Chapter Thirteen

Ringing, high pitched ringing echoed in her ears as she laid on what she could only assume was the cold hard ground. She kept her eyes squeezed shut as she laid there, she felt like someone had used her body to cut down a tree and yes, she knew what it felt like to be thrown through a tree from her past adventures.

It hurt like a son of a bitch.

"Fuuuuuccckkkkk." It was a low groaned out whimper of pain that fell from her chapped lips. Her head throbbed like she had a hangover from yokai sake and honestly at this point she wished it was from yokai sake because at least then she'd still have a bit of a buzz.

"Ah, I see you're awake...would you like some water?" Wincing, she cracked her eyes open at the male voice and wasn't all that surprised to see Lee Eun-Hyeok sitting on a chair nearby, his cool gaze on her person.

Forcing herself to sit up, her body throbbing at the motion, she bit back her wince as she settled into a criss cross sitting position. Turning her head to take stock of where she was, she was a bit surprised to see a few gaming arcade cabinets as well as a stack of chairs. It would seem that while run down the owners of the apartment building were able to afford a small arcade. If she had the energy to laugh she would have, instead of pondering it any longer she quickly took notice of a passed out Hyun-Su.

He was laying on his back, dried blood caked on his face and down his neck. She quickly moved to his side, her fingers shakily reaching out to brush some of his hair out of his face. He didn't stir a single inch which made her heart lurch.

"He's fine. Just exhausted, much like you were. It's been about six hours since you both passed out." Eun-Hyeok paused to let his words sink in. Watching her face for any reactions to his words. "I mean for him to survive such a fall and for you to use your powers again...I assume it's draining..."

Kagome resisted the urge to narrow her eyes at him, to anyone else he would seem concerned about their welfare but she knew he was fishing for information, looking for a reaction that would clue him into what he assumed was some big conspiracy.

To bad for him she was very well versed in the art of lingual warfare.

"Ah, I'll take that water now if you don't mind..." She winced as her voice cracked a bit, she really was parched and honestly she was starving. She could probably eat a cow at this point, not only would it fuel her body but it would also help her regenerate her powers. She had learned that once her powers got to a certain point they would pull from her body what they needed to keep themselves going.

In short the more she pushed and used her powers the more they drained her body of not only energy but calories. Calories she desperately needed to replenish and soon if she wanted a fighting chance at recovering even a few wisps of her powers anytime soon.

Eun-Hyeok gave a tight lipped smile as he stood and grabbed a nearby water bottle leaning down a bit to hold it out to her. "Want anything else?" He was fishing, trying to find a way to get her to rely on him.

Kagome cracked open the water bottle and took a large swig from it, the burning in her throat dulling as she emptied the contents in three large gulps. Taking a deep breath of air she set the empty bottle down in her lap, her gaze returning to a still sleeping Hyun-Su. How she longed to run her powers over him, to make sure he was fully okay and if he wasn't to fix what she could but she was tapped out. She had nothing left, zero, nada.

Turning her gaze back to the four eyed male she gave a small smile, her fingers absent mindedly reaching out to stroke Hyun-Su's pale hand. "Thanks...so is there a reason its just us in here? Where are the others?"

Eun-Hyeok didn't miss the intimate contact and instead filed it away for more pondering later. Instead he gave a low sigh, "The others are scared. And for good reason...your friend not only survived a fall that should have killed him but he also attacked you and was ready to attack the rest of us..."

Kagome could feel the headache bloom to life. "Ah, well I can assure you I wouldn't have let any harm come to anyone. While my powers cant purify those who are changed they can hurt them to an extent. Though I'm sure the fact that my friend, Hyun-Su, is able to switch between his human and monsterized self has something to do with it. He really is a good guy when he's not monsterized." She paused to let him pick apart her words, wondering on which ones he would focus on.

She wasn't disappointed.

