Chapter 10. Back to Life

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The light filtering in, through the large floor to ceiling windows, stirred the raven-haired girl from her light slumber.

Kagome groaned from her position on the ground, coming awake took several long moments, the previous day's events filtered back in slowly as she woke.

She took her time getting up, freeing the knots and tense muscles from sleeping on the ground. Testing the door, she was surprised when it opened; for a horrible moment she thought it wouldn't, and she'd be stuck in this terrible-sterile room.

Cracking the door open, she peeked outside before stepping out, traces from yesterday's dismay fallowed her through today, making her jittery and high on alert

The place looked exactly as it did yesterday, yet- the light in the room was dull, the beauty gone from it.

Scanning the room, she didn't see Inuyasha, although she knew he was around here, somewhere.

Her eyes settled on the grand doors; anxious, but curious, Kagome walked over. Hands shaking, she walked straight through, no longer amazed by the grandeur of it all. Crossing the opening, she headed straight for the elevators, eyes searching for a way to call it but there was none. No buttons, or scanning pad, just the slick metal doors.

"It won't open for you"

His voice failed to startle her, she had prepared herself for the worst, "Yeah... I figured. Wouldn't make sense for my kidnapper to leave a way out."

Her voice had a bitter tone, no longer the friendly chime she had used to speak to him with. At the sound of a low growl, she turned to face him. He stood by the double doors, leaning casually against the frame with a stern look over his features.

Inuyasha felt the same foreign anger spark at the sight of her, her long raven locks were tangled, her pretty round face was hollowed with lack of sleep.

"Keh- you look like shit."

Yeah, well he looked... well, really well.

Leaning coolly in a powder-grey suit, he combed his dark hair back with his hand, agitated for some unbeknownst reason. Even with that scowl over his features, he looked well-groomed and sophisticated, a perfectly charming facade. And here she was, wrinkled uniform and unbrushed teeth.

He was right, she looked like shit and he looked like a million bucks.

That didn't keep her from glaring at him from across the foyer, "Gee- thanks."

Striding past him, Kagome walked back into his home, intent on sulking on the couch till the smell of bacon and pancakes greeted her.

Sniffing, Kagome walked over to the kitchen, eyes widening at the amount of food laid out on the stone counter.

"What's this?"

Kagome tensed when he walked up behind her, his shoulder brushing hers as he passed by, acting as if he didn't notice her stiff form and weary attitude.

"The staff wasn't sure what you eat." Inuyasha walked around the counter, casually popping a piece of sliced fruit from a round tray.

"I thought you wanted me to cook for you?"

He glowered in response to the acid in her voice, understanding where it came from, but still not liking it compared to the sweetness she had used before.

"I don't want you to cook. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do."

"I don't want to be here." Kagome fired back, not at all intimidated with the murderous glares he was shotting from across the room.

"Too bad."

"Let me go!"

"Not going to happen."

She huffed and he puffed, their glaring match ending when he sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck with his and looking like the whole thing was inconveniencing him.

"So, what is going to happen?" Kagome dared ask, earning herself another deep sigh from the well-groomed man.

"Right now? Breakfast is going to happen, then you can do whatever it is you do to occupy your spare time."

Kagome gazed across the counter at him, his words seemed genuine but his actions from yesterday left her uncertain.

"So, what? I'm like a pet or something?"

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, but before he had a chance to respond to her quip, the subtle vibration from his phone interrupted him. Taking the smartphone out of his pocket, he growled at the name presented there.

"What?!" her eyes followed him as he walked around the kitchen, responding to the instant tension in his voice, "No- because the idiot left in the middle of it... No one's heard yet- Keh, I know! ...Fine, whatever. I'll be there."

Turning around, he wasn't prepared to have the girl right there as he did, flinching back at her sudden presence.

Kagome stood wide-eyed before him, staggering when she realized he was leaving, "Where are you going?!"

She tried to keep the panic from showing in her voice, but the idea of being left alone in a strange place, it wasn't something she wanted to do; even if it was him that was keeping her company.

"I've got shit to take care of" running his hand through his hair, he sighed heavily while muttering to himself, "Damn bastard- always doing whatever he damn well pleases..."

Kagome walked straight up to him, uncaring of the dark look he gave her, "You can't go! What am I supposed to do?"

"Keh, I don't know, more importantly I don't care. Just try not to break anything," He tucked his phone inside his breast pocket, hand coming up to adjust his cufflinks, "here's an idea; take a shower, you stink to high heaven."

Her mouth fell open as her mind took its sweet time registering his words, "W-what? Why you!"

Ignoring her spluttering words, Inuyasha walked around the girl, already annoyed at the direction the morning was taking when her hand reached out towards his own.

"Wait! Please, don't leave me here, you need to let me go Inuyasha!"

Her hand was so small compared to his, Inuyasha stared at the fragile appendage clutching his own; the warmth from it was spreading, and he wasn't sure if he ever felt anything as soft.

Then he came back to the now, yanking his hand away from her, Inuyasha growled at the girl with an aggression he didn't quite understand.

"I don't need to do anything, I don't owe you nothing, you'd be smart to remember that little girl."

Kagome gulped; eyes wide as she stared into cold dark orbs.

The scent of her fear pricked his nose and aggravated his blood, understanding it was his doing, Inuyasha took a moment to get it together.

"Look-" he pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing for the fifth time as he forced his stirring demon to bow, "-just eat your breakfast, take a bath, try to relax. My people grabbed your clothes, so you'd have something to change into."

Kagome gritted her teeth 'my clothes...' her hands clenched into fists, "I'm really not going home, am I?"

His jaw set in that stern way she was quickly familiarizing herself with, "I gotta go."

She could only nod weakly, he strode away with quick heavy steps, and absently she trailed behind him. Watching him enter the elevator, he didn't spare her a second glance before he was gone.

Sighing, Kagome hugged herself, suddenly cold in the big luxurious home.

Turning back around, her gaze settled momentarily on the array of breakfast food; everything from western dinning to the more common miso soup and rice balls.

Absently she picked at the food presented there, "Looks good..." she mumbled to no one, "Hm... no Tamagoyaki, shame" turning, Kagome had only stepped away from the table long enough to grab a plate.

When she turned back there was a new steaming batch of rolled omelets, instinctively her eyes darted around the room, no one there and nothing that stood out. Her shiver announced her sudden sour mood, abandoning her plate where it was, Kagome decided against breakfast.

Turning away from the kitchen, Kagome idly wandered through the living room, down the halls, taking her time exploring the areas she wasn't able to yesterday.

Whether it was from curiosity or the small hope of finding a different way out, Kagome began to open just about every door she could.

Eventually she grew bored with her exploration of the house, although high-end luxury apartment was a more fitting description of the place.

It seemed far too big for just one guy, and for a moment, while standing in the middle of his too large home, Kagome wondered about what Inuyasha was doing. What his life had entitled before she had come barreling through, and for that horrible moment, Kagome wished he was back, screaming threats and all...

Shaking her head to dispel her thoughts, Kagome walked the property again till eventually she came back to the sterile room, her room now it seemed.

A bath did sound nice. Her exploration of her bathroom had been a long one, Kagome took her time and distracted her brain by opening and smelling just about every bottle set out on the double vanity.

Getting a change of clothes had been an easy quest, her meek wardrove filling about a fifth of the large walk-in closet, not even her extensive collection of sandals and wedges filled up the shoe rack to half its occupancy.

Picking out a simple outfit, she nearly skipped to the oversized tub, effectively putting a certain bad-tempered-foul-mouthed man out of her thoughts.

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Inuyasha ran his hand through his hair, what was happening to him? This girl, she was so weak, yet so head strong. Everything she did was a surprise, she showed bravery when she should have cowered, and what was more impressive, she showed him her tears.

Maybe her human emotions wouldn't come as a surprise, if he could just keep himself from reacting to her.

If she feared, he grew angry, far angrier than even he deemed necessary.

If she was sad, he felt remorse, something years of isolation had scrapped off.

The intensity of each feeling as it rose was the real issue, and if she were smart, the girl would do her best to keep clear of him. Already he knew she wouldn't stay away, her wide-pleading eyes as he was leaving told him so.

"Stupid, stupid girl."

Gathering his composure, he tugged at the sleeves of his suit, straightening the white gold cuff-links on both sides. The doors opened for him, Yura waiting by as per usual.

"Pleasure to see you again, Sir." She licked her red lips suggestively and he fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"This little problem of ours better be important enough to warrant my presence, Yura. It pisses me off to have my time wasted!"

Ignoring her hungry stare, Inuyasha strode pass the sultry female, her heels clicked on the floor as she swiveled after him, "I'm afraid it is, with us losing our head of security, or rather our head of security losing his head, it's left us with a bit of a gap."

Stopping in his tracks, Inuyasha glared over his shoulders at the petite woman, "Do you find yourself amusing, Yura? Cause I sure as hell don't, why didn't you call Sesshomaru to deal with that crap?"

"I did my Lord; he was the one who said you'd be dealing with the mergers and acquisitions in his absence."

"Yeah, fuck that." Changing course, Inuyasha headed for Sesshomaru's office with purpose, "That bastard thinks he can up and leave me with this- mess. He's got another thing coming."

Bursting through his office doors, Inuyasha headed straight for the large mahogany desk. Pressing a call button on the desk phone, he growled out into the receiver, "Sesshomaru, get your ass up here or I swear to god I'll-"

"Brother."

Turning around he met Sesshomaru dead on with a stern gaze, no longer surprised when the bastard wanted to do his reappearing act, he turned to him in stride.

"Why are you here?"

Sesshomaru was dressed in his clothes from the previous day, his face a bit sunken and his eyes a bit worn, he looked imperfect for once.

"Did you really think you could saddle me with the human and I wouldn't have a few things to say about it?!"

His brother exhaled loudly, weary and tired, he was in no mood for tantrums. But Inuyasha found himself to be in an even worse mood and there would be no reasoning with him.

"I knew you would. What I did not know is that you would not wait till I sent word on the matter."

Inuyasha growled at him, baring his teeth to show his aggravation, "Like hell I was going to just sit on my ass till you 'called' for me!"

"Hm... Yes, I can see that. Well, seeing that we're both here now, tell me; what is it that you want, Inuyasha?"

"That girl has got to go; I'm not babysitting some brat."

Inuyasha snarled out, annoyed when Sesshomaru walked pass him towards his bar, pouring a drink for himself as if he had all the time in the world.

"Funny you should say, as this Sesshomaru did not ask for you to do so."

"Cut the bullshit, Sesshomaru. Like I was going to take her down to the holding cells, she's just some dumb kid after all."

"Hm. Yet, you decided the best place for her is in your chambers, under your direct care... Interesting."

Inuyasha gridded his teeth as the bastard continued to sip from his cup, egging him on as usual with his know-it-all smile and cool façade.

"No! Nothing is interesting cause she's outta here, I'm calling an end to this stupid ordeal!"

Swirling the ice in his glass, Sesshomaru peered up at his brother, all flustered and riled up. It made for an amusing sight, if only because he had not showed this side of himself in far too long.

"You are well aware of the implications, Inuyasha. This girl saw Naraku, found the two of you even pass the barrier he had created, and even managed to sneak up on two highly trained demons.

It's fair to say that even if she had no valuable information, a hold would still be required for someone of her- capabilities."

"Fuck that! Naraku could've gotten lazy or cocky at the end and just brought the barrier down all on his own, she's shown no signs of having any type of abnormal abilities, keeping her here is just a waste of everyone's time, more importantly; it's a waste of my time."

Sesshomaru groaned, rubbing his eyes with the pad of his palm, open with his frustration on the matter. "The human can't be that aggravating..."

"Yeah, well, easy to say when you're not the one stuck with her!"

