Chapter 8: The Aftermath
"I can't believe it." Repeated Ayame, staring out of the car window as they drove to The Bookshelf.
"You're telling me. I only found out about when she didn't know I was there." Retorted Sango.
"And we're going to her work to confront her because…?" asked Kouga casually, leaning against his seat.
"Because she's our friend and she never told us what, or who, she is." Snapped Ayame. They pulled into the parking lot, walked up to the store, opened the door, and stared in shock at the sight of Kagome and Inuyasha lip-locking in the main room. Sango stared for a minute before, "HOLY CRAP!" She screamed. Kagome pushed him away.
"Happy now?" she growled. Everyone cheered,
"Yes! Now let's get on with the meeting!" announced the girl in the priestess outfit (A/N: I really need to give these people names…)
"Um, Kagome?" asked Ayame tentatively, Kagome looked up, "Yes?"
"Can we speak with you please?" added Sesshomaru. She nodded, standing up (she had sat down earlier) and leading the way to the storage room,
"What's up?" she asked as she closed the door behind them.
"First off, what the hell was that about? Your two were shoving your tongues down each other's throats! " Demanded Sango, Kagome and Inuyasha blushed, "T-that was because they were suspicious that we weren't engaged." She assured them, "A-and you can't shove tongues down throats, it's a physical impossibility, people's tongues aren't that long." Kagome added hastily. The girls gave her withering looks, "Look." She growled, "I've told you about how I feel about guys!" Sango winced at her friend's tone, "Yes."
"Then you know that I wouldn't do anything unless there was no other way." Ayame drooped, "Yeah, we know." Kagome humphed, "So no assuming anything." She scolded lightly, "Anyway," she turned to the two men, "What did you come here for? I was going to come home in an hour or two anyway, you could've waited." She planted her hands on her hips, looking at them curiously. Sango looked away guiltily, "Well…I…uh…I…told them." She cringed, expecting a barrage of shouting and a very violent Kagome. That didn't happen. Kagome stared off into space, memories flooding her conscience. Reluctantly, she put them away and smiled ruefully at her, "I could've expect you to keep my secret forever. I'm glad you lasted this long." She walked by them, opening the door.
"What?" They were shocked by the fact that she was so calm about it. She wasn't even denying it!
"You're not ashamed!" demanded Ayame, following Kagome into the store.
"Why should I be? I enjoy being this way much more then being normal." Laughed Kagome, amused.
"But, but-!" stammered Ayame helplessly. Kagome raised her eyebrows, "Am I supposed to be ashamed that I'm half-demon?" she asked casually.
"Usually." Interrupted Sesshomaru archly. Kagome rolled her eyes, "Just because society can't accept us because we're different; doesn't mean I should be ashamed of what I am." She pointed out calmly.
"Does Inuyasha know?" asked Sango curiously.
"No." snapped Kagome, "And I don't intend to tell that bastard anytime soon. And you won't either." She growled giving them a scathing look.
"But you need to tell him!" pressured Sango, "Do you really want some guy thinking that you're some weak human?" Kagome flinched, "I don't care what he thinks. I just want to get this over with so I can be left alone again. Now if you'll excuse me, I would like for you to leave." She escorted them to the door and practically threw them out. "I'll see you at the house." She spoke coldly, shutting the door.
"Wow." Commented Ayame, "That was cold."
"We are screwing with her life." Pointed out Kouga. Sango glared at him, "It's for her own good." She growled. Kouga held up his hands in surrender, "hey, hey. I'm just stating the facts."
"We should go back to her house." Interjected Sesshomaru.
"Sesshomaru. Do you have any spine at all?" demanded Sango indignantly. Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows, "I believe that having a spine is mandatory skeletal." He pointed out coolly. Sango rolled her eyes as he added, " Besides, I was thinking that we could separate those two and tell Inuyasha about Kagome." Sango narrowed her eyes, "Let's go."
They spoke softly in the living room, the one closet to the door. Sango had found the tea, hidden in a dark corner of the pantry covered with other foods, and had made for everyone. They heard loud voices coming from the other side of the door.
"I can't believe you." Growled Kagome, leaning heavily on him as they entered the house, "How the hell can you miss something as big as that?" Inuyasha rolled his eyes, not saying anything. "What happened!" demanded Sango, staring at the two. Kagome glared at Inuyasha, "He tripped me."
"It wasn't on purpose!" he shot back.
