AN: Sorry for the long wait. I took November off to participate in NaNoWriMo. And now even though my finals are starting to rear their ugly, horrible heads, I'll try to pick up the same momentum I had back in October. Send lots of reviews to keep my motivation up! ;)
Adam: LOL. As always, thanks for the review(s)!
NurNur: Yay! I was hoping no one would guess it, lol. Thanks for reviewing!
Evelyn: Good :) I didn't want to throw in a bunch of characters so I made Dr. Saito and Kikyo one in the same. To be honest, I'm toying with hacking Inuyasha's hair off. Not sure I can go through with it though...Thanks for the review!
Gamehead64: Ouch. Hope you get all the pieces put back together in time for this update!
Seeker Heart: You'll figure it out sooner or later ;) Thanks for the review!
InuKag4eva: :) Thanks! Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!
weaponmistress: Yep! Things are about to get crazy. Thanks for reviewing!
Shamy001: Well, I'm honored to be your first :) I'm really glad you liked my little plot twist that much, lol. As for Kikyo...you'll find out soon enough what her fate is going to be. Thanks for the awesome review! :)
Anonymous: Yay! I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!
IrishIndy: Thank you! And don't worry, Kikyo has lots of plans up her sleeve.
I can't believe it: That's not a bad guess actually. I considered that as I was planning the story, but I couldn't figure how to get him to escape from the jewel without Kagome. (And besides, he would have gone for Kagura) So Kikyo was my next best one :) Thanks so much for the review!
Chazziegirl101: Yay Kagome! She starting to come into her own. Poor Miroku. So desperate to figure out what to do when it comes to Sango. Hopefully I'll get the chance to delve into them a little more too. Thanks for reviewing!
Travelgirl: Good. I was hoping no one would figure it out, lol. Thanks for the review!
EvilPinkPlatypus: Well, it's one of the many things I do in order to drown in reviews ;) Trust me, I've got lots of tricks, lol. Thanks for reviewing!
Mags: Awwww, thank you! I'm flattered. Hope the cliffhangers won't drive you too crazy! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I make no money off this story.
November 17: 1:45 PM
This time, Kagome didn't bother to wait for Sango to organize them. Before the car had even stopped moving, her door was open and her feet were pounding on the pavement, mind focused on only one thing.
Her mother.
Souta would be safe in his therapy session by now, pouring his soul out to Dr. Saito or whatever it was they did. He was supervised, and there was armed security in the building. And even if Kikyo did find her way to him, he was a fighter. Hadn't he proved that by doing everything possible to keep their father's memory alive?
It was her mother who was the vulnerable one. Laid out by depression, she didn't have any fight left in her. Kagome wasn't even sure how she could protect her. It wasn't like she could sneak her mother out of a secure mental hospital. She could try to guilt Miroku or Sango into guarding her, but that would be one less person who could help her get Inuyasha back. And honestly, she didn't think they would leave one another.
Kagome almost skidded to a stop in front of the reception desk, suddenly guilty that this was the reason for her first visit. "I'm here to see my mother. Higurashi." Kagome slid her ID forward, panting.
The woman causally glanced over it, seemingly unconcerned at her rattled appearance. "Ah, Kagome. Your grandfather's mentioned you." She tapped away at her computer, brows furrowing. "You're in luck, she was just moved out of suicide observation. Go on up to floor five, room 56. If you have trouble finding it, Dr. Saito should be in her office. She'll be happy to help you out."
Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes. By the glowing tone in the receptionists voice, she wasn't going to win any points by whining about the dumb shrink. "Thanks."
"Kagome!" Sango hissed from behind her. Even though she wanted to bolt towards the elevators, she forced herself to wait for Sango and Miroku, both without obvious weapons, but judging by the lump in Sango's sweater, they weren't completely defenseless.
Sango fidgeted next to Kagome in the elevator, readjusting the sweater she'd pulled on over Kirara. Miroku kept glancing at her, shifting the messenger bag strap that ran across his chest.
