Chapter 22- The mistaken future

The gym was not to far away but thanks too the numerous detours she took; she only had about 5 minutes until the summoning bell rang. So she took the much-needed breath and walked into the gymnasium. Just like the hallways, the gym was draped with red ribbons and above the gym entrances there were banners. It seemed there was a game soon but just like the girls had said, someone was in the gym.

Although, despite that there was a presence in this desolate area, Kagome's heart nearly caved. It wasn't the man she longed to see. He had darkened onyx eyes but his hair was nothing close to auburn. It was a honey-colored blond; his features were that of any other. He wasn't overly muscular but had an exceptional body. He was handsome like the girls had said but that wasn't of Kagome's concern. Her knees caved in, she couldn't help but fall as tears gathered in her eyes.

"It's not him." She whimpered. The screeching of sneakers rubbing off of the floor had suddenly come to a halt. The ball that echoed in a rhythmical pattern drifted away. He was coming toward her but why? Can't they leave me alone?

"Are you okay?" His hands were placed firmly on her shoulders but his words weren't understandable. It wasn't the fact that her mind didn't want to process what ever he was saying; he just spoke in another language. "Let me see your face. Are you hurt?"

"Hiro." Kagome whispered in pain as she hid her face in her hands.

"Hey, come on are you- Damn it I'm doing it again." The blonde shifted his eyes to the ceiling, trying to form some words that could be understandable and as soon as you knew it, he finally spoke replied. "Are you okay?" He asked again, prying her face out of her hands and forcing her to look up. Although, with such stubbornness, Kagome pushed the boy off balance and she made a run for it.

All this time she was weeping her eyes out, the sky did the same. She ran through the rain and out of the school so fast that you would think she was dodging the raindrops. The summoning bell rung from a distance but Kagome proceeded onwards, running aimlessly until she found a secluded alleyway.

"I can't live like this. Everyone's gone. I just can't survive." She searched into her pocket, the rain overhead blending with her tears. Everything was lost, everything seemed so unreachable and if he thought that she could keep this promise, he was wrong. Kagome uncurled her clenched hand and a shimmering metal shined in her eyes. With one flick of a finger, the blade propped up from its case. "I'm sorry."

It's was cold, just when death was so near, nothing seemed to flash in front of her eyes. All that laid evident was the metal and her unmarred arm. No memories protruded from her mind and as the forsaken weapon hovered over her arm, she closed her eyes and held back tears. Rain overhead replaced them, gliding off her cheek and onto the cold metal. As soon as her heart was torn, as soon as her trembling hands gripped the knife tighter, with one single stroke Kagome winced but remarkably enough, there was no pain. Maybe the numbing feeling in her heart coursed throughout her body because there was still blood. The red substance stained her arm and in the puddles that formed around her. But there was no pain. That was all she felt but she wished that could be said for her heart that seemed to take over her so much.

"What the hell are you doing? Dammit." His eyes were full of undeniable anger as pain blended in. He pulled his hand quickly away from her arm and before her hazy eyes could clear away from the tears, Kagome knew numbness wasn't the reason why she felt nothing. It was his hand that he quickly replaced from her own arm, cringing away the pain as he took the knife upon himself. She wasn't supposed to cause anyone this type of agony. It was supposed to be for her and her alone. Why was he interfering?

The blonde wrenched her on her feet and led her out of the alleyway. Blood dripped down his fingertips but he held it tightly against his stomach, his eyes focused straight ahead.

"I promised my stupid sister I wouldn't cut school but now….Dammit all to hell. Fucking things happen to me and me alone." His gibberish was at the tip of his tongue once again. Sensing this, Kagome looked up at him and suddenly he stopped and forced her to face him. "I never meant to get involve but dammit. I didn't want to fucking have some kind of guilt on my shoulder. I saw those remorseful eyes before and fuck, from impulse I rushed to find your ass. Are you fucked up in the head or something? Shit, it's like I'm babysitting a child. You're the same as her. Stupid and naïve. You understand me!" His words came out so fast that even if those words came out in her native tongue she wouldn't have made any sense of it. Although, Kagome figured it was something negative as his brows creased down, narrowing his icy blue eyes right through her.

"Hiro." She mumbled, not knowing how to respond. She had missed everyone, her friends, her family and even that one person in particular. She didn't want to think about him, it had left too much pain in her heart. Even having his name etched into her thoughts gave her the chills. She didn't want to have this empty feeling.

"Why do you always mutter my name? I don't even know you."

"You're name?" She inquired monotonously.

