Her breathing accelerated as she walked as quickly as she could in the dark alley. Her eyes misted with tears, her heart clenching uncomfortably. Why did he return? All what she could do was remember the long forgotten past.
"I don't understand." She whispered, looking directly into his eyes. He laughed cruelly, almost desperately and for a second, she wondered if he had gotten insane.
"What's not to understand?" he bit back harshly, his terrifying blue eyes making her back away in fear. His beautiful eyes now caused terror to run through her heart. "I am Tiger, the criminal they are searching for. How naïve are you Kagome? It's me, can't you tell? The man who is behind all those crimes!"
"No!" She exclaimed, turning her back towards him, denying the undeniable truth. Silence stretched between them, both studying the situation with fear.
"I killed that man." He finally confessed, making her flinch, hot tears coursing down her cheeks. "I killed him because I had to, because I wanted to, call it whatever you want, it's me, it has always been me."
"No…" she sobbed, her shoulders trembling slightly. "You are lying."
She gasped when he roughly spun her around, his hand settling on her shoulder, his blue eyes staring down at her with such intensity that she thought she might collapse at any second. It was then that she realized something, that she realized that her name, the name he had tattooed on his hand was erased, only little burning traces remaining. Her tears suddenly ceased, her eyes going cold, her body becoming almost numb. He had already made his decision and all she could do was watch.
"I am sorry…"He apologized, his eyes following hers to where his tattoo once resided. "The tattoo would make it easier for the police to find me, but Kagome, I love you, and we can still be together!"
Her eyes flew to his again, wide. She suddenly slapped his hand away, and with all the strength she had in her body, she pushed him as far as she could.
"Tonight, you just died in my eyes, in my heart, in my soul." She whispered but he could hear her perfectly. His eyes turned to dark icebergs as he glared at her.
"It's your choice and I respect it." He finally said, watching her run away from him. For a second, he contemplated running after her, leaving all his hatred behind. He stood between love and hate, happiness and sadness, joy and revenge. His choice was obvious as he turned his back to her, walking the other direction, walking away. His choice was inevitable.
She could see a dark silhouette coming from the opposite direction, directly towards her. Was it him? Her mind feared for a second, but soon, her eyes began to notice the differences, and the man approaching her made her heart skip several beats. She quickened her walk towards him and when she became close enough, she threw herself in his arms, for the first time in a long time feeling that safety he used to invoke in her. She buried her face in his shoulder, sighing in relief when he returned her fierce hug with a matching passion, his arms pulling her even closer.
"What are you doing here?" she finally whispered, her face titling up so that's he could have a better look at him. He looked down at her, his eyes almost burning her with the intensity of his stare.
"I couldn't sleep without clearing things between us." He replied, smiling slightly. "I cannot lose you again, please; we should end this raging war between our hearts. I love you, I know that you doubt my love, that you don't want to hear me out, but I will tell you this, I will do anything to make these doubts go away, to prove my love for you."
She buried her face deeper in his shoulder, willing her heart to calm. That safety she felt in Inuyasha's arms took her by surprise, she always thought she feared him, but now, seeing him coming after her, rescuing her from the darkness, she could feel herself warm all over. Their arguments, they were heated, stubborn, but they only occurred because they loved each other.
She knew that forgiving him would mean putting her heart at stake again but was it worth it? Everyone was against them, opposing their relationship, trying to break them apart. So was it worth it? She asked herself the same question again and again.
His arms tightened even more around her as if he was reading her thought. She loved him; she had no doubt that she loved him so deeply, so passionately…
"I hate to break the moment…"a masculine voice came from behind, loud and vicious, startling them both. Kagome immediately broke away from Inuyasha, looking back before gasping loudly. Inuyasha's eyes widened as he stared at the young man in black standing a few meters away from them, pointing his gun directly at him. How did he just appear? One second no one was there and now…
"But I would like you to move the fuck away from her." He continued as calmly as he could, his blue eyes settled on Inuyasha glowing in the darkness of the deserted alley.
"If you want money…" Inuyasha started, reaching for his pocket when the soft click of the gun made him stop any movement.
"Put your hands behind you head." Tiger ordered, his eyes now moving towards a shaken Kagome who was still standing between them.
"Step away from Taisho." He ordered, this time his words directed to her, making Inuyasha's eyes widen. He knew him? How?
"No." she replied, her voice laced with fear. Tiger's eyes widened dramatically as he moved a few centimeters towards them, his angelic face taking demonic features.
"I said step away from him!" he yelled harshly, startling her. She shook her head negatively when she heard her lover talk to her from behind.
"Kagome, do what he says, he's obviously after me. Come on baby, step away."
She continued to shake her head negatively, her eyes pleading the man with the gun. Her pleas didn't seem to affect him though as he continued to glare darkly at her.
"Is this what you have become?" he suddenly started, his blue eyes never leaving hers, "a doll exchanged between those men? Are you happy now with yourself? Are they better than me? Do you think they are good? Do you think they are nice? Let me tell you something honey, those people are the ones who hire me to do the dirty job for them…" his words dripped like venom down his tongue but before he could continue, he was interrupted by Taisho's voice.
