{.x.o.} | Rapture's Remorse | {.o.x.}
{x| Chapter 6: Rain |x}
Stiff was the only word that could properly describe him, every bit of him at that. From head to toe and even his certain region began to stir but he wouldn't register that, he was like a wooden post with a flower flourished vine around him. She smelled wondrous, he didn't notice until she abruptly broke him out of his miserable thoughts by wrapping her arms around him. He couldn't return the gesture, he didn't want to… probably; all in all he was still trying to register it.
Why was she hugging him?
"K… Kagome?"
Reluctantly she pried open her eyes, she knew what she was doing and had every intention of making that agony that was so clearly spewed across his face go away. It was her fault it was there, if only she had not asked, "sorry," she whispered all the same as she let his hands slip down him and took a step away. He obviously was not used to such actions; he didn't relax until she began to walk over to fetch her shoes.
He meant to ask if she was really leaving but his tongue was even tense, she spoke instead, "so, sadomasochism is something you do, too? I really wish you wouldn't…" as if what he did wasn't bad enough as is, he could catch a disease, and already met the weirdest people she was sure but to go that far surely meant that he meant dangerous people, too.
"What?" He inquired in a rather high pitched tone, which he tried to get rid of with a cough.
"S and M," she simplified as she strapped her boots on and looked up to him, he just had a cocked brow, "the ligature marks on your wrists, Inuyasha."
"So… you've never seen a dick but you know what S and M is?" he jested only to receive the coldest stare from her, "I don't."
"Just got into another fight, then?" she muttered, not a bit of her believed him while she opened the door, "I really wish you'd stay out of trouble."
"Hey! It's dark outside, you can't go out by yourself," was she really that stupid? Maybe, just maybe his block was semi-safe when the sunshine was there to keep the thieves and other low lives from acting out too much in case they were seen but now that it was night there was little to stop anyone from leaping out at a pretty girl.
Though, there was really only one person he was worried about snatching her…
"I don't get why you are so concerned all of a sudden," she sighed but she waited for him to slide back on his shoes and close the door behind them all the same. If he cared enough to walk her out then she wasn't about to complain, at least, not too much. "Don't forget to lock up this time."
"I got it," he grunted back as he did just that.
"Hopefully you have your 'stuff' so you don't have to—"
"Shut up," he grumbled before he shoved his hands deep into his pocket. A part of him still regretted that, but she was alright after all so what did it matter? He had his pills in his pocket and he was just going to walk her off to… wherever it was she came from and then come back. It wouldn't be that long and he had already taken more than he should have that day, he'd be fine.
"You are so rude," she scoffed, "I'm just trying to help."
"You're just trying to be annoying," he countered; a grin cascaded across his façade as he opened the door to the complex only to let it go in her face.
"Jerk," she muttered. It was the first time that she stayed long enough to see what his area looked like at night, almost every other streetlight was dead and for a moment she allowed herself to feel ever so grateful that Inuyasha had decided to walk her. Even with a taser and a thing of mace, she wouldn't have felt safe all by herself.
"Where?" She barely heard.
"Huh?"
"Where are we going?" he repeated as he turned around to look at her, he always saw her head west out of his place but that was all he knew.
Truly, he knew nothing about her.
"This way," she pointed and he nodded to let her go in the lead, still her meek pride demanded she at least say, "I can take care of myself. You don't have to walk me all the way."
"Keh, if you don't want me to know where you live, just say so," he grumbled. He lived in a shitty area, he had a less than prestigious job, and he was a bit more than just obsessed with a few prescription medications so why would she want him to know? Not that he had any intention of figuring that out, it was probably in her best interest he didn't know, "I'm just going to take you to the train station or something."
"Inuyasha," she snapped as she spun around to fold her arms promptly under her bosom and narrow her hazels.
"What?" he snickered back with a raised brow, stopping not too far from her. It was unnerving even to him to have her stand there so rigidly before she twirled around and stepped out in the street to stick her hand up in the air. That was some gift she had, how many people can do that and get a cab to stop by her right away?
"Come here," she demanded as she slid into the car, "now!"
"I don't want to," he grumbled as he leaned against the cab door, "see ya'."
"Get in," she protested as she snatched his shirt and yanked with all his might, lucky for her he was leaning on one foot more so than the other so he was easy to catch off balance. "To the closet train station please."
"I told you I don't want to go with you," he kept up as she leaned over to shut the door and let the cab driver start. He couldn't help but stiffen at the feeling of her hand on his upper thigh, it was just to support her so she could grasp the knob of the door but...
"No, you just insulted me," she stated stiffly.
"I don't care where you live!"
"Shut up! You are coming to see my place and that is that!"