Gold clashed with gold as the two men glared each other down, then Sesshomaru visibly relaxed, a smug smile tugging at the edge of his cold mask.

"You don't see it, do you? OH, dear brother of mine, what she does to you."

"The hell are you going on about?"

Sesshomaru smirked, taking the few steps needed to stand in front of him, annoying Inuyasha with that condescending look.

"It's all over you, your blood jumps around her, like an untrained Pup at the hands of their master."

Inuyasha swiped his claws at him, the angry snarls building when Sesshomaru simply stepped away from his attack.

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about!"

"OH? So you think? Yet look at you now, one mention of her and you behave like a youngling. Or even worse still, like a human, whining on in that matter. Your composure crumbles and leaves a ghost of your youth in its place, such a shameful thing to witness..."

Sesshomaru gracefully stepped away from his brother, just in time to miss his launch, a taunting laugh hanging on the air as Inuyasha continued to growl like an uncivilized beast.

"Do you see it now? How weak you've become whilst in her presence? I should do you the favor of ending her silly existence once and for all."

Inuyasha growled low in his throat, his blood heating the more he thought of her, dead somewhere because of him.

"That wasn't part of the deal, Sesshomaru!"

"Who's to say, you, yourself mentioned how easy it is to erase a single human life."

"She stood against Naraku!"

Inuyasha snarled when Sesshomaru simply shrugged, as if that wasn't enough to secure her own life.

"Her services will not go unnoticed; we'll assure her family gets a sizeable donation, enough for funeral and then some, they sorely need it to keep their quaint little shrine."

"We still don't know where the gun is..." He reminded, the longer they talked about this, the sour taste in his mouth spread.

"Nothing Yura can't pry out of her, we both know she has her ways."

"No! I mean- damn it all... Just leave the girl to me, I'll take care of it."

"If you insist; I have other matters to attend to, you will await my call for the girl."

Turning on his heel Inuyasha stomped back out of his office, missing the satisfied grin that befell over Sesshomaru's face.

Striding past the receptionist; he didn't take a breath till the doors of the elevator closed around him.

'Crap!'

Sesshomaru had played him, and he'd been the fool and allowed it happen. He knew letting the girl go was no option, but as he stood there, alone in the confines of these four-metal walls, he felt the overwhelming need to save her from the consequences of her actions.

The doors opened once more a moment later, back in his home, he was foolish enough to expect her there waiting for him. Absently walking back into his home, he noticed right away the food still present on the counter, untouched.

She didn't eat... he found that upsetting.

Searching for her scent, he was surprised to see it had left a trail all over his home, in and out through each room. He followed after it like that mutt Sesshomaru claimed he was. Soon enough he found himself standing outside her door, her soft voice reaching his sensitive ears.

"I wonder what this one does-" the sound of a water jet buzzing to life met him, "Oh! Woah there!"

Her light laughter invaded the room, his hand touched the door as an involuntary smile tugged at the corner of his lip with such a sound.

He allowed himself the moment to stand there, enjoying her presence in his home, before the smile faded.

'Is Sesshomaru right? Am I acting like an adolescent all over again?'

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It was impossible to miss a single thing she did, his senses seeming to hone in on her form alone, listening as she moved around the suite.

He heard the sliding doors of the bathroom, the ruffling of clothes, and could do nothing to stop his brain from imagining the walls between them gone. As it were, he could picture her silhouette form, body moving as she dried and clothed herself.

Inuyasha tried to berate himself, going through the lecture halfhearted as the girl began to murmur to herself, eagerly his ears perked up to hear her soft voice.

"This one... or maybe this-"

He wondered what she was deciding between, wanted to walk into her room just to see, to give his own unwarranted opinion. Or just to simply occupy her space, the walls seemed too thick between them, and the urge to be closer to the girl was growing.

"Damn it all to hell..." he dropped his forehead against her door, conflicted with these new emotions, he didn't realize the sound his head made as it hit her door was loud enough for human ears.

