Well, dudes, sorry this took so long, but guess what? It's finished! Woot! Only a few more chapters to go, so I hope you haven't been ripping your hair out in frustration because I'm busy, but since I don't want to become like some people I know, I am trying very hard not to neglect you guys, cuz I mean, come on, without you's, I'd be nothing, so, here's to all my fans and reviewers, I love you guys, you've made this story worth writing, and I have no one to thank but you! You guys rock!!
Deds:
Mystical Hanyou - She sure does have a gun. Guess who she's going to use it on? Lol, sometimes a plot twist works out for everyone, no?
cookiemonsterks - Well... those were some highly volatile plans! Very tortuous. Are you sure you're not into S&M?? Scrubbing and mopping?!?! Hahaha! That was great, I laughed. I hope you like what really happens to her, and you're not too disappointed, cuz, damn, those were some pretty tight plans!
Well, that's it, only two I believe, if I overlooked you its cuz I haven't received any mail from the bot, so blame them, not me. So sad, only two... sniffle, I think I die!!
Sweet Temptation
Kaede climbed into her car and drove home, and Kikyou, shading her eyes from the sun's glare, watched her go. The older woman had once again called Kanna's cell, only to find that she'd turned it off.
Kikyou couldn't help but worry for the older lady. If Kagura could barely fend Kanna off, how would Kaede fare?
She rubbed her arms in the chilly late-afternoon air, and stepped back into the house, Rin materialising by her side.
"What's going on?" she asked, her eyes worried. Kikyou sighed.
"I don't know, Rin. Kaede says she's going to commit Kanna to a mental institution, but I doubt she'll go willingly. Look how much older Kagura is than Kanna, and she's taken quite a beating. I really don't think Kaede will have better luck, especially on her own."
Rin nodded in agreement. "I wonder where Kanna is now."
Kikyou wondered the same thing, and in an instant, the familiar surroundings of home were still there, but it was dark, and creepy. Looking through the living room doorway, she saw her sister Kagome, on the floor, sitting in a pool of light, clutching her stomach with one hand and looking at the blood covered fingers of the her other, as if the hue and saturation of her own life-force fascinated her, as if she was oblivious to death's proximity. She turned to look right at Kikyou, and whispered, "Help me, Kikyou," in a voice so faint Kikyou barely heard her. A bloody bubble burst from her mouth, and for the first time, Kikyou noticed the bloody hole in her chest, previously blocked by her arm, but now visible as all life fled from Kagome's body and her arm flopped down on her side, motionless.
Kikyou tried to call out, but could neither move nor speak; when she blinked, everything was as it had been only a moment before. Rin still stood next to her, fist under chin, her eyes far away in thought.
Kikyou wondered just how long her visions lasted; it appeared to be only a few seconds at most. Still, she felt more shaken and afraid for her sister's life than ever. What's going on? Why am I seeing my sister's death?
Kikyou wondered if she was clairvoyant, but decided she was not. She would be helping police track down killers if that were the case. She was unnerved that her subconscious mind kept showing her Kagome's demise.
Was it a sign? And why did it change? Had the situation changed somehow, thereby altering the circumstances of Kagome's death? And most importantly, why me? Why am I having these visions?
Kikyou looked at Rin but couldn't bring herself to burden her younger sibling with her thoughts. Rin had enough to worry about, and Kikyou decided to get her mind off of it.
"Rin, do you have any homework?"
Rin nodded, replying, "Yeah, I've been neglecting it lately. Thanks for reminding me, Kikki." She walked off in a daze, lost in her own thoughts.
Kikyou could sympathise; she knew how she felt. Watching Rin go, she then turned to her bedroom doorway, where Kagura lay dozing on her comforter, tossing every now and again, restless. Kikyou closed the door quietly, but Kagura opened her eyes and croaked, "Kikyou? Don't leave me…"
Kikyou came back into the room, and sat on the edge of the bed, taking Kagura's proffered hand and holding it tightly.
"What's wrong, Kagura?"
Kagura closed her eyes, and mumbled, "She's going to kill her," before her eyes opened wide and she sat bolt upright, her face glistening in the light from the window. Kikyou's brow furrowed.
Kagura's face was coated in sweat. Reaching out she felt her friend's forehead, shocked by the intense heat that radiated from her skin.
A fever? She thought, befuddled. Where would Kagura have picked up a fever?
