Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters, etc. No copyright infringement is intended.
Through Blood and Tears
Chapter 8: The Horror Begins
Blood.
The sickening scent invaded the half-demon's senses, causing him to cover his nose with a clawed hand. The red liquid covered the walls and spilled onto the floor. It bathed the small cellar. Kagome's Japanese Language teacher was sprawled out in the middle of the room, or what was left of her anyways. Her stomach had been torn apart, her limbs twisted in obscene ways. A scream was planted on her face as fear coated her lifeless eyes.
Kagome continued to stare in horror and shock before her companion's body blocked her view. There was no mistaking it, though; she saw what had only been in her dreams. A single white rose had been placed upon the teacher's corpse. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and brought her into a tender embrace as she numbly gripped his shirt. "Inu ... yasha," she whispered, trying to comprehend the reality of the situation. "We have to make sure she's okay. We have to get her some help." The young woman tried to pull away from him, but Inuyasha held her arms firmly. She struggled against his grip, trying to catch sight of the scene behind him.
"Kags," Inuyasha warned, trying to get her attention. "Kagome, look at me." Reluctantly, her eyes met his. "It's too late. We have to go." After a moment, the stunned teen nodded her head slowly, still trying to process the event in her mind.
Leaning on her friend for support, Kagome managed to trek back upstairs; blood staining their minds and senses. The couple arrived at the landing and Inuyasha immediatly shut the door behind them. The raven-haired beauty took a few steps into the dim hallway before her knees gave out from under her. She collapsed to the cool ground and brought her shaking hands to her face, shielding the tears that fell.
The silver half-demon knelt beside her and took her into his arms; cradling the petrified woman against his chest. Kagome knew he was trying to comfort her, but she could sense the fear seeping off of him in waves.
"Oh shit!" a feminine voice screamed as Sango and Miroku ran into view. Surprise overtook their expressions at the sight before them; Inuyasha holding Kagome while sitting on the ground. "What happened?" The brunette's voice filled with worry.
Inuyasha only glanced at them with a vacant expression. He slightly shook his head as he responded. "We have to get out of here," he whispered, receiving questioning looks.
"Inuyasha, what happened?" Miroku asked, his mouth set in a stern line. His girlfriend took a step closer to him, tightening her grip on his hand.
"No time. We have to find everyone else, then I'll explain." The dark look in their friend's eyes frightened them and Sango could only manage a nod in response. Inuyasha picked Kagome up bridal style as she gripped his shirt and leaned against him; tears flowing freely down her pale cheeks.
The silver male took off running towards the gym with his friend following swiftly behind him.
Silence thickened the air around them; their footsteps echoing against the white walls. Ayame grabbed Kouga's arm as a shiver crept up her spine. Her eyes darted around the room the couple currently occupied and the feeling of being watched overwhelmed her.
"Kouga," she whispered, walking a bit closer to him. "Kouga!" she hissed again, this time with more anxiety.
He stopped shuffling down the corridor and turned to face the frightened girl. "What is it now?" he asked, his voice tinted with irritation.
"Maybe we should go back now. It's almost 9:30 and this place is giving me the creeps." Her emerald spheres continued to roam the dark room before returning to Kouga's face.
The dark skinned male crossed his arms, forcing Ayame to release her grip. "Feh! Why didn't you stay with Hakkaku and Ginta if you were so scared?" Realization dawned upon his features as he took in the red head's shaking frame and the fear protruding through her pores. His expression softened. "Hey, you're really scared, aren't you?" He dropped his arms to his sides.
"I'm terrified, Kouga," she replied, her voice shaking. "I feel as if I'm being watched and its way too quiet. Can we go back please?" Kouga searched her pleading gaze, feeling his heart lurch against his chest.
After a moment of hesitation, the young man spoke. "Okay, we'll go back." He flashed her a smile and took the female wolf demon's hand, guiding her towards the stairwell.
The twosome made their way cautiously down the dark staircase. Ayame anxiously awaited the reunion with her friends. Kouga opened the door to be greeted with silence. "Where are they?" Ayame asked, glancing around for Kouga's fellow pack members. Grave thoughts flickered through her mind.
"The idiots probably went to the gym to meet up with everyone," the blue eyed man replied, trying to reassure the female at his side. Deep down, worry darkened his heart because his friends' scents mixed with one another and traveled around in circles before trailing down the hall. "Come on, let's go," Kouga said as he led Ayame towards the gym.
Hojo ran through the various corridors, breathing heavily as he rounded another corner. Where am I? He questioned himself as he stopped to take a short break. His eyes glanced around to try and get his bearings. This isn't the way to the classroom. Come to think of it, this hallway doesn't look familiar at all. Have I gotten myself lost? The young man sighed as he put a hand on his forehead to try and collect his thoughts.
He managed to steady his nerves a bit, but his heart pounded loudly in his chest. He began walking forward, a dark pathway stretching before him. The echoing of footsteps sounded off the walls. What was that? He stopped in his tracks and glanced around nervously. He listened intently, trying to hear the sound again. When silence greeted him, he shrugged it off and began walking.
After a few minutes, the sound came to life once more. There it is again. No mistaking it this time; there was a second set of footsteps. Someon was following him. Hojo quickened his pace as his pursuer did as well. The chesnut haired boy didn't dare look behind him as he broke out into a run; fear overwhelming him.
Hojo turned a corner and slipped, sending him falling flat on his face. He laid there for a moment before lifting his head off the ground. Palms stretched out before him, he braced himself on his stomach. The footsteps that had been following him slowed down. The student glanced to his right, afraid to look behind him. Soft thumping came closer and closer until stopping right behind him.
He gathere enought courage and decided to take a peek. Hojo twisted his body around so he was lying on his back, propped up on his elbows. What he saw left him paralyzed with fear. A dark figure. A menacing smile. Blood red eyes. And then everything went black.
There you go, another chapter with a little cliff hanger. Don't hate me. Anyways, hope you liked it and please review. I love to know what my readers think. Thanks!