"Hey listen to me…" the latter argued, his eyes fueled with anger, "your problem is certainly with me. Just please let her go, please…" he begged, his anger turning to pleading.
Tiger seemed to pounder the thought for a moment before nodding, motioning to Kagome to move away. Alerted that Tiger was seriously considering killing Inuyasha, her heart wrenched in her chest and before she knew it, she found herself clinging to her lover, her arms wrapped securely around him, tears falling down her cheeks. She could not live without him; she suddenly realized as she hugged him tighter, resisting his tries to push her away. She would die without him.
"No!" She cried out when Inuyasha tried again to free himself from her grasp.
"Don't be stupid, let me go!" He ordered harshly, coldly, but his words made her hang out to him even more, desperation beginning to flow into her system. Right now, she didn't care about Karla or Kikyo or Kelly or any of the other women that were in his life. She didn't care if she was Mercedes or Kagome; she just wanted to be with him, whoever she was, wherever she was…she simply loved him.
"No! You'll have to kill me first!" She threatened, her hands gripping the front of his shirt tightly. Her wet eyes met his golden stare. "Don't you understand how much I love you?" she whispered, not wanting Tiger to overhear them but the sound of anger that came from said man made her know that her attempt was futile.
"Why are you defending him Kagome!" he practically roared, his eyes widening even more, the gun trembling hysterically in his hands, "Can't you see what I am doing! I am protecting you!"
She could see how Inuyasha's eyes widened when Tiger said her name and she knew that he must have figured by now that Tiger was after her.
"I love you Kagome!" He declared helplessly, desperation so evident in his voice to the point that her heart clenched for a few seconds. "Getting rid of him is the obvious choice! He's not a man, he's a monster, and you have no idea who he really is…he's Naraku's ally, and that alone is a crime.
Inuyasha stared at the man who had just declared his love for the woman in his arms. His heart gave a painful twist and he could feel his breathing accelerate. Did she love that man? Was he an important part of her life? Did he know her as Kagome or as Mercedes? Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead, the stress making it impossible for him to think clearly.
He felt dread consume him when she backed away from him, her eyes going towards the blue eyes man. She was going to let him go, she was choosing that man over him. His heart pained him like no other time and his hand moved towards his chest, trying to support the uncomfortable feeling.
"That's how I know that I truly love him." She suddenly answered and his unfocused eyes blinked several times, the pain receding miraculously, his heart warming suddenly. Her voice was so soft, barely a whisper, however he could hear it so clearly.
Tiger's eyes narrowed as he listened to her, his gun still pointed at Taisho. He knew that he was not acting professionally. He could kill that man any second he wanted without even hurting her. He could have killed him even when she had that grip over him, even when her body shielded his from him, but he couldn't. He wanted to know, he wanted to know why she was standing between death and Taisho, why she was gripping to him as if he was her last line of survival, her last chance.
"Because…" she continued, blue eyes clashing together, "even when I know that he has done terrible thing, I still want to be with him. Even if he turns out to be a criminal just like you Tiger I would still love him. I refused to stay with you when I discovered your truth, but I am ready to stay with him whatever his truth is. I love him."
Her words cut deeply inside his heart. It was as if a dagger went through him. Slowly, his rage died and he could only see her eyes, the love inside of them, the love that was not his but that of the man standing behind her. His face regained his normal angelic façade and slowly he began to unclench his tight grip on the gun when he felt it, he distinguishably felt something moving behind him and before he could react, something sharp was pointed to his back.
In any normal circumstances, he would have never been fooled, but her eyes captivated him to the point he lost his criminal instincts for a few seconds. And that's why he left her years ago, because she was a source of distraction, because she was his only weakness.
He heard her gasp as someone took the gun away from his hand and pushed him forward. He immediately looked back and his eyes widened when he saw Naraku standing right next to the assassin who just outsmarted him.
"We meet again, Tiger." The older businessman said, a small smirk gracing his lips. "You gave us a long chase you know. But you could never outsmart me. Apparently, one of my connections saw you in the airport. A little bit of money was enough to make him talk."
Naraku's eyes then moved towards Kagome who was still standing next to Inuyasha.
"Did he hurt you?" he suddenly asked, his voice much softer. She shook her head negatively, too shaken to even talk.
"Good." He replied, his eyes returning to Tiger. "Now tell me, is true that Hojo Takashi sent you here?"
Tiger's eyes narrowed considerably as he glared at the rich man standing before him.
"I have nothing to tell you. You can go and screw yourself in hell."
The businessman seemed unaffected by his words, at the contrary, his smirk widened even more. He looked at the man standing to his right, pointing his gun to Tiger.
"Aim to the knee." He ordered coldly, making Tiger's eyes widen when the gun lowered down a few degrees.
"Naraku!" Kagome exclaimed, stepping a few feet towards them but Inuyasha immediately caught her by her arm.
