-1Chapter 4: Breaking it down
The morning after Hojo's tragic death seemed unreal. Kagome woke up and vaguely recalled what had happened the night before. She was stiff from her night with Naraku. He had some aggressions about his home life that Kagome let him unleash on her. She figured she was in so much pain she might as well take on another's pain too. But she did all this not only for herself, but Sango's little brother, Kohaku.
Kagome sighed as she sat up, wishing it was all a bad dream. It started out as a dream but ended in nightmare after nightmare. But when she thought back on the first part of her date with Inuyasha, she smiled at his kindness. She could tell that he probably had hot headed tendencies, but figured she'll wait and see how much he opened up to her over time.
It was eight o' clock and Kagome was dressed for work. She sighed, not wanting to go work on cars today. She was feeling a little bitter towards her original passion. After all, it was a car that had taken the life of one of her oldest friends last night. If only that tire hadn't blown….Kagome shook her head, trying to rid herself of the images from last night's tragedy.
There was a faint knock at the door and Miroku's soft voice sounded from behind the wooden barrier. "Kagome? You in there? Hey, Sango heard from Inuyasha today what happened. Can I come in?"
"Yeah, let me unlock the door." Kagome walked over the the door and unlocked it. She opened it up and motioned for Miroku to go ahead and come in. "Yeah, it sucked. He blew a tire around a corner and just lost traction. Went right over. I don't think he even had time to realize what happened before he hit the bottom of the canyon." Kagome said as she gathered some things for work.
"Kagome, I'm so sorry. Well, now it's a good thing that Naraku wasn't informed about you going out to have fun. He probably would have made it worse." Miroku noted.
"Yeah, he did." Kagome sighed sadly as she recalled the things she had done last night.
"Really? How'd he know?" Miroku cringed at Kagome's expression. He didn't see her like this often.
"He was waiting for me to tell me he got parts for the Daytona and to wave Kohaku's medical bills in my face. He saw Inuyasha drop me off and seemed almost pleased that I was unable to fully enjoy my date with him. It was like he enjoyed the fact that I had just watched a friend plummet to his death over the side of a mountain." Kagome sadly stated.
"Kags, I'm sorry" Miroku laid a hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. Kagome gasped and cringed away from his touch. "Kagome? Are you ok?"
"Yeah, it's just Naraku got rough on me last night. I think he took pleasure in causing me physical pain to accompany my emotional pain." Kagome was embarrassed at admitting to her friend what their boss had done to her. "Look Miroku, it's only until Kohaku get's all the medical attention he needs, then you guys can be free from all of this. I'm doing this for all of us. After Kohaku's healed and we've got enough money saved, we're out of here. I will be free of here, on way or another." Kagome stated firmly.
"Don't talk like that, Kag. We will be free, but we've got to find another way to help pay Kohaku's expenses so he can recover and we can get out from under Naraku. I pray to Buddha that he gives us the strength to carry on and move forward to the day we can free ourselves from this place." Miroku said.
"I don't know Miroku, I just don't know. What if we never get away? I worry sometimes, you know?" Kagome asked.
"I understand what you're saying. I have to wonder though, do you think Inuyasha may be the answer you're looking for to get you out of this place? He seems like he's doing well for himself and he's taken a real shining to you. I'd kinda like to get to know him. It's been a while since I've seen a person put that twinkle in your eyes. He must have some redeeming qualities." Miroku commented, his words filled with kindness.
"Yeah, he's a nice guy. Kind of cocky and pretty sure of himself, but beyond his hard exterior he's got a nice soft interior. Reminds me of the Daytona in some ways." The woman compared.
"And how is Inuyasha like the Daytona?" Miroku inquired. He just couldn't get how Kagome could compare her date to a car.
"He's good looking, one in a million, hard to obtain, rough around the edges and needs a little TLC." Kagome replied.