Then she remembered her dirty clothes, her purple, dirt-streaked face… had Kagura managed to infect her wounds, or was it her hand? Kikyou didn't know, and it scared her.
"I'm calling the hospital," she said, reaching into her pocket and flipping open her phone. Kagura gripped her hand with the strength of someone three times her size. "No."
Kikyou was taken aback. Didn't Kagura want help? "Why not?"
But Kagura refused to answer, shaking her head violently before falling back on the sheets, exhausted from the effort of sitting up.
"You stay," she pleaded weakly, her grip slackening. Kikyou flipped her phone shut, and, against her better judgement, did as her friend asked, and waited.
I'll call when she's asleep, she reassured herself. Ten minutes later her phone rang, and she answered. It was Kagome.
"Kikki, it's Kags. I'm coming home, but the guys are going to go out for a drink, and Sango and Ayame are going too. You wanna go?"
Kikyou was reluctant to leave her friend, and told her sister so.
"What's Rin doing?"
Kikyou replied, "Her homework. She's worried, too, Kagome. And I need to tell you something. I've been-"
"Kikki, honey, they're pushing me. You going or not? They're leaving now."
Kikyou didn't want to leave Kagura, but the offer was too tempting to resist.
Kagome said, "I'll stay with Kagura, if it'll convince you to go."
Finally Kikyou gave in and hung up, stroking her friend's brow gently.
Getting up, she left the room, not hearing Kagura plead weakly, "Don't leave me…"
S.T.
Kanna awoke with a start. The sun shone in her eyes, and she closed her eyelids shut tightly, trying to block it out, her head throbbed so badly.
Fucking sun, she cursed silently, rolling over and flinging her arm out, only to hit something soft and warm that made an "Oof!" noise when she made contact with it.
Rolling over, she looked into the face of a man she'd never seen before, and began to panic. Where the hell was she? Had they had sex? Was he diseased? He was cute, he might be, she considered, the pain in her head forgotten.
"Good morning," he greeted her, and reaching out, began to run his fingers through her long, white hair.
Her eyes narrowed to slits and she tried to bite his hand, curling her lip and backing out of the bed, searching for her clothes.
"Whoa, sweetheart, no need to get nasty," he said, getting out himself to try and calm her down. She spied her clothes folded neatly on a nearby chair and hastily put them on, her bra and underwear still on her, much to her surprise.
"Who are you?" he asked, sitting on the side of the bed she'd vacated and watching her button her shirt.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" she retaliated, looking for her purse. If he'd robbed her… She suddenly remembered her gun, and began to comb the room with her eyes frantically, until she finally spotted it on the floor by the door.
She visibly relaxed as he replied, "Well, a pretty girl like you, all alone on the bar scene, drunker than sin, ought to be looked after. Wouldn't you agree?" He smiled at her and her heart began to hammer.
Why was she attracted to him? He wasn't drop-dead gorgeous, like most of her conquests were, but he had his own charm that strangely calmed her, and made her feel at ease.
"Are you saying that you brought me here, only to keep me safe? Nothing else?"
He folded his hands between his knees and smiled dismally at her. "Is that so hard to believe?"
She guffawed. "Yeah! I mean, not many guys out there would be that considerate, especially if I was as drunk as you say I was." Honestly, she couldn't even remember where she been last night, let alone who she'd been with.
He chuckled then, and confessed, "Well, I saw a beautiful girl that was wasted, and couldn't stand to have anyone take advantage of her, so I brought her home. Are you angry?"
She thought about it. She wasn't angry, not at all. She had been at first, but now, she felt as comfortable as she had when she was with her best friend back in England, Satsuki. She really missed Satsuki… I should write to her, she thought, before returning her attention to the man before her.
He was young, and fair of face; his eyes, a soft brown, looked at her from under short, unruly hair that reached just past his ears. His easy smile elicited a response from her heart that she'd been unaware she was capable of feeling.
Ignoring her heart for the moment, her eyes opened wide when he remarked, "Kanna is a beautiful name. Very fitting for a beautiful girl." To Kanna's extreme embarrassment, she blushed, the heat rising to her cheeks and spreading so quickly she had no time to control it. He was so different from any other man in her life. He was… kind, and she didn't even know his name.
"How do you know my name? And why did you ask if you already knew?" she asked, her familiar cloak of suspicion and distrust returning. He smiled wider, trying to reassure her.
"I wanted to be sure you knew. I looked in your wallet. Don't worry, I didn't steal anything."
