Hey! I'm back, and Germany was amazing. I'm still trying to get used to these keyboards, though (the ones in Germany were different. I had access to computers, but not to Word) so don't get mad at me if I make a few mistakes. Sorry for keeping you waiting and thanks for all the great reviews!
Disclaimer: Sadly, I did not get Inuyasha for my birthday.
XxX
Chapter 9: Unraveled
InuYasha lay in bed with his eyes wide open. It was pitch black outside, with a sliver of the moon hanging in the sky and all was quiet, but every single time that InuYasha began to drift into sleep Kagome would stir or shift and InuYasha would be wide awake again, fearing another panic attack. Luckily, one never came, but Kagome slept restlessly that night, tossing and turning as if the remnants of the nightmare wouldn't fully loosen their hold on her. InuYasha watched the sky go from black to dark blue to light blue as the moon sank and the sun rose. When the alarm clock began to beep, InuYasha quickly turned over and pretended to be asleep.
Kagome grumbled as usual as she shut of the alarm clock and got out of bed, as if nothing had happened. InuYasha stretched as if just waking up and turned his violet eyes to Kagome. She was rummaging through her closet and pulling out her uniform for the day. As she set the uniform down on the bed, Kagome noticed InuYasha staring at her. She shifted nervously but put on an innocent face. "Yes?" Kagome asked.
InuYasha narrowed his eyes. "So, what was that last night," he asked. Kagome sighed and turned back around. She had known that he was going to ask her about what had happened last night, but she really didn't want to talk about it. Kagome shrugged with her back still turned towards InuYasha.
"I already told you about the nightmare before. It was that same dream, nothing more." Kagome's breath caught in her throat as she fought to keep her voice even. She didn't want InuYasha to know how scared she was. Maybe if she pretended like it wasn't a big deal, then she might also convince herself.
InuYasha swung out of his bed and walked over to his own closet. "This one seemed worse than the last one. Maybe you should get these dreams checked out. You might hurt yourself." InuYasha didn't add how he had stayed up the entire night to make sure that Kagome didn't do just that, or how afraid he was that when the next episode came, he might not wake up while Kagome thrashed in her bed.
"Somehow," Kagome remarked dryly, "I don't think that getting them 'checked out' is going to help much." A laugh bubbled from Kagome's mouth before she could stifle it, and it was high and hysterical.
InuYasha turned around to look at Kagome. She was the picture of nonchalance, except that her eyes were full of terror. Underneath the full force of InuYasha's stare, Kagome broke down. She sank onto the bed and let the nightmare wash over her. The sights, the smells, the feel of that darkness crawling up her body like some horrible snake.
"I just…I just don't think it was only a nightmare," Kagome murmured. "The white hallways, the padded cells, they all looked so real. And I could smell the antiseptic. I could smell the blood. And that darkness. How could I imagine something like that? I can't… I don't…" Kagome trailed off. Her hands twisted together and her knuckles were white. "I just…I feel like something bad is coming."
InuYasha didn't know what to say. "It's…it's just a dream, Kageki. It's going to be okay.
Kagome started at the sound of her fake name, and she remembered where she was and to whom she was talking to. She looked up at InuYasha and she felt calmer. In that moment, Kagome didn't want to lie to InuYasha anymore. She wanted to tell him everything: who she was, what had happened, all her fears and hopes. She wanted InuYasha to know it all.
"InuYasha…" Kagome's voice was tentative. "I have something to tell you InuYasha looked at her expectantly and she took a deep breath, ready to blurt out everything…when the phone rang.
Its shrill ringing cut though the tense silence and Kagome and InuYasha stared at each other for a few seconds before InuYasha reached over and plucked up the phone.
"Yeah?" he growled. He listened for a second and a queer look passed over his face as he held out the phone to Kagome. "It's your girlfriend."
Kagome was confused until she recalled the cover story she had given Keade. A blush blossomed across her face as she waked quickly over to the bathroom.
"Keade?" Kagome breathed. This could be it. They had finally caught the killer and Kagome could be free with Souta and she could tell everyone everything and live a normal life. For a moment, Kagome dared to hope. But then Keade's voice crackled through the phone and it was hard and quick.
"Kagome. I have something important to tell you. Naraku is in the city." Kagome's stomach turned over, but before she could say anything Keade continued. "A person sighted him on the subway and phoned in, but he was too quick. He got away again. Kagome, you must try to keep as hidden as possible. If he finds out you're there… You haven't told anyone your identity, have you?"
A picture of Sango flashed though Kagome's mind but she shrugged it off. She knew that Sango would never betray her and she didn't regret telling her for even a second.
"No," said Kagome firmly.
"Good," said Keade. "Now, you must not go anywhere unless it is absolutely necessary, and try and keep in crowded areas. You must stay hidden. You must stay safe."