Her mouth was moving, but Kagome wasn't listening. She stared blankly at the strange creases Sango's demonslayer uniform and cat made under her street clothes, her tongue dry and mind whirling.
If she really wanted to protect her mother...she needed to get her back on suicide watch.
Someone would be with her at all times, watching her; there would be witnesses and cameras. Even Kikyo couldn't be arrogant enough to go after her mother in a situation like that.
Her stomach turned at the idea. There had to be another way. Her mother had made real progress in getting better; she didn't want to risk ruining all of that.
But then she needed to be alive to get better.
"-Kagome? Kagome! Did you hear a word I said?" Sango's demands finally broke through, thankfully distracting her.
"...no." Kagome admitted. "I'm worried about my mother."
Sango softened a bit. "I know, Kagome. That's why you and Miroku are going to work on a barrier for her while I scope out the hallway. It's my understanding that you can't check a patient out, so Miroku will explain alternate forms of protection. Just focus on that; I'll take care of any attacks."
Kagome studied Sango's determined face. That simple statement was as solemn as an oath to her. She nodded, the churning in her stomach slowing to a more manageable roll. "Alright."
The elevator doors slid open with a quiet ping, revealing a long stretch of white hallway. Sango's nose twitched and there was a delicate sneeze from her stomach, but she didn't complain about the medical smell of the place. Two black arrows on the wall pointed the way to either the mental service department, or the mental hospital. Sango took the lead again, avoiding the side that looked like offices and instead heading towards the moaning.
Kagome shivered in spite of the heavy sweatshirt she wore and the hat covering her glowing head. It didn't feel right here. And that probably had less to do with Kikyo and more to do with the patients themselves.
A nurse was wheeling a cart out of her mother's room as they neared it, different instruments and medicines covering the surface of it. She smiled kindly at Kagome, "Ah, you must be the daughter Ginger rung up. Your mother just settled down for a nap, but you're welcome to sit in with her if you like."
"How has she been?" Kagome asked, wishing more then ever she could link up with Inuyasha.
"She's made progress since she was first brought here." The nurse responded politely, "please enjoy your visit."
Kagome took that as a clear dismissal, so heart in her throat, she walked into her mother's hospital room.
Her mother was laid out on a hospital bed, covers up to her neck while she slept. Her chest rose slightly under the blanket while she breathed, the bandages around her wrists only a faint outline. She wasn't curled in on herself like Kagome was used to seeing. She looked...better. Not healthy or happy but better. She was just starting her recovery, and Kagome was damned if anyone would interfere with that.
"She looks like you." Miroku said softly, trying to fill the silence of the room. "The shape of your faces are similar."
Sango clapped Kagome on her shoulder. "I'll be right back. I want to check the hallways."
She slipped from the room without a glance at Miroku, shutting the door behind her. Miroku upended his bag on a table, searching through the pile. "What we're going to do is create a barrier to block out people or actions with malicious intentions towards your mother. This will let the nurses in, but keep her safe from Kikyo or anyone she's hired. It won't do much good against soul collectors, so let's hope Kikyo used her quota up of those over at the temple."
The thought of those creepy worm things close to her mother made her heart stop. "No! There has to be a way to completely protect her!"
Miroku stopped flicking through the sutras, hesitating. "...there is. But you're not trained, and I don't reccome-"
"We're doing it." Kagome almost ripped the hat off her head, letting the glow of her power wash over her mother. "Walk me through it."
"I'm not being dramatic, it really isn't-"
"Tell me!" Kagome demanded.
Sighing, Miroku set down the sutras, giving up. "It's an old spell I've only read about. It's not complicated but it can be dangerous."
She was done treading cautiously. She was a Higurashi, descended from Midoriko. And Naraku, one of the wickedest demons who had ever walked the earth. She was done being nice and timid until her family and mate were safe.
