AN: Whooaaah, baby! It's chapter 3!! Sorry if this might have taken a while. I wish I was able to get out at least 2 more chapters because at the moment, I am on Spring Break! However, it has come to an end and I was only able to get out one. Grr... Well, I hope I can keep this interesting for you guys and thank you all for reading this!!
Chapter 3: Absences
8 am
He glimpsed at the door.
10 am
He looked at her desk.
1pm
He stared at the massive amounts of paperwork hiding her workstation.
4pm
He looked at his iPhone and at his desk phone…. No calls. No messages.
10pm
She didn't come in today.
As Sesshoumaru closed the office space and walked to his car, he gritted his teeth while his jaw pumped in severe agitation. He could feel an artery in his neck pulsate at it brought hot blood to his brain, fueling his ire. Fury stiffened his motions as his handcrafted shoes clicked lightly against the asphalt. While approaching his car, he surveyed the area for possible abnormalities and then got into his vehicle, throwing his suit jacket to the back before slamming the door. He checked his touch screen again and almost felt the urge to crush it with the sheer force of his fingers.
The wench didn't consider to even inform me of her absence. She should be fired for taking a leave during one of our largest homicide cases. Sesshoumaru fumed as his engine roared to life before galloping out of the parking deck. Street lights danced across his sleek black car and played with Sesshoumaru's angular features perpetually. A monotonous silence hung in the air and the purring of the car's engine beat against it like a drum. He drove aggressively, weaving in between eighteen-wheelers, flossing between white lines, and earning himself a few honks and middle fingers.
Speeding down the road, Sesshoumaru debated heavily between kicking in his employee's door and simply going back home. The thought and consequences flashed through his mind at lightning speed. Going home would be boring and unfulfilling; however, going to the half-brother and Kagome's residence held promising side-effects for himself. Obviously, he chose the latter.
Why should I remain upset, when I am able to unleash that wrath upon my brother?
A devious grin lightened his solemn features at the mere image of his fist powering through Inuyasha's face and his girlfriend screeching as a result. Kagome would be oh-so angry and her hands would rest against her voluptuous hips as her form would be erect with irritation. Before Kagome would begin her incessant gripes and nagging, he would harshly chide her for her absence and therefore receive the information that she withheld the night before. Yes, the prospects of it all were beyond promising. Sesshoumaru's foot added pressure to the accelerator and his car shot forward towards his destination with more fervor.
The black stallion came to a standstill in front of a small and brightly lit two-story house where the grass was browned but the trees were vibrant even in the dark night. Their branches encroached in the quaint house's bubble; its appearance more so haunted than normal. There was no indication of luminance from any room except for the lonely lights hanging from the door. With every monotonous footstep, the night echoed back hollow and unfeeling for his wrath. The quiet engulfed Sesshoumaru body and became oppressive. Mother Nature was not breathing.
Inconsistencies were finally sinking into the tall figure's senses and a chill snaked through his body. Something was awry for the whispers of the trees ceased instantaneously and the air simply shuddered around him. Quite suddenly, an ominous and enigmatic presence crawled up his legs and coiled itself around Sesshoumaru's limbs, slowing his trek to the house. It was so strong that its parasitic nature slid itself into Sesshoumaru's mouth, and he tasted a spicy and warm, metallic goodness. An uncharacteristic twinge of fear cooled his bones. Unnerved, the man shook himself from his reverie causing the previous feelings to melt away and the succulent flavor of blood to recede. Now on the alert, he glanced from side to side, checking his foreboding surroundings.
He saw it.
It appeared to be a smile, glistening with blood-stained pearls. Sesshoumaru glared at it, unblinking as wide, dark eyes opened and stared back at him with glee. He was rooted to the ground, strangely having no compulsion to move or take action against the curious creature. The most he could do was watch and wait. Suddenly, the lips grew inhumanely wider and said something that fell on deafened human ears. All was still as the wind whispered against Sesshoumaru's cheek, "Kagome."
Shocked, Sesshoumaru moisturized his eyes and the next moment the horrid thing faded back into the eerie dark of the night. Paralysis now gone, concern wracked his body as he sprinted toward the door. He rattled the handle and pounded on the closed opening to no avail. Rushed in his movements, he dialed his brother's number and hoped that the wench was in good health. While the call attempted to connect, Sesshoumaru unconsciously held his breath.
"What do you want?"came the gruff and agitated reply.
Wanting to throttle Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru countered with just as much vexation, "Why are you not in your home? You should be aware that something is hovering outside of it."
An unexpected and uneasy quiet took hold on the other line. Surely, that was the most silent Inuyasha had ever been in his life.
