Disclaimer: I don't own anything never will folks!
A/N: Quick note, this is a three part fic only. Part II coming soon.
Title: Promises of the empty
Author: Adorkablebanana
Genre: IY/YYH crossover, dark, angst, hentai, sexual situations.
Rating: Nc-17
Summary: Disappointment comes in many forms. To Kagome they come in the form of love and trust, she falls further into a darkness after her latest disappointment. Now what will become of her? KagomexHiei. Minor KagomexKurama.
Part I - Do you remember the time?
Relationships are like plants…they start out small, then they begin to grow and grow, eventually into a pretty flower, if not taken care of they wilt and die.
- The flower bed.
She walked leisurely across the shrine owned by her grandfather, now inherited as her property---well…half since Souta owned partial. The old man passed away not too long ago, his heart failing him after so many years clogging his system in smog, cigarette smoking reliving its foul nature upon yet another victim. He will be missed, in fact he is already being missed. The shrine doesn't feel or seem the same after his permanent departure.
Honorably Souta and Kagome took hold of the responsibility involving taking care of the hundred+ year old shrine. It's home to them and everybody in the community who believed in a god or something outside physical logic.
Mrs. Higurashi no longer lived in the walls of the shrine, she moved to a different location with her new family. She remarried and rebuilt a life she rightfully deserved, her children no longer needing her as much. The thought was cold in a way, she felt her kids were mature enough to be on their own. Souta and Kagome's mother moved in with her husband and his younger kids from a different marriage. Souta refused to move even when his mother offered to, he stayed living in the shrine and Kagome sought out a suitable apartment to live on her own.
Despite the different paths they kept the holy grounds open for the sake of those who don't feel they belong, a reason why Kagome often wandered here for no apparent reason whatsoever.
She sat plush on the bench parked in front of the god tree. The god tree that has been standing there proudly over the last few hundred years giving the life to the shrine, watching over the temple as its silent guardian. The tree always seemed to relax Kagome a few notches. Whenever a problem occurs she would be right here, underneath the tree, contemplating her troubles.
'Why did it end this way again for me?' She asked herself this countless times. She hung her head forward holding it between her rattling hands, the sobs coming forth wanted to cave her in as they did six months ago…six long miserable months ago.
Pain. Too much aching pain.
Pain is what she experienced time and time again, stuck inside a treadmill, cycling heart ache over and over again.
Why can't she ever see the light of day? If she did the brightness flickers on and off temporarily, never long lasting. This time the candle blew permanently off. Cruelty reared its ugly head intervening fate's path and cutting her end of the line short.
It hurt so much, the pain is merely laughable. Laughable how every single relationship fated to doom, meant to crash down in cinders leaving nothing behind but painful and scornful memories and she hoped one day remembering won't hurt. Hoping it won't clench her heart much longer…
'It's written, I'm a jinx . I'm cursed to fail.' She laughed bitterly, a single tear escaping her barrier in restrain. It fell, landing on her lap absorbed into the fabric of her navy blue Hakamas and just like that fading into obscurity along with her feelings.
Hard to believe her eyes could still produce tears, after all the countless nights, early mornings or whenever timeframe a spark inspired her to weep. To think her tear ducts might have stopped for good from running them dry. Though its too hopeful to ask for.
Forgetting is the key resolution to recuperate from the infectious illness of hurting and depression and mostly to cure herself. To remedy herself and fall out of love. Saying it is way easier than having it done.
"Sis, what's wrong? Are you crying again?" Kagome lifted her head to find her younger brother kneeling before her, smoothing his larger hands over hers.
"Souta? What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be in school now?" she asked.
Souta ignored the question, concern and worry swirled inside his brown irises. The dread in seeing his older sibling in pain stirred his stomach and chest. He hated seeing women cry, specifically his sister.
The remorse she harbored for several months wrenched his heart to pieces, where he is happy she is falling inside a bottomless hole of sorrow. He didn't need no one to tell him, he could take the obvious hint. Souta sighed, if she isn't happy how can he be?
"Kagome, does it still hurt?" whispering softly, his gentle hand cupped her face forcing her to look straight into his face. "Please don't cry anymore…it hurts me seeing you this way Sis." The pain residing in his voice added more to her turmoil, why must she be so ignorant to the fact she hurts those around her as well?
'Man, I really suck.' Another tear slid down her cheek. Kagome sniffled, shaking pitifully as she sunk inside Souta's comforting, warm embrace.
Kagome was always the strong one, he'd never think twice of this position ever happening to them. Some things change. Souta rested his head on her shoulder giving her a silent comfort. Supporting her for all its worth. Again he hated seeing her hurt, it made him feel inadequate as a man and her brother. Kagome in the past chased his fears away, it irked knowing the power to block the fathoming fears wasn't in his reach, he lacked the ability to save her. He can only desire the accomplishment.
Time seemed to stand still for the longest moment. Kagome sobbed her woes to him as he stood there listening to her, hoping his silent comfort coached her through the agony. He drove her home afterwards, he only knew where she retired to. Nobody else did.