"Ok Kagome, listen to me carefully. It's quick and easy, but if you're not powerful enough, you'll die. Painfully." Miroku started to pace around her mother's bed, a frown forming on his forehead. "You're essentially leaving a part of your power here to guard your mother in your absence. It will protect her from anything and everything outside the shield, but if you don't have the power to spare, you're screwed. Which is why you need to be sure. Do you think you can do this?"
Never taking her eyes off her mother, Kagome nodded once. She was strong enough. She had to be.
Staring hard into her eyes Miroku sighed and reached for his pack, "Then I'll need to prepare the room, take the time to settle yourself."
Taking his advice, Kagome closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. Gramps had taught her a few meditation tricks to help with test anxiety years ago. What hadn't worked very well at the time, now made her center herself. Now as she became aware of the breath she inhaled, she could feel as every iota of power she possessed danced across her body. From the hot mass working on trampling down Kikyo's block, to the little motes that floated down to her toes; she was aware of all of them. She could almost see the bright flower that bloomed in front of her heart, the petals that fluttered down and around immediately growing a replacement.
There would be more then enough for her mother.
"Now, I want you to begin gathering bits of your power up." Miroku explained calmly. "Gently."
Eyes still shut, Kagome held her hand out in front of her, cupped. She tried to coax her power down to rest in her palm, but the petals dug down, stubborn. They didn't want to separate from her. Kagome was all they had known for sixteen years; they were scared to leave her, especially after she had just found them.
Frowning, Kagome pushed at them, wanting her power to do as she wished. This might be the first time that she wasn't happy her gift had a mind of its own.
The petals only resisted harder, frightened of being abandoned.
"Gently, Kagome." Miroku reminded. "Tell yourself you'll come back for the part you leave behind. Show them why it's for the best."
Kagome drew back, feeling guilty for her impatience. Instead of forcing them, she showed the petals her love for her mother. Of being a child and listening to her tell stories under the Great Tree that guarded the temple, of monster-protecting and sleepy lullabies. All the times her mother had patiently nursed her back to health, cheered her up when she was down, and gave her a shoulder to cry on when she couldn't. Her mother had protected her her whole life. Now it was the time to help her.
Slowly, reluctantly, petals detached from the main flower and swayed down to her palm. A tiny lotus flower began to bloom in her hand, twirling as it grew.
Placing her hand over her heart where the majority of her power flourishing, she bowed, grateful towards her powers trust in her. Very carefully, she raised her hand to her mouth and blew. The lotus flower swayed, almost dancing, up above her mother, its pink glow washing over her.
Abruptly, Kagome's knees gave away, and she collapsed to the floor, not even aware of the sweat coating her until that moment. She felt...drained. Power still burned inside of her but there was less of it.
"Kagome!" Miroku dropped to her side, propping her up against him. "Are you ok?"
Her head lulled against him, her eyes looking up to find her power circling her mother, little petals littering the covers. "I'm just awesome."
Miroku's chuckle sounded strained. "You might be hanging around Kagura to much. But you did it."
He held her steady as she got to her feet, swaying a bit. She felt lighter, but not in a good way. Some of the weight that kept her firmly to the ground was lifted, leaving her shaky and unbalanced. "Is she safe now?"
Miroku nodded, refusing to let go of her. "Completely. Kikyo can't get to her now. But you need to sit down for a moment Kagome, and get stabilized."
"But Souta-"
"He's with his therapist and safe." Miroku interrupted, prodding her over to her mother's side. "Take the moment to visit with your mother." Miroku sat her down on the hospital bed, and stepped away to stare at the wall, attempting to give mother and daughter some privacy.
She fisted the blankets, not wanting to admit Miroku was right about her needing to rest a moment. But she couldn't run after Souta if she wasn't steady on her feet, so she studied her mother, beginning to relax. She had protected her mother finally. Kikyo would have no chance to hurt her. Souta would be easy to grab, and then she could focus all her energy at saving Inuyasha.