"Okay," said Kagome. She could deal with that, for Souta.
Keade's voice became tainted with fear. "Kagome, you must be more careful than ever. If Naraku caught you…be careful, Kagome. Be brave." The connection broke and Kagome was left holding the phone in her hands. She felt strangely empty. Somehow, she had known all along that this was coming. Ever since Naraku's eyes had bored into hers, his fingers dancing nervously and playing with the trigger on his gun. She had known then.
Kagome stood up, still numb. The fear would come later, she knew. It would come like a cloud hanging over the sun. But for now there was no cloud or sun, and she felt nothing. Kagome walked out into the room where InuYasha was waiting. She hung up the phone and went over to her bed and grabbed the uniform that lay there.
"So, what were you going to tell me?" InuYasha asked, his voice gruff.
"Oh?" Kagome looked up. "Ah, yes. I just wanted to wish you luck at the football game today." She managed a grin somehow. "First game of the year!"
Kagome walked woodenly to the bathroom to shower and change. She couldn't tell InuYasha the truth now. It would put Souta at risk. Until this was all over, she had to be more careful than ever.
XxX"Hut! Hut! HIKE!"
Kagome sprinted down the field, dodging the offending players. It was her first real game today, and it felt so different from practice. They were playing people who she didn't know at all, which made it harder to predict their movements, but all in all, it wasn't much of a challenge. With InuYasha, Miroku, Kouga, and Kagome, as well as the rest of the players, their team was excellent. Coach said that they had a good chance of going to state.
As Kagome zigzagged down the field, she glanced back and saw Kouga only a little ways behind her and InuYasha letting a ball fly down the field. Kagome watched it spiral though the air, and reached up at the exact moment to pull it into her waiting arms. Two players were coming at her from either side, so Kagome snapped it quickly to Kouga, right before she was bowled over. Kouga ran the rest of the yards to make another touchdown. Everyone cheered and gathered around Kouga just as the whistle blew for half time. Kagome ran over to the bench grinning like mad. In spite of everything that had happened, and the feeling like something bad was going to happen, she felt like nothing could hurt her out on the football field. Kagome was grabbing her water bottle when she heard a voice behind her.
"Hey! Kageki, good job!" Kagome turned to find Sango behind her.
"Thanks, Sango." Kagome smiled. Sango smiled back at her.
"I just wanted to congratulate you, and to remind you that we were going to go to the mall today, remember?" Kagome's eyes widened. She had totally forgotten. Sango kept talking. "Let's meet after the game in front of the school, okay?" Sango glanced around and her eyes found Miroku. "Well, good luck, Kagome! Show 'em what you can do." And then Sango was gone over to Miroku before Kagome could get in a single word.
Suddenly Kagome realized that she really shouldn't be going to the mall. With Naraku on the prowl in the city, she should be staying close to the school. Kagome looked around for Sango, but she had already gone back to the stands. Well, she would just tell her after the game.
After a short pep talk from the coach and a bit of a rest, Kagome was put back in the game. They were pretty far ahead, and it didn't look like the other team was about to make a comeback, so they didn't have to play too hard. Kagome's team scored another touchdown, and near the end of the game the other team was close to a touch down of their own, when one of the opponent teammates threw a wild pass. Kagome grinned as the pass sailed towards her. She sprinted forwards and plucked it out of the air. The fans went wild on the stands, and Kagome began to streak down the field as fast as she could. She had only run a few yards, however, when another player hit her from the side just as the whistle blew for the end of the game.
Kagome fell to the ground with the other man on top of her, and she heard something crack. The other player had landed on her stomach and suddenly she couldn't breath any more. The wind had gotten knocked out of her, and not air would come in. Kagome wheezed and then suddenly took a huge gulp of air. The player had climbed off of her and was shouting something to the other players but Kagome couldn't hear him. A dull ringing was sounding in her ears. The other players crowded around, and the coach jogged over from the benches. He felt her ribs, and Kagome cried out in pain. The coach nodded grimly.
"One or two are cracked. You'll heal in a few weeks, but you won't be able to play for today." Kagome nodded, and tried to get up but pain seared though her ribs. InuYasha stepped forward and lifted her up easily. The coach led them into the changing rooms, and other players followed. Kagome was in a haze of pain, or else she would have noticed them taking off her padding. Only when they began cutting off her shirt did Kagome realize what was happening, but then it was too late. The shirt fell off and only Kagome's bandages were covering her upper half.
"What is…" the coach started to reach for the bandages but then stopped as he first looked from Kagome's chest to her face and then at the boys surrounding her. Kagome pulled the shirt back around her body, and the coach stood up quickly.