"Let him do his job." He whispered in her ear. She took a shuddering breath, hoping that Naraku doesn't effectively hurt the young assassin.
"Yes." Tiger suddenly said, glaring at Naraku, ignoring Kagoe's gasp from behind. "Yes, Takashi sent me."After all, he thought, Takashi wanted to hurt Kagome, and apparently, Naraku was on her side. No one would mind if Hojo Takashi got killed. He would not mind.
Naraku arched a surprised eyebrow as he stared surprised at Tiger. He didn't think that the assassin would talk so easily. Maybe he had gotten smarter over the years, deciding to immediately talk instead of getting the punishment then having to talk.
"And what do you know about Hojo Takashi?" Naraku continued. The young man sighed heavily, his eyes still fixed to the gun. What would Naraku do to him after he was finished with his interrogation?
"I know that he works for Anne Higurashi. The word on the street is that this woman is far more dangerous to be messed up with."
"Liar!" Kagome cried form behind, her eyes wide, her lips trembling from all the things she was hearing. Could it be possible that her mother along with Hojo kidnapped her as Mercedes in order to hurt Inuyasha? Could it be that her own mother did not recognize her? "My mother is not like you! She is not a criminal! Shut your stupid lies!"
Tiger glared at her from behind his shoulder.
"I am not lying Kagome. Your mother is far too known on the streets. She has her own illegal businessman since your death." The last word came more sarcastic than he had meant, her flinch making him almost regret his words, almost.
"That's enough." Naraku cut their discussion, before turning his head towards his men. "Take him away." He ordered. The man next to him was still pointing the gun towards Tiger as two other came from the shadows and dragged him away. As he passed next to Naraku, he looked at him with all the hatred he could master.
"Have a nice sleep, father." He whispered lowly with venom before being dragged away. Naraku closed his eyes for a few seconds, his heart clenching painfully. When he reopened them, every sign of emotion was gone from his face. He slowly moved towards Kagome's sobbing from while Inuyasha held her tenderly in his arms, his hands rubbing her back soothingly.
"Listen to what's going to happen.' He declared his voice cold and determined. "I am going to fax the DNA results to both Higurashi and Takashi. Once they realize that you are actually Kagome, they will try to compromise. That's when we become the stronger parts. Your mother was very ambitious, in the wrong way, she had even tried to take over my company and for that I cannot forgive her. That's why I will make them both leave the country for two years until everything calms down. You will remain Mercedes by the eyes of the law, do you hear me? After those two years pass, she will be able to come back. Meanwhile, you shall live your life as normally as it is. No one should officially know that you are Kagome or else I would be in trouble and I don't like getting into trouble. Is that clear?"
"Go away." She finally whispered, clutching Inuyasha's shirt tightly. "It's your entire fault, just go away Naraku, do what you want, but leave me alone. Please."
The older man cast a look at Inuyasha who nodded his head.
"Very well, take good care of her Taisho."
"I will." The latter promised, hugging her tightly. "I will."
She groaned, burying her head in the pillow as the morning sun came in, washing over her face. She tried to roll away but found it impossible as he was held by a strong arm around her waist. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled when she saw her husband's sleeping face.
Tenderly, her hand went over his cheek, caressing it slowly until his eyes opened, golden like the rays of the sun.
"Hey." He whispered, his voice still husky with sleep as he moved his head on the pillow, trying to adjust his position.
"Hey." She whispered back, leaning in to give him a short kiss before pulling away, and her lips inches apart from his. A small smile gradually spread on his face before he pulled her again, this time for a much passionate kiss. His hands went to her now long black hair, burying them inside while his mouth claimed hers over and over again until she was left breathless.
"Inuyasha stop it, we have to get up, come on. It's your brother's wedding today! And I promised Rin that I would be there early enough to help her with everything. And don't forget that Rubin is coming. You know how much Rin loves his voice. I must meet him there; I cannot just leave him alone, the girls would probably swallow him alive. Come on!"
He groaned in reply, rolling her on her back before his lips attacked her neck hungrily. She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. They had to go and one of them had to act rationally. She would not succumb, she would not succumb, and she continued to lecture herself, until he started lazily sucking on that particular spot on her neck.
Her eyes shot open, her lips parting slightly, his name coming like a whimper. He smirked against her skin, his hand going down under her nightgown, settling on the little bump in her stomach, slowly caressing it.
Her eyes met his and he smiled for what he saw there: love, hope, happiness. He felt that she could see his soul from his eyes. Long were forgotten those dark glasses he wore for almost three years. He was finally free. She had freed him. The idea alone sent such happiness in his system to the point that he felt he could do anything for her. He kissed her again, this time more slowly, enjoying every second of it.
Her cell phone suddenly rang, making them break apart. She moved to answer it but he held her in place, his eyes pleading.
"I need you." He whispered, his eyes settled on her lips. Her body shook all over from his stare and before she knew it, she opened her arms, accepting his body with her own.
She knew that she would never be able to truly understand why all of this had happened to her but some things were not meant to be explained.
Because some things were meant to be seen through Dark glasses...
Fin