"I see." Miroku gave Kagome a sideways glance and smiled a bit. "Well, we should be off to work. We've got to get these cars in and out so we can pound through the installations on the Skyline." Miroku stated, pushing Kagome towards the door.
When they got into the shop, they saw that Naraku was there and already ordering parts for the Skyline that would be delivered later that day. He saw Miroku and Kagome come in and clock in. He smiled one of his dangerous smiles and waved at the two.
"Kagome, how was your night?" He asked in his fake cheery tone.
"Busy and tiring." Kagome looked at him though glazed, tired eyes.
"What do you have scheduled for today?" Naraku asked.
"Not much. We have a coupe lube oil changes, but other than that I have to replace an alternator in a '77 Pontiac Bonneville. But that's it." Miroku answered.
"Well if that's all, I've got plenty of help for today. Kagome, would you like to take the rest of the day off and come back later this evening to work on the Skyline?" Naraku asked.
"But I need the hours. There's so much I owe you." Kagome stated.
"Don't worry, you've made it up to me enough to get a day off in your time of need." Naraku said evenly.
"I guess, if it's ok with Miroku." Kagome said as she looked questionably at Miroku.
"I'm perfectly fine with that." Miroku stated.
"Well, I have some new tea that I've imported from India. It's suppose to take stress away and help your mind relax. Here, take some home and drink it down." Naraku said with unusual kindness. He hand her an envelope with the tea bags in them.
"Try to rest, Kagome. I'll see you later, ok?" Miroku said in a quiet voice. He walked Kagome to the door of the shop that was designated 'employees only'.
"Yeah, I think that wouldn't be a bad idea. I think I'm still in shock over yesterday. I just need a little time to myself to grasp the reality of it all, ya know?" Kagome looked at Miroku with a hurt that shone in her eyes. Miroku's heart sank at how much Kagome was hurting. She was loosing her self-respect with every time she let Naraku take advantage of her and watching the death of a good friend was never an easy event for Kagome. Seemed like with the years she spent around Naraku, she lost more people who were close to her. People who she grew up with in school and considered family. Her Grandfather, mother and little brother were all she had left for the longest time.
After Kagome left college to work for Naraku at his shop, Kagome's Grandfather passed in a crash while on a bus going into town. The bus he was on had been t-boned by semi who's brakes went out. Loosing her grandfather meant loosing the only father figure Kagome had in her life and it broke her. She grew up over night. Her mother went into debt after the death of her father and Kagome worked twice as hard after that to help her mother keep the old house and pay the bills. It was because of Kagome's help that Sota, Kagome's little brother, was able to stay in college.
But things didn't get real bad until Kohaku got in his accident. Sango had lost her father the year earlier and that's when Kohaku joined the crew with Kagome, Sango and Miroku at Naraku's shop. Kohaku had a way with cars, especially the tuners. But when he learned to drive them, did his real potential show through. Naraku hired him on as a driver in the underground races and for almost a year, Naraku made good money. But after Kohaku's accident, the bills piled up for Sango and Miroku and if it weren't for Kagome's help, Kohaku wouldn't have probably had a chance to pull through and might have died by now.
Miroku sighed sadly as he reflected on the girl's past. He hugged her and even kept his perverted hand to himself. He had better taste than that. "Just try and take it easy, ok?"
"I will, maybe I'll go hang out with Sango at the bar for a bit today." Kagome said as she broke from Miroku's arms. "Thanks for being there for me." Kagome smiled and turned to head back to her apartment.
She got home and realized she was out of energy. She flopped down on her couch with a loud sigh. She figured that maybe she should call Sango and see if it was ok to hang out at the bar with her for a while, she didn't really feel like being alone right now.
She flipped open her cell phone and called Sango. "Kagome?" Sango answered her cell.
"Hey Sango, Naraku's given me the day off. Mind if I come hang out with you for a while?" Kagome asked.
"No, not at all. It's slow right now and I could use the company." Sango replied happily.
