The Island's Monster

Part two

She watched, helpless, as he shook with the fever, his beautiful face contracting with pain. She gulped, her eyes leaving him only to settle on the man standing next to her, her father.

"He won't make it." He said, his voice loud and clear, not affected at all by the agony of the man lying on the bed, or by that of his daughter dying slowly from the inside. "The bullet is too deep in his shoulder, he's going to die."

A strangled sound escaped her throat, her hands trembling as her father made his way towards the door. In a speed she didn't know she possessed until now, she followed him, her smaller hand wrapping around his wrist, her eyes filling with tears.

"Please save him." She whispered in anguish, her lips trembling with the effort of staying conscious. "Don't leave him here to die."

Her father snorted, looking at her from the corner of his eye, his back still to her.

"The landlord must die Kagome, he cannot live. And once he's dead, we will have what we always wanted. I can do nothing to stop what will happen, neither can you. Stop weeping him, he doesn't deserve it."

He only made a few steps before her hand wrapped around his again, yanking it forcefully. His eyes turned towards her, wide with anger and he slapped her, hard across the face. She gasped and fell on the floor.

Silence reigned between them, the only sound audible being the slight moans of pain of the young unconscious landlord and her rapid breathing. Her father glared down at her, his hands fisting by his side.

"I raised a daughter, not a whore. How dare you? Not only you defend him, the monster of the island but you also dare confront me…he will die, and I will be more than happy to watch him do so."

A loud sob escaped her throat, her hands gripping the expensive carpet underneath her body, her hair falling down, barely touching her knees.

"I do not know what he has done to gain such loyalty from your side." His face scrunched in disgust, his eyes hardening even more. "Although the whole village is talking about what kind of disgusting relationship you two had."

"Please", she whispered again, her eyes meeting those of her father's in a heartbreaking plea, "please, bring him a doctor and I will give you what you all want."

A loud groan of pain escaped Inuyasha's lips as his body twisted in pain, his face paling considerably. His honey eyes opened slightly, clouded with agony. He took a deep breath and cried out, the action burning his lungs.

"Kagome…" he breathed out, his eyes unfocused, his hands trembling on his sides. The young girl closed her eyes. He had been calling her name for a while in his unconsciousness, her heart breaking each time he did so. "Don't leave me…" he whispered again, his eyes closing, his cheeks growing a sudden red, the fever slowly killing him.

"What do you mean?" her father's unmerciful voice suddenly rang in her ears, making her chocolate eyes open, a new determination set in them. She would save him; she would not leave him to die.

"You want the lands don't you?" she asked, her hands gripping her knees, squeezing lightly as she searched for the strength to face them all. "Inuyasha's death will serve you for nothing."

The older man's eyes narrowed as he made a few steps towards her, stopping as his feet touched her knees. She lifted her head, the scene strangely resembling the time she knelt in front of the landlord, begging him to have mercy on her father. And now, there she was, kneeling in front of her father, begging for the life of the landlord.

"Explain." He responded harshly.

She gulped before standing up. No, she would not kneel in front of her father, she was not in the weak position, not at all, and they all wanted what only she could give.

"All the lands are mine." She stated, her head high, her eyes challenging those of her father's. The latter snorted, clearly unbelieving her, but she held her ground.

"Everything is mine!" she yelled in anguish, tears running down her cheeks. "Everything, this mansion, the lands, all you see is mine! He gave them to me! And I will give you everything if you let him live! Everything!"

Silence dominated again, her father studying her features, evaluating her sincerity. When he sensed no deceit coming from her, he turned around, leaving her broken behind him.

"If what you say is true." He whispered, his voice suddenly calm, a smile appearing on his lips, "then I will let him live."

Her eyes widened, her hand covering her mouth as tears of joy escaped her chocolate orbs. She immediately rushed to her father's side, taking his hand in hers and kissing it tenderly.

"Thank you father, thank you." She repeated her heart beating widely with happiness. She would give them the lands, and she would be able to be with Inuyasha, they would leave this island, leave everything behind them. She would be happy, oh so happy…

"But you have to promise me that you will never be with him ever again."