Kanna wondered if he'd seen her gun in there. It was pretty hard to miss, being white. And she'd carefully inscribed her name on the handgrip with a pen that wrote in pink ink, truly personalising it as her very own. However, if he'd seen it, he didn't mention it. She smiled. He really was a sweet guy.
"Well, thanks for looking out for me, Mr…?"
"Please, call me Suikotsu," he said, rising, and holding out his hand.
She shook it and commented, "Nice boxers." They were covered in a repetitive pattern, toads alternating with tree frogs, brightly coloured and very detailed.
"Thanks," he replied sheepishly, reaching for his jeans. While he dressed, Kanna picked up her purse and reached inside, the now-familiar shape of the gun still in its place, completely relaxing her.
"How old are you?" she asked after he was fully dressed. He laughed.
"Older than you. Why do you think I kept my eye on you?"
She blinked. She had no idea, other than one. "You wanted to fuck me?"
He laughed again. "Hell, no. I'm no cradle-robber. Besides, I just got out of a relationship." He jerked a thumb at a framed picture on his nightstand. He and a young woman were waving at the photographer, and they were standing on a sandy white beach in some place that looked real warm. The woman had long bluish-grey hair and a sweet face.
"Her name was Botan," he told her. "She died in a car accident last year. I tried to save her, but…" he trailed off, and she did not ask him to continue.
Respectfully, she waited in silence for him to collect himself. "Sorry," he apologised, "speaking of her still makes me emotional."
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "Thanks again for looking out for me." She turned to leave, her hand on the knob, when he called, "Wait."
She stopped, but did not look back.
"Look, I really like you," he said, coming to her and taking her hand, yet she still would not look at him. "I'm sorry I brought you to my apartment, and not someplace more impersonal, like a hotel, but I'm doctor, Kanna. I couldn't let you leave that bar last night, intoxicated as you were, to fend for yourself in the city. Someone would have picked you off and you'd be nothing more than another statistic, 'Girl Raped and Killed While Intoxicated'. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least try to help you."
Kanna felt a hot tear gather in her eye, but blinked forcefully, pulling it back in. She would not cry before this kind, gentle man. She couldn't. "Thank you." She turned the knob, pulling her other hand from his. There was nothing more to say.
Suikotsu watched her walk out of his life as easily as she'd walked into it, unaware that she'd left much more than just her scent lingering in his senses. He saw potential in her, though he felt much, much more, deep in his heart. He would never take her, she was too young. But his heart mourned her age and her loss; what a pair they could have made if she were only older.
Kanna sprinted down the stairs that lead from Suikotsu's second-floor apartment in the downtown core of Tokyo, three blocks east of Tokyo General, where she assumed he worked. From the size of his apartment, he was financially secure, but somehow, she didn't care about that. No man had ever made her cry, only her Father, but never in remorse. She had seen his desire for her in his eyes, and how he'd gallantly put it aside in deference to her age. She found herself wishing she were five years older and three times less suspicious. She had a nagging feeling that she'd never find another like him, that most women never did, and sincerely hoped he found someone who deserved his love.
She walked toward the drugstore, wiping tears from her eyes as she realised that she'd just done Suikotsu the biggest favour by walking out of his life; she was hunting the Jewel, and he was better off not getting involved with a murderer. Besides, he'd only be in her way.
Passing a newsstand, she stopped and read the front page of the Tokyo Times. A head line half-way down the page caught her attention: Man Found Dead in Gun Shop.
Shit.
Walking faster, she reached the drugstore in record time, and casually made her way to the hair colour section. She quickly selected a dark brown shade and, paying for it, went to the nearest public bathroom, where she proceeded to die her silky white hair brown, almost black.
She needed that Jewel, and she needed it soon. Tomorrow, she thought. I'll get it tomorrow, when everyone's at school and Sesshoumaru's at work.
When her hair was completely coloured, she combed it back and let it air-dry. She looked completely different without her flowered hairclips and white tresses. Now, she looked older, more mature. She found herself regretting not having done this sooner, but forced herself to forget it.
He was out of her league anyway.
S.T.
Kagome sat with Kagura all night, and fell asleep with her head resting on the injured girl's hip.
Sesshoumaru shook her awake, and said, "Kagura's sweating."
Kagome sat up and noted the slick layer of moisture over her skin, and said, "Kikyou never mentioned a fever."
"Well, maybe she didn't know about it," he said, handing her a thermometer. She smiled her thanks and gently placed it between Kagura's lips, holding it so it wouldn't fall out.