He sighed. "Yeah, Hiroshino Akiya. I have many nicknames. Aki, Shino and the ever popular, Hiro. Do you know me or do I know you? I can't remember." It seemed the anguish and anger in his eyes quickly dissipated as he said these words. His eyes searched her own but she had no intention to stare into those blue hues any further. She turned away and shook her head.

"I just wished you were someone else."

"What do you mean?"

She said nothing and Hiro glanced down and noticed the tight fists that grew ever so tighter. Was she mad at him? Despite if she was, Hiro moved on and his eyes winced with pain. The wound had taken a toll on him due to the cold weather made his pace quickened as the pain intensified. Quickly, he glanced at the girl's expression…loneliness, confusion and misery. She had the description of a certain girl he couldn't forget and this opened his mouth.

"You're name…is it Kagome?"

She hesitated. "Yes." She had no further interest in where this conversation was going. He knew her name, so what? Was there supposed to be a reason? Kagome didn't care nor did it matter. She just wanted to be alone.

"I see. Sesshomaru always did talked about you with such enthusiasm I thought he was a different person. When he talked to my mother with a simple smile on his face it was as if he was a stranger. You're his sister am I right?"

He knew her, he knew him, he knew about them. What was this? This is stupid, incomprehensible and absolutely nothing she wanted to explain. Who was he exactly and why was he asking? It's none of his business, it was no ones business and how the hell was she supposed to forget if it always was brought up. It was ridiculously painful, couldn't anyone understand that?

"Shut up." She mumbled but Hiro got the message.

"You're quite cruel you know that."

"You're stupidly nosy."

"Hm. Very cruel indeed." He shook his head.

Kagome glared. "You have some nerve."

"Excuse me?"

Shaking her head, Kagome glared up at him but that didn't last long. Just looking at another guy made her furiously and hopelessly sick to her stomach. The love of her life was in her mind once again and just when she thought she could get rid of that damn image, his face plagued her every thought. No! This wasn't fair at all and if it wasn't for the rain that masked her tears, this Hiro-guy would predictably bother her…asking her if everything was okay. But everything wasn't okay and she stared at the floor until her arm was tugged to the opposite direction.

"What are you-" Kagome started but found out that as she glanced at the house she grew familiar with, that this was her stop. Hiro on the other hand urged her to move on but she shook his grip away from him. "You can go." She said, obviously pointing out that she was able to make it in the house alone.

"Please…" He scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "I live here. So I'm guessing my mother was the one who volunteered to keep you here. Well hurry up you'll catch a cold."

Not even bothering to argue, Kagome went into the house. It was quiet but she still heard a faint sound of the television in the distance and there, Kagome found Yura looking up at the two with that same smile she had on when she first met her at the airport.

"You two are soaking wet, let me get you two a towel." And before you knew it she escaped down the hallway to retrieve them. Kagome on the other hand stared at her retreating form, not really understanding why this woman was so jolly…so happy and so nice. People like this could make her happy. She wanted to be content but just the thought of it made her feel absolutely guilty. But the thought aside, as a towel was handed to her, Kagome draped it over her head and sighed.

"Mom, remember what I told you." Hiro started as he took the towel from his mother, quickly hiding his hand.

"Told me?" She inquired with a raised brow.

" Yeah you know…Sessho-" The name was at the tip of his tongue but Yura hastily shook her head. Kagome just pretended not to see such a gesture as she kept her eyes on the floor. "Well yeah, anyways remember what he said. I think I'll go for it."

"Honey I know he said that but still. You don't have to."

What were these people talking about? Kagome wondered but she didn't have a clue what they were saying. Though she kept her mouth shut as the two continued with there conversation.

"I know mom but it's a chance I have to take." He smiled and as Kagome glanced up at that said smile, she frowned. She missed his smile. The only grin that she can recall ever smiling back to was gone but what now? It's not like he was ever coming back so as the time ticked away and the conversation between mother and son was still brewing, Kagome swiftly stood up, silencing the room as 2 pairs of eyes glanced her way.

"Is something the matter Kagome?" Hiro spoke with concern as he went by her side, afraid that something was wrong.

Kagome didn't take the time to glance up at him. The eyes that she would meet would just pain her even more. She shuffled her feet across the living room floor and as she was about to turn the corner into the corridor that led to her room, she abruptly stopped. "N-Nothing's wrong with me." She whispered an evident lie, her tears streaking her face. "I don't miss him. I don't love him and I just want to forget him."

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"How long." So many years he had swathed his tone of voice with severity. There was no amount of subsidized words left in him and he shielded himself from any other emotion that wasn't needed. Happiness was out of the question and oddly enough, he was okay with it.