Wow, who would have thought such a tiny thing could sound so authoritative? He grumbled and mumbled and cursed here and there but she won… he'd go. She paid the cab fee but they both had a pass so they could get onto line E. Rush hour had started so they had to squeeze into the area, she had her back to the window as she grasped one of the poles and he faced her as he grasped the bar above her head. The more stops, the closer they were forced together.
It was infuriating, she only reached his nose, just there, so he each time he breathed in he could smell her citrus shampoo. Every now and then they'd catch the one chancing a glance at the other, why'd his heart speed up each time their gaze locked on the rid? Yeah, he'd taken too much uppers, that's all…
She was kind, caring, cute, and far too good to be true. Why was she so determined to help him? Good things didn't happen to him, what occurred between him and Naraku… now, that's what fate threw in his path. Not something that's worth cherishing, not someone like Kagome.
He didn't deserve that, he didn't want to ruin her.
God, her scent was grand, he had to shut his eyes to appreciate it all the more.
"Next stop, Chiba," the awfully perky robotic voice chimed.
"That's us," Kagome whispered, forcing him to open his eyes. Thirty minutes was far too long, why'd she bother with such a ride? Just… to see him?
"My place isn't that far," she assured as they walked out of the station and onto the sidewalk, she nodded her head and he followed without another word. Shortly after getting out of the shop clustered narrow streets they ended up in the equally poorly spaced residential area with houses only a mere few meters between the two, all of them were relatively traditional appearing. Over a bridge above a cannel, up a set of stairs only to end at a home? It was odd to think that she had a house all to herself, then again, what made him so certain she lived alone?
Then again, if she lived with family why would she want to introduce him?
"Home sweet home," she joked as she unlocked the door and stepped in to release her feet from the boots and step up onto the wooden floor.
"Is this your place?"
"Yep," she sung as she leaned against the stair railing, "it looks big from the outside but once you come it's pretty small, but I like it. It's cozy."
"You live all by yourself?" He asked with a lifted brow as his golden gaze glanced around, there was plenty of old furniture, boxes, and the place looked a bit run down but it was old and to be expected.
"Yep."
"Really?" His stare snapped back on her. That was it, he was certain she had to be from money. Not only did she live alone in an actual home in Chiba but she didn't appear to have a job and had plenty of money to spare on a cab. What was he to her? Just a hobby?
"Mmhm," she nodded, "there's the kitchen and living room down here and two rooms upstairs, it's really nice."
He meant to pay attention and maybe even follow her as she started to show him a tour of her place, starting with going to his left and to the kitchen but he ended up in the living room to his right, it was small, not enough room for a couch but a kotatsu could fit, that had plenty of books spewed across it, a TV, some shelves filled with this and that, and—what caught his eye to start out with—the whole back wall held a shrine. A traditional memorial to deceased loved ones.
Now that was surely out of place, if he didn't see a bible on the kotastu he would have doubted her piousness.
"Hey, where did you go?" He vaguely heard Kagome question but she fell silent when her feet meet the matted floor of the living room.
"Why do you have this?" He murmured as he knelt down before it to see the picture in the center, all three of the faces were smiling; two were in their mid-thirties to early forties and a little boasting boy of maybe ten.
"My grandpa, my mother converted to Catholicism when she went off to college but grandpa is still a traditionalist, it's nice to have it, too," she whispered as she knelt before it to let her eyes fixate on the photo he did. "I'm not praising false idols or anything; to me it's just a reminder."
"Are they…?"
"My parents and only sibling," she spoke in such a hush that he wouldn't have caught it if not for his superb hearing.
They're… dead. So, she was more than just alone in the home… he glanced over to her, his eyes asking the question he dare not.
She smiled weakly before she placed her hand on the shrine, "when I was little, fourteen, I was in the hospital for a week in Nikko. My parents decided to come visit me one night 'cause I was scared of the dark still," her smile faltered until it faded all the way, "it was pouring that night and they were driving by a reservoir... the road was narrow… like they all are and a truck hit them, sending them into the… they weren't able to get out of the car before the water swelled around it. They were coming to see me…"
"It's not your fault," he felt the need to urge, it brought him some diluted joy to see her curl her lips up lightly for his effort.
"I know," she choked all the same as she withdrew her hand and took a deep breath, "I stopped blaming myself about it a long time ago. My grandpa raised me afterwards. I was lucky I had him still and he's going to live to be a hundred and ten, I swear, he's in such good health," she tried her best to kid, to smile more, but it didn't work, not on him.
"How can you believe in God when something like that happened to you? When 'He' took everything from you?"