Tilting her head, her forehead furrowed, still staring at her mother. The woman still hadn't woken up, and the nurse hadn't mentioned giving anything to help her sleep. Was she that much of a deep sleeper? She knew that depression could make a person sleep all day, but this seemed different.
The door opened and Sango slid in, hand protective over the bulge that was Kirara. "This floor's clear. How are we here?"
"Kagome just put up the shield." Miroku answered back, not looking away from the wall.
Ignoring both of them she reached out to cup her mother's cheek, frowning at how cold her skin felt. She was bundled under at least three blankets; she shouldn't even be chilled.
"Miroku." Kagome called over, breaking his focus of the blank wall. "You're sure I did the spell right?" Even Kagome knew she had but it seemed like something was...off.
He shook his head even as he walked over. "You did everything correctly Kagome. Your mother is safe."
"Not entirely."
Miroku whirled around, putting himself in front of Kagome and Sango.
Kagome leaned around him to see, eyes widening. "Dr. Saito?" She patted Sango on the shoulder, trying to get her attention. "It's fine guys, that's just Souta's shrink..." Kagome trailed off when the woman loosened her hair, letting it fall in a mass to her back.
With a slight smirk, Dr. Saito slid her glasses off...and her face morphed.
Gone was the mild-mannered therapist who had driven Kagome crazy for the past eight months. The pleasant, but unremarkable features melted away into the miko who was now threatening her entire family.
Sango dropped into a crouch, snarling. "Kikyo!"
Kikyo's smirk only grew longer, nearly splitting her face in half. "Well, isn't this a surprise, Sango. Before you pounce like the bitch you've become-" Kikyo's hand slipped into her jacket, pulling out a vial pinched between two fingers, a nasty blue liquid inside, "-if this bottle breaks, Mama Higurashi will be in a bit of trouble."
Kagome struggled to stand up, heart pounding, mind racing. Dr. Saito...was Kikyo? Oh, god, Souta! "Where is my brother?" She demanded, catching herself on Miroku's shoulder.
Kikyo shrugged, unconcerned. "Safe as of now. It really depends on if I need to use my back-up plan."
"How could you do this to us?" Kagome cried out, eyes burning. "Souta trusted you!"
Her smile turned mean. "Oh, Kagome. This is not nearly the worse thing I've done to your family...or will do for that matter."
A blood red fingernail tapped the glass of the bottle. "Speaking of family, I'm impressed with your shield Kagome. I'm very glad I thought to prepare for that by injecting your mother once Ginger called you up."
Kagome would have launched herself at Kikyo if she was strong enough. "What have you done to her?"
"Nothing too horrible, just a little insurance. Personally, what I'm more curious about is how little became an annoying-ass demon." Kikyo studied Sango like she was an overfilled trash can, her lips pinched tight. "I know I advised Midoriko to get rid of you. Is this how she did it?"
Sango flashed her fangs, "She turned me into this to get rid of you."
"...oh." Kikyo eyed Sango warily. "I never planned for that." She sighed, seeming put out. "Oh well, maybe I can remodel one of my emergency plans. But that's not my main worry at the moment."
She turned her attention back to Kagome, vial still held high. "I'm going to assume Inuyasha told you the truth instead of crushing you. That's the only reason why you'd feel the need to visit your grandfather, then your mother, when you should be home with broken ribs." Kikyo looked at her stomach, raising an eyebrow slightly at her sweatshirt. "Did he dress you before he left as well?"
Kagome refused to tug at her sweatshirt. She was not going to be self-conscious about her outfit. Kikyo was just trying to find any weakness she could.
Though it didn't help that Kikyo did look pretty fierce, gorgeous hair falling down her back, a tight suit with towering heels and an evil smirk.