"One-hundred and four," she said, reading the temperature. "Jesus."
"Let's get her to the hospital," Sesshoumaru said as he tried to scoop her up, but she thrashed at his touch, yelling weakly, "No, leave me here! She needs me!"
Kagome was confused. She suspected Kagura was too, if not delirious. Her worry climbed. "What are we going to do, Sesshoumaru? She refuses to let you move her, but she needs medical attention. What can we do?"
Sesshoumaru looked at his watch. Ten after ten, Sunday morning. Would the clinic be open? He doubted it. "Can't you call your doctor?"
Kagome's doctor, Suikotsu Suzuki, was young, but experienced. He would be delivering their baby when it came. "I can try."
She got up to find the phone. Sesshoumaru watched Kagura's eyes flutter under her eyelids as she dreamed, occasionally thrashing, and crying out in her sleep. He felt a certain fondness for this once witchy girl who'd tried to blackmail him into loving her. He smiled a little. He couldn't fault her for trying, nor for making the right decision when it really mattered. He sat in Kagome's empty spot and took her good hand in his own, offering her what he could through his touch alone.
Kagome came back into the room, talking to a hospital nurse. "He's off-duty today? Well, can I possibly have his home phone? It's an emergency. No? We can't bring her in, she refuses to leave the house. You will? Thank you!" She covered the mouthpiece with her palm. "The Nurse is going to give me his home phone."
Sesshoumaru smiled.
"Thank you, Nurse. Goodbye." She hung up, and then dialled the doctor. "I hope he's home," she muttered as she wandered out of the room again, not wanting to wake Kagura.
Suikotsu picked up after three rings. "Suikotsu Suzuki."
"Doctor Suzuki! Thank God you're home! It's Kagome Higurashi calling."
"Kagome? Is something wrong with the baby? Are you spotting!?" He sounded worried.
"No, Doctor, nothing like that. I have an injured girl on my hands here who refuses to leave the house to go to the Emergency room. Could you possibly come over here and check her out? Her temp's one-hundred and four."
There was a small pause on the other end, but then Kagome heard the rustle of Suikotsu's jacket. "I'll be right there. Where do you live, Miss Kagome?"
"Fifty-five Hope Street," she replied, and the Doctor smiled. Hope. What a nice thought. "See you soon, Higurashi."
Kagome thanked him and hung up.
Returning to Kikyou's room, she said, "He's coming, Sesshou-"
She stopped mid-sentence as she saw the scene before her.
Sesshoumaru ruthlessly held Kagura down on the bed, his arms pinning her arms and his knees pinioning her legs.
"Oh my God," Kagome breathed, praying Suikotsu would hurry, "she's seizing!"
"Help me!" he yelled, losing his grip on her wrists. Kagura was unaware of her body's reaction to the high fever that heated her veins, boiling her blood in defence against the foreign invader of her body. She dreamed that Kikyou and Kagome were in danger, and that she could see them, but remained powerless to help them, she was so sick. It aggravated her to no end that she could do nothing to alter the scene that kept repeating in her mind's eye like an old filmstrip.
S.T.
Kouga awoke in his bed on Sunday morning, hung over but happy. Ayame lay snuggled up next to him, soundly sleeping in his arms.
He wondered why it had taken him so long to notice her. Her red pigtails would have been babyish and immature on anyone else, but on her, they only added to her sex-appeal. He took a flaming strand in his hand and brought it to his face, sniffing it. Her hair had the nicest smell.
Across the hall, Sango was wondering how she got herself involved with the womanising twit who held her tightly, as if letting her go would be forfeiting his own life. She hated his habits but could no longer deny that she loved him. He made her feel like the woman she was becoming, and he was no slouch between the sheets, in her opinion. Maybe his womanising had a plus side, she considered. Sex with him was never stale, or boring. It was something new and exciting, every time.
Shippo rolled into nothing, having been too young to go carousing with his brothers the night before, but all the same, he missed yesterday's treat, waking up face-to-face with Rin, and sweetly kissing her mouth to awaken her. Her smile had been its own reward.
Inuyasha lay on his side staring at his beautiful Kikyou. He thought about her carefully, and tried to momentarily squash the love for her that blinded him, so he could take an objective look at her. This childhood friend of his, his enemy, his lover. She was slightly heavy, and her skin was still flawed, but in his eyes, she was perfect. He loved her face, her body, her soul. She had a beautiful soul, giving and thoughtful, like none of her sisters. They were good girls, but his Kikyou was the best.