"20 minutes." His subordinate obediently replied.

"Speed through traffic, I don't want to be late and besides, anxiety is actually coursing through my veins." A wicked smile formed on his lips. His eyes stared vacantly at the passing scenery; the car accelerating in speed but the main focus was his objective.

As his eyes averted toward a sudden glimmer of the object that lay comfortably in his hands, his fingers traced the bulk of the gun. This sole object was his only friend so to say. It was his guardian angel but it also led him closer to hell with ever shot.

His phone brought him back to reality and he quickly answered it. "What is it?"

"Now, Now. Watch that attitude of yours Sesshomaru. I don't take it so lightly."

He narrowed his eyes at the feminine tone, her power over him seeping through her teeth. "I apologize."

"So did you finish the job?"

"I'm getting to it."

The woman sighed, her patience drawing thin. "I gave you 2 days Sesshomaru."

"I know. It just wasn't the right time." His hand tightened around the gun with irritation. If only he could point is little friend at that damn woman. He would have done it a long time ago if there weren't dyer consequences following suite. Control wasn't a thing Sesshomaru took to well. If anything he would be the one telling people what to do and never follow under others. He would kill if someone even tried. But if he didn't beckon to her every whim then Kago….no, she wasn't in the picture anymore. She couldn't be in his life anymore.

"Are you there?"

"Yeah. Sorry, I was just—"

"Don't think to much Sesshomaru. You know it just makes you even angrier and when your infuriated, your actions cause you more pain. Do you understand?"

The car pulled into the curb and came to a sudden halt. Towering overhead was the cooperation building he grew too familiar with. His eyes lingered upon a memory that wouldn't be forgotten, a memory that would give him much satisfaction after he completed his little mission.

"I'm here. I got to go."

"Wait…"

He opened the door, not even bothering for the man to assist him but halted his every action. "What is it?"

Her smile was evident in her voice. "I asked you if you understood me. When it comes to that girl you get rather distracted."

"I'm not distracted. I forgot about her a long time ago and you're the only one in my life. So she doesn't matter." It was like biting through metal. The words came out rigid through his gritting teeth. Although his act fooled the bitch as she scoffed a laugh.

"Great answer Sesshomaru." She hung up, leaving Sesshomaru to throw the phone in the car.

"That little bitch." He muttered, hiding his 9-millimeter in his coat jacket as his driver escorted him in the busy cooperate building. The man beside him was unaware of his intention, which made the job even more difficult, but being the man he was, he was prepared. Let's just say 'times like this comes with desperate measures.'

Getting into the elevator, Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes to observe the man's actions. He was giddy, his hands stretching out every 5 seconds as if ready to reach for the gun that was in his pant's pocket. Sesshomaru made sure he was behind him, having at least a 5-inch gap between him. With every worker that passed by, he counted, his eyes shifting in every direction with every corridor they've gone by.

"This way." It was the end the line. The man extended his arm to motion toward the door Sesshomaru was already aware of. As always the windows were draped with thick curtains, the room darkened instead for the lamp that was propped at his desk.

Sesshomaru walked toward the front desk, highly aware of the man that was at the door behind him. With his composed expression, Sesshomaru concealed his specific obligations by scattering papers upon the desk. By the looks of things, he was annoyed at what he saw.

"You're late." Naraku picked up the papers and threw it back at him in a violent manor. The reaction was what Sesshomaru expected and he couldn't help but restrain the smile that was tugging at his lips. Although, the door creaked open and heads turned toward the proverbial man that entered. In that instant, they gazed at one another but soon Sesshomaru directed his attention back at Naraku.

"What is this?!" Naraku bellowed, his hands slamming into the desk as he stood. "I told you directly for information and to kill them! But you disobeyed! What is the meaning of this?!"

"I simply didn't have the time." Sesshomaru replied.

"Didn't have the time! Do you want me to kill your little bitch!? I can make a call and—"

"I don't think so." As Naraku was about to pick up the phone, Sesshomaru slammed it back down on its cradle. They shared a look, Sesshomaru's eyes glimmering with malevolence.

"You little—"

The smile that was presented on his face was that of supremacy. It was a power that he had never obtained before and as he took a step back, dark eyes following his every move, Sesshomaru reached into his coat pocket. From behind, he could hear a gun click to its prime. Although, he paid it no mind as he tossed another stack of papers in front of Naraku, those once anger eyes gazing toward the documents with uncertainty.

"What is this?"

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Take a look for yourself."