Kagome snorted, "As if." She jerked her head at him, "He tripped me, and I fell and twisted my ankle in a way which I'm pretty sure it's not designed to go." She winced as she pulled her leg up, revealing a twisted, swollen ankle. She glared at him, "It's broken." She hissed, tracing the swollen appendage. Ayame winced, staring at it. Kagome winced, "Could someone go get me some Ibuprofen? I need Ibuprofen." Ayame raced off to get her some.
"Aunt Kagome." Groaned a voice (A/N: like you don't know who that is.) "What have you done now?" Moriko eyed them from a T.V. screen that had slid into view.
"Jesus!" breathed Kouga, "Do you have a T.V. in every room?" Kagome nodded, "Moriko's idea." The face on the screen glared at him, "You got a problem with that, boy?" she demanded. He shook his head hastily, "No ma'am." She nodded once and returned her attention to Kagome, "SO what did your fiancé do now?" she asked archly, raising her eyebrows at the ankle. "I tripped." Replied Kagome casually, "Anyway you could help?" Moriko shook her head, "We're too far apart, if I tried all I'd do was ease the pain, and even that wouldn't be noticeable to you." She added, "Your best bet is to let it heal on it's own, oh and twist the bone back into place first. Little advice, take Ibuprofen before." She nodded.
"Is that Kagome, Moriko?" asked a distinctly male voice. A young man appeared on screen, show-white hair, tan skin, tall and lanky, and very handsome. Moriko turned to him, "Yeah. Wanna say hi?" she asked casually. He shrugged, "Hello Kagome-san." He greeted waving at them, "Who are your friends?" Moriko introduced them. He caught sight of Kagome's ankle and grimaced, "What happened, Kagome?" Kagome shrugged, this was starting to get annoying, "I tripped."
"What she means to say is, she tried to fall backwards onto her fiancé and ended up breaking her ankle. Didn't work did it?" interjected Moriko wickedly, waggling her eyebrows. Kagome turned bright red, "Mor-i-ko!" she screeched. Moriko held up her hands, "Hey I'm just sayin'" she grinned evilly at them "I have to admit though, you two look good together." She burst out laughing at their tomato red faces. Luki put a hand on her shoulder, "Moriko, that wasn't very nice." Moriko shrugged, looking up at him, "You have to admit that it was too good to pass up."
Luki smiled, "Yes."
"Moriko." Began Kagome in a honey-sweet voice, "If you want to talk to me ever again you'll quit doing this." Moriko gulped, "Yes, Aunt Kagome." She murmured, "But I still think you two look good."
"MORIKO!"
"Sorry, sorry. I won't do it again. When are you flying out for Katsucon?" she switched subjects, and Kagome shrugged, "When I wrap things up here." Moriko nodded, "Ah, you're little issue." She raised her eyebrows but her expression remained serious, "Your little killer friend?" Silence echoed throughout the room.
"…What?" Squeaked Kagome. Moriko shrugged, "The guy who's after you hasn't tried to hide himself from me." She explained. Kagome snorted, "Yeah right, no one can hide from you."
Moriko gave her a stern look, "That's beside the point. He is very…interesting, if I do say so myself."
"You know about what's happening to Kagome, and you aren't going to do anything about it!" demanded Inuyasha. Moriko stared at him coldly, "My Aunt can handle herself. If she needs my help, she can ask for it. I will not do so if she doesn't want me too, besides…" she smiled mysteriously, "She shouldn't have a problem seeing as she's half-demon." Kagome flushed, then paled then flushed again, "Moriko! You know I told you-"
"Aunt Kagome," she cut her off, "They need to know. If you want to be left alone you can. It's up to you. I know full well that you can defend yourself quite adequately, and would be still even if your weren't what you are."
"Hold up, I'm confused." Interrupted Inuyasha, "Kagome's a half-demon." Kagome nodded. Moriko rolled her eyes, "My, aren't you smart." Luki laid a hand on her shoulder and she fell silent. Kagome nodded slowly, "Got a problem with that?" she snapped staring defiantly at him. He shrugged, "No. Just that now I don't have to go to much easier on you if we ever get in a fight." Moriko burst out laughing, "Gods, that's very funny!" she giggled and Luki smirked. Kagome glared at him, "If we ever get into a fight, you'd better hope to get out of it alive." She murmured. Moriko composed herself, "Kagome, if you don't hurry your ankle bone will start fusing and then you'll have to get surgery." She warned, pointing at it. Kagome winced, "Do I have to?" she whined, staring at the swollen joint. Moriko shook her head, "No, but you won't ever be able to walk very well and you can kiss your athletic life goodbye." Kagome sighed, "I can't do it. I'll be concentrating on blocking the pain," she raised her eyebrows at Inuyasha, "Will you do the honors?" she asked pointedly, "After all, you do enjoy my pain so much." He smirked, "Do you really?" he held his hands over her ankle, "Ready?" he cautioned, she nodded gritting her teeth. He jerked her ankle back into place. She screamed, bolting upright.