….
Months ago Kagome had many friends. Months ago she had happiness, even if it was borrowed she still had it. Months ago her stitched heart shredded to pieces breaking like the once accursed Shikon jewel. Months ago he said he loved her. Alright he didn't exactly admit love to her but he assured her of his sincere feelings for her.
Remembering his words piled up to a stack of bullshit. A big fat load of bullshit.
Inside her small apartment she sat weakly on the cushioned windowsill. She glanced outside the fogged glass clogging her reflection, not that it matters, gazing upon herself reminded her the incompetence she was.
No more, she swore it. No more will she fall for such falsehoods people promise her, deceiving her to believe a hoax of a dream, to be conned for something she wanted but could never have. No more.
'Today's going to rain again.' Looking up at the sky the bleak grey tone shading the sun's brightness. Kagome decided the upcoming down pour suited her mood, suited the spiraling combustions threatening to overwhelm her as before.
'No, I promised not to.' She recorded the thought, promising her brother she won't fall to the succumbing pain again. Not uncontrollably anyway. Worrying Souta is the last thing she wanted to create. Others hurting over her aggravated her.
The crackling streak thundering the sky commenced the downpour of rain.
Rain. Another thing to remind her of passed events. Rain, it solaced her soul and calmed and tortured her at the same time. Why? That is a secret she rather keep than spill into detail.
She sighed, pressing her forehead against the cooling glass. Her eyes searched for nothing in particular, nothing amusing. Instead this caused a distraction to help keep her mind astray. Helped keep the shadows at bay.
'InuYasha, I hope you're treating Kikyou right.' She smiled bitterly, her lips curling upward thinking about the ancient priestess and her first love living happily ever after, hand in hand together in the past. 'Just peachy.' Then a morbid thought came to her. She remembered it isn't so, she remembered she tends to forget a lot and Kikyou died in InuYasha arms.
Though if the opposite happened, that Kikyou and InuYasha ended up together, she would be happy for them. A little bit anyway. She doesn't remember much of what happened back then to argue. Strange as it is returning home was all a blur.
All in good favor she wished them all the luck they could possibly need and more. At least others are privileged for better things and opportunities, unlike herself. Her destiny chose her to be secluded and alone, dwelling in the foreboding darkness.
"For what you are you can never be happy, nor can anyone, accept it, priestess…" The haunting voice, the eerie echo repeating itself in her mind set the guidelines her life traced and leaded to. The wicked code bound her. He predicted this all along, the shady hanyou foretold her future. He knew…
Long clawed hands traced her facial features, caressing his cold, silky smooth fingers over her numb feverish skin. The tentacles tightened their binds on her ankles and wrists, snaking further up her limbs, immobilizing her stiff.
Glowing crimson eyes fixed themselves on her struggling form, her futile efforts falling in vain, she cannot escape.
"Leave me alone!" she shrieked, jerking her head side to side. Her drenched hair fluttering, sticking slick to her neck.
Stepping outside the shadows, his thin, pale beautiful lips formed a sinister smirk. His eyes glittered magnificently eyeing the petrified girl tussling for freedom. He commanded the tentacles to bring her forward meeting her nose to nose. The crawling fear climbing inside her reached her watery eyes, leaking already seeping tears.
"Let me go!" she cried.
He shook his head slowly, dipping his lips to her ear he whispered, "Never my wicked priestess. Even in death when I no longer exist you will always be under my eye, you will always belong to me." He leaned closer, his hot breaths chilling rippling shivers along her sweat slicked flesh.
She wanted to scream. He silenced her.
"Quiet. You belong to no one but me," he licked an open wound he caused earlier, lapping the red drippings. "It's our fated destiny. Like it or not, you know this."
She gasped, shivering. Afraid and repulsed to feel his malicious lustful touches. The gnawing, and stinging and involuntary shudders crept a pounding throb inside her heart, disgusted in all it's aspects. Utterly disgusting.
He whispered his last words before her mind couldn't puzzle together a coherent thought. "For what you are you can never be happy, nor can anyone, accept it, priestess…" Everything drifted to darkness as his hot lips covered her alert body.
She scoffed the repulsion humming inside her chest, vibrating her nervous hyperventilation. His face won't leave her nor will his haunting words. Who would have known his words would be proven correct. 'Naraku.' Damn him. Damn him to the seventh level of hell. The only bright side to the event her mind closed down till the end, till InuYasha and Miroku saved her. Hard to believe she managed to block it all out.
She would have died if anything brought back the memory. She wouldn't be able to live with herself, not that she's doing a fantastic job now.
Dammit, she could feel the beginnings of a killer headache coming on. Ouch.
"Why always me?" she moaned, massaging her knotted sinuses. The pain Naraku scarred her with healed for the most part, nothing further than touches lead on. He merely desired to frighten her nothing more and frighten her he did.
'Forget it! I swore to lock the memory away.' She did swear to forget, she did. And she will…eventually.