And her heart stopped for a few seconds.

"Don't leave me…" she heard him talking through his fever, slight moans escaping him."Kagome…"

"Father, please don't kill me…" she whispered. The older man hugged her tightly against him, his eyes slowly caressing her hair. He took a deep breath.

"Promise me Kagome. Don't you want him to live?"

She closed her eyes, her hands falling to her sides, her eyes suddenly so empty, so void.

"I promise."

"I need to speak to her." He said, his honey eyes glaring at the young man blocking his way. "Now!" he ordered, trying again to enter the house. The young man held his ground, his blue eyes staring directly at the landlord.

"Back off. You cannot order us anymore." He answered, taking one step forward. "So just back off and go back to your fancy mansion."

Inuyasha shook his head negatively, his eyes going to the door of the old house. He needed to talk to her. It has been a week since the incident and she had not even come to visit him. He needed to know why; he needed her to tell him why she left him, why she ignored him, why? Why? The question alone was enough to drive him crazy in his solitude. He had given her his lands, his properties, his everything…and she took it all without even sparing him a second glance.

"I will not leave till I see her." He declared making the man in front of him frown.

"Then I will make you leave myself."

She watched silently from her window as he called her name over and over again. She looked away, unable to ignore his pleas. It has been a week since the accident, he had recovered well, and as she knew he would. But he was isolated. He would stay in his mansion, the only property she was allowed to leave him on the island. She closed her eyes, willing the tears to go away. Every breath she took away from him was her torture. She would dream of him at night, during the day, even in her dreams themselves.

Her eyes suddenly opened when she heard a scream of pain come from him. She immediately followed the sound, her heart racing, her legs trembling with anxiety. She had barely made it to the door when she felt a strong grip on her forearm, yanking her away from him. She sobbed in frustration, her eyes never leaving the closed door, the thin material separating her from the landlord.

"Remember your promise, Kagome." Her father said in her ear, his grip never faltering on her.

"Kouga is hurting him father. Please, you promised me that he will be unharmed."

Her father sighed and let go of her. He went to the door and opened it wide. Her eyes immediately explored the new available space, widening slightly as she saw her lover gripping his hurt shoulder, his eyes squeezed in pain.

"Stop that Kouga, it is unnecessary to injure him furthermore." Her father said sarcasm evident in his voice. Kouga snorted, obviously disgusted.

"As if I could hurt this monster." He replied.

Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes, taking a deep breath with every step he made towards the older man. Once he reached him, he frowned, all sign of pain disappearing. Higurashi silently admired the man standing in front of him despite his pathetic state, recognizing in him the characteristics that once were his. He immediately dismissed the idea, not letting the courageous display affect his better judgment.

"I want her to tell me herself that she doesn't want me anymore."

His tone held such finality that Higurashi stepped aside, leaving the door wide open for the young man. Kouga made a move to protest but the older man's look immediately stopped him. The landlord, still clutching his shoulder, walked towards the door. Once inside, he spotted her, her back turned towards him, her eyes staring out of the window.

His heart ached. He hadn't seen her since that night and there she was, not even looking at him. He licked his suddenly dry lips, the ache caused by Kouga's punch slowly fading away to a deep throb.

"Hey…" his soft voice broke the thick silence startling her out of her daydream. Her shoulders tensed considerably but she still didn't turn around to see him. He looked away from her, his honey eyes softening.

"You never came to visit me." He whispered, blame evident in his tone. "Weren't you worried about me? Not even a little?"

"I knew you were fine." She replied in a soft whisper, never turning to meet his eyes. "You'll always be fine Inuyasha."

"I am not fine without you." He said, laying his heart in front of her. She stiffened again but still didn't turn around.

"Just go…" she answered, her hands fisting on her sides."It would be easier. Go."

His jaw clenched, his eyes going from soft to hard in a few seconds. A frown made its way to his lips, tracing an unpleasant shape on his handsome face.