So it was final. Kagome had someone to spend her day with. Besides she still felt like gossiping about her date with Inuyasha.
o
"So he picked you up in a pink convertible with black leather that matched the dress I got you?" Sango regarded her friend. "That must have been hot."
"Yeah, he was so sweet. He even let me drive, said that the car and I looked good together. It was so much fun." Kagome explained.
"So do you think you'll be seeing him again?"
"Well, he's going to call me tomorrow. We're going to try another date that will hopefully end better than last night." Kagome said dryly.
"I'm sorry to hear about Hojo. I know you and him were still close even after the break up. Are you going to the funera?" Sango asked.
"Yeah, I got a call from his mom before I left to come over here. It was pretty sad, you should have heard her. They're holing the funeral this Sunday. I guess since all of his family lives in and around Tokyo, it was easy to set up the funeral this fast. I know they have a family shrine where the funeral will be held there." Kagome explained. "Sango, would you go with me? It's been a while since I've been to a funeral, and it'd be nice to have the support."
"Sure, I don't work Sundays." Sango smiled. "So Inuyasha was the one who got a hold of me this morning. He called just as I got into work and told me about what happened last night about the accident, but he didn't really talk about the date. You must have made an impression because it sounds like he's sweet on you." Sango smiled.
"Yeah, he was acting like a gentlemen, but gave Hojo a bit of an attitude. It was kinda cute." Kagome laughed a little.
"Yeah? So he's the jealous type?" Sango asked.
"I'm thinking so. Poor guy just didn't know how to consol me on the way home. Not that I think there was much he could do anyway if he tried. But it was a good thing that he dropped me off and didn't try to stay because Naraku was waiting for me when I got back." Kagome sighed hard. "He got Kohaku's bills from last month."
"Oh, Kagome I'm sorry. I'm taking it your night didn't get any better?" Sango asked sadly.
"No, it didn't." Kagome said in a dark voice as she ran a hand through her hair.
"But now you have a boy to spend a little energy on. Maybe he'll be just what you need to get out of here." Sango suggested.
"Yeah, Miroku kind of said the same thing. He thinks Inuyasha might do me some good. Seems you and Miroku have the same taste in men when it comes to approving them for me." Kagome laughed.
Sango laughed as well. "Well, it's true. We want to see you with a good guy who's not going to break your heart."
"You can't protect me from the world, Sango. I love you to death, but you're going to have to let me make my own mistakes." Kagome said seriously.
"Yeah, and I do let you make your own mistakes, but if I can protect you along the way from getting hurt unnecessarily, I will." Sango replied. "So what are you doing later today?"
"I'll be back at the shop working on the Skyline. It's coming in today and needs some tuning for some drag races. Naraku found a few events in a couple of weeks and wants the Skyline in top shape." Kagome smiled. She knew that Sango always had a love for that 2002 Nissan Skyline.
"I'll have to come by the shop and check you out." Sango smiled warmly at her friend. She knew Kagome liked to have Sango around the shop, it always reminded them all of the 'good old days'.
"Ok, well I'll be there at four-thirty or so." Kagome said.
"I'll have Miroku bring me by. Oh before I forget, could you give me a ride in on Monday? Miroku's going to pick up some extra morning hours." Sango asked.
"Yeah, that woudn't be a problem." Kagome said. "I'm going to go home and take a nice long hot bath. Just distress by myself for a while. It was a help coming and talking to you, Sango. Thanks a lot." Kagome said as she drank down her coffee. She put her mug down and put down some money to pay for her coffee and donuts and walked away.
Back at home, Kagome noticed she had left her cell at home and it blinked brightly, letting her know she missed some calls. She flipped it open and started looking through the missed calls. She recognized one of the numbers and realized it was belonging to Inuyasha. She hadn't programmed it in yet feeling that it was too soon to put this strange guy in her cell. Well, she figured it wouldn't hurt now, so she quickly saved the number to his name. Two of the calls were from Miroku and one was Sango. All of the missed calls left messages, so Kagome accessed her voicemail.
