DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha or its characters. STOP REMINDING ME!
The Twisted Hands of Fate:
Chapter 2
As Kagome pulled slowly into the parking lot of the hospital, a shiver of anticipation blossomed down her spine. She wasn't excited to examine InuYasha, to see his pale, unmoving body, but there was a perverse keenness that fluttered restlessly in her heart as she thought about it. She wanted to prove she could take it, that she was strong enough to handle seeing him, stripped and almost dehumanized, on that table, and she promised herself that she would not break. She would prove to him she was strong enough. So, when Kagome strode through the hospital doors, her stride long and her head held high, she showed none of the anguish she felt. She could do this. She would do this.
That was where she met him. He stood ramrod straight beside the door, waiting for her arrival. His hair was strangely long for a male, reaching down to his lower back, and the glossy silver mane cascaded down his back in a high ponytail. He wore pristine white clothes and medical gloves were stretched over slender, nimble hands. He had the fingers of a piano player. When he heard her footfalls on the crème marble floors, and he tilted his head to look at her.
She almost took a step back from the intensity of his amber gaze as it collided with her stormy grey one. Those eyes, those glittering, turbulent eyes, reflected all the horrors that he had to face every day. They reflected the pain and sorrow that came from working with the silent dead; the horribly murdered, the suicide victims, everyone. When looking into those eyes, Kagome felt a strange mixture of pity and respect. He stepped forward to shake her hand; it was warm and comforting.
"A pleasure to meet you, Higurashi-san." He greeted in his low rumble. Kagome nodded. "If you will please follow me, we can begin the examination." She trailed after him cautiously, her eyes on his pearly, snow-white hair as it danced serenely behind him. He had a fluid, smooth gait, resolute, yet leisurely. As she absently thought this, he slid open a large oak door, shoed her inside, and locked it with a soft click. Hesitantly, ever slowly, Kagome turned to face the table, frightened and feeling her determination wavering.
He was there, most definitely, but he was covered by a thin, white blanket, and only his feet peeked from the far end. She almost fainted with relief. Finding new strength, Kagome followed Dr. Taisho to meet the two other people who would be helping them with the case. In the corner stood a woman and a man, both raven haired and lean. The woman stepped forward first.
"My name is Sango Takahashi. Very pleased to meet you." She chimed confidently as she put out her hand. Kagome shook it and nodded before turning to the man. He grinned at her before bowing.
"Miroku Fujikawa, at your service." His voice was honeyed and light. Kagome got the impression that this man couldn't take anything seriously. Again, she nodded. Dr. Taisho beckoned them over to the side of the table, where he turned to brief them.
"Nishimura InuYasha was found in his closet after he was murdered, I have yet to discover approximately his time of death, because I thought it would be best if all the investigators were present before I did so. I plead caution to all of you, as I have had some investigators vomit on the body before, so if this is too much for any of you to handle, I encourage you to step back." With that, he gently took one end of the blanket and slid it off the body, his eyes never leaving ours. Gulping, Kagome slid her eyes to the table, and felt a wave of terror crash down upon her. In the reports, it had only said that InuYasha had been 'brutally murdered,' and gave no further indication of his condition. 'That,' Kagome thought dizzily as she fought to keep control over her trembling legs, 'is an understatement.'
InuYasha was hardly recognizable under the deep slashes and bruises that ravaged that once handsome face. His chest had a horrifying gash in the middle, where, apparently, a knife had been plunged into it. His right arm hung at an unnatural angle, and his fingers were twisted horribly around, as if he had been tortured. His legs were slashed and bloodied, as was his neck. Kagome could do nothing but stare, her eyes wide and streaming with tears, and she felt her legs give way.
"Higurashi-san!" Dr. Taisho caught her before she crumpled to the floor. His voice was calm, but distant, as though she was hearing him from miles away. "Bring me that chair." She heard him order quietly. Miroku dragged the chair with a low scraping sound against the marble flooring and Dr. Taisho bent to place her into it delicately. Her blurred vision slowly returned as she tried to slow the beating of her heart.
When she at last was breathing evenly, albeit shakily, Dr. Taisho helped her from the chair and back to the body.
"Are you well now, Higurashi-san?' He inquired politely. Kagome nodded and forced her gaze back to InuYasha.
"Very good." Dr. Taisho clapped his hands together and plunged into his report, unaware of Kagome's inner turmoil.