"So he's able to switch between being a human and a monster..interesting...do you know how he does it? Can he do it at will or only if he's in danger of dying?" The questions didn't stop and Kagome could only hold her hand up as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Woah, hang on, calm down. I'm not entirely sure myself. That's something you'd have to ask him once he wakes up but I do want to reiterate that he means no harm to anyone, nor do I, so there's no real reason for us to be isolated here from everyone else..." She trailed off hoping he would take the bait.

"Ah, well while I can see that I know the others are still very upset about what they saw...maybe once Hyun-Su wakes up we can see if they want to talk...for now I think it's best if you stay here and rest. I'll go and try to calm everyone down and we can go from there?" It was a statement phrased like a question and they both knew it.

There was no way in hell that herself and Hyun-Su would be allowed to leave the arcade anytime soon and that thought irked her. She hated feeling like she was a caged animal, it brought back many horrid and sordid memories.

"Ah, I see...well if it's not too much of a bother can I get something to eat? It's been hours since my last meal and I'm starving." Plus whatever food she could get into her system could and would be used to fuel her powers should the need arise, but she was not letting him know that. Oh no, it was far to soon for her to trust him or anyone with that kind of information. Maybe later on down the road she would be able to tell them the inner workings of her powers but they had to prove themselves worthy of such trust.

Eun-Hyeok nodded, his glasses glinting in the light as he stood from his seated position. "Of course I'll bring you some food from the shop for now just try and get some rest." With those parting words he left the small arcade, the sound of a chain and lock echoing around the dimly lit room.

Kagome made a small noise as she settled back on her butt, her legs laid out before her. She didn't need her powers to know that the others were no doubt debating what to do with her and Hyun-Su and it amused her, because no matter what they decided she already had a back up plan. She did want to have hope that their two groups could become one but she wasn't stupid.

She knew fear was a very powerful emotion and it often took precedence over rational thought and human empathy...

It was an hour later that Hyun-Su began to stir and she was quick to move to his side, leaving behind her dinner of 'gas station' food from the shop in the main lobby. Kneeling by his head she gently moved his bangs from his eyes, making soothing noises as she helped him ease himself into a semi sitting position, his upper body leaning heavily on her own.

"Ah, try not to move too quickly, you really did a number on your head when you fell. There you go...take it slow..." She murmured words of encouragement to him ignoring the way Sesshoumaru jr watched them like a hawk from his nearby perch.

True to his word he had returned with food after no doubt trying to talk some sense into everyone else. After which he settled himself in a corner and tried to make small talk with her, aka tried to weasel information out of her without her knowing it. She was quick to catch on and kept steering the conversation back to neutral common ground much to his annoyance. He finally got the hint and let the convestiaon die between them once he realized she would not make any slip ups.

Pain, dull and achy, it radiated through his entire being. His head throbbed, his throat burned, and his brain felt fried. Whimpering he cracked his eyes open and was shocked to see Kagome's worried blue orbs mere inches from his own. A light flush dusted his cheeks as he jerked back to get some distance between them. "Wh-what happened?" His voice was a low croak, he felt like he had swallowed sand.

Kagome was quick to lean down and whisper into his ear, filling him in on what had happened, from his fall to his altercation with Lee Su-Ung, leaving out his kiss and manhandling of herself knowing he wouldn't be able to handle that information at the moment. Once she was done she turned to look at the other male in the room. "Once he gets some water and food in him I think we'll be ready to meet with the others."

Eun-Hyeok nodded, handing over a prepared water bottle and sandwich. Watching as Kagome fretted over Hyun-Su. It was clear to see they were close and it made him reevaluate his plans because it was plain to see where the other male went Kagome would be close to follow so he would have to pull double time to get the others to accept Hyun-Su otherwise they would lose their trump card against the monsters.

Twenty minutes later found them walking down the hall towards the daycare, already they could hear a mixed choir of voices and Kagome was hard pressed to not let out a whine of frustration. Instead she plastered a smile on her face and entered the room, amused that as soon as they entered everyone fell silent.