"Tell me you did not manipulate me to put your hands on my lands." He asked, his voice trembling with anger. Was his fate laced with deep betrayal from the women he loved the most? "Tell me!" he commanded when she didn't answer, his dark side surfacing, killing the love that tried to make its way towards the surface. "Answer!" he roared like a wild animal.

If he could have seen her face, he would have noticed the way her chocolate eyes filled with tears at his accusations, the way her lips trembled with the agony of hurting the man she loved above all. But he couldn't. He only saw her as immobile as a statue could be but the words she said cut him as deeply as they could.

"I did. Forgive me."

"Never." He answered before leaving the house, his face cold like it used to be. He passed by her father, casting him a look that made the older man shiver before continuing his way towards his mansion.

"What was that about?" Kouga asked his eyes deeply worried from the look the monster gave them. The older man shook his head negatively, his hands suddenly sweaty.

"From now on, we should be more careful. He is capable of everything to hurt us."

"It is for the best. He will never give up until you get married." Higurashi argued, pacing his daughter's room. "He keeps on sending you roses every single day!" he exclaimed, sparing a horrified look at the beds of red roses lying outside the window.

Kagome, lay still on her bed, her back to her father, her eyes fixed on the hundreds of roses, the smell drugging her senses. She took a deep breath, trying to block her father's words without avail.

"I thought he was done after you took all of his lands, even the mansion he lives in, apparently, his wealth has no limits!" he continued, his face growing red with fury and hatred. "Did you know that he purchased all the pesticides available in the market? What are we supposed to do now! The season is ruined! He is going to starve us!"

She knew the landlord was threatening her. She smiled her eyes again on the roses. She knew him too well, better than he even knew himself. But she was not scared, miserable, but not scared. The monster for them was her angel, even if he would eventually be her angel of death.

"The men in the village talked to me yesterday. They were blaming me for letting him stay alive! He now has an entire army of men surrounding his mansion! We cannot even breathe in his direction without the risk of getting shot!"

She hugged herself, her brain processing the new information. A wave of relief went through her, making her suddenly feel so warm. He was safe; they could not hurt him anymore. She would always be their prisoner but not him; he was finally free, completely out of their reach.

"He is even more corrupted then before." Her mother's voice came from behind her as she entered the room, placing the laundry on the bed. "I heard them say in the village that he has brought women from outside the islands, some whores to entertain him."

Her heart stopped her body suddenly cold. No, they were lying, they had to be lying. He would not do that, he would never do that.

"What do you expect from him?" her mother continued, intentionally hurting her with her words, forcing her to listen to the conversation that cut deep into her heart. "He is after all a monster. Why would he care about love and such stupidities? If he ever told you that he loved you Kagome, know that he was lying. This kind of men is only after one thing, and it isn't love. They only strive for their pleasures. God help us." She finished, drawing the crucifix sign quickly on her forehead. "Not all men are hard working like Kouga. He even forgives you for the sins that monster forced you to commit against your will."

"Kouga is a hard working guy." Her father intervened for the first time, obviously pleased with his wife's talk. "He would make you happy and you will finally get rid of this man. He will follow you like your dark shadow. You will marry Kouga do you hear me?"

When she didn't reply, her father's voice grew louder, more forceful.

"Do you hear me?" he commanded, walking towards her and forcing her body towards them. He immediately paused when he saw the look of sorrow in her eyes and the small smile on her lips.

"I cannot be with anyone else father." She whispered weakly, her face pale. "I only want him, but I cannot have him. But it's alright; I'll stay alone, just alone. Please leave me. Please…" She begged.

"I am sorry Kagome." Higurashi replied, his hand caressing his daughter's cheek lovingly. "You need someone to protect you from him. This is not your decision. You will marry Kouga, I already gave him my word. If you say no, the landlord will still hope. This is not your decision." He repeated his eyes boring into hers.

He sat on his large chair, his honey eyes darkened with anger. He quickly gulped the remainder of his drink, wincing slightly at the bitter taste. The man sitting in front of him watched him in silence, trying to discern his reaction in the darkness.

"When?" he finally asked, his voice gruff, deadly. The man took a deep breath, still staring at the young billionaire with what looked like pity in his eyes.

"In one week." He responded with certainty.

Inuyasha nodded, getting up from his chair and walking towards the bar, pouring another drink to himself. He barely took the first gulp before extreme rage swept into him. He threw the crystal glass towards the wall, the sound of its shattering resonating in the almost empty room like a heavenly music. His companion bolted from his seat, obviously shocked by the sudden display of violence.

The landlord took a deep breath, trying to calm.

"So soon? Who?" he asked this time, "tell me who Miroku!" he commanded.

Said man watched him carefully while speaking.

"A local guy. His name is Kouga. It is said that they knew each other since their childhood but then she left to finish her education and they only met again two years ago. It seems that they continued their relationship from then till now. They decided to get married in one week. That's all I heard."

"Kouga." Inuyasha murmured, "I know him, I met him that day at her house…"

"Let's leave this island Inuaysha." The other man suddenly said, stepping closer, "you are not welcomed here, they almost killed you. Forget about her, she's not worth it. And those lands, you don't need them; you're richer than they will ever imagine! Let's leave! You don't have to do this; you don't have to be called a monster all your life. Just leave and be happy somewhere else, come on, forget about this dreadful island, forget…"

"I cannot leave." He cut him off, his beautiful eyes closing momentarily before opening again, laced with determination, "I want her to suffer, I want her to regret what she had done to me, I want her to know the feeling of being in so much pain because of the person you love, I want her…" he paused for a few seconds, his breathing labored, "I just want her." He finally confessed, "I keep thinking about her, I can still smell her on my pillow, I can still feel her against me, I want her and she will soon return to me, pleading like she did eight months ago! Damn it!" he finally yelled before turning towards his astonished friend, strangely calm an evil glint in his eyes.

"The tradition says that there must be a dinner that precedes the wedding by one week, am I mistaking?"

"Yes there will be a dinner tomorrow." Miroku replied, feeling anxiety rise in him. He arrived three weeks ago after getting a call from the landlord to bring him men for protection. He never knew that the situation was so difficult; he never realized before that his friend was helplessly and insanely in love with that woman…

"Good and the dinner will take place in the village's place? Right in front of the church?" he stressed again, reaching for a new glass and filling it with his favorite drink. "Everyone will be there right?"

Miroku nodded, not knowing where this conversation was going. Inuyasha's lips curled into a smirk.

"Tomorrow night, you will send the men to burn Higurashi's lands, all of them."

Miroku's eyes widened, his mouth opening to object but the billionaire silenced him with one deadly look.

"I want them to return from the feast and find nothing but ashes, just ashes." He whispered. "I want to see Higurashi's eyes when sees that all his lands are now nothing but ruins, I want him to feel what I felt when I was stripped from his daughter, I want him to suffer like I did."

"What about Kagome?" Miroku countered, fearing his friend for the first time ever. "She will never forgive you."

The landlord didn't reply. He simply sat on his chair, turning his back to his friend.

"Tomorrow morning, send her another thousand roses. But this time, let the roses be white. Now leave me."

Once alone, he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. The alcohol fogged his brain, his senses slowly relaxing. He could clearly remember their first night together, the way she felt under him, her scent, her taste, so addicting. He took a deep breath. He didn't know how to deal with love, he was desperate and he would do anything to make her come back. He hated her so deeply for using him and yet, he couldn't sleep without her being the last thing on his mind.

"You look like an angel." Her mother commented, her eyes sparking with happiness as she looked at her daughter. The simple white dress gave her an air of innocence that not even her stay with the monster had stripped away from her. Her black hair fell like a cascade around her face, her chocolate eyes the only thing that seemed so dead in her. "You're so beautiful. Kouga will be so happy to see you."

Kagome smiled slightly, trying to please her mother while she was dying on the inside. They barely made it out of her room when a sudden vertigo took over her. Slowly she leaned against the door, trying to regain her balance while her mother chatted happily.

"Come on, they are all waiting for us. It took me forever to brush your hair."

"Mother…" she said in a weak voice, still leaning against the wall, "I don't feel so well, I think I have to go to the bathroom. Don't worry, I'll follow."

Her mother stared at her for awhile, obviously worried.

"You look so pale…are you sure you can go?" she whispered, her hands cupping her daughter's face, forcing her to stare at her. "You have been so tired lately."

"I am fine." The young woman replied, making her way towards the bathroom, "don't worry, I'll be right behind you."

The older woman stared at her retreating form for a few seconds before leaving the house. Maybe Kagome was having second thoughts about marrying Kouga, she wanted her to have some alone time to think about it. After all, she only wished for her daughter's happiness.

Kagome walked against the wall, the wave of dizziness getting stronger and stronger with each passing seconds until she could see black dots wherever she looked. It took her only a few seconds before she collapsed on the floor, unable to get up anymore. Her hand extended in front of her, her eyes fixed on the window. She could barely see a strange light coming from the outside, getting nearer and nearer. Her eyes closed gradually, too dizzy. As unconsciousness washed over her, she thought how this strange light looked exactly like the color of the eyes of her lover.

"What are you doing here?" Kouga asked, staring at the man standing in front of him. "I thought that you would understand by now that you are not welcome among us."

Inuyasha shrugged, his honey eyes staring in his rival's blue orbs. He slowly fixed the buttons of his white shirt before staring at the other men.

"I heard there was a celebration here. I came to congratulate you all. You don't have to be so rude about it."

Whispers ran around him as he walked furthermore into the place, his eyes holding everybody's gaze. He slowly took a place on an empty chair, patiently staring at Higurashi.

"So, where is your daughter? I thought that the future bride to be has to attend her own dinner." He said sarcasm evident in his voice.

"Don't you worry about that." Kouga shot back, his blue eyes defiant. "She is coming because she loves me."

Inuyasha twisted in his seat, the smirk never leaving his face.

"Insecure aren't we?" he commented, "but I don't blame you, whatever happened between your fiancée and I is not to be taken lightly. In fact, I cannot even begin to imagine myself in your place, wondering about the things that happened between us…"

He didn't have to continue before the young man leapt at him, willing to break his face. The landlord got up as well, happy to indulge in the fight when he heard a woman's voice yell at them.

"Would you stop this!"

They both looked at the older woman as she made her way towards her husband.

"Kagome is not feeling so well. She decided to stay back but she will join us soon."

And that's when his world stopped, his heart beating loudly in his chest. Sweat broke down his forehead as he slowly processed those words. Insane, he made his way towards her mother, gripping her by her forearms, his eyes wide with terror.

"Is she in the house?" he yelled, shaking her violently. "Is she in the house?" he repeated again, his voice breaking at the last syllable. The woman nodded dumbfounded as he backed away from her, tears clouding his vision. He felt as if someone was choking him in his throat. He barely heard them asking him why he was so shaken up. He ran, he ran as fast as he could in the direction of the lands and as he grew closer, he saw the flames burning everything in their paths. Loud screams echoed behind him as he stood, watching the fire consume everything.

He didn't think twice. He went in.

She slowly opened her eyes, coughing as black smoke blurred her vision. Her body jerked awake as she became suddenly aware of her surroundings. Fire, all she could see was fire surrounding the house.

She screamed, her chocolate eyes scanning everything with panic. She would die…and suddenly the idea became less and less frightening. She would die and she wouldn't have to go through that suffering every day, through the temptation to go to him, the temptation to be selfish for once in her life, and death seemed like a merciful punishment for her actions.

Another round of coughs hit her as she collapsed on her knees, waiting for the fire to consume her as it did to anything else. Why would she fight? Why would she fight death when she welcomed it so much? She closed her eyes, patiently waiting…

"Kagome!" A small smile made its way towards her lips. She could hear his name through the burning heat. She had not heard her name from his lips in so long. He was her angel taking her to her heaven. Was this the significance of the white roses she received in the morning? Were they a sign of the peace she would finally have?

"Kagome!" his voice was this time more insistent, closer, clearer, laced with panic. Frowning she opened her eyes. This was not right. His voice should not be panicked. Once open, her chocolate orbs widened as she spotted him in front if her, breathing with difficulty, his beautiful face covered with ashes, his cloths indiscernible but his eyes held the same fire she knew. No traces of coldness were there, no evil.

He collapsed on his knees next to her, his arms going around her, crushing her to his side. He smelled of black smoke making her cough more but she didn't care. She hugged him back and she could hear his labored breath on her ear.

"I am sorry, I started the fire. I am sorry." He begged, crushing her even more to him. "You can be with him, I just want you to live, and I'll get you out of here."

She cried, not understanding his words, just enjoying the feel of him next to her. He may be a monster but for her, he would always be the man she loves above all.

"Forgive me." He whispered in her ear, kissing her hair. "Forgive me." He whispered again and again and she knew that they couldn't get out of the house alive. Tears welled in her eyes…she suddenly wanted to be alive, alive for him…

"Say something…" he begged, his arms crushing her but she didn't mind.

"Forgive me." She replied, her voice shaky.

He let her go, his hands cupping her face. It was getting harder to breath with every passing second, the heat becoming unbearable.

"Love cannot be forced Kagome. I should have known better." He answered, his hand caressing the side of her face. For the first time, she saw tears gathered in his eyes. She shook her head negatively. They will die what would she loose?

"But I love you." She whispered, her lips pressing against his in the softest caress. A chocked sound escaped his throat before he pushed her away, his hand gripping hers, forcing her to stand with him. She looked at him quizzically.

"What if we can make it?" he asked, new hope in his eyes. She nodded, following him through the flames.

"And that's what happened." She finally said, getting up and nudging him from beside her. "Come on honey we need to go."

The man next to her nodded and followed her, his hand encircling her waist, tugging her possessively towards him.

"Hey, now wait a second!" the novelist yelled, standing up from his chair, making the two turn towards him. "Did they make it from the fire or did they not? And what about the people in the island? What happened to them? What did they say?"

The young man smiled a little.

"Of course they made it. And back in the island everyone thought they were dead so it was easy to escape."

"Honey." The woman next to him tugged at his sleeve, making him look down at her. "I think they knew, they just wanted them to leave." She joked. He smiled fondly at her, kissing her hair lovingly.

"Can you blame them?" he responded, his honey eyes twinkling with happiness. "They got rid of the monster."

"Shut up." She answered, pecking him on his lips, her hand slowly caressing his face.

"Hey!" the novelist exclaimed again, pacing the salon. "You cannot just come in here, tell me this incomplete story and just leave. For instance, the readers would like to know why she was dizzy."

"Pregnant." They both answered together before the young man received a hard shove on his shoulder that made him wince.

"Hey don't you do that again! It still hurts" he warned her only to be interrupted by the novelist again.

"Pregnant? Of course!" he exclaimed, tugging at his hair. "Why didn't I see this coming? But what about their past? The readers would want to know how they met, where? When? And now, where do they live?"

The beautiful woman took a deep breath.

"Listen, you don't have to write the story. After all, my husband and I just came here because I really liked your last book and I wanted an autograph. It's just a stupid story, relax."

The novelist fell on his chair, staring at the wall in front of him. His eyes suddenly widened. Didn't he dedicate the autograph to Kagome? He jumped from his chair and ran to the window opening it widely despite the cold wind. He only managed to see the sports car accelerate out of the villa.

"Hey!" he yelled in frustration after them. How stupid could he get? How did he not notice? He shook his head negatively and moved to his desk. He should better start writing the story, he thought with a smile. He could maybe spice it a little, but just a little. Maybe they met while she was taking a bath in the river. Now that would certainly be a great start.

Fin