Suddenly he wondered what he had seen in Kagome to make him overlook the angel sleeping soundly next to him. Reaching out, he stroked her cheek, gently, so as not to wake her. He thought he could spend the rest of his life staring at her, just waiting to talk to her. He eagerly anticipated what she would say, what she would want to do today. Would he be a part of her plans?
He suddenly found himself overcome by a vehement desire to be a permanent part of her life. Would she agree? He decided to wait until he mentioned his thoughts; he wanted to ascertain first if she felt the same way. So far, so good.
Kikyou felt Inuyasha stroke her face, but refused to wake up. She wasn't ready to end her dream, in which Inuyasha slipped a golden band on her finger and promised to never leave her. She smiled, completely happy.
Finally, she opened her eyes and stared into a pair of golden ones, just bursting to talk to her. She stretched, cat-like, before pulling him closer and wrapping his arm tightly about her, his other hand resting firmly over her heart. "Good morning, Inuyasha."
"Sleep well?" he asked, his lips reaching out to encompass her own.
"Mm-hmm," she purred, opening her mouth and letting him in. He tasted slightly bad, but she cared not; if he wanted to kiss her before she brushed her teeth, she would not stop him.
He released her mouth to say, "I love you, my angel, my Kikki." He waited in agony for her to return the sentiment.
She smiled, and yawned, taking her time. He really was the sweetest boy she knew, or had ever known. He'd been callous at times when they were young, he still was, but he'd always defended her from his brothers, and sometimes even her own sisters. They'd not fought often as children, but when they did, their spats had been short-lived and quickly forgotten. Her Mother had always said they were meant for each other, she and Inuyasha.
Kikyou smiled at the fond memory. She was smitten with him, always had been. Being in his arms now only made the memories sweeter.
"I love you, too, Inuyasha," she replied, kissing his eyelashes and placing her hand over his over her heart.
"Can you feel it?" she whispered in his ear. "It beats faster and faster. Whenever you look at me, I get warm, Inuyasha. I'm getting warmer and warmer all the time." She felt him respond when she moved her thigh between his legs, could feel him pulsing against her.
Kanna may have had him first, she thought, smiling into his lusty eyes, but he'll never want her like he wants me.
Inuyasha thought she'd drive him mad with her teasing. He'd changed his mind. His sleeping angel had awakened into a hot, sexy tease, and he would make her pay!
Rolling her onto her back, Kikyou enjoyed the pleasant sensation of his weight on top of her. He splayed his fingers under her back as he kissed her throat and neck, leaving a hot trail of desire in his wake. She closed her eyes and submitted her body to him. She'd read about this in books, but realised how much sweeter it was to experience it firsthand.
He parted the button-down shirt he'd lent her to sleep in, and kissed each breast, worshipping them, possessing them, and her. He looked up at her face, her eyes closed, revelling in the sensation of his hands on her, and he smiled. Putty in my hands.
"Do you have any idea," he murmured, licking her navel, "how desirable you really are?"
She laughed lustily, replying, "Only because you're getting your way with me." He smiled into her skin, her flat belly resounding with her laughter.
She was smoother than silk, and he bracketed her hips with his hands, picturing her swollen with his babies, and answered, "I think I want you to mother my children, Kikki."
Kikyou's eyes flew open, and she drew in a greedy breath. Had she heard him right? She was too young to get pregnant, she thought, but she wasn't worried that that would happen. She just knew she wasn't ready yet.
She reached down to massage his scalp with her fingers, responding, "In time, babe. I will never deny you."
She looked down at him, and he smiled, before his head disappeared beneath the covers and she clamped her jaw shut, suppressing the moans of pleasure he was eliciting from her. She pulled him back up to kiss his mouth, and tasted herself on his lips.
Splaying her thighs for him, she gave him access, and, quietly, in the light on the Sunday morning sun, they made love, sweetly, passionately, silently.
Kikyou didn't think she could ever be happy with anyone else.
Inuyasha never wanted to let her go.
S.T.
Mmm, lemony-fresh, haha! Anyway, I'm hoping for more reviews than last time, cuz two, at this point in the game, is so small!! Wah! I'm greedy for reviews. I waited this long in case the bot was slow, but I guess I waited in vain. Satisfy your appetites my pretties, then satisfy my greed. Please? Pretty-please? With a cherry on top???