"Chapter 5"
"Unsettling"
He could have healed her if she would have just let him, but her demands that he just take her to the hospital were a little unsettling. He could feel how upset she was about it but not about the wound, just about where it was. What was it about that side of her body that she didn't want any one to see. This was just one of the many things that confused Sesshomaru about her, as he paced the hospital waiting room. It had been hours since he had brought her here and he was getting worried, pushing a lock of his silver hair back into place, his concealing spell having been dropped when they had got into the car.
His face was dark in a scowl, as he glared at any one and anything that got in the way of his gaze. This girl was affecting him more than he liked to admit, he didn't like the fact that the nurses refused to tell him, anything, nor the fact that he was not allowed to see Kagome. She was in this mess because of him. If he hadn't hired her she would have never been in any kind of danger, she was human after all. One question still at the front of his mind, how had she known about him being the lord of the west? he would really like to know, though it didn't seem likely that he was going to find out tonight and that was fine with him, for now. He would get this information out of her one way or another, she knew things and he hope she had a logical and less conspicuous reason for this particular knowledge.
The ringing of his phone brought him out of his thoughts, digging it out of his jeans pocket Sesshomaru looked at the caller ID before answering.
"What do you want, InuYasha" Sesshomaru barked.
"Uh actually, I'm bored here in Greece, I just wanted to tell that I'll be back in time for the shareholders meeting in four days"
"You've been gone for three days and you want to come back already?" he asked shaking his head.
"Yeah, well I realized today, that running isn't going to solve my problem I've been running from the pain for the past five hundred years. I know she gone, I just didn't want to believe it.
"What happened for this revelation"
"Well I met this girl before I dumped Natsumi, I felt something I hadn't felt in...a very long time"
"I see"
"Besides" the hanyou said "I might be able to help you in some way with your investigation, oh that reminds me, did she take the case?" he asked, over the centuries InuYasha had become a lot more open with his feelings, he had lost much of the brashness of his youth, in favour of a more serious and respectable demeanour.
"Yes, she did"
"Good, I'll help when I get back"
"Hn, perhaps" was all the Inu Lord said.
Yes perhaps he would employ InuYasha as a body guard for Kagome, she was incredibly good at what she did and he didn't want her injured again. She did something to him, he wasn't sure what but he wanted to find out. He never had any one affect him like she did, she was the only one whom he would allow to touch his person, the only one he wanted to touch him. Never had he had feelings like this before, in the past he only allowed the women to touch him to slake his growing lust, but never had he craved a woman's touch until now.
"Come on, Sesshomaru" InuYasha whined "You know I can help you"
"I shall see you in four days" Sesshomaru said folding closed his cell phone.
Continuing his pacing back and forth across the hospital waiting room, his thoughts going back to there cyclical pattern of blame for Kagome's injuries. There had been no excuse for what had happened, though he should have forced her to allow him to see to her injury, gods she was a stubborn woman, and feisty. It was a shame, however that they hadn't met under different circumstances. Allowing his thoughts to be turned to the kiss he had given her, she had sparked something deep within him as soon as her body touched his. A need to protect and possesses at the same time, Sesshomaru understood both urges but was a little confused as how they fit in with Kagome, he knew he wanted her. His beast, his demon side was riled, unsettled, around her, desired her too. Her clean delicious scent was familiar, it knew her from somewhere but couldn't place her, it was as if the memory was dulled to the point of forgetting completely a rarity for any Inu.
He was going to have to keep an eye on Kagome for more that one reason, and though he desired her, until he found out how she knew what she knew he would make sure nothing happened to her. Not that he had a problem with it, this would just mean he could get closer to her. Now with InuYasha's imminent return, he would have to watch the hanyou as well, he was too much of a playboy not to try to steal Kagome from under him.
"Are you Sesshomaru Tashio?" a nurse asked breaking through his thoughts the second interruption in about five minuets.
"Yes" he said turning to look down at the petite brunette.
"Miss Higarashi is ready to be released, she's just finishing up the paper work now"
"Thank you" he said nodding curtly to the nurse.