Kikyo sighed. "Woman to woman Kagome, you really can't trust a man to do anything right. That's why I set up enough obstacles to leave you fairly drained of power, forced Inuyasha to carry an unconscious Souta out to my car, and why I've made sure I have your mother in my control." She rolled the vial between her fingers, considering it. "I really amaze myself with my ability to think ahead."
"You bitch!" Miroku cursed, keeping a steady hand on Kagome when she wanted to collapse to the floor all over again. Her power yearned to roar up and attack, but it was still shaky from forming the barrier to protect her mother.
Kikyo shook the vial at them, "Be nice now...person." She frowned at him. "Should I know you?"
Sango's eyes went blood red, "Look at my mate again, and I'll feed you your eyes."
Kikyo looked surprised and Miroku had the faintest look of pleasure on his face. "That is fascinating. Not only are you a demon now; you were given a mate? I wonder how that came to be," she mused aloud.
Kagome was numb to the exchange, her mind circling Kikyo's phrase over and over again. "...what have you done to my mother?" she asked quietly, digging her nails into her palm.
Kikyo raised a brow, "I've told you; I've injected her with a poison-"
"No, what have you done to my mother?" She suddenly shrieked, terrified of her answer.
Kikyo blinked, before her eyes flickered over to trace the line of bandages surrounding her mother's wrist. She smiled softly, still playing with the vial. "Oh, nothing she didn't want to do. Really Kagome, did you think your mother was strong enough to wield the knife herself?"
Kagome didn't think at all. First she was behind Miroku, and then her fingernails were scratching down Kikyo's face, ripping away skin.
Kikyo screeched, pushing Kagome roughly back into Sango and Miroku. "You childish cunt!" She clutched her face, blood streaming out from between her fingers.
The teasing, pleased-with-her-cleverness-and-evil, woman was gone, and Kikyo glared at Kagome, the blood trickling down her feral face. "You are not to interfere. If you do, Inuyasha and Souta will suffer for it." she gritted out between her clenched teeth. "If I have need of you, I will reach you. You're only Plan C after all."
Miroku untangled Kagome from himself, setting her back on her feet. "I don't care if I'm Plan Z, This ends now." Kagome snarled, wanting to step forward in spite of feeling like she would fall over instead.
Kikyo bared her teeth in a mockery of a smile. "It hasn't even begun yet. Leave me to my work, Kagome Higurashi."
When Kagome would have snapped back, Kikyo stretched her hand out, the vial still safe in her hand. And then she squeezed her fist close, blue liquid dripping from between her fingers.
Mrs. Higurashi screamed, the sound more like a trapped animal then a hurt human. Her body convulsed on the bed, horrible moans emerging from deep in her throat.
"Mama!" Kagome lunged towards her mother, trying to force her still on the bed. She bucked her daughter off, eyes rolling to the back of her head.
Faster before even Sango could spring for her, Kikyo backtracked into the hallway, glasses back over her face. "Guards!" She cried out. "Oh guards, please help! Kagome Higurashi is trying to kill her mother!"
Kikyo smirked at Sango at the clatter of feet down the hall, growing louder, "Feel free to kill them. They're not much useful for anything besides slowing you down."
"Sango! Miroku!" Kagome wailed, trying to hold her mother down. Her face was turning red, her muscles corded against her skin in agony.
Sango let red bleed into her eyes again, claws desperate to rip into Kikyo. Kirara prowled at her feet, growling in frustration of her inability to do anything. "My greatest triumph will be slicing off your head," she hissed, vowing it.
Kikyo lifted her hand again. "Go ahead and try." A single finger flicked, and Kirara was sailing through the air, hitting the wall with a terrible crash.
"Good luck saving your mother and avoiding prison!" Kikyo chirped cheerfully as Sango rushed towards her cat, face white. She leaned back into the doorway like she had remembered something, "Oh and Kagome, that accident your father was in? ...I made sure it wasn't an accident."