The young woman stared mindlessly out into the distance fascinated, in obsolete mode, how the spearing drops of rain dot the window's smooth surface. Rain, a consolation and ache in the same instance, how amazing.
Tucking a knee in the other propped up, securing a resting post for her arm, Kagome resisted and battled her inner turmoil. The phone rang interrupting another silent evening, not a peaceful one but a silent one. Sighing, she gradually moved on her feet fetching the irksome contraption ringing nonstop.
She wondered who it could be since she cut her connections with most of her acquaintances a few months back. Heck, she moved as far as possible to regain her blissful solitude.
"Hello?"
"Hi! Is that you Kagome?" Ah, the ever reliable Ayumi. Kagome smiled subtlety. Ayumi's friendship is a memorable cheer to her. The chipper woman's presence always made her day better. Could it be the excessive sugar or caffeine the girl runs on? Not sure, she rather not go into further detail. The secret to Ayumi's vigilant perkiness is something the world isn't quite ready to handle as of yet. Kagome isn't anyway.
"Yes its her. So how's it going?" she asked, transforming her grouchy bitter tone to a pleasant enlightened tone under less than a second. A handy trick she practiced and with difficulty she learn to master.
"I tried reaching you for the longest time. I've finally caught you."
"Sorry I…had some things to do," Kagome hesitated, bringing up measly excuses. She tossed Ayumi short explicable reasons she isolated herself away from others, distanced herself from them. The more drabble she spun the more she felt the heavy mass of guilt weight down on her.
"Kagome…I know your going through a rough time right now. I'm not that dense to not see it. A blind man can read this clearly as if he had working eyes, you're not alone. I'm here for you." She paused for a moment waiting incase Kagome might have gotten offended, but she needed to know and hear this, hear she's there for her. "Your mother's been worried as well, Souta fails to say anything and…Shuuichi's been looking for you nonstop."
'Shuuichi huh? Figures. The dolt won't take no for an answer.' Her pale, parched lips twisted into a frown, revealing bits of her misery and ire. Shuuichi; he gave birth to her pain. Why can't he just leave her alone?
Ayumi went mute on the other end of the line, daring not to speak. Kagome stayed this way for the longest moment. Sighing, she spoke. "I know he has." Kagome grimaced the memory of Shuuichi.
"Kagome give him a second chance. You didn't even allow him time to explain---"
"I don't need to hear explanations. What's done is done, I don't need him back with me. I don't need his pity," she raised her voice, the topic striking a nerve. she didn't want to hear Ayumi finish what she was going to say. She didn't want to hear it anymore! She had enough to last her for a lifetime.
Ayumi resumed to another pausing silence. Her friend's pain is apparent, very apparent despite the amount of time she fled from them. She was harboring second thoughts, perhaps bringing up the topic was a bad idea, a very bad one.
"Listen to me Ayumi and listen closely, what happen between me and Shuuichi is left in the past. I don't wish to go back with him, nor will I in the future. I had enough heart break to last me for the next century. I'm tired of this, try to understand." She inhaled a shaky breath, the foretelling of tears emerging from her dried eyes began.
The burning sensation stinging the corners of her eyes pricked her vision. 'No I can't cry, not now.' She sniffled, the accumulating lump stuck at the base of her throat choked her little by little. She could feel it closing her wind pipe's opening.
Ayumi could hear the sorrow filter out of Kagome. Her eyes watered as well, she felt guilty and stupid for causing her tears, for reminding her of the pain. Helping
Kagome was her main goal not hurting her. "I'm sorry Kagome…it's stupid of me to even mention it. All I wanted was to help you. Eri, Yuka and me want to help you," her voice came out strain by the end, Kagome recognized Ayumi's sensitivity, she made her cry.
'Can I be any worst than I am now? I'm such a jerk.' Suddenly the ache in her throat grew heavy, more massive. "Don't cry…if you want to help me then forget it. Forget me and Shuuichi ever had an existing relationship. That's all I ask and need."
….
Later that day, after scheduling a dinner date with Ayumi, Kagome staggered to the shower where she indulged bathing in the dark. The darkness (in a sense sometimes) seemed to always mend and delete events, specially dreadful ones. Before she use to bathe with candles when living with Shuuichi, they use to bath together inside they're big Jacuzzi bath beneath the darkness lit among several white candles.
That or sharing the shower.
She missed the strong, soft fingers lathering soap on her hair. She missed the tracing cycles the pad of his fingers worked on her scalp, she missed his strong arms around her, she missed touching his strong chest and muscles.
She missed the massages clawed hands or unclawed large human hands soothing her shoulders. She missed his lips and caresses on her. Living with Shuuichi brought many sexual past times. Shuuichi Minamino invoked her inner fire, her inner beast in erotic thirsts. He knew exactly how to wind her up, he knew how to ignite romance in the air to his favor.
She gave him so much and the result of it proved a theory; Kitsune's use and drain, selfish creatures that don't give a damn about you when they're done.