Oh finally, he had always hated the smell of hospitals, the scent of sick and dying people was too much like that day when Rin... shaking his head he pulled himself out of those thoughts.
Sesshomaru watched as they wheeled her out, she looked groggy with dark circles under her eyes, she was paler than he was, that wasn't good. An annoyed expression painted her face, she was glaring but not at him, the carpeted floor getting the harsh gaze.
"Miss Higarashi, I highly recommend that you stay here in the hospital for at least two days, you lost a lot of blood" The doctor said coming from behind the nurse, to walk along beside the chair.
Kagome's head whipped around to glare at the doctor.
"I don't think so, I am leaving, I have spent more than enough time in hospitals" she said, if looks could kill that one would have.
"And what if infection sets in?" the doctor asked equally annoyed with her stubbornness.
"That's what this is for" she said holding up piece of paper with a prescription written on it for antibiotics.
"Perhaps the doctor is correct you should stay at least over night" Sesshomaru said interrupting, he could sense her anger building.
"Do you want me to drop your case?" she asked sapphire eyes flashing unwilling to even compromise in this situation.
"No" he said taken aback by how vehemently she wanted to leave, she had been serious about dropping his case he could see it in her eyes.
"Then take me home" she demanded "I'm really tired and would like to be resting in my own room before the sun rises"
Nodding Sesshomaru took the wheel chair from the nurse and guided her out to the car.
Though the night was very warm, Kagome was shivering, probably from loosing too much blood. He could smell the blood that stained her cloths, he didn't like the fact that those demon's had attacked her, her not him, though they had not known who he was when they did.
"Kagome?" he said sliding into the drivers seat.
"Mmmm?" she mumbled eyes closed as she snuggled deeper into the passengers seat.
"Why did you want to leave the hospital so soon, they would be able to take better care of you in there while you are injured" Sesshomaru said quietly realizing she was very groggy but he was curious and if Sesshomaru wanted to know something that he would find out, he could only hope she would answer.
"It's not something you need to know Sesshomaru, It will not affect how I do my job"
"I didn't mean it that way" he growled, annoyed now at the way she was taking his concern.
"It doesn't matter" she sighed. "Please just take me home"
"Rest, I will make sure we get there safely" What was it that had her on the defensive? why had she reacted the way she had, she was a confusing and maddening creature and he really wanted to know what had happened that she had spent too much time in hospitals.
SKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSK
The ride back to her house was quiet, though she didn't fall asleep during the half hour trip she wanted to. She had never been able to sleep any where but her own bed, for the past six years. Another stakeout gone awry, falling asleep in her car and being attacked by a bunch of hoodlums it hadn't been serious but it had scared her enough that she couldn't sleep any where but her own bed. Being so new at investigating at the time she had been confronted with the small set backs that can happen during investigations, they were slightly depressing however given her experience in the feudal era, she was never one to give up, and she never did.
There had been a saying that she had heard on a movie years ago, a code if you will, 'Never give up, Never surrender' it was one of those things that kept her going and now was no different. Sesshomaru needed her help and she was not going to give up. The fact that those guys in black had demanded that she not get involved meant they only wanted Sesshomaru, but it was not above them to hurt or even kill to get there way.
Now was the time to get reacquainted with her powers, they were sluggish with non use and she needed to gain back the ease which she had, had before she came back from the feudal era. She knew her power had grown since then but here in the modern era there was no real reason or need for her to use her power at least that's what she thought. Four years ago when she started getting demons for clients, did she think about it, but there was still never any need to do so, she was never in any danger from them until now. Kagome was going to have to go for a few days and become familiar with them again. Things were looking good with this though, she kind of needed a bit of a brake after tonight, and with the ruse of her stitches she could claim that she was unfit for work for a while. Thankfully the one power she never lost touch with was her healing abilities, she probably would have died several times over if not for them, it was just her purification powers that were a problem.
Kagome had demanded to stay awake during the small operation, that had closed her wound because she really didn't want to stay in the hospital over night, she could never really rest. The nurses always checking on her every two hours or so, and the drugs they gave her left her feeling incredibly unaware of her surroundings. It bothered her that she was never able to really close the door, and then with all the poking and prodding, it just wasn't going to happen. She would heal her self tonight when she got home and got rid of Sesshomaru, then tomorrow she would go to her special retreat.