Her brows swiftly furrowed as she raised her hand to clench the cross that always graced her neck, "what does God have to do with it? The only thing he did was give everyone free will; I believe that's what's at fault. It was my parent's decision to try and see me that night, even though they knew it was raining; it was the truck driver's choice not to pull over and take a nap when he knew he was falling asleep. I think it's pathetic when people blame God for all their problems; it's the easy way out. 'Oh, boo hoo, something bad happened, it's God's fault, why's he so mean?' That's what cowards say, and then they're mad the rest of their life instead of accepting what happened. People… people need to take responsibility for their actions."
"It's hard for you to do that, isn't it?" He didn't know why he felt the need to say that but the way she faltered while giving her obviously well planned speech didn't seem right. Sure, it was easy to say 'I don't blame –insert supreme being of your choice here–' but… human's were fault filled creatures nevertheless.
The way she turned her head to look at the shrine and pursed her lips before she stood up and walked away said a louder 'yes' than she ever could, "I'm hungry. I'm going to make us some sandwiches or something."
[…]
"Inuyasha," Kagome groaned as she rested her elbow on the table and leaned her cheek against her open palm, "you really need to eat properly. I swear, it's like dealing with a child."
"What are you gripping about?" he snarled.
"The way you are devouring the sandwiches makes me think you neglected eating today," she retorted with a narrowed gaze.
Damn, she had him there, he was just too busy but he wasn't about to tell her that. "Whatever."
"You should spend the night; I don't feel too great about the idea of you walking home on that street…"
"Spend… the night?" He repeated warily as he cocked a brow to her, the idea sent a stranger shiver about within him—whether it was in a good way or not, he was not certain.
"I told you, I have two bedrooms upstairs," she pointed above them, "please? It would really make me feel better."
For a moment, he did nothing but stare straight at her thin lips, "why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?" She asked ever so innocently, her hazels automatically shifting away from him so she could pick up the dishes and take them to the sink.
"Don't play dumb," he requested rigidly, "why help me? I don't get it. Do you wanna convert me or something?"
"Everyone has a right to pick their own belief system," she retorted as she turned on the sink to scrub their plates and cups clean. "That's an important part of Cathol—"
"Ha," he barked, "what are missionary trips about, eh? You gonna tell me those weren't all about converting the 'savages'?" That'd make sense to him, he was rather 'savage'.
She cringed almost so slightly that it got by him, "putting that aside," she wouldn't even touch that flame, "I believe you can think whatever you want. It's a free country."
"Kagome," he coaxed coarsely until she turned off the sink and looked over to him, "why are you helping me? I want to know."
"You are my friend," she stated simply, her face showing complete candor as her eyes met his, "friends help each other."
"We weren't friends before," he asserted, only to watch a weak smile show upon her lips. Why'd he suddenly feel so guilty?
"I'll go get the spare room ready for you," she decided with a nod, she shook her hands dry before she walked past him and up the stairs.
He could stay a night—no, wait. He didn't have his other 'medication', how could he sleep? "I'm not staying," he shouted up the stairs after he walked over to lean on the railing, "don't bother to prepare the room."
"Why?" She inquired as she stuck her head out of one the doors, for a moment it through him off guard. It was just so… cute? Why did he have to think like that?
"I prefer to sleep in the nude, ya' know, I doubt you want—"
"Close your door, silly, I won't make the mistake of walking in on that again," she shuttered at the thought before her head vanished in the room again.
"I'm not staying, Kagome!"
"Why? Did you not bring your 'stuff'?" She ridiculed back, loud enough that his twitching ears could hear the acidic tone attached to each word.
"Keh," he muttered to herself.
"Do you want to make me worry again?" She asked as she stepped out of the room all the way, "I think I'll cry if you leave."
"You will not," he mocked right back.
"I will to, I'll be so worried, it'll take you forty minutes to get home and I'll be here worrying about you all the while. I don't think I could take that, I'd surely cry."
"No you wouldn't," he kept up.
"I will, are you saying you want to make me cry, Inuyasha? That's mean, and here I thought we were friends." She frowned instead of pouting like she initially wanted to, maybe she would cry, maybe she wouldn't, but she could tell from his haze she caught him in earlier that day that he did not handle women's tears well. It was probably wrong to exploit his weakness but… what else was she to do? Allow him to go home to inject himself with some more? What if he really ODed this time?
He had one of the two… maybe that'd be enough, just for a night? He felt a jitter cascade through his body from the thought, he was just thinking about it too much. He had to push it out of his mind, it'd just be one night. Better yet, it'd mean he had an extra night of liquid joy, another day away from Naraku…
"Fine," he muttered, "fine, just don't cry."
"Truly?"
"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled as he began up the stairs, "just one night, just this one time."
"You're the best, thank you!" She giddily declared, she knew she might have gone a step too far when she threw her arms around his neck to give him a quick hug—why'd he always have to tense up like that?