Well, almost everyone.

"What are they doing here?! They can't be trusted!" Kagome huffed at the shorter man yet kept her smile on her face hoping it would help ease the tension.

Eun- Hyeok was quick to step up next to the tense woman and shrinking male, he had to plead their case, to smooth things over and he did so explaining to them what Kagome had explained to himself regarding Hyun-Su's ability to transform into a monster and back into a human as well as her ability to keep him in check with her powers if need be.

It quelled quite a bit of the panic in the room and made Kagome appreciate the four eyes' way with words. If given a few lessons he might be able to go toe to toe with Miroku or even the great lord of the west on one of his off days.

"How do we know we can really trust them? We all saw him attack her and the soldier! What if he turns on us? She won't stop him, she's a monster lover! We need to throw them out to keep ourselves safe!" Spit flew from the shop keeper's mouth as he jabbed an accusatory finger in their direction, his face red from his yelling.

Enraged cobalt eyed narrowed at the small pudgey shop owner. His paranoia induced words making the rest of the room burst into semi panicked chatter once more.

While she was irate at every one of them she knew they were just looking for a leader and normally said leader usually ended up being the loudest most intimidating one in the room. She would be damned if she let that happen.

Shifting closer to Hyun-su she squared her shoulders, "So you want to just throw him out there even though he's fully in control right now?"

The short man whirled on her, a pudgy finger shoved in her face. "Yess! He's a monster, how long before he turns fully and kills us all? Of course you'd take his side you...you monster lover!"

Snorting she leveled the balding man with a deadpan look. "Well, you're a wife beater so that makes you a monster in my book." Her words hung in the air, the shock of them making everyone pause what they were saying mid sentence. Kagome continued on, ignoring the way Hyun-su tugged lightly at her hand as if asking her to stop.

She would not.

His very life was on the line and she would be damned if she didn't say her piece.

"So, does that mean we should vote on tossing you out as well? Hm?" He turned red, his face flushing with embarrassment and rage.

"That-that-!" She cut him off with a cold hard look that rivaled that of Sang-wook. Her furry churning just under the surface. She knew if the slightly older man was here then the shop owner wouldn't let his tongue flow so freely, none of them would.

Yet she was not his keeper, he was free to come and go as he pleased. He had proven time and time again he was more than able to take care of himself, she just wished he would at least choose better times to go off on his own. Yet as long as she could feel his aura still in the building it put her at ease, he would return to them when he damn well felt it and when he did she knew he would side with her and Hyun-su.

Both men were outcasts, judged by their looks and it rubbed her the wrong way. There was no way she would stand idly by and let this piece of shit try to turn everyone against Hyun-su when all he did was try to help, and even if after she said her piece and they still turned against him she would still stand by him.

"What? Different? Bullshit. Plus in case you haven't noticed I'm able to do and see things you guys can not and I can tell you right now I see the same dark sickness swirling in you. It's only a matter of time before you start changing, hell all of us are at risk. Whatever this is that is changing us is already in us. It's a part of us. So before we start sending people to their deaths I want you to think real god damn hard about how you would feel in Hyun-su's shoes. Also...if he goes I go." Her words were met with terrified cries and begging of her to stay. She merely turned her head towards four eyes.

She knew he was smart, that even if he kept quiet that he was the real one with a plan. It was only a matter of time before he was made the official leader of this small group.

While his face was impassive she knew his mind was racing a mile a minute trying to find a way to sway this devolving situation into something he could use to his advantage. Her gaze did not waiver as he stared almost robotically back at her, she did not even flinch as he tilted his head, the light glinting off his glasses to hide his brown orbs from hers, after all she had no obligation to these people. She didn't live here, she just so happened to be in the middle of her route when everything went to hell and trapped her here.

In fact the only two people she owed anything to were Hyun- su and San-wook.

And it was time that she reminded them of that fact.