Opening her eyes and glancing at the clock on the dash, three thirty in the morning, it had been eleven twenty when they had gotten to the hospital. What a long night, things weren't going as she wanted them to, first Hojo tried to propose, then Sesshomaru, the club, then they were attacked. Three and a half hours in the hospital, actually that wasn't too bad considering, they had made sure that the guy that had stabbed her hadn't caused internal bleeding, then they had sewn her up. Kagome was pleased that it hadn't been bad, it was just the loss of blood that was the problem, healing her self tonight then getting a good nights rest she would be fine.
Feeling the car slow Kagome opened her eyes, she was home already, oh thank the gods. Watching as a silent Sesshomaru got out, coming around to her door to open it, he gently lifted her out of the seat, heading for the front door. She didn't feel any jarring as the Inu Lord glided up the steps, the feeling of his strong arms around her made her want to stay there. Not that she would admit that to him but she felt...safe, in his arms and for her now, that was a rare feeling. Wait a second, arms, plural? why had she never before now noticed that? it probably had something to do with the fact that he had been more than competent without his other arm back in the past.
Before Sesshomaru could reach for the door handle, it was pulled out of his grasp. Standing in the doorway was Kai.
"Oh thank the gods your home" Kagome said.
"What in the hell happened to you?" he said stepping back so Sesshomaru could walk in.
She could hear the Inu let a small growl out at the tone that Kai took with her, she watched out of the corner of her eye as his golden eyes narrowed at the dark haired Japanese man. That look on his face it was dark and possessive she felt his hold on her body tighten, it was at odds with what she knew about him.
"And who the hell is this" Kai said watching as the tall silver haired lord placed Kagome on the couch. Kai seemed worried and pissed that she had been out so late with out calling, though that was very much like him but she was a little confused.
"Kai, this is Sesshomaru, he's the one I'm working for" She looked from him to Sesshomaru, the Inu glaring at the other man.
"What happened, I thought you were with Hojo, thought maybe you had come to your senses and either dumped him or were doing the nasty"
"Your questions and vulgar comments can wait until Kagome has gotten some rest, she has lost enough blood and needs some thing to eat before she can rest" Sesshomaru interrupted his scowl even darker.
"Blood?" Kai looked a lot more paler and a little green around the edges, at the mention of blood. He had always been squeamish when it came to any blood, he usually fainted at the sight.
"Kai" Kagome said softly, he looked down at her, her ebony hair and overly pale face standing out against the gold and green couch.
"Please, Sesshomaru is right questions can wait" turning her head she looked at the Taiyoukai.
"Thank you, I'll call you in a few days when things are looking up, and I am able to continue my investigation. You can use my car to get home"
"This Sesshomaru will not leave you unprotected, not after what happened tonight"
"What happened?" Kai asked in a squeaky voice.
"I'll be fine, Sesshomaru, I'm home now I'll be safe here" Kagome said ignoring Kai.
"And what if they attack you again because of me? I will not see you injured again"
"Attacked? who attacked you?" Kai interrupted
"It's okay it was only a warning, they don't want me snooping around any more, if I take a few days to rest it will throw them off my scent and then I can continue the investigation" she said matter of factly.
"As much as I want to find the one blackmailing me, I will not put you in any more danger than you already are" Sesshomaru growled.
"I'll be fine, please go home get some rest your self, I'll phone you in a day or two and report on how I'm doing, Okay?" She was sounding very reasonable and she knew it, she was hoping he wouldn't feel the need to argue more.
His eyes searched hers, she didn't know what he saw but he nodded sharply, and turned to leave.
"I will stop in tomorrow" he said and left, the door closing softly behind him.
The only problem with that was she would be gone by the time he did stop by. Kagome needed to retrain her powers and the only place she knew of that was perfect was a piece of property that she had bought a few years ago, on the top of a small mountain where a village once stood five hundred years ago.