[…]
"Was it that bad to sleep a night without medicating yourself?" Kagome inquired the moment he stepped off the stairs, but he really didn't need to answer that. The drained look upon his face and the dark bags that hung under his eyes said enough.
"I need coffee," he grumbled before he plopped down in the chair across the table from her and promptly rested his head on one of his arms.
"I put a pot on," she nodded to the counter behind him, "have as much as you'd like."
"Get me a cup," he groggily requested, he didn't know if he had the energy to even pick up the pot let alone pour some for himself. The day before was tiring to say the least, two of his most ferocious clients in a row? He just needed a good night rest and he was almost certain he was exhausted enough that he could fall asleep without aid, ha, that was wishful thinking. It happened every now and then but not for anything longer than a few minutes and most certainly not enough to rejuvenate himself.
God, the way his body begged him for what he didn't have drove him insane, he tossed and turned in the guest room's bed that he was sure was probably very comfortable if he wasn't so damn hot always or if his muscles didn't convulse for a freedom, for that relaxing fix. Then the pain from his wounds started to prod at his mind, his need whispered over and over again about the one thing that could make that go away. That could make everything just a hazy nightmare.
Damn it all to hell, why'd he have to stay the entire night? He should have left midway through but the one time he tried she caught him and pointed him in the right direction of the bathroom. It was almost like she was watching…
"Fine," she sighed before she pushed off the table and did just that, "you have to say 'please' if you want a mug, though."
"Please," he grunted, that stopped her for a moment. Did he really say it? Without even a protest? Was he honestly that tired?
She frowned as she set it down by her head, "did you really not sleep a wink?"
He just groaned as he weakly pried himself off the table and ripped open one of the many packets of so-called-sugar he kept in his pocket since Kagome's appearance in his life then twirled the cup around so it would mix. After a few cups he'd be good to go, the sleepiness would subside to the jolt like it always did.
"The bed's too stiff," he lied as he began to chug the cup. The quality of the coffee never mattered to him, it could be the shit motels served or the finest brew—which, he was inclined to think that's what Kagome gave him—but it would not matter. His added powder always made it well worth the burn to his tongue.
"Jeez, I'm glad I have a whole pot of that," she muttered to herself as she went about to prepare him breakfast. Eggs, rice, and bacon she could do, it was all very easy and if she burned the bacon she doubted he'd care.
Sometimes she really felt like a babysitter, but if she wasn't around what would become of him? That thought was far to bleak for her even to try and grasp.
[…]
"Good afternoon, Miroku-sama," Kagome chimed as always when she saw the rather handsome priest-in-training come out of the back of the chapel, a smile would always warm his lips when he saw her there.
"Good afternoon, Kagome-sama," he nodded as he walked over to stand by the pew she sat on, "did you enjoy the sermon today?"
"It was interesting," she hummed as her hazels wondered about his face before shooting off to the cross upon the wall. He knew what that meant, the way she pursed her lips to keep from saying what she really wanted to.
"How is your friend doing?"
As always, he could see right through her, she smiled weakly and gave off an even fainter laugh, "you always can tell, huh?"
"You are fairly translucent, I must admit," he chuckled slightly, "but I think that's a good quality. I think it shows what a poor liar you'd make."
"Yeah," she frowned, "I'm pretty bad at that." And that's exactly why if there was ever something worth lying about she just wouldn't say it. It was easier that way; it wasn't a lie, was it? It was just not telling a tidbit of information… that's all. "So, my friend isn't getting better. He got in a fight with a group of people the other day and I'm really sure he almost ODed afterwards."
"Your friend sounds like a trouble soul," Miroku mused as his cheer faded, "and a dangerous one, perhaps it would be better to help from afar from time to time?"
"No, I can't leave him," she stated sternly, "he… it's not his fault he's like this, it's just the way his life… it hasn't been kind to him."
"And has life been kind to you, Kagome-sama?"
A void appeared on her face for a moment before she looked up to Miroku, could he… tell? "I'm sorry?"
"I'm just guessing, but I would say it has not, yet you have not ended up living in a poor part of town, on drugs, prostituting yourself, or getting in fights with gangs."
She fixed her lips into a frown before she leaned back in the pew, "that's not fair. You don't know Inuyasha."
"You are right," he nodded, "but difficulties do not justify stupidity."
She puffed a sigh before she folded her arms, it was true… but she couldn't help but find herself making excuses for him each time she spoke to Miroku about him. "I always had someone there that loved me, that wanted what was best for me, I was lucky. He didn't have that… I think that makes all the difference, Miroku-sama."