"Answer, imbecile." Sesshoumaru heard unsure shuffling on Inuyasha's side and another female voice that was not Kagome's speak. It seemed that Inuyasha covered the lip of the phone and all that could be discerned was mumblings. Why would he not desire for me to know what woman he is talking to? Sesshoumaru pondered as he waited and connected his brother's absence to the deathly creature that haunted the home. He immediately became infuriated.
Inuyasha returned to his brother's call and said in a hushed manner, "Sorry about that. The thing is-"
"Though you are my brother and what you do with women is your own business, I will not permit you to be gallivanting with females other than the one at your woman and while she waits at a home that is targeted by a psychopath," he hissed. An unconventional jealousy formed a knot in his chest and Sesshoumaru felt the need to justify it. "She is valuable and if she were to discover your wrongdoings then her superb work ethic will be hindered by a mutt like you."
On the other side surrounded by beeping monitors and white walls, Inuyasha's mind reeled round and round in circles of varying circumferences. Utter confusion was simply dripping off his stupefied face. Fatigue overpowering his brain, he answered lackadaisically, "What the fuck are you talking about?"
The elder brother scoffed, "You know of what I speak. Father would not approve of your cheating ways, especially to someone like Kagome."
Inuyasha growled loudly over the speaker and spat back with ferocity, "I would NEVER do that to Kagome, you sick fuck. Have some fucking faith in me, you godforsaken cock muncher! I was going to tell you about what was going on with Kagome and why she wasn't at wor-" His bellowing tirade was interrupted by another female voice who chastised him harshly. The boyfriend of Kagome apologized and returned once more to his brother, "I don't think you need to know what's going on," he paused in thought and continued, "I should fucking just hang up on you right now, prick."
Unaffected by brash words and a brash boy, Sesshoumaru changed the topic with fluidity, "What of Kagome?"
Outrage seeping away, Inuyasha's worried tone was evident even over the phone, "She's here at the hospital. I had to rush her to the E.R. when she saw a picture. She went catatonic and blacked out."
Puzzled by his words, Sesshoumaru questioned, "A picture?"
Inuyasha growled even louder, frightening the nurses and patients in hospital gowns. He kept his voice low but full of violence, "Yes, a picture. It was that monster that Kagome told you about. It took a picture of itself above the body bag of that kid that was murdered. The thing was right under the noses of dozens of squads and paramedics and none of them saw that fucker take that picture."
The information made Sesshoumaru want to plow through all the fools who allowed the killer to slink away. Before he could start thinking on how he would rain a shit storm of his hellfire, Inuyasha spoke, "Since I brought Kagome to the hospital, she's been going in and out of consciousness and wakes up screaming. The doctors say she has a self-induced fever going on and they are bringing a psychiatrist or something here to stop this shit. She was supposed to be discharged later tomorrow, but if you say that something is following us back at home, then I don't think she is safe there."
Sighing at the predicament, Sesshoumaru reluctantly offered after much thought, "You are permitted to take residence in my home until the monster is caught. Where are you located now, the room number and the exact hospital?"
"It's the only fucking hospital in our area. The room number is 622."
Sesshoumaru observed his surroundings again and then replied, "I will meet you there. I will call you as soon as I am at the hospital." He hung up his phone and briskly walked to his car. As he gave life to his metal machine, only one thought lingered in his mind--what is going on?
***
"I'm sorry, sir, but you aren't allowed to visit unless you are family," said a rather annoying middle aged woman at the front desk who kept him from his destination.
"As I have said, my brother is upstairs, and he is my family," Sesshoumaru fired back with a deadly even voice, attempting to maintain his composure.
The woman glared at him from above her spectacles and said politely, "Regardless, the young lady you are trying to visit isn't your family. The young man may not be blood related, but he is the only person who is here. Please come back tomorrow. Our visiting hours are from 8am to 8pm. If you refuse, then I would have to call security, and I would rather not."
Before the stressed man could argue, Inuyasha dashed from the elevator and turned to the lady at the desk. "Please, Miss, I need the support of my brother to help both me and my girlfriend." Inuyasha paused and averted his eyes to stare at the ground before forcing out, "In times like these he is… kind… and he is the most…uh… supportive person out there." Inuyasha almost gagged on his words, "I'm finding it h-hard to cope."
Mistaking his stuttering and gasps for air as pure emotion, the woman softened and said quietly, "Well, since you put it like that, I don't think I can deny you. I might get in trouble because of this, but seeing as how you and that young lady need him, you guys can go."
Sesshoumaru almost snorted at how easily she fell for the act at the same time Inuyasha perked up and cried in relief, "Thanks!! You have no idea how much this means!"
After signing in on the clipboard, they sauntered into the elevator. Inuyasha pressed the button marked with a six and stood rigidly beside the colder, older man. Cheesy, jazzy music filtered through their eardrums as the emotions spiraling in the air became oppressive.
"So, little brother," Sesshoumaru began condescendingly, "Am I the most supportive person out there?" He finished with a smirk but didn't look at his sibling.
Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha looked at his brother and teemed like a wailing tea pot, "Fuck you. If you had come earlier this wouldn't have happened. Now get off of my ball sack! Thanks to you coming here, I had to leave Kagome." Inuyasha fell silent and completely disregarded Sesshoumaru's presence, his mind swirling with worries.
Considering the stressful situation, the man with shortened hair decided it was best not to irk his brother and proceeded to let the comment drop. There was no point screwing with Inuyasha if he was going to cry about it.
The elevator cables reeled its passengers to safety as the younger one began to fidget with impatience. The shaft groaned quietly, somewhat startling its occupants. The rustling of wrinkled jeans and twiddling fingers grew louder as they ascended to the sixth floor. Inuyasha's gaze tried to no avail to penetrate the metal door, and Sesshoumaru grew weary of the idiosyncrasy. Before he could cease the irritating movements by striking Inuyasha, the bell for the sixth floor sounded and the doors slid open in welcome.
Inuyasha rushed from the small space and Sesshoumaru wondered about the change in attitude but followed anyway. As he drew closer, Inuyasha seemed to pick up speed, and Sesshoumaru found it a little difficult trying to dodge busy nurses, carts of food, rolling gurneys, and discombobulated patients and family members stumbling about. The clamor of voices and shuffling became a haze about him as he watched Inuyasha scurry through the maze before vanishing into a room. The door slammed loudly behind him.
Approaching room 622, Sesshoumaru suddenly wondered why he was even there. He had gotten his answer and he found out more about the incident with the killer. He even discovered that the same thing was most likely following Kagome and that his brother wasn't performing any injustices. These were all truths, so why? Sesshoumaru stepped away from the door he was in front of and allowed his pale fingers to fall away from the handle. His feet began to carry him away when a low wail and crying reached his ears. On impulse, Sesshoumaru burst through the door and past the curtain and stopped the instant his eyes fell on his employee.
Sitting upright, Kagome seemed to have recovered from some sort of spell and Inuyasha stood protectively beside her, caressing her forehead and clutching her hand. The nurse beside her was taking her blood pressure as the box above her chimed at a soft, steady adagio. After recording the information, the nurse grabbed a juice box, giving Kagome some pills and then the drink. Kagome took everything willingly and muttered a "Thank you". Quickly, the nurse passed Sesshoumaru and closed the door quietly.
The rather pale woman adjusted herself into a more upright position so she could stare at her boss just as Inuyasha sat beside her, never separating his hand. The white gown clung to her moistened body just as her once voluminous and sleek, wavy hair stuck to her forehead. Her pallor was less lively than he was accustomed to, having turned into the skin tone of a sickly person. Upon closer examination, one could see that the gods of sleep and dreams were not kind to her for her normal tired eye baggage was swooping more than usual. However, despite her seeming frailty, she regarded him with lighted blue eyes while a small yet brilliant appreciative upturn of the lips graced her contrasting features.
"Mr. Taisho, I'm happy you came to see me. I'm sorry I missed work today," she chirped with a slightly haggard voice.
Needless to say, Sesshoumaru was puzzled. Wasn't she sick? Wasn't she suffering? If not for her physical appearance, no one would have guessed the magnitude the situation at hand. Speaking of their situation, it's imperative that I gather the information from her in a gentler manner. Since her condition and connection to various devices prevented her from escaping, she would answer my questions.
His gaze lingered, unwavering as he brushed off her apology, "It is of no importance. I have come to inform you that both you and the half-ling will stay in my home until the killer is caught."
She looked at quizzically. "What? Why would you do that? The thing only gave me a picture; that doesn't mean it knows where I live."
"On the contrary, while in front of your home something was in the trees and watching me. It was smiling at this Sesshoumaru."
Kagome gasped as the hand that was holding Inuyasha's gripped tighter and trembled. In turn, his half-brother tossed him a nasty look. Sesshoumaru observed as she swallowed her saliva and chewed on her bottom lip before casting her eyes downwards. In those cobalt eyes held the most fear that he had ever seen her divulge.
A miniscule pang of guilt pinched his heart and he instantly felt sorry for having reminded Kagome of unsavory memories. Regardless, there was a case to be solved and an employee to protect. He continued as he approached her downcast head, "There were events that I know you have failed to inform me of that night we discovered the body. You know it is essential I know of this information, Higurashi."
Her face jerked upwards and he immediately saw her normal, fiery rebellious nature rise. As instantly as it came, her face softened and a myriad of expressions projected across her face. Her breasted heaved as she exhaled loudly. Inuyasha knowingly squeezed her hand, indicating there was no need to tell him the truth. Kagome shook her head and let her obsidian tresses (hoorah! ^__^') blanket her face. There was no point hiding now.
Gathering her nerves, she met Sesshoumaru's expectant gaze and stoic face. The words tumbled out of her mouth slightly incoherently; she didn't want to dwell on the memories, "The part… I didn't tell you about was when it came to me and smiled at me and told me to 'Look inside.' Right when it bit my neck."
It was then Sesshoumaru noticed the large gauze taped to her skin at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. It looked stained with maroon, and Sesshoumaru felt inclined to change the dressing. He began to doubt if this was really a dream.
"Is there more?" he pressed.
She suddenly found the spot on the wall parallel to her body very interesting. "Then when I was at the warehouse when we were about to leave, I thought I saw it smiling at me in the woods. And when we got home…." Kagome trailed off.
Inuyasha found her uneasiness overwhelming and finished for her, "Then we saw the picture the fuck had put in our car."
Truly interesting, the older man thought, but why would it find so much interest in Kagome?
Sesshoumaru let his eyes travel over the spectacle in front of him before they landed on their intertwined fingers. Piercing those fingers with his gold, he voiced, "Where is the picture?"
Inuyasha glanced hesitantly at Kagome as he reached in his pocket and pulled the folded picture out and handed it across the bedding to Sesshoumaru. The only pair of blue in the room flicked towards the picture with the blood stained letters facing outwards. The words etched on the picture were chiseled again on the tombstone in her mind. Her vision magnified and decreased on the words as the room crumbled around her. All she could hear was the killer's voice echoing and taunting her, "Look inside."
Her own voice came out soft and frightened, startling both men and causing Inuyasha's hand with the picture to pause tantalizingly in front of her face, "You were supposed to take that out of here."
"I'm sorry. I had to keep it just in case someone would come for it," Inuyasha said guiltily.
"You were supposed to take that out of here," Kagome forced out with more urgency as her eyes never left the picture in front of her face.
Even in his grasp, the picture unfolded on its own and the pure artistry of the killer's masterpiece danced seductively in front of her eyes again and again.
Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. It became a booming mantra in Kagome's mind.
Kagome screeched as she knocked the picture out of Inuyasha's hand into her lap, "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO TAKE THAT OUT OF HERE!!"
She screamed hysterically as she tried to hop to her feet, backing away from the picture as much as she could. In the cacophony the heart monitor beeped rapidly and continued to rise. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's hands grappled for her, attempting to keep her restrained for her hands clawed at her elbow while she made to pull the IV out. The ghost in her head barked its laughter maniacally, fully pleased at the havoc it was erupting in Kagome's sanity.
All at once in the haziness of Kagome's vision, the world moved in slow motion while the being with long hair and bloodstained lips pirouetted around her room. It caressed her kicking legs and even touched the two men who held her down. The nurses broke into the room and she could see with great acuity how they took the filled syringe and fed it into her IV while shouting orders like military men.
The words of one of the nurses were muted and slow, "Get them out of here!!"
In the flecks of Kagome's remaining sight, she saw as Inuyasha and her boss were forcefully escorted out of the room while the atrocity made the room into a playground. It was teasing her. A cry that she was sure was not hers was ripped from her throat, "Don't leave me with that thing!!"
But it was no use, they were gone and the sedative was already making her eyelids heavy. Kagome could vaguely sense the nurses who had backed away and were checking all of the connections. Their whispers and fretting gradually became a dull hum in Kagome's head and her lashes batted in an attempt to stay awake. Feeling the weight of sleep become overbearing, Kagome finally felt the need to shut her eyes.
As lids slid over the cerulean gems, the creature that so greatly haunted her appeared before her vision and licked its lips before it smiled. Then she felt its horrendous lips pucker against her cheek in a grotesquely loving manner. Kagome couldn't find the strength to scream for it to go away, and she secretly bellow at those nurses who couldn't see the torturous creature. All she could do was allow herself to fall, fall, fall into that dark abyss of slumber. As if death had taken her, Kagome's fiery spirit dimmed, and she exhaled the smoke, her body completely still.
Unbeknownst to anyone, on Kagome's face was the imprint of red lips on her cheek.