Moriko grimaced, "You lost your hold on the blocking spell" she scolded, "That's why it hurt." Kagome whimpered clutching ankle, "Just focus your energy on the ankle." She instructed calmly, "Your body will do the rest." Kagome obeyed reluctantly, focusing her magic on the stabbing pain and it slowly ebbed away.
"Feel better now?" Kagome nodded, "Good. I'll call tomorrow okay? Oh, Kagome have you told them about your other half yet?" she added after a minute."
"Other half?" questioned Ayame suspiciously, narrowing her eyes at the girl. Kagome waved her hand dismissively, "Oh nothing, nothing at all." She managed to stand and swayed slightly, her ankle off the ground.
"Kagome, I really don't think you should—" Kagome went rigid, her eyes rolling into the back of her head and her body emitting a faint white glow. She shuddered and collapsed in a heap, unconscious.
"Kagome!" shrieked Sango, rushing to her best friends side. She was pale and stone cold.
"Kagome? Kagome?" she shook her friend's shoulders, "Kagome, wake up!" She remained limp and lifeless.
"What's wrong with her!" demanded Ayame, kneeling down on Kagome's other side.
"I don't know. Someone go look for something that could help!" she commanded the men. They obeyed instantly, opening drawers and cabinets but it still took them minutes to find the paper stuck to the fridge in plain sight.
If I have collapsed:
Do I look dead? Do I look like some I'm in a strange sleep like in Snow White or Sleeping Beauty? Are you freaking out?
If the answer is yes to these questions please refer to the instructions below
CALL MORIKO YOU BLUNDERING IDIOT!
703-451-9264
Signed hopefully quite clearly,
Kagome
Right after Moriko said goodbye to Kagome at her place
"Why are you trying to get Kagome to tell them what she is?" murmured Luki, wrapping his arms around her. Moriko muttered something, "Because she swore me to secrecy on what she is, but that doesn't mean I can't prod her friends into cornering her into telling them." She replied finally, snuggling into his chest.
"But why-?" Luki didn't finish the sentence, Moriko had gone rigid, her eyes widening in shock.
"Shit!" she snarled, "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!"
"What's wrong?"
"Some idiot is trying to open a gate!" she snarled at him. Luki paled, "Oh no, Kagome…"
"Yeah."
"You should go."
"Only if they call."
"But Moriko…"
"I promised Kagome I'd only come if someone called my number."
The phone rang and despite the situation, Luki smiled, "I guess they found the note."
12 minutes before any of this happened (A/N: I know a second one is kinda lame but it's kind of importante)
"Are you finished yet?" demanded a cold voice as a dark haired man entered the room. Anther man was on his hands and knees painstakingly drawing out a huge intricate diagram. The second man snorted, "Do you want this done right or not?" The dark haired man growled through the back of his throat, "Just get done soon."
"Already finished." Interrupted the kneeling man, standing up and stretching, "Just remember the incantation and focus on the world you want to go to. Mind you, it's dangerous to stay on other worlds for too long and it'll be much harder for you to get back." The dark-haired man stared at him for a minute before saying, "I know. That's why you're the one going." He shoved the man into the middle of the diagram.
"Wha? Why milord? I have been your must loyal servant!" spoke the man.
The dark haired man threw a backpack at him, "And so you are. Now you will serve me an even greater purpose."
The man's eyes filled with tears, "Y-you really mean it, milord?" he asked.
The dark-haired man nodded, "You are a most loyal servant, Jorad. Serve me well, and you will be rewarded very handsomely." He began chanting, the flowing off of the paper he held as the diagram began to glow. A brilliant flash of light accompanied the last sentence. The dark haired man laughed, "I wonder how you feel right now, Kagome my sweet, because if it's what I think it is you'll be feeling much worse by the time I'm through with you." He called for another servant to erase and change the symbols written in chalk and left to finish his research.