He should have heard her steps as they neared him, but with his mind preoccupied, Inuyasha was left startled when the structure supporting him moved.

Inuyasha gave a silent curse as he stumbled in, righting himself after two steps, he still staggered when his eyes finally landed on the girl.

She stood with her hand on the door, the other around the only fabric covering her form, a single white towel that ended just above the swell of her thighs.

Her long raven hair seemed longer now, trailing behind her in wet locks that dripped onto the floor.

"What do you want?" her face set in an angry scowl, no doubt mistaking the thump for a knock.

But he was far too distracted to answer, his eyes glued to a single water drop that fell from a dark-wet lock that framed her face. It took the curve of her neck, sliding down onto her exposed collar bone, enticing his eyes to travel along her body with it.

"You planning on standing there ogling me all day, or you gonna tell me why you're here?"

His eyes shot straight back up, meeting her narrowed gaze with his own, he could feel the blood rising to tint his face. Embarrassment. That's what this was, she caught him staring, and now he felt the uncomfortable pull that was such an emotion.

"Keh! Staring at who? You can't possibly think you have anything to ogle on ya!"

'Why did I say that?' Inuyasha watched her anger grow right in front of him, in stages it seemed, for he could see her trying to fight off her annoyance.

"If I'm such an eye sore, then you ought to keep your eyes to yourself!"

"Hey, no problem on my end, but next time try not answering the door half naked. Not that I'm bothered by it, but others consider that poor manners."

Gritting her teeth, the girl gave him a murderous glare, "Well then, unless you're here to tell me I'm going home, I don't really want to see your face right now. Please, leave."

Inuyasha had meant to walk out, passing her form by the door, he was drawn back in by that initial droplet. Now resting on the plump of her breast, it caressed over her flesh, before disappearing in the dip of her cleavage.

Suddenly her aggravated face was right there, glaring up at him as she interrupted his show.

"Nothing to look at, huh?"

"Nothing but a flat chest."

"I never want to see you again!" She shouted at him, face red as she finally gave into her temper, pulling his anger forward to meet her own.

The girl's ire rolled off her, she had gotten close to properly yell at him, very close.

Her breath mixed with her flowery scent, the unique fragrance taking on a smoky aroma that was her fury, somehow the combination of it was that much more enticing.

"Keh! Don't worry about it, Bitch. Cause I don't want to see you either!"

Lies. Why was he lying? Hadn't he been standing in front of her door, just fighting with himself to catch a glimpse of her?

"Good!"

She opened the door wider, a clear signal for him to leave. He had to, now, since he opened his stupid mouth.

"Great!"

"Perfect!"

The second he was out the door, she slammed it shut, hitting the back of his head with it.

It didn't hurt, but he lifted a hand to cover the spot hit out of habit.

Inuyasha glared at the door, blaming it for all the problems that come with the girl just on the other side, "Fucking fantastic..."

Running his fingers through his hair, he questioned why he had, once again, acted so poorly with her. Inuyasha wasn't known to have the best of tempers, but he had never been so instant in his responses, or so obvious with his reactions.

Once more the girl had pulled a different emotion from him, like a magician with their hats. But this trick was harder to pull off, and with all his years of isolation and training, he shouldn't have given in to his emotions like so.

Maybe giving the girl her space was the best option after all, even if there was a part of him that refused the idea. A part that wanted to see what other reactions she could instill, after decades of hardening his soul, he wanted the girl to breathe some life back into him.

Briefly he thought back to a time where the asphalt jungle was a different type of wilderness, one where blood was easily spilled and his raging demon tore a trail of flames and revenge.

Shaking his head, Inuyasha forced those days back, focusing on the here and now.

Here- in his home that filled with her scent. Now- in the safety he could provide within these walls.

He wasn't sure he could trust her, yet. One thing was for sure... he would protect this girl from whatever came next. His demon growled a low sound, for once in complete agreement, this girl would remain safe at all costs.

Gold eyes tinted with red as the two beasts beat in union. One single word spoken between the two.

"Kagome..."