The most irritating thing about it, the most annoying thing about all of this, she missed him. She missed him a lot.
Kagome twisted the faucet knob on cold allowing the inviting icy water to spray her. Goosebumps covered her flesh head to toe. She clenched her teeth to suppress the yip wanting to escape her lips. 'God it's cold.' Shivering, she grabbed the nearest shampoo bottle squeezing a generous amount on her palms, mixing the herbal hair cleanser on her soaked hair.
Cold showers became a necessity. Cold water numbed her body, her mind, it helped her block out and keep her temporary sanity or else the voices and images of his voice and others that are believed not to exist enter her mind.
Only she can see them. Solely she sees projections of creatures and unethical images flicker on and off in her mind. He did this to her, well technically he enforced it---the miss of lust of course.
She had already gone mad. She is mad.
The permanent lost and desolation of the others in past left her depressed, more than depressed, down right tortured.
Mom, Souta and Grandpa noticed changes in Kagome's behavior. Her isolation, her heightened sensitivity to her surroundings, her increased anger and the illusory world she created among herself. Drastic measures were taken, her family took Kagome to doctors to help her.
The long period and process to at least stabilize her melted into an inescapable Hell. She stayed under her family's care and when she and Shuuichi met and started dating he took care of her. He looked out for her needs and for a short time she wasn't in the darkness anymore, not without a shred of light to keep her safe. Hell wasn't near as much.
Aside the constant fear she's living in she needed to feel the cold surround her, her body hasn't stopped hungering for Shuuichi's body.
Since the first time they kissed to the latest time they commenced intercourse her hunger for him built, her cravings remained insatiable. In plain words; she needed sex badly. The freezing water averted the fire her flesh desired.
Damn lust. Why did she have to pick an ex-boyfriend who wooed her in bed or anywhere so badly? Damn stupid Shuuichi.
Stepping out of the bath, she wrapped a towel concealing her damp hair and a white robe to cover her nude body. Kagome slipped on her sandals dragging herself to the kitchen, there she reached up on her tiptoes towards the cabinet for her prescribed bottle. Finally in hands reach she popped the top open picking two pills then recapping the top back on returning the bottle to the shelf.
Kagome poured herself a glass of water, in one forced shot she swallowed the two bitter tasting capsules, drowning the taste with water. She coughed resisting the urge to regurgitate, clamping a hand over her mouth she hacked down the remains leaving the bile flavor on her tongue.
"Nasty," she coughed, chugging another glassful of water. They tasted so disgusting! She wouldn't take them if they didn't prevent the darkness to touch her, the capsules kept the voices at bay. She feared them, the shadows attempted to sweep her in especially when alone or tense.
Looking down at her small pale hands she attempted to calm herself, they kept shaking, the mere side affects. No big deal. Though she wished she didn't feel so cold and alone.
"Say it again Kagome, say my name out loud," his husky, course breath huffed harshly against her ear, his hot breaths fanning her neck deliciously. He held her up against the wall, his taller frame balancing her smaller one, clinging helplessly around him.
She gasped, releasing his abused lips. She braced herself, sinking her frail nails in his naked strong, board shoulders. The accumulating pressure is just too much. She howled his name, she caved in to his dominant force. "KURAMA!"
"Yes, that's it honey," grinning against the nape of her neck, he suckled favored spots as she panted, moaning loudly. The fire swirling her body inflamed her desire. Reading her mind, a sharpened claw made thin shreds of their garments.
Lifting his face back to hers, he stared into her glittering misted eyes as she in turn gazed into his green/gold speckled eyes. The incinerating lust floating in those irises fastened her beating heart to a quicker tempo, he was so gorgeous, his drenched unruly red mane ruffed up around his devilishly handsome face, wrenching every nerve on her body to a spasm.
Eyeing her plump lips, he devoured her mouth in a raw onslaught, his hunger and passion driven into it. Kagome wrapped her quivering arms around his neck, allowing her lover to work his talented mouth on hers.
She stayed frozen in her spot, seating herself on top of the counter. Shutting her eyes close the faces cruising her mind, the slide show of passing faces stopped. Everything became black and dull. The magic the pills worked wonders, even if its temporary.
Anything is worth taking if it deletes his face.
Deep inside she knew nothing can accomplish the miracle as intended to. Though she can try. Her quivering body quaked in unmerciful shudders, the chill lacing each fiber of her being. Kagome hugged herself in abandoned comfort, comfort she missed and longed for undoubtedly.
She peered docilely at the window. The window leading to the fire escape she never used as of yet. That should be a good thing she supposed.
The shining dark sky intensified the ghostly pale moon lighting up the sky. Staring at the moon she admired it's radiance, it seemed to cast it's hypnotic spell enabling her to relax, even if it's for a solo moment. The lunar effects play a role tonight for her to steer down a path different from other nights, for tonight she's nocturnal.
Kagome snatches a light jacket, grabs her keys and leaves the apartment uncaring of her state of dress.
'I need to clear my head. I'm gonna suffocate if I don't.' The door gently closed shut behind her, the twisting and clicking of the lock was proof of tonight's upcoming escapade or walk, whatever you want to call it.
Trudging as if owning the streets, Kagome stuffed her keys inside a pocket, zipping it for insurance. She repeated to herself in her head; swearing to promise herself she won't fall behind anymore, she won't entrap herself in a weak binding. She will break this one and be fine.
She'll do things for herself and only for herself. Disappointment won't come knocking on her door unless she's the knocker herself.
'I won't let no one take advantage of me anymore. I'm going to do things for myself and only for myself.' Tossing a bothersome tress behind a shoulder, her hair billowed, fluttering like an open dark silk sheet in the air.
She put a determined expression on her stiff face. No longer will she stand for the creepers haunting her being, she's impelled to set things her way in her direction, guiding the lines how she'd like it to happen. She hoped her determination wouldn't dissolve or maybe her bravery lasted for only tonight. Perhaps so but she felt pumped. For tonight only she'll mourn in her sorrow, now and only today she's going to pour the pain out the bottle. Drain the ale and fill it up with nothing but pure sweet emptiness. Kagome Higurashi played the fool for the last time.
She walked down the dark empty streets, no life form prowled the cleared streets. She enjoyed the solitude the outside world offered her even if for a moment. It helped clear her fogged mind, smoothed out everything overlapping each thought like thundering waves clashing on each current.
She headed down a straight narrow road to the unknown, it didn't matter as long as she had something to do. Everything seemed to be endless such as this road. The silence cutting through the thick chilly air were sliced through by the tapping clicks Kagome's solitary footfalls conjured.
She continued for hours around the park, around the short distanced street corners continuing on for the remainder what's left of the night. Her mind was in a daze, paying no heed to the lurkers prowling about in the darkness.
"Sweet little thing, why don't you come here for a little ride?" said a man driving close by her. He patted the rusted metal car door, beckoning her perversely to join him for a ride.
She ignored him as did to the other runabout men she crossed paths with earlier, this did neither frighten her or annoy her, she hardly acknowledged the encounters.
Kagome traveled around for quite some time, the sun peeked behind the horizon, dawn already breaching up over the east. Her eyes watered and stung by watching the disk soar slowly up into the clearing sky. Her eyes ached behind her burning lids, her body felt exhausted. Unfortunately her perturbed mind wouldn't allow her to rest a wink.
The rising sun brought on some agonizing nostalgic she kept encaged inside her screaming soul. Everything as of late seemed to obtain a mixture, a thick texture, something making her wish she still had a familiar warmth standing beside her. Disturbed by the protruding thought, she turned on her pained heels and walked home.
The car driving close by never did leave her alone.
…
He entrapped her inside the warmth of his supporting arms. His strong arms held her to him, never letting go. His head rested against her shoulder, he rested on the frail perch. He whispered softly into her ear, his deep tone making her heart race. "I swear I'll always protect you," he promised her, tightening his hold on her, crushing her body against his chest. He held on so hard she felt no force alive will break the bound tying them together.
Tears stung her eyes, her tiny voice quivering when she said, "Me too, I will always protect you too." She sniffled, burying her face in the flowing raven mane of his. She did not know how she would keep her end of the bargain, after all how can a woman such as her protect a demon from danger?
But then she remembered, she would in fact guard him with her life. She will prevent the world from hurting him again for his difference, she would stop him from hurting again for her and for his Kikyou. She will remain by his side till the end. She will try to.
"I love you, I will always love you, Kagome. You know that," he said for the first time, his voice wavering in rhythm. He was frightened. He knew that, she knew that. She wanted nothing more than to help him. She cared for him dearly.
The words filled her heart with joy. She waited forever to hear him say them to her. "Me too." This time she sobbed. She sobbed hard for him and for her fears, she shed the tears he could not shed. "You're my everything. I will never stop being your friend."
He shifted to look into her glistening eyes. Using a thumb he wiped her tears away. He smiled for the first time in a month, for the first time in awhile. His lips melted into a sincere sweet smile. "For that, for us, for all of us, I will make sure Naraku dies."
She smiled the contagious smile InuYasha infected her with, he seemed so eager and secure in his word how can she doubt him? It made her heart swell in hope. Can he actually do it?
She believed.
Her hand tucked a stray black lock behind his ear, his human appearance didn't falter his breath taking appeal, no matter hanyou or not.
The determination brewing and surfacing the boy gave her the strength to follow him every step of the way. Not once did she frown on the idea, only the future actions haunt her.
This would be the last endearing memory she shared with him alone.
Thoughts of the past flooded her mind while the aggressive man forced her inside the car. She put little effort into struggling his force, putting lesser effort fighting his advances off.
Her mind slipped into that white static place where nothing physical could penetrate her. She lay underneath him motionless, limp in the backseat of his car, the seat cushions rubbery and rough against her back. The hooded man's breath smelt of a dozen shots of alcohol, he wheezed and slurred dirty words against the hollow of her naked neck. His stubby course fingers fumbled nervously, frantically ripping apart her layers of clothing.
"Too heavy. Stop..." she groaned. Her palms pushed a little at his chest to ease up, his weight crushing her. The action seemed pitiful and meaningless the faster he jerked off her sweater.
He grunted. Nearly coming himself before anything truly transpired. The approach this woman opened up, or didn't seem to care hit the fire of the pit. Kagome could feel him manipulating her legs open, her pants weren't down but she could sense his persistence.
'Leave me alone, you big oaf.' She shook her head, discouraging the man to engulf her mouth. She wished she had the will to fight him off but she's too alone and tired in this, he would beat her to a pulp before he had his way with her. Why fight it anyway?
She could feel herself losing touch with reality farther and farther away. She barely caught the swift pull dragging the man off her and the fierce punches bruising his face and stomach. Kagome's ears heard pained screams of mercy, she was pretty sure it was the man who had her pinned underneath him not too long ago.
The gleam of a sword shined like a flash, severing through the thick folds of skin. The thud of the man's head flopped over to the ground like a fish out of water. His headless body was slammed to the rear of the car.
Kagome concurred none of it was real.
Then why is she covered in warm, thick blood?
The color never ceases to amaze her.
…
Eri came by attached to the company of Ayumi, both ladies lamenting the pain shadowing their worn friend. Worse for wear, Kagome sat patiently still on her seat while her generous friends enlightened her, showered her with their worry for her. "What has happened to you?" a squeak coming from Eri. Her hands covering her dropped mouth.
And another, "Are you alright!" from an anxious Ayumi. Kagome nodded, she always did whenever guests came over to see her. It was expected on her part.
She didn't blame them for having a reaction, she did look pretty bad. She had some bruises here and there but knowing Ayumi and Eri they noticed every single detail on her. Telling them a random stranger wanted to have his way with her around four in the morning isn't the refreshing cup of tea in the afternoon. Kagome kept it to herself, with some luck, if she cared, she might forget about it. She wasn't in her five senses before to begin with to recognize the depth of the situation.
Ayumi frowned. For the first time in awhile she took in the whole apartment and immediately her lip quivered as to say something that disturbed her but dared not say. So bare and plain, aside the destroyed furniture ripped to shreds and the walls punctured with holes and cracks. The household radiated an atmosphere sheltered in bleakness, a desolation contaminating her inside and out faster than any disease.
What has happened to Kagome?
Ayumi swallowed an accumulating lump wedged in her throat. Her nose prickled, warning the beginnings of her upcoming tears. Sorrow filled tears leaked out of her eyes. What has happened to the girl whose smile was bright like a sun? What has happened to her?
Eri sitting beside Kagome, folded her arms warmly around her and began stroking her back comfortingly, thinking she actually needed it.
Did she really need pity?
Well, did she?
All those thoughts didn't matter somehow since she conceded to the gesture already, any form you put it she always was enveloped within somebody's arms for the protection people swore she required.
She lay limp in Eri's warm embrace and Ayumi helped herself to tidying up the place for her.
It fell into the sequence every visit they paid her with, they'd fix up the house for awhile, sleep the night to ensure her safety then leave phoning her later to check up. Her head lopped to the side on Eri's oh-so very soft, smooth shoulder thinking for a moment how divine it would be to gouge a chunk of this beautiful skin with the knife she destroyed the house with again.
She ignored the passing thought because she loved Eri, she wouldn't bring harm to her. Instead Kagome sunk into the momentary consolation. Everything around her worked on borrowed time and she, Kagome, milked it to the fullness even if it happens to be unintentional.
…
She hasn't seen the outside world. It has been days since she strolled outside for even a second. She maintained her time inside the house watching a little television or devote her time to observe the workings the outside world processed. Gazing out the window has become a hobby of hers she couldn't seem to leave alone.
Souta has come by today.
He brought gifts and she smiles warmly into his face. The smile reaches his eyes as he goes to her and does his usual head to toe scan, checking incase harm came to her by her own will. Incase.
The young man appeared worried, his brow knitted to a stern slant. She smiles deeply, her hands reaching to caress his stressed features. 'Did I do this to you again?' she wondered, searching deeper into him. Boy did she love him. Why must those who love her suffer? "Your worried about me again, are you?" said Kagome, stating the hideous obvious. Her hand brushed aside his dark hair from his eyes. She stared into them. His hair has gotten longer, Souta's growing into quite the handsome man.
He closes his eyes for a moment then reopens them. He stared at her but never replied, instead he took her hand leading her out the door. "Let's go out for awhile? We can go see the new movie showing."
His enthusiasm is quite refreshing so she accepts and goes with him outside the door, holding his hand.
She glanced back over her shoulder, second thoughts protruding her mind. Did she feel right leaving the darkness?
…
The days Souta generously shared with her passed by efficiently with no heavy trouble. Movies, café internet, library, passive walks, interesting conversations, delicious hot meals, and mostly good company. She enjoyed herself, well, up until now.
This time she had had enough, she taken too much for her fill. Souta and her shared a heated argument, exchanging shouts and a few insults ending in an disappointingly rotten way. He had stayed over for a few days since he was free for golden week and wanted to spend it alongside her.
Kagome welcomed his company but after awhile she grew angry with him for treating her like a useless rag doll, breathing down her back for every thing she did.
The same tiring; "Did you take your pills?"
"Let me help you with that," or "Why don't you rest for a bit?"
The constant fussing and mothering he buried her under each time a certain hour of the day passed or either on something she wanted to do on her own. He treated her like the most delicate of china dolls, afraid she might break.
Doesn't he understand she is broken and worn down already? She's cracked?
Aggravation swept her in. Remembering the little line that undid her: "I want to hire someone to take care of you!" When he said it the words came out more severe and cold. The whole argument commenced the instant she accidentally dropped a glass cup, slashing a deep thin puncture inside her bleeding palm.
All the blood flooded her memory temporarily. Souta flew on a panic flight. He fussed and fussed her about the meager thing, the idea to put her in a special home off in the country sounded downright brilliant.
He wouldn't need to worry over her wellbeing. It sounded perfect, perfect to him and tragic to her. She shrieked in horror hearing the mere idea as an unbreakable convulsion overtook her.
The deafening bellows and shouts tossed back and forth hitting deep impacts on them, the fortuitous timing in which---she by a burst of rage---Kagome scorched her younger brother's forearm. Burning a frightening region of flesh on his raw limb.
He screamed in pain, falling to his knees.
"KAGOME!" The agonizing scream broke out from his lips and echoed through her inners. Kagome stopped mid-shout, gasped in horror, then in shame, she fled the scene.
Her whole system for the longest running second stopped functioning, her brain paused in the moment and froze the fragment of the moment inside her still mind. Her legs broke out in an automatic dash on their own accord, sensing when to make a break when trouble arises.
Feelings covered in inadequacy zipped across her field of thoughts. The horrified picture her brother's face contorted in, the blood, the sizzling flesh pealing over pristine bone, her hot hands tightly clutching around his arm pushing him off as he shook her to her senses, begging her to end her non-stop screaming. Far too clear, far too gory.
Looking down at her nervously outstretched hands, to no surprise they were soaked in deep red hot blood. No surprise indeed, the shock had yet to steep in, realization took it's sweet time to present itself.
Fixed on her stained hands she lost the limited amount of concentration keeping her on the run, her foot missed the unleveled ground and caught itself in by it. She fell face first.
The scraping of flesh against concrete, the burning, scraping of skin sensation off her knees and elbow stung. Kagome rolled on her side in a pained moan, she cried out clutching her arm. She stayed there for the longest, hanging on the ache.
Kagome, wobbling and wincing, moved to her feet. For a moment the fall stunned her but quickly she regained her senses again.
People stared at her in mild concern, the natural affect when something outside the usual happened; they would stare. People stopped, stared but declined the idea to help her up or offer her anything, then moved on their merry way. The norms of society.
Her scratched face turned a rosy tinge and quickly she limped away to a nearby bench, ignoring the multitude of curious eyes lingering on her. 'Can't people mind their own business?' she thought quite spitefully.
She rapidly realized the sweltering pain bothering her did not compare to the actual view of it. Curiously she examined the damage and instantly regretted the action.
'Ah…uh…nnh…' Her eyes widened. Her lips parted open though nothing came out, the words dying on her tongue.
Her face paled a bleak white sheen, her hands quivering, twitching compulsively. 'N-no…nuh…not blood…it's too much…' The world around her tuned out the second her eyes drank in all hideous sight her arm became. Her arm skinned to a deep messy gash. Her normally smooth skin ruptured into a butchered mess of ripped flesh and blood coming up in welts. A complete nauseating muck.
The blood spilling from the wound steeping down her arm collected her attention thoroughly, frighteningly enthralled by the ruby gore pouring out. The form in which she watched so transfixed could frighten a passing observer.
So much blood…too much blood. My blood…
She was hardly able to make a sound, her throat felt so parched so wrung up inside and out the only thing she could do is observe.
He ran, he ran so fast trying to outrun the ominous black monster chasing his tail, despite the efforts he got caught. A dark honed tentacle pierced clean through his bruised shoulder. A deep red wave emerged, leaking forth and soiling his now deep crimson haori. InuYasha hissed and cursed his misfortune. He swiftly drew the Tessaiga forcefully out the scabbard.
He hacked the first objects thrusting towards his head. Again and again he repeatedly sliced the surrounding appendages shooting forth. Gritting his teeth, he forced his weight behind the thick gleaming blade and directed the shot straight into the thick center of the beast. A loud cry vibrated the depleted woods.
InuYasha stumbled backwards trying to hold his balance. Sango staggered in his direction, unsheathing her blade for necessary intervention. "Inu…Yasha…are you… alright?" Sango asked, breathing heavily between short breaths. The girl could barely stand on her two feet and yet she stood there willing to defend him, willing to assist him.
"Yeah…but looks like he's ready for another round," he said, staring hotly where the demon/monster squirm in an unspecific motion. He overlooked Sango's profile, she was hurt, battered. Her slayer armor cracked and pealed in a variety of places, dirt and blood soaked her almost head to toe, dripping tiny droplets, quickly growing thicker by the minute.
'Sango…' A small stab pricked his chest smelling all her blood slowly gushing out, it startled him to acknowledge she, his friend, companion, teammate, stepping into her grave ever so slowly.
His friend was going to die.
Her pretty battered face gave him a beckoning look. Her almost beguiling smile, full of hidden grimace, the subtle kindness reflecting there. In her dark eyes articulated the unspoken fear she was willing to accept. It came close to pathetic, he didn't know whether it was pitiful or honorable. InuYasha chose honorable. No one would willingly stand beside their teammate in the face of death.
"Sango…" he began though she snipped the train before it continued any further.
"Let's do this." Arranging the sword in her fighting stance, Sango held her head up appearing confident perhaps. InuYasha closed his eyes then reopened them, his ruffled face streaming with red blots he nodded. Side by side they faced what could be the end.
Fixated on her arms all tinted deep red, sliding down her wrists pass her elbows, it just kept going on.
These hands…so filthy, so tainted by the lifeblood belonging to so many…she is so disgusting, unbearably disgusting, it's revoltingly vile. The voice in her head kept telling her this, kept telling Kagome she's vile, a pure vermin surpassing others, including the greatest evil she fought so hard against, so hard it's painful enough for her to forget him.
Yes, she couldn't recall what happened afterwards. Only red smothered her vision.
The excruciatingly agonizing shriek shook the forest floor itself. Sango collapsed to the ground, clutching her opened side. Her ribs were torn, shattered by the creature's deep, stone shattering bite. Sango, by fast thinking and a fluke of luck, succeed barely escaping, sacrificing her sword. The sharp pierce through the beast's skull served its purpose to help release her.
The beast took a deep chomp on Sango, sinking in it's steel jagged fangs into her, tearing in half, breaking through the marrow of her bones.
Taking a good half of her side away the bite exposed her ruptured form. Bones broken like shattered eggshells stuck out her midsection while blood spilled over raw punctured organs.
What could have filled buckets large amounts of the woman's essence washed over the soggy grass. Kagome, aside her own small wounds, was drenched in the slayer's blood. She held her in her lap, the stunned expression entirely painted in fear, shock and disbelief.
"S-S-Sango…Sango!" her voice came out strained, quaking in unrestrained terror. No, this wasn't happening…
No, this couldn't possibly be happening. No, not to her friend, not to her Sango. This is all in her imagination. This is a nightmare playing in her head, it must be.
But why would the likes of her ever piece together such a grotesque sight?
'Sango. No!' She began weeping uncontrollably. The girl laying there limp, her beautiful face altered to a blank pale white sheen, mimicking an almost perfect carcass beginning the process of…
"Sango! Sango!" Kagome entered the first stages of panic. For the first time she's absolutely oblivious to action. There lies Sango broken…
A short distance off the monk rushed over to the girls' aid. The look steeping the handsome man's face took on the same exact edge the young panicking girl came to. Except he caught himself before falling in. Miroku rationalized for the harmed girls' sake. He needed to remain focused. Remain sane or else Sango would meet the end without the opportunity of a healer's help.
Wasting no time, hastily the quick monk scooped up the incapacitated girl in his arms, mindful to the open areas. It gnawed him inside to be witness to this, to have the woman he cared the most exposed to this atrocity, this fate.
He was frustrated, glowered at the blubbering girl. "Kagome, get a hold of yourself! Sango needs us!" he shouted, trying his best to regain Kagome back to her senses. All in all he did not fault her to react this way either but…she needs to keep her cool or else she might harm herself as well.
She desired nothing more than to stay on his level, to lend out the needed hand to save her dearest friend. She wanted to preserve her common sense. Regrettably his voice seemed to tone down, drift off, a silence overrunning her ears and soon her mind.
Torn flesh clinging by ripped chunks and more chunks of flesh.
And blood. So much blood.
"Blood." She allowed it to drip and soon a thick puddle formed beneath her.
"It flows so slow…sometimes it makes you wonder, doesn't it, priestess?"
Kagome impulsively felt cold and tired, her vision distilling but not yet fading. Him again, why does this bring back so much…so much she hardly can remember where to start or where it ends? Complicated is the right word to use. Complicated and confusing.
"What have I gotten myself into?" was the final coherent words Kagome placed together before a terror-stricken scream shook her outside her deep seeded reverie.
"Oh my goodness! Someone call for help!" a woman's penetrating shrieks awakened her for a flying second before she met darkness.