"I agree, it is easier to move past hardships with the aid of someone you cherish, but—"
"I think I know what I need to do to help him," Kagome asserted, she honestly did not want to hear any more reasons why she should back off for a while. Miroku-sama was a kind man, and she was certain only wanted the best for her, but he didn't understand why she needed to help him or what compelled her to treasure Inuyasha so dearly.
"Oh?"
"I figured out who supplies him his… drugs," she hated to say the word, it always left a terrible aftertaste on her tongue, "I think I should ask him not to sell to Inuyasha anymore."
"I think that's a very poor idea," Miroku couldn't stress enough as he placed a hand on her shoulder; "you surely should not do that. Do you understand? A person with such a profession is not someone you should associate yourself with under any circumstances, please promise me you will not do that, Kagome-sama."
Ow, crap, he wanted her to promise him… she had told him how dear such things were to him, he was certain she would not break her word, but… she pressed her lips together as she stood up and bowed her head. "I promise I will… not go see Onigumo."
"Is he the drug dealer?"
She nodded as she began to the door, "good bye, Miroku-sama."
"Good bye, Kagome-sama," he watched as she opened the door and stepped out only to return, he had a feeling she'd retract her word before she left. It was too easy for her to say that… and she was too headstrong to change her plan of action with such little coaxing on his behalf.
"Miroku-sama," she dragged out as she looked back to him, "there's… this car," she pointed when he finally walked all the way over to him, "I don't know, maybe I'm just being paranoid but I've seen it all day."
He bent his brows as he looked at the red vehicle, "I'm sure it's nothing, but would you like me to walk to the train station all the same?"
"Would you please? But I'm actually going to Inuyasha's… I was planning to just walk all the way there."
"I'll escort you," he assured as he shut the door behind her and followed her lead.
"Well," he started once they crossed the line between the decent part of town and… the far less than, "you said he lived in the pits but…"
"Yeah, I know, right?" She sighed, "but he likes his place."
"I feel all the worse knowing you come here by yourself," Miroku muttered as his eyes wondered around, "I pray that you only do so in the day."
"Yeah, for the most part, and recently Inuyasha's been really protective. He's been walking me out of the neighborhood each time. He tells me to call him before I visit so he can come get me but… that's such a hassle."
"I think you should heed his advice," Miroku assured as they stopped at Inuyasha's complex, "this is not a safe place, Kagome-sama."
"I have a taser, I know how to protect myself," she replied with a smile, "you'll see your way out of her safely, won't you?"
"I know how to protect myself, besides, I am wearing robes," he tugged on his black wardrobe, "I doubt anyone would think I had enough money to want to mug me."
"I hope so," she laughed before she entered the building and headed up the stairs to knock on the door she had come to know so well. "Inuyasha?" She called out when there wasn't a reply, with a sigh she turned around to lean against the door and pull out her phone.
[…]
The moment he got back to his place he shot himself up and passed out on the bed, it felt oh-so-good. Nothing so sensational could be wrong, he didn't care if it was social unacceptable—really, what about him wasn't?—nor the fact that Kagome was fervently against it. Why'd he even care what that girl thought of him? He didn't… for the most part.
He grumbled something incoherent even to himself when he felt his phone go off in his pocket and heard the stupid default ringtone, he reluctantly reached in to pick it up and raise it high enough that he could open just one eye and see who it was.
Fuck, if it was anyone else he'd just ignore it. Why'd she have to call him so much? He saw her every day as it was, for the most part, and he had just seen her that morning so why'd she feel the need to bother him once more?
"What?" he muttered, not fully bothering to pull his face away from the pillow it was half consumed in.
"Are you OK?"
"I was sleeping…"
"Where?"
"At my place, moron."
"Then why aren't you answering the door?" He heard a series of rhythmic knocks upon just that when she spoke.
"'Cause I'm sleeping, go away, woman," he promptly hung up and threw the phone across the room to roll over and find a new comfortable position.
She was a persistent bitch, he had to give that to her, because she didn't stop hitting her hand upon the door.
"Fuck me," he grunted as he slid out of bed and weakly got his legs to function enough that he could pry open the door and let her waltz right in like she owned the place.
"How is it that all your clothes is spewed across the place again?" She gawked with agony coating her voice.
"Blah, blah," he muttered with a wave of his hand as he fell down upon his couch to face the back of it and shut his eyes.
"You are going to mess up your sleep schedule if you don't stay awake; it's only an hour until sundown." Somehow, she doubted he cared since he didn't even both to stir so she just shook her head as she walked past his couch and pushed aside his curtains—rather, sheets pinned to the wall—to let in some sunlight, that's when her eyes caught a crimson colored car. "Huh…"
"Closed that," he scoffed as he shut his eyes all the more, "and what the hell are you doing here, anyway?"
"Can't I just come visit?" She mused as she tilted from side to side to try and see into the car that was just across the street.