The first was from Inuyasha and he said "Kagome, this is Inuyasha. I was just calling to see how you were doing. I'm tied up at my office right now and stole a moment to check in on you. Well, just know I'm thinking about you, call me back. Bye"
Kagome smiled at the concern in Inuyasha's voice. 'Worrier' she thought as she moved to the next message.
"Hey Kagome, it's Miroku. I take it I got you sleeping, so call me when you wake up."
'Next' Kagome thought as she moved to the next message.
"Kagome, I stopped by to check in on you. I banged on the door and you didn't answer. I'm still outside your door and I heard your phone ring when I called. Call me. Did something happen, are you still in there. I'm walking around to the back of……oh, your car's gone. Ok, I'm calling Sango." Miroku sounded like he was worried at first and then the sheepish tone told Kagome he just made an ass of himself and she giggled.
"Kagome, Miroku called me. I told him you never made it out…." Kagome gulped and paled. 'Oh god, Miroku must have driven off Tokyo bay looking for me' "I'm kidding, he didn't think it was funny either. You know how he worries. Any way, he went back to work feeling silly and will be waiting for you to return. I'll see you later tonight." Sango laughed and hung up.
Kagome shook her head and decided to take her bath and then call Inuyasha back. She relaxed into the tub of hot, cleansing water. It steamed up around her shoulders and she put a wet washcloth over her forehead. She let the physical pain wash away as the emotional pain itched at the back of her head. She kept having flash backs of watching Hojo's silver Spyder sliding over the side of the cliff. Every time the images came back to her, she saw it more and more graphic. At one of her flash backs she was even standing helplessly by the cliff as she watched the car fall. She imagined Hojo reaching up to her for help as she watched knowing there was nothing she could do for him.
At the thought of Hojo's mother and how distraught she had to be, Kagome started crying. She had known Hojo and his family since she was in junior high and she always loved Hojo's mother. She ran a store down town that specialized in herbal vitamins and physical health care needs. Hojo loved working his mother's store on weekends. This would be the first weekend Hojo wasn't going to be there and the thought of it broke Kagome's heart.
Kagome pulled the washcloth down over her eyes and cried into the darkness of the damp fabric. Her heart twisted in the knowledge she would never see Hojo again, but wasn't ready to really except it. It was too soon and it was all still such a shock to her. Her brain just wasn't willing to let her except Hojo's death. Every time she tried imagining him lying dead in the car or on a coroner's table she could only see the cocky young man sitting behind the wheel of a hot ride and leaning out the window flashing her one of his brilliant smiles. The way he smiled at her the last night and assured that he was going to drive safe. He stood there, so confident in himself and in his driving. He was a great drifter and really knew how to handle a car, but he had never tried to apply his talent on a Canyon Run. Had his tire not have blown, would all of this ever happened? Kagome swallowed hard, if only she could have talked him out of it, or better yet, if she could have inspected his car ahead of time and maybe would have found the defect in the wall of his tire.
Kagome sighed in misery. It was easy to look back and say 'what if' but the fact was it would change nothing. Kagome let the sorrow run it's course as she had herself a much needed cry. She let the misery of Hojo's death mix with the misery of her situation. The fact that she felt constantly imprisoned and alone made the situation all that much worse.
By the time Kagome was done crying and was feeling better, her bath water was quickly cooling down, so she decided to drain the tub and get out. She dried herself off and dressed. She walked around her apartment while drying her hair. She saw her phone sitting on her kitchen table and smiled. She looked at the clock and saw that it was almost three. She had some time yet, so she flipped open her phone and scrolled down until she found Inuyasha's name and clicked the 'call' button.
Inyasha didn't even give the phone a second chance to ring. The second he saw Kagome's name, he picked up and with a smooth tone gave her a "hello?" as if he didn't know it was her.
"Hi Inuyasha, this is Kagome." She said shyly.