"You're black mailing us! You're no better than that damn yakuza thug who knocked me out earlier!" She leveled a furious gaze on the pudgy man, making him physically jerk back.

"If you're talking about Sang-wook then I assure you he must have had a really good reason to knock you out and even if he didn't I don't really care. Secondly I'm not black mailing anyone, I'm just putting all my cards on the table so you can all make an informed decision. You people keep forgetting I don't live here and even if I did I don't owe you anything. Yes, I've helped out here and there and I'm happy to do so but that's because I want to." She paused to let her words sink in.

"It's the same for all of you. You're free to make whatever choices you want but I will be damned if I let you throw Hyun-Su or anyone to their deaths simply because you're scared. You don't want to be around him or anyone who might monsterize? Then go on back to your apartments and see how long you last on your own. I'm more than willing to stay here and do my part, and then some, to make sure we're all safe but we all need to be on the same page." Her shoulders were pulled back as she gave a smile that was more teeth then anything, it made everyone around her shiver but she really didn't care.

Eun-hyuk let out an almost inabulibe sigh, everything had sprailed out of control and if there was one thing he hated it was chaos and stupidity. Pushing off the white board he had been leaning against he moved to the front of the room to stand between Kagome and the shop owner. Clearing his throat he commanded the attention of everyone in the room.

"We all need to take a deep breath, we've all said our piece. I think for now we all just need to separate so we can calm down and think over what we think is best before casting our votes. Since Sang-wook isn't here to cast his vote we wouldn't really be able to properly tally them anyways. So I suggest we all go mull over everything that was just said." His voice was low and even, not at all showing any hint of his annoyance at having to drag out the voting.

He had hoped it would be a quick clean vote, he even had back up votes ready to change the outcome if need be but no, once again Kagome had thrown a wrench in his plans. While she was indeed a great asset to them, her strange powers literally standing between them and the monsters outside and inside their building she came with a lot of headaches.

Suk-hyun could only sputter as Kagome tossed him a cocky smirk and led a timid Hyun-Su after her into the hallway to go who knows where and do god knows what. He glared around the room, upset that no one had come to his aid. "You'll all be sorry when he changes and kills us all! I'll be in my shop safe and sound, if you want to come with me then you better be sure to vote accordingly, come on Sun-young!" He turned on his heel to storm out of the room back to his shop yet paused when he didn't hear her move to follow him.

He turned a furious glare to her small form, internally smirking as she cowered back yet outwardly he scowled as she didn't fall in line. Damn that woman coming in here and throwing everything out of whack! "I said come on!" Spit flew from his mouth as he squared his shoulder, his hands clenching at his side. She moved to rush after him yet was held back by a cold looking Jin-ok, her simpering daughter hiding behind her form.

"If she doesn't want to go with you she doesn't have to." He could feel the disdain in her voice, practically see her looking her nose down at him. He gnashed his teeth in anger and moved to say something yet paused as the young soldier stepped in front of the women to block his agze, as if daring him to say or do something.

Reading the room he snarled as he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. "Fine, you'll all come crying to me when you get hungry enough!"

Shoulders shaking with pure unadulterated fear Sun-young felt her knees give out as she collapsed, tears streaming down her face. Instantly Min-Ju was kneeling down next to the sobbing woman, pulling her trembling frame into her arms, her gaze on her mother. Never had she been so proud of her mother and she thanked every God she knew of that Kagome had been there to save her life so that she could be here to see her mother break out of the cold hard shell she had encased herself in all those years ago when her father had walked out on them.

Jin-Ok released a deep sigh, a small smile on her lips as she watched her daughter comfort the older woman, to think she had almost lost her...Kagome had stepped in and had literally saved the light of her life without even knowing who she was. Just that someone needed help and she had snapped into action. She didn't need anytime to make up her mind on what her vote would be. She would obviously vote the same way as her savior, it was the least she could do for the woman who had saved her world.