"I told you to call me, so you won't walk around by yourself," he reminded as he folded his arms and snuggled closer to the couch.
"Oh, don't worry, I didn't walk here all by myself, Miroku-sama escorted me."
Miroku-sama? He popped up to glare over at her and the blinding window, that got him to close his eyes again, "who the hell's that?"
"Hm?" She hummed as she glanced over to the grumpy boy, "he's a priest at the church I go to."
"Oh," he muttered before he plopped back down, priest's didn't have sex… well, they weren't supposed to. More importantly, Kagome didn't have sex.
"Not to alarm you or anything…" her eyes shifted back down to the streets, "maybe I'm just paranoid but there's this car that I've seen everywhere I've gone today. Now it's just outside your place, too. Isn't that weird?"
"What?" That got his attention enough that he pried himself away from his couch to go lean against the wall and look out to where she was pointing. "Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure, but it's probably nothing, right?"
He sighed before pushing off the wall and grabbing his hoddie he discarded somewhere along the way to cover up his bare chest, "stay here."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to go check it out," he thought that was pretty obvious.
"No, what if it's dangerous?" She sped as she grasped his arm to keep him inside, "don't go."
"It's probably nothing, right?" He coaxed until she let her hand slip away, "stay here and lock the door, I've got my keys."
"Fine," she huffed with a pout as she did just that. It was probably nothing after all…
He zipped his jacket up before he stepped out of the complex to go across the street to see what the lingering car wanted; the windows were far too tainted for him to be able to see if someone was in there so he tapped on the glass of the driver side instead. There was probably no one there, Kagome was probably watching too many of those dramas she seemed to enjoy so much. Needless to say, he was flabbergasted when the windows rolled down a grinning monster showed himself.
"Inuyasha, greetings."
His mouth dropped open as his brows flexed, "what the hell are you doing here?"
"I was just on a drive," he smirked.
If… if Kagome was right, if this car had… "stay away from her," Inuyasha demanded as he bended to so he was eye to eye with Naraku and surely blocking Kagome's view if she was watching from the window like he knew she would be. "Got it? Don't you dare touch her."
The sick smirk just fused into an even grander one, "you mean that attractive little girl that's so smitten with you? Funny, she doesn't look your type. I have yet to see her wear anything even remotely revealing; I have to say I enjoy that. It leaves the mind free to imagine what's hidden behind all those high-necked outfits—"
"Screw you, stay away from her," he snarled, "I'm warning you. Do not touch her."
"What would you do if I did?" He taunted back as he relaxed in his seat to let his eyes wondered up the brick building behind Inuyasha.
"I'll kill you," and the hideous hanyou was ever so certain he was telling the truth.
"You can try but you would fail," Naraku assured, "I'll make you a deal. You come to mine tomorrow and we have our fun again and I'll leave her alone."
His stomach sank at the idea and he was almost certain he was about to vomit before he swallowed back the urge and closed his eyes, "I'll pay you with actual money to stay away from her."
"This is not a negotiation and we both know you can't always be by her side, eventually your job will call you away and she'll be all alone… and I do have such nasty urges but I'm sure you know all about such things."
That got him to open his eyes and tighten his fists, what to do? Did he actually give a damn about Kagome enough to subject himself to a hell he wasn't even positive he'd do for drugs?
"Yeah, sue, whatever, fine, tomorrow," he grunted as he stood up and shoved his hands in his pocket, "just stay away from her."
"Agreed," Naraku grinned as he rolled up his window and started his car.
Sure, he might say he'd go but… he wasn't so sure he would. Not even for Kagome… at least he bought her a night of freedom if nothing else.
"It was nothing," Inuyasha assured after he unlocked his door to see her standing by the window still, "you have an over active imagination, that's all."
"Good," Kagome sighed before she smiled over him; it was like a knife to his chest, "thank you."
She just had to twist it to make sure the blade was securely in there, didn't she?
[…]
"I promise I will… not go see Onigumo." She had sworn to a priest in a church that, so she surely would not break her word. Absolutely not, she valued promises. Her whole existence was based on a promise. It mean the world to her, it gave her life. Still… she couldn't help but ponder as she opened up the door to the rundown apartment complex and entered the little foyer if it was still wrong to promise the wrong thing to Miroku. How was he to know that Onigumo—the former drug lord of the area—had been thrown out, probably killed in all reality, by a new guy? Someone by the name of Naraku?
He couldn't, but she knew, and it was for Inuyasha benefit that she went to see the man. She'd do anything it took to cut him off from drugs, he'd probably hate her forever when he figured out it was all by her doing but… he really needed the help, regardless if he thought so. Inuyasha had acted so strange since he finally seemed to wake up all the way, he had to walk her to the train station and he almost demanded to see her all the way home. It took a lot of persuasion to convince him that seeing her into the train was good enough.
