InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Absolution ❯ Tick-tack ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Tic-tack

-- --

The following day had born stunning. Although it was winter, the sun shone in the sky offering no heat but the heat one gets to know their day is brightened by the Kami. The birds, and small animals, and all of life in the forest chirped happily around the small house that belonged to Jinenji-kun and Naoko-baa-san.

She woke up as always, nestled in the futon, her first thought of the day, and for the rest of her life: Inuyasha.

As her eyes blinked the sleepiness that may have lingered from her eight hour sleep she analyzed the clock in the wall.

Tick-tack

The noise had always been a nuisance, but she was guest who didn't knew her future, thus she wouldn't impose her will to anyone there, she too chokes on gratitude to even think to so. Nevertheless it annoyed her and hung over her, always, as if it was a bad omen, constantly tickling her with the knowledge that the simplistic life she was living couldn't, wouldn't last forever.

Tick-tack

Her dainty feet found the zori sandals Naoko-baa-san had lent her, and she got up. It was nine o' clock and she was sure by now both she and her son were already awake for quite some time now. She thought it was very kind of them not to wake her, but then again it made her feel bad that they let her sleep in, after all she was a guest… But her body was always strained lately as if something was pulling her… Anyway, it was a stupid notion.

Dressed in a cotton yukata, she felt the cold licking her bare legs and forearms and reached for her kimono, neatly folded next to her pillow. Quickly dressing it over the yukata, and knotting a fast obi at her waist she dragged her sleepy feet away from the house, outside.

Naoko-baa-san and Jinenji-kun were waiting peacefully for her. The old woman that seemed older by the day, as wrinkles carved her age deeper and deeper by the second, was smoking a quiet pipe, her lips puckering to blow small rings of a white polluting fog. She sat in a boulder near a tree, and absentmindedly stared at the bright sky above her long nose. Jinenji-kun seemed a little anxious, and twirled in his, sweaty and pink colored hands, the silver chain that had been given to him by the orange eyes man, who he had, the previous day, called Kigatsuku.

In his bulbous eyes laid a thread of slight unhappiness and nervousness that should have startled her, but it didn't. She was too happy to go out, and her happiness consumes her. As much as she liked the country, there was still a big part of her, her origins, that connected her to the city, and she couldn't forget who she was, as much as she'd like to do so.

She'd like, however, to ask Jinenji something.

Warm blue eyes that rivaled the striking sky, caught his edgy orbs in a darker color, and she got closer, bowing to Naoko-baa-san in a quick "Ohayo gozaimasou Naoko-baa-san", and finally settled in front of Jinenji-kun.

"Ohayo, Jinenji-kun"

His cheeks once again, seemed to her, flushed by a blush when he answered her a good morning, in the same way, but she didn't pay attention to that as her smile widened, warm and loving and she asked:

"What time are we leaving? I'd like to take a bath"

Jinenji replied shyly that he was thinking about leaving around ten o'clock, but that he could wait for Kagome-san, of course. He wouldn't mind. He wasn't so anxious with going either.

Kagome furrowed her brows and ignored baa-san, as she urged him to start walking in the direction of the house silently, but with that worried frown of concern marring her features, Jinenji-kun complied silently, accompanying her.

"At ten is fine for me, but… are you upset Jinenji-kun?"

Jinenji kept his mouth locked until they reached the door, and after they entered he uttered a great sigh, his shoulder slumped and his gaze fell in the chain. Then very slowly he lowered it over his head, and his whole appearance changed and he looked more with Naoko-baa-san than ever.

For a moment, Kagome was taken aback, not with how much he looked like his Okaa-san, nor with the change per se, but with the clear reminder of the nights of the new moon, with her lover under the lonely stars, or in his bedroom, darkness seeping in, as he let her see him change.

Black would tint the powdered silver she loved, something between amethyst and grey would replace the liquid gold in his eyes. The ears she loved, the ears that had first summoned her attention, to the man who she'd helplessly fallen in love with, would lower to the sides of his head, and his loved claws that always made her shiver and tingle all over would shrink to regular human nails.

He was always gentler those nights, but she didn't love him more because of that. The Inuyasha she loved was still in there, he just needed more reassurance those nights, and she as always offered it to him at the price of nothing. However she had never forgotten that the Inuyasha she loved was hanyou. This was who she loved- both youkai and ningen. In these nights he also would like to hear her say how much she loved him. Ningen Inuyasha would often ask for her to say it.