"Hi Kagome. How are you feeling today?" He asked sweetly.
"I'm doing better now. So did you still want to see me tomorrow?" She asked.
He laughed slightly and responded "I'd like to see you now. After yesterday, you're all I could think of". He blushed.
"Well that's sweet of you to say." Kagome giggled, feeling a bit silly at how hard they were flirting with each other. She knew that this phase will pass and eventually they'll show their true colors to each other.
"Well, I've got work coming in so I'm going to have to let you go. If you need company or want to hang out, what ever, call me, k?" Inuyasha asked.
"Sure, I'll talk to you later Inuyasha." Kagome said softly as she hung up the phone. She sighed loudly. It was nice just making a new friend. Someone who wasn't in as deep over their head as she was. It was obvious that Inuyasha didn't have a lot to worry about and so the little time she got to spend around him yesterday made her feel a little more relaxed too.
Inuyasha sighed as he put the phone down. He looked up from his desk at the man sitting across from him. There was a stack of papers that was put down in front of Inuyasha and glanced over them and then back at the man sitting across from him. "Well Hiten, it's nice to see you back here." Inuyasha reached in his pocket and took out a leather wallet and opened it up to reveal a badge and tossed it down on the desk in front of the man identified as Hiten.
Hiten had short, black hair and was short in stature. Inuyasha had problems with him and his brother before. They were in a violent gang and had been taken in for questioning as suspects to murder. Inushasha was positive Hiten had something to do with the deaths involved in the underground racing circuit. So far in the past year 42 people had died as a result and most of them were people who competed against a man known as Naraku.
It was lucky that he met Kagome who happened to work under one of the underworld lords, Naraku. He had god knows how many people working under him in the darker world of cars. There was a lot of money involved in what Naraku was doing. Inuyasha couldn't help but wonder if Kagome knew who exactly she worked for and he couldn't help but wonder how deep into his business was she.
"Well Inuyasha, looks like you're still chasing your tail." Hiten said with a smirk.
"You're going down for being an access to murder. You know something and now we finally have some dirt on you. So really, I don't care what you say, you're not going to help your case. By the way, how's that brother of yours? Oh yea, we got em' last week. Isn't the funeral Sunday? I bet your mama's looking forward to it and what is she going to think when she realizes her only surviving son isn't there for his only brother's funeral?" Inuyasha sneered, driving the knife deeper with his words.
Hiten snarled in anger and hatred. "My brother was murdered!" he ground out. Are you saying I had something to do with my brother's murder?" he asked angrily.
"No, you had something to do with Kikyo's murder. I just want to find out who's behind your brother's." Inuyasha growled angrily back.
"I've been told that Naraku has his greedy fingers deeper in the race circuit. He's been broadening his horizons, if you catch my drift." Hiten looked at Inuyasha with intense, knowing eyes.
"Grand theft auto. Murder is the best way to rid yourself of competitors and it's cheaper than buying them out, huh?" Inuyasha asked flatly.
"Hey, you didn't hear it from me. But I gotta warn ya, keep away from Naraku's business. He controls everyone under him like puppets, so don't cross him." Hiten advised.
Inuyasha looked the young man over. His jaw was set as he started thinking about his new flame. This felt like Kikyo all over again. Inuyasha sighed, waved his hand at the door to signal the officer that he was done interrogating. The convict was taken away and Inuyasha was left to his thoughts.
'Kagome, you seem like too sweet a girl to be deeply involved in Naraku's world.' Inuyasha thought, concerned. Kagome was obviously trapped by the tyrant and it wasn't just her life on the line either. Inuyasha realized that there was a good chance that Kagome's life could be in jeopardy 24/7.
He knew then what it was he needed to do.
And that was to get Kagome and her friends out from under Naraku
End of Chappy
(A/N: I hope it's not moving too slow for you. Trust me, I'm building it up for a big climax. Let me know if you're liking it or not, I'd appreciate it.)