Back to the Present
"Come on, Come on! Pick up!" chanted Ayame frantically as she held the phone.
"Hello?" answered a voice on the second ring.
"Moriko! Oh thank god! Something's happened to Kagome!" she shrieked into the phone.
"I know. Thank you for calling me. I'll be there in a minute or two." Muffled voices spoke on the other end, "Ayame right? Please get out of the kitchen but keep the phone off the hook and no matter what you hear in this room, don't come in ok?" Ayame agreed, shoving everyone out of the room. A loud booming sound erupted from the kitchen and they couldn't help but look in it. Flame swirled in a whirlwind and slowly dissipated into the floor not even leaving a burn mark and revealing a tall sable haired woman that was clearly Moriko.
"Where is she?" she demanded instantly, cutting straight to the chase. Ayame led her straight to where Kagome lay. Nothing had changed. Moriko kneeled down next to her checking her vital signs,
"The goods news, she's still alive. The bad news, she won't be waking up for at least a couple of days, if we can get her back."
"What do you mean?" demanded Inuyasha. Moriko scowled at him, "I can't tell you. If I did Kagome would never forgive me." Sesshomaru opened his mouth to speak but Moriko growled at him, "What I can tell is Kagome isn't here right now, at least, her soul isn't. We need to get her back." She turned to Inuyasha; "I need for you to carry her into her bedroom."
"What? Why me?"
"Because you're the only one who can!" she snapped. She pointed an accusing finger at Sesshomaru, "He can't, he's claimed." She pointed at Kouga, "So is he and it wouldn't look right if a girl did it. That leaves you Mr. I'm-too-good-to-pick-up-an-unconscious-girl. You pick her up or you're gonna get stuck with a comatose girl for the rest of your natural life!" She growled in frustration. Inuyasha grumbled incoherently, but picked Kagome up. Moriko led the way led the way to her bedroom, "Lay her on the bed then get out of here. What I have to do ain't gonna be pretty." She instructed, rummaging around in Kagome's nightstand. She took out a small wooden box with strange symbols carved delicately all over it. She looked up and narrowed her eyes at them, "Didn't I tell you to leave?" she murmured and invisible hands shoved them out of the room and slammed the door. She opened the box, revealing an assortment of vials, bottles and to anyone else's surprise, sharpie markers of all shapes and sizes. Moriko laughed evilly, "You know Kagome," she grinned at the girl, "I do so love when I get to do this." She striped her down to her bra and panties. She picked a black, thin tip sharpie and began drawing symbols on her finger joints and used increasingly larger ones to draw on her larger ones. When she was done, Kagome looked like some satanic sacrifice ready to be killed. Moriko rolled her eyes at the thought; Christians could be so dense on the matters of religion (A/N: I'm sorry if this offends anyone). She murmured a sentence tracing a symbol outline on Kagome's forehead. The symbols glowed brightly for a second and faded back to their original color as Moriko opened her eyes, grinned maniacally. She picked up a random sharpie and began doodling all over the unconscious girl. Kagome twitched as she drew on her face, giggled as she drew on her arms and downright laughed as she doodled on her stomach. She drew all over the poor girl who had become an unwitting victim of Moriko's sadistic-er-artistic mind. She finished just as someone knocked on the door. She schooled her expression into a professional look before opening the door.
"Moriko what are you….are you okay?" asked Sango strangely.
"Yes." She closed the door behind her.
"Then why is your eye twitching like a psychotic bunny?"
Moriko's lips twitched involuntarily, "You'll find out soon enough. I'm sorry, I must be going." She couldn't help cackling evilly as she disappeared in a whirlwind of flame.
"So, who wants to go in first?" asked Sango as they stared at the closed door.
"I think her 'fiancé' should go in." commented Ayame slyly, "After all they should be sharing it soon enough." Inuyasha gave her a look that had birds fall out of the sky and pro wrestlers cower and cry for their mommy. She drew back slightly but her face didn't change. He brightened suddenly, snaked an arm around her shoulders, opened the door, and shoved her into the room before she could blink, closing the door right behind her. They leaned in to here what was going to happen.
"Pfffffft…..Pfffft….."
THUMP"BWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
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TMK: Just some minor changes, some grammar mistakes I didn't see at first. By the way,does anyone want to be my editor? I usually don't see my mistakes until I haven't looked at it for a while and I would be very appreciative if someone would help me out. Hope you enjoy the story!