"All right, boys. Everybody out. There's nothing to see." Some of them hadn't understood, and were looking confused. But Kagome looked up at Kouga and Miroku and then at InuYasha. Kouga and Miroku looked thunderstruck. InuYasha looked furious. They all walked from the room.
Kagome was left alone with the coach. She winced as she sat up, and she leaned against the lockers. The coach looked at her.
"So, are you going to tell me what is going on?" And then Kagome told him. She told him only what she had told Sango, not about the dreams or about Naraku being after her or about Souta, but it was enough. When Kagome finished, the coach rubbed his head.
"I'll have to talk about this with the school administrators. I…I don't think you'll be allowed to play football anymore, but…" the coach looked at Kagome and shrugged apologetically.
Kagome smiled. "That's okay. I'm sure with what happened today, I'll be going to a different school now. Thank you, though, for letting me play." Kagome left the locker room and walked up to her dorm room. She felt people's stares on her as she walked. The whole school probably knew what had happened now. Kagome walked into her room to find InuYasha on the bed, his face still fuming. Kagome shut the door.
"InuYasha…" But InuYasha turned around.
"I don't want to talk to you. Get out." Kagome stood her ground.
"Look, you don't even-"
"Get. Out." InuYasha's voice was cold and hard as steel.
"InuYasha I-" Kagome felt a tear drip down her cheek. InuYasha spun around, his face positively livid with rage.
"What was this to you, Kageki? Just a game? Were you just playing with all of us? I don't think…I don't think I can even look you in the face anymore. This whole time…how could you not tell me? How could you let me go on thinking…" InuYasha's voice broke off and he stood up suddenly in one fluid motion. He stalked over to Kagome and grabbed her arm, twisting it violently as he opened the door and threw her out. Kagome stumbled into the hallway, turning back to see the door close in her face.
Kagome walked to Sango's doorway, and broke down as she waited for someone to answer the door. Sango opened the door, and Kagome fell into her arms. She cried for a few minutes before getting a hold of herself. Sango said nothing. She had heard what happened in the locker room.
Finally Kagome stopped crying and pulled back from Sango. "Let's go to the mall, Sango. I have to get out of here." Kagome sniffled, but didn't cry. With what had happened here today, it was probably safer at the mall anyway. Sango nodded once and stood up. Kagome looked down at herself. She was still in her football uniform, but the coach had given her a new shirt before she left.
"I…I might need something to wear."
Sango chewed her lip. "I only have girl clothes."
Kagome nodded. That was okay. It would feel good to wear girl clothes again. Kagome jumped into the shower as Sango found some clothes that might fit her. They set out with Kagome wearing a pair of blue jeans and a red tank top. Her hair was clipped back with two barrettes. Kagome grinned at herself in the mirror. After such a long time, she finally felt a little like herself again.
XxX"Hey, look at these! They're so cute!" Kagome called Sango over to look at a pair of earrings. It felt great to finally act like a girl again, and to not have to worry about every single thing she said.
"Wow, those are gorgeous," Sango agreed. "What do you think of this top? I'm going to go try it on." Kagome smiled and walked over to the skirt section. She was looking at an especially cute gray one when she heard it.
"Hello, Kagome." The voice slithered down her spine like an ice cube. Kagome froze.
"That's it. Be a good girl and don't move now. Don't say a word, and come with me." Then Kagome came back to her senses. She spun around. Naraku stood in front of her. His limp black hair hung over his face, half obscuring his eyes that shone like black ice. His smile was nervous and gruesome and hungry, and his fingers twitched, playing with something in his hands. It was a tape player. Kagome began to back up. He couldn't hurt her here, in this crowded mall. She wouldn't go with him.
"Now now now, don't be hasty Kagome. I've got something that you might want to hear." Naraku pushed the play button on the tape player and thrust it towards Kagome. Souta's voice crackled though.
"Kagome? Kagome, where are you?" His voice was high pitched and frightened, but Naraku clicked off the tape player, looking around to make sure that they hadn't caught anyone's attention. Kagome stood frozen. He has Souta. He has Souta. The phrase repeated like a mantra over and over in her head.
"That's right," Naraku hissed, a look of triumph coming over his face. Now, go buy that skirt, so as not to look suspicious. Go now." Kagome walked jerkily over to the cash register, her mind going a mile a minute. Sango was still in the changing room. There was no one to help her. The lady at the cash register rang up the item, and then Kagome had an idea. She pulled out her credit card and handed it to the woman. The woman swiped it and then gave Kagome the receipt to sign. Kagome signed it quickly and then turned it over and wrote a quick note. The woman took back one of the receipts, Kagome made sure it wasn't the one with the note, and then gave Kagome the skirt. Kagome thanked the woman, and walked over towards Naraku. Naraku grabbed her by the arm and walked her towards the exit. Kagome dropped the note on her way out. It was a long shot that Sango would find it, but right now it was her only hope.