At the very next stop she got off and rode right back and reached her destination just as night fell, she took a deep breath before she pressed the button that still read 'Onigumo', that was probably right, wasn't it?
She jumped at the sound of the buzz and door coming unlocked, no check to make sure she wasn't a cop or something? That was a bit… convenient but she still entered and walked to the stairs, where'd he live?
"Up here," she heard a nausea inspiring chuckle call a few floors above her so she slowly went up, grabbing her purse all the tighter until she saw the long haired man grin while he leaned against the doorway, "hello."
"Hi…" she replied meekly.
"Please come in," he nodded, he had the strangest gleam in his gaze but that was probably just because he was as high as a kite, she assumed as she stepped into his place and watched as he shut the door behind her. "I'm surprised you're here, what can I do for you?"
Why'd he talk like he knew her? She bit her bottom lip briefly before adjusting the strap of her purse back up her shoulder, "you sell drugs to Inuyasha, don't you?"
"I do."
He was just going to bluntly admit it? She was sure it would take a lot to coax out a client from him but he just smirked at her all the more, waiting for her to form her next sentence, "I want you to stop."
"Now why would I do that?" He cooed as he leaned against the wall, his eyes slowly moving about her figure to make her feel even more uncomfortable about the whole mess than she already was.
"I'll pay you, I have plenty of money to do so," she assured, "I'm sure we can work something out."
"I'm sure we can," he showed his slimy smile all the more as he walked over to her, he relished in the way she flinched when he got within arm's reach, "I'll stop selling to him."
"How much will it cost?"
"You're body," he stated simply.
Her eyes widened for a moment before, "not part of the deal. I'll only pay with money."
"I'll only accept sex," he assured, "I want you from until sun up tomorrow, and then, if it's any good, once or twice a month from now—"
"No," she squealed as she took a step back with his large advance, "I refuse. I will not pay like that."
"Then I will not stop selling to him, and next time he comes around for that 'liquid joy' of his… well, you know the dangers of drugs," he calmly said as he took the final step forward and she took her last one back before she felt herself pressed against the door. "They're just so deadly. I might mix up the stuff, I might inject a little something in… something that'll make that fucked-up hanyou's heart cease to beat."
"I'll tell him you said that!"
"And he'll still come around, I'm the only one in the area, and that's the damned thing about addiction, he'll need it too much not to come," he slammed his hands around her head and leaned forward, "so, you'd rather keep your purity than allow him his life?"
"Get away from me," she demanded, she had every intention of sounding fearless but it came out in a feeble attempt. "Get away!"
"No," he grabbed her arm and slammed her against the wall again before pressing his body unto her, "we're going to have fun, whether you get anything out of it is up to you."
"Stop!"
"Scream all you want, no one's gonna care, that's why I love this place," he smirked as he wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a sloppy, disgusting, kiss upon her neck.
[…]
Fuck, he had just got back from walking Kagome to the train station, he wanted to go back to sleep but then a thunderous knock came on his door so he sighed and turned around to yank it open. He had half expected it to be Kagome, after all, she was the only one that came to visit but it made more sense that it wasn't her… it made no sense that it was a priest.
"Fuck off," he demanded before he began to close his door, only to have the man stick his foot in to stop it, "look, I don't wanna hear what you have to say, go."
"I think you do," the violet eyed man replied, "it has to do with Kagome-sama."
That got him to pause for a moment before he reluctantly opened the door again to stare at the man with a dull glaze upon his face, "what…?"
"I believe we have a mutual acquaintance, my name is Miroku."
Ah, Miroku-sama, he remembered that, "what do ya' want? To tell me I'm a bad influence? 'Cause that's what I've been telling her all along, if you can convince her that so she'll stop coming around ya' should." It was in her best interest that she avoid him, after all.
"That's not what I'm here for, Kagome-sama can make her own choices, she has every right to. She's a very determined soul and I cannot stop her," Miroku assured with something akin to a smile before that faded quickly, "I'm afraid she is going to go to your drug dealer and request he stops supplying you."
That got a wide-eyed responds from Inuyasha, Kagome wouldn't… she didn't know about Naraku, she definitely should not go there. No… not after that disgusting hanyou decided he liked what he saw… not after he had already started to 'stalk' his 'prey'.
"She promised me she would not go see this Onigumo person but… I feel that you would be able to stop her better than I," Miroku shrugged.
"Onigumo…?" She was going to see him? To his place? The place that was now Naraku's?
Oh, God, it made so much sense… why she didn't want him to see her all the way home. "I've got to go," Inuyasha sped as he pushed Miroku out of the way and slammed his door shut before he jumped down his stairs over and over again. What if she was there? What if…? He felt a cringe in his gut as he pulled out his phone.