Her eyes refocused when Jinenji, with his now nimble but still male hand, waved her out of the trance she had been, lost in memories. What good did memories do? They were nothing but past. Moments meant nothing if she wasn't there anymore.

"I'm sorry Jinenji-kun. What were you saying?"

"I …I asked Kagome-san if it looks… weird?"

Kagome again smiled. Talking to Jinenji-kun was like talking to a child and teaching him not to be afraid of himself, of the world. It was hard.

"No Jinenji-kun. It looks… different."Then reconsidering her choice of words "different… but okay."

Jinenji smiled for a second then he faltered and looked at his own hands, long hair that he used to wear in a topknot toppled over his shoulder to meet his weak chest. He was almost as tall as he'd been before, but he was so much thinner. His cheekbones the only thing enhanced in his face besides his big nose. His eyes were the big change, so much smaller and now a dark brown.

"It feels weird." He muttered, looking displeased, poignant.

She smiled again, in kindness and approached him, her small thin and white hand, touching his ragged garmented shoulder that went at least a head higher than her.

"It's really ok Jinenji-kun. You don't have to worry, it's still you on the inside" she assured gently; he smiled too, and hurried her to her bath.

After that they'd hurry up to the city and Kagome would be displeased with the happenings that would follow

Tick-Tack

--

Inuyasha looked worried at Kigatsuku, then to his watch.

"Wagakimi, you seem worried, is everything alright?"

No. All my fucking life is a wreck and you're asking me that?

He ignored the owl-youkai and tried to focus his mind in what he was going to do.

But he just couldn't focus his heart, who kept cursing him for not searching for his beloved, instead of being here.

He actually liked doing the military, in spite of hating doing the political part of the job. But right now he felt vulnerable, weak as if at any time now, someone could burst through that damn shoji door and affirm they had found her dead body.

A shuddering sigh left him, with a little of his force.

In fact he was here today mostly with the function of protecting Jinenji, he trusted Kigatsuku and he was sure that as soon as the panther entered the city and he was informed of it he'd do anything that he was suppose to do, therefore he was now waiting for Jinenji to arrive, and for Kigatsuku to give him his special Zouyoshousho, to then escort him home.

Kigatsuku was more agitated than him though. How could this be so? But he was. He'd walk the entire room, arms behind his back and hands linked, his eyes darting back and forward to then fall symbolically over a cell phone atop his desk.

Inuyasha inwardly scoffed at his antics and got closer to the much older man.

"Shouldn't Jinenji be here already?"

As if waking, he jumped, and tried to recover, from the already profundity of his mind, what Inuyasha had just said. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it in a heavy sigh he averted his eyes in a gesture of insouciance that was allowed to him because he was a loyal servant.

"Jinenji promised to be here at one thirty my lord." His voice distracted, as his gaze again fell in the Motorola, atop all of his papers that rested in the wooden desk. He looked on the verge of melt down.

"Un" nonchalance met nonchalance at Inuyasha clearly non elusive commentary, and they both stayed quiet for some time.

Then Kigatsuku sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose and Inuyasha snapped.

Twirling briskly to the man, now seated in the chair behind the desk, his eyes burning coals on his he asked furious, anger seeping into his words. He was seething.

"What in the damn world could be so fucking sad that you're all sighs all of a sudden?" narrowing eyes cut him the response he was going to give to the young prince, and he lowered his head. "I've lost my fucking everything, and I'm still here, ain't I? I have a duty and I'm not complaining about it! And I should be looking for her, not here hearing to you sigh!"

Kigatsuku wasn't fast to recompose himself. Instead he stuttered and gaped like a dead fish surprised at his lord's snapping. Quickly remembering that he was beneath him in rank Kigatsuku hurried then to make his apologies.

"Sumimasen, Inuyasha-sama." He gulped and explained "It is that our contact person should've called me some time ago…

Inuyasha seemed to ponder it, and ultimately consider it a true motive for worried sighs. He looked at his subordinate warily and gave him his back for a second, facing the window that showed busy Ota.

"I see. Well, tell me about it. What were the plans?"

"My lord, Sanman-san was supposed to call me as soon as the panther left the lair. Its one fifteen, the panthers were supposed to leave at twelve thirty. He has been there since yesterday. I talked to him last night, but today in the morning he was very quick, and then afterwards… he hasn't answered ever since."

Inuyasha growled. Why in the hell did everything always go wrong?

"Give me that phone!"

