DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha or its characters.
The Twisted Hands of Fate:
Chapter 5
"Ms. Nishimura, I know what you must be feeling, so if any of these questions becomes too difficult for you to answer, I completely understand." Dr. Taisho's tone was soothing and indulgent as he took a seat on a ledge next to the fireplace. Ms. Nishimura nodded solemnly, her eyes hard and resolute.
"Yes." Dr. Taisho nodded, satisfied, and began his questioning as he folded his arms into his lap and crossed his legs.
"First off, would you tell us about your son? Was he the sort of person to make enemies?" Ms. Nishimura appeared to meditate on that for a moment.
"Well, InuYasha was always a bit loud and belligerent. I suppose some people could take offense to his stand-offish demeanor, but I can't recall anyone he told me about who would go as far as to kill him for it." She told them softly, her eyes hazed over with memories.
"Did he have a girlfriend? If he did, did they fight often?" Kagome felt her heart speed up drastically, and she almost slapped herself. Of course! How could she have forgotten? His mother, though she had never met Kagome before, must have known about their relationship. Kagome was about to change the subject; or do anything that might distract Ms. Nishimura, but it was too late.
"Yes, actually. My son was dating a wonderful young woman, he was about to propose to her when he…" She trailed off, her voice choked. Dr. Taisho put a sympathetic hand on the old woman's frail shoulder.
"It's alright. Just tell me the young woman's name." Kagome braced herself, but a sinking feeling had seeped into her chest. She would be taken off the case, and she would never be able to-.
"Kikyo."
Kagome's heart stopped, her mouth parted in shock; time seemed to freeze spitefully. Did she just say 'Kikyo?' No, she must have heard incorrectly, it had to be a mistake!
"What is her full name?"
"Kikyo Yamamoto." Kagome's hands began to shake discreetly in their place on her lap. Her breathing was shallow and almost labored; all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart and the blood rushing in her ears. It hadn't been a slip of the tongue.
Kagome's heart split.
From her blurry, unfocused vision, Kagome saw Dr. Taisho eyeing her through the corner of a tawny eye before his gaze flicked back to Izayoi Nishimura.
"I see. And did Kikyo and your son bicker frequently?" Ms. Nishimura shook her head fervently.
"No, no, no, no! InuYasha and Kikyo were one of the best behaved couples I had ever seen! I mean, of course, they fought occasionally, as all couples do, but they were perfect for each other, soul mates, if you will. And I was so looking forward to having a daughter in law…" With every word the aging woman uttered, Kagome felt herself slipping further into depression, confusion, despair. If InuYasha had been dating Kikyo, then Kagome's entire relationship with him was a lie!
'No, no.' Kagome reasoned bleakly with herself. 'You knew InuYasha! He would never do that to you…He loved you!' But as she thought it, Kagome knew it was false. This would explain everything; it all fell into place. Why InuYasha had never taken her to see his mother, why he always seemed nervous when he went out I public with her, why he had never mentioned marriage, even after two years of dating…
After that, Kagome didn't have the will, nor the strength, to listen anymore. She tuned out the conversation that unfolded in front of her and wallowed in her self-pity, in her agony, and in her worthlessness. What part of their relationship had been a lie? Had he really even loved her at all? Or was she just his sex-toy that he was content to throw away at any time he pleased? When he had lain in her bed those blissful nights, snuggling close to her; whispering, and caressing, was he really picturing Kikyo instead of her?
"...Igurashi? Would you like to ask any questions?" Dr. Taisho's voice broke her inner turmoil and Kagome's head snapped up, her eyes wide and alert.
"Oh! No, no. I have all the information I need." She griped weakly, waving her hands and giving a grimace of a smile.
As they stood to leave, Kagome could feel Dr. Taisho's calculating stare on her back and she struggled to refrain from whipping around and screaming at him to mind his own business. When they finally stepped out of the door, Dr. Taisho turned.
"Oh, one last thing, Ms. Nishimura. Do you have any contact information for InuYasha's girlfriend? It would be most helpful if we could get a hold of her." Izayoi Nishimura's eyes widened minutely and she paused from her place by the door.
"Dr. Taisho, Kikyo is dead."