He eyed him for a while before cautiously picking it up. They were pictures that were spilled with blood. The body behind the red substance was rather difficult to identify but as he flipped through the pictures, a smirk slowly appeared. As if pleased, he slowly took his seat and his eyes directed solely toward Sesshomaru.

"Was my son present at this murder?"

As if by instinct, Sesshomaru gazed over his shoulder at said son and nodded. "Hiten was with me so you need not worry."

"Good. I knew you were playing a little game with me Sesshomaru but now….you may leave."

His feet planted to the floor. There was one thing he wanted first and he wasn't going to leave without it. "I killed your wife. At least give me what I want." Sesshomaru's hand extended toward Naraku but instead, he received a chuckle.

"Oh-ho…So you think killing Yukira will change things between our agreement."

"You said…"

"What I said doesn't matter." Naraku opened his desk drawer and at the same time, Sesshomaru uncurled his fist. In his pocket was a gun and he wouldn't hesitate to use it if this bastard tried something funny. "So you want it?"

In a second a manila folder was thrown toward him. "What is this?"

"It's what you wanted. So have a nice day." He motioned toward the door and Sesshomaru walked right out of there with Hiten following close behind.

"What is it?" Hiten continued to follow despite the annoyed expression he received.

"Nothing."

"Liar."

Sesshomaru sighed. "Get out of my face."

"What is it?" As always the constant nuisance etched a familiar façade upon his features. Through the months of mandatory 'babysitting', Sesshomaru was required to get use to the constant exasperation that seemed to be included with Hiten.

Sesshomaru made a sharp right once he got out of the building but it didn't lose him. Hiten trailed along, looking over the other's shoulder in attempt to take a peek at the folder.

"Come on. Let me see. Aren't we family?" The words trailed out so naturally and yet Sesshomaru grimaced. Family didn't come close to describe what they were to each other. It was more like masked rivals but Sesshomaru did owe a lot to his cousin despite their rigid past.

"Can you leave?"

Hiten let out a sigh and grunted. "Sometimes you're so selfish. Well I'll be going to the 'Queen commanders' office then. I'll meet you there. Remember, we got more blood to smear on our hands tonight." He grinned. With a final departing salute, they went on there separate ways, leaving Sesshomaru to gawk at the folder in his hands.

"I hope she's happy." He whispered with a gentle sigh of relief. Slowly he took out the papers from the manila folder, his eyes searching for a more secluded area to stand. Under the shade of a tree, Sesshomaru flipped through the papers with a smile upon his face. For some reason, the happiness that appeared upon his features couldn't relate to the pain in his heart. Feelings…. that was the one thing he was supposed to exclude from his life but he couldn't.

With a grin, a chuckle escaped his lips. "That bastard." The words came out light, not holding any remote resentment in his tone. "I can't believe he actually went for the suggestion."

In the picture he stared at for quite a while, Kagome had this amazing smile he had never seen for what seems like decades. He couldn't believe Hiroshino could make her smile like she did. Her auburn hair perfectly in place to accentuate her perfect bone structure, she was like her old self. The last thing he was expecting out of these pictures was a smile but now, more then anything, he was glade that she was finally happy. It just took her 2 months to adjust to her new environment that he'll never disturb again.

"Sesshomaru?"

His eyes shifted from the pictures to a familiar worried face. "Sango…"

"W-Where's Kagome. I haven't seen you in school. I haven't seen Kagome in months and your parents. Don't they know that you two been ditching school?"

"Sango—"

"I mean my best friend who has been in numerous emotional distress is now giving me a heart attack because I don't know where the hell she's gone. I tried your house but your damn brother was drunk and I don't mean Inuyasha. For half an hour he's been jabbering to me like some crazy person about love and what ever nonsense he's been saying. I wanted to die but then he refused to tell me where you were or where Kagome was. As for Inuyasha he's been such an idiot as if having a stick up his ass isn't good enough and—"

"Sango!!" After shutting up her constant babble that would have continued for hours, Sesshomaru took a much-needed breath. "She's gone."

Sango didn't comprehend his few words at first but her eyes grew wide moments later. "Excuse me."

"I said she's gone, she's never coming back and it's going to stay that way no matter what you say or what I want." He threw the pictures at her feet and walked away from her. The past. It was dreadful to come across but he had to live in blood. To live in the pain he put upon himself.

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a/n: You might have not enjoyed this chapter but I promise the next chapter will be more interesting. I just needed to add this somewhat informational chapter. hehe. I hope you still stick with me and if not that's okay but the next chapter will be updated in 3-4 days. I promise. Sorry for the disappearance. Pwease forgive me. And I promise the next chapter will be a shocker hehe because i'm like that.