No answer… she always answered when he called. His heart was beating to the point of breaking, he was sure, and… that's when an idea popped into his brain that was working in over time. Call the police on Naraku, get them to go there, at least if she was there they might get to 'Onigumo's place before Inuyasha did.
Yeah, that was just about right, it had to start raining as he sprinted on, dialing the police all the while. He'd report the mass amount of drugs; they'd have to be able to go there, wouldn't they?
He could only hope… he couldn't take it if he was the downfall of another innocent woman…
[…]
"No! Stop!" She shrieked as she fiddled around but there was no chance, he was stronger than her and then she felt his teeth against her skin. No… no, no. Her breath was erratic, fear shook her body, but she still managed to slip that taser she prided herself in always carrying out of her bag and jolting it into his gut.
The only problem is, when you shock someone who has direct skin contact with you… you, too, are electrified.
They both screamed as they parted, she fell to her knees as he grabbed his gut and wobbled back. Oh lordy, that hurt, but she was sure she'd rather be zapped than raped.
"You little bitch!" He shouted as she tried to grab the door, still not able to get her legs to function properly, she fiddled with the knob only to feel a hardened hand grab her ankle and yank her down towards him, he pinned himself above her and pushed her shoulders down.
"Get off! Get off!" She would not let him touch her in a way no other man ever had! In a way she never wanted to be! She wiggled and struggled as he tore at her skirt from behind, it was pure luck that he put more weight on one side than another so she could kick him in the groin. He grunted and grip weakened enough that she could grab the taser that had fallen from her hand and jab him in the neck.
Again, his hand was still on her now bare thigh.
She let out an almost silent scream as she fell back; he let out a full grown scream as he grasped his neck. Much against her body's will she was able to grab her purse, and fumble until she found the mace, she closed her eyes and held her breath as she pressed the trigger—the sound of his shrieks told her she hit him.
That was when she finally managed to scurry to her feet and yank open the door to trip over herself, fall to the ground and push herself back up so she could support herself with the railing as she descended the stairs far too much.
Her foot hit her other as she meet the wet pavement of freedom, she was sure to scab her hands as she fell forward and into a puddle that the sudden storm had brought with a grunt. She couldn't go on, everything hurt, and the most important part ached uncontrollably, more so than it should… she bit her lips together as she shut her eyes.
"Kagome!"
Inuyasha? She pushed herself off the ground just in time to see him rush over and fall to his knees beside her, "thank God!"
"What the hell are you doing here?" He growled as he pulled her to her feet.
"You little bitch!" They could hear Naraku shout from within, "I'm going to kill you!"
"You idiot," Inuyasha hissed as he yanked on her that he grasped ever so tightly to pull her down the closest alleyway just in time to witness Naraku run out of his complex with a gun in hand. A smile almost laced Inuyasha's lips when he saw the police car pull up. It was generally very illegal to have a gun in Japan so that had to be unregistered, giving them plenty of cause to search Naraku's place and see all the drugs. He'd be in jail for a very, very long time… hopefully.
That thought barely formed in his mind before he felt Kagome slip behind, a weak moan and a thud upon the ground. He spun around and dropped to his knees beside her, "what's wrong? Did he hurt you?"
"No," she muttered as she grasped her chest with both hands and closed her eyes tightly as she leaned forward. After all, it was mostly self-inflicted.
"What's wrong?" he kept up, his hands hovered over her shoulders—should he touch her? Should he hold her? Should he just leave her be?
"I…" she took a deep breath as she leaned to the side to rest against him, "I…"
"You moron!" He scolded, he didn't think at all as he threw his arms around her and pulled her close, "you idiot! What the hell were you thinking!?"
"I… wanted him to stop… selling to you," she winced.
"You idiot," he repeated again as he buried his nose into her drenched hair, "you idiot! Are you OK?!"
"No," she muttered back.
"I'm calling an ambulance, alright?"
"No," she complained as she grasped his shelves, "take me to… Saint Dismas hospital… I need to see… Suikotsu-sensei."
"Alright, alright," he repeated with a nod or two, he could feel his soaked silver strands brush against his face as he did so, "just hang in, OK? You shouldn't be helping me, Kagome. You shouldn't help me. Why…? Why have you been helping me? You idiot… you stupid little girl."
"I have to…" Kagome whispered, her hand slipped from both her chest and his shirt and eyelids relaxed, just before her world faded to black she managed to mutter, "I made a… promise."
A/N: I didn't really proof read this so... well, I'll come back and do that later. I'm just too tired to deal with that.
Thank you all for the reviews thus far, and please keep them coming :)