After punching the green button to dial the last dialed number and pressing it again, he waited as he received no answer from the other side.

"Shit. They could already be here. How can you let something like this happen?" Inuyasha slammed the device in the table, proceeding to smash it under the brute strength of his hands. Seeming momentarily edgy the hanyou shook his head and avoided Kigatsuku's eyes, as he mused over an answer.

"Forget it," he mumbled absentmindedly, pacing the floor "it's not your fault."

"Inuyash…"

"Summon the troops and tell them to meet me here in half an hour."

"Jinenji-kun thank you so much for the lunch, it was fabulous!"

--

All of the young woman was bubbling, blubbering bliss. Her eyes shone as they travelled from shop to shop, from restaurant to restaurant, as she watched grimaces, smiles, long faces and distracted faces. She had missed the buzz of the city, the clamor of the engines rumbling through her, getting out in her fingers and toe in quakes.

The man who walked besides her smiled kindly, lost in a world of illusion. If he was human, would Kagome-san have him? Would they be able to live a life like this? Peacefully walking together, besides each other, holding each other as they fell?

No. He himself knew it was an illusion. But he had grown to love her in that month, and he lived for these moments now.

It was one and precisely seventeen minutes, as they neared the houken ikken after lunching in a small but cozy and delicious restaurant some blocks away, and after having Kagome-san visiting shops and analyzing clothes, after she watched museums and crowded streets. They made him jittery, chary, too many people, and they all seemed to stare at him. Despite that, with Kagome-san everything seemed possible, as if she was a shot of immediate courage through his veins.

She wore the same clothes she was wearing the day of the accident, now washed and cleaned, high boots, a black skirt and a men's shirt. He guessed it had belonged to… him, but she didn't mention it, and neither did he. Of course not. He was living an idyllic chimera, walking side by side with her on the street, Jinenji refused to ruin it. A heavy black coat that belonged to himself, adorned her whole outfit, and curvaceous body, protecting her.

His efforts however wouldn't spare them of trouble.

As they got near and near the houken ikken, which Kagome could see, a mirrored building, all in glass, and very tall longing for the sky, just some feet away, the deserting woman fell an ominous presence falling over her head, making her brows furrow in a tension frown, her lips fell and she looked at Jinenji, suddenly, paralyzed in that spot by the alarm she felt in her stomach, knotting, playing…

"Kagome-san…?"

"It's… okay." The building was merely some feet away, and she knew he needed the Zouyoshousho, or the orange eyed man would come looking for him. For Jinenji's sake, she had to be strong at least once in her life. Jinenji needed this, and she knew he wanted her there with him.

Finally when she'd been able to convince herself that this presence was nothing but fear in her head (why, she didn't understand), she raised her eyes to meet Jinenji's dark, now small, orbs and he faced her with a smile.

"Kagome-san has a strong reiki, and the building is infused with youki, and youkai magic. Maybe it's better if Kagome-san stays here, and waits until Jinenji's return. Jinenji won't be long."

She was too weak to say no, and he had explained it rationally. Yes she'd stay here, and wait for him. A warm smile tugging her lips, and consequently his. He could go on. She'd be here when he got back, she assured. He seemed for a moment displeased, then offered her his usual collected and quiet smile and he went on. For as long as she could, Kagome followed.

Then when she could see a thin shield of magic involving the building she was unable to keep going, her head was dizzy, and her eyes blurred, and she said a faint "Ja ne, Jinenji-kun" as she watched him disappear through that barrier

Wearily she leaned against a building some feet away from it and clutched Jinenji's coat to her nimble body. She was visibly thinner since her landing in the rural life, and although she hadn't starved, she recognized it in the bony appearance of her hand, her face had sunk. She had the appearance of a sick person, then again… wasn't she?

The ba-hanyou, temporarily ningen, was wary of leaving her there, so alone and unprotected. But it was necessary for him to go get his Zouyoshousho, he couldn't avoid it, and he wouldn't bring her in there either in a building full of youkai. Youkai that were eying him from the corner of the eye, of course that the chain didn't change his aura nor his scent like it happened in the almost full moon naturally. Hanyou's were not youkai society favorite members, except for Inuyasha-no-ouji, who was respected by most of it. But he remembered he had a powerful woman outside, beautiful, kind waiting for him outside.

Inuyasha-no-ouji was never here. But there was a lot of youkai in the establishment and she was wanted. He couldn't let her in there knowing they probably all had a photