.T officers all shouting for Naraku to drop the weapon and put your hands up. Naraku was dazed as he was surrounded by these people holding rifles as he dropped his weapon and held his one hand up. Shippo walked into the room.
"Naraku, you're under arrested for theft, fraud, robbery, armed robbery, pirating, holding, buying and possessing illegal substances, attempt at assassination, assassination, 25 attempted murders and over 674 murders," Shippo explained, reading off his notepad. "Oh, and speeding and driving without a license,"
Naraku could only glare as he was dragged out of the room by the officials. Finally it was over…Sesshomaru looked over at Kagura. It didn't have to go this way…
Suddenly, Kagura's eyes opened. She sat up, clutching her chest, breathing heavily.
"That bastard!" she said angrily. Shippo and Rin looked both confused and amazed at Kagura's "miraculous" recovery…Sesshomaru sighed…he'd let Kagura explain this one. Kagura noticing the looks on their faces began her explanation.
"You see, Naraku leaves often, so there's always oppourtunity to raid his office, especially since there's no surveillance in there, and besides, I live here. So shortly after I first came to see Sesshomaru-sama, I sneaked in here and stole my real heart back while he was out with Kikyo, replacing it with this other random fiend's heart that we keep in this place. My real heart is currently residing at the Tokyo hospital. I go under surgery next week,"
Everyone stared at her in slight disbelief. But that soon passed as they were glad for the most part that she survived. It was really a close call.
Now it was time to get InuYasha back home…
Sure, Kagome had been kissed before, but never as sincere like this. She never wanted it to end. InuYasha felt so warm against her, she hadn't felt this safe in a long time. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, as both parted from each other for air.
Still having her arms wrapped around InuYasha she backed off slowly so she could look into his eyes. He did the same.
How I could look into these eyes forever…both thought at the same time.
"Kagome…" InuYasha whispered as he pulled her close. He dug his face into her hair and breathed her in as if she was his source of oxygen. She placed her ear against his chest and just listened to his heart beat.
For once, both felt like this was where they belonged.
Outside, watching from one of the windows of the airplane were Sango and Miroku, both trying not to laugh.
"It's about time!" Miroku whispered. Sango giggled. She never felt happier for her friend. She could tell that he truly loved her. She looked back to the love birds then back to her own love interest.
"What a happy ending, eh?" he said turning around to face the horizon, where the sun was beginning to rise. She turned the same direction, snuggling close to Miroku. He tried to place his hand in an unwelcome area, but she quickly caught it and pinched his hand hard.
Sure, he was a pervert, but he was her pervert.
Sure, she was a slightly violent person, but she was his slightly violent person.
Sango laid her head on Miroku's shoulder, who followed by resting his head on hers. They watched the sun rise further and further into the sky. Suddenly, something caught Miroku's eyes. It was far away, but he was certain of what it was. He immediately stood up.
"Guys! It's a helicopter! It's heading this way! A helicopter! We're saved!" Miroku shouted as he ran to the shoreline and began frantically waving his arms around. Sango squinted and noticed it too. She ran inside the plane.
"Guys, there's a helicopter! Hurry!" she said quickly running back to Miroku and began waving frantically. InuYasha and Kagome looked at each other confused, soon running behind Sango to see what the fuss was about.
Soon they saw it too. They could now hear the engine and the blades roaring through the morning sky. All four were waving frantically as it got closer and closer. When they realized it was planning to land on the beach they ran off near the plane. InuYasha covered Kagome's eyes from the flying sand, and Miroku covered Sango's. Soon they heard the engine dying, and the flying sand was slowly dissipating.
InuYasha looked up to see the door opening. Soon someone who he couldn't make out was standing in the door. Then the dust settled…
…and InuYasha wished the helicopter would leave.
"Inu-kun!!! I've missed you so much!" said a light-hearted (and extremely relieved) Jakotsu.
"I hope you're alright! I've been absolutely worried sick about you! I don't know what I would do without my Inu-kun!" Jakotsu added, as he glomped his "Inu-kun". Kagome just watched, confused. So did Sango.
"Jeese, Jakotsu, calm down. You're an embarrassment," said another voice. They all looked over to the helicopter to see a man with a long braid in the fashionable suit.
"Ah, Bankotsu-san! Nice to see you again," Miroku said, holding his hand out to this "Bankotsu" person. He returned the shake.
"Same to you, Miroku," he replied.
"Miroku, InuYasha, you know these guys?" Sango asked.
"Yeah, they've done some work for InuYasha and his brother throughout the years," Miroku explained. Sango nodded, not too sure what to make of the situation. She turned to InuYasha who was currently being huggled by the other man who was called "Jakotsu". Needless to say, InuYasha didn't look too pleased.
"Please get off me," he said.
"No! I'm not letting you out of my sight for another minute!" Jakotsu declared. Bankotsu shook his head.
"C'mon Jakotsu, we're here to rescue him, not glomp the life out of him," Bankotsu said.
"Aww, please Bankotsu? It's been so long…!" he complained. Bankotsu sighed. InuYasha's anger was steadily growing. Kagome looked extremely perplexed…he was popular with girls and guys?
"Jakotsu, get a grip. We need to get back immediately. Those were Sesshomaru-sama's orders," Bankotsu explained. Jakotsu let go of InuYasha and sulked his way back to the helicopter.
"My brother sent you? Hmph…I guess I kinda owe him something then…" InuYasha said to himself quietly. Kagome smiled. She held out her hand to InuYasha.
"Come on, InuYasha. Let's go," she said. He smiled in return and took her hand. They boarded the helicopter. The engine started again. Miroku looked at Sango.
"Guess you wouldn't want to stay here, eh?" Miroku asked. Sango laughed as she motioned Miroku to follow her to the helicopter. He put his hand on her waist. Bankotsu looked around just to make sure nothing was left behind and got on the helicopter himself.
The door closed, and then they took off. All four looked down at the island which had been their home for so long. Once it was out of sight, they looked forward to the stretch of ocean ahead of them.
It was finally time to go home…
The helicopter pad was jam-packed with reporters all waiting for InuYasha's arrival. Security was struggling to keep them all tame as they struggled to break through the barriers which blocked their story. Only one person in the crowd was keeping their cool.
Then the helicopter landed. The reporters went nuts. Cameras began to flash. The TV reporters were now speaking to their audience through the video cameras. The one person who wasn't a reporter began to make their way through the crowd.
The hatch opened. Out came Jakotsu then Bankotsu. A hush fell over the crowd as cameras zoomed in waiting for InuYasha to come out of the hatch. Then…the hanyou was in the door way. Reporters were shouting his name and questions.
"InuYasha! What was it like to be trapped on an island for nearly a month?"
"Who are the other people who were stranded with you?"
"What will you do with your company now that you've returned?"
It was all noise to his ears. Miroku followed him out, then Sango, then Kagome. People were shouting questions at them too. Seeing that InuYasha was off the helicopter and on the ground, the mystery person made their move.
"InuYasha! InuYasha! Over here!"
Why does that voice sound so familiar? This scent…InuYasha thought as he began to search the crowd.
"InuYasha!"
Then he saw her. He felt relieved, but for some reason…he wasn't overflowing with joy like he thought he would be…
"Kikyo!" he said as she threw herself in his arms. She began to weep.
"I was so worried! I had no idea what to do with myself! I-I…missed you!" she cried. InuYasha stroked her hair and breathed in her scent. It was so familiar, yet unknown to him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. She sniffed.
"I-it's okay…you're safe and that's all that matters!" she replied. Then she placed her lips against his.
Bankotsu and Jakotsu could only stand there. That was also part of Sesshomaru's orders: "Do not tell him of Kikyo's actions until I speak with him. I want to show him myself".
At first, InuYasha was a little shocked, but he soon returned it. It had been so long…maybe she had finally forgiven him while he was gone…maybe they could start over…
Kikyo…
And walking away towards the stairs, with tears streaming down her face…
…was Kagome.
Phew! That took a while! Please don't kill me for how this chapter went at the end; I have a plan!!! Believe me it was anything but pleasant to write! Review please and stay tuned for Chapter 15! But first, I have to finish Chapter 2 of "Viva Las Vegas" and start my new Naruto fanfiction!!! So keep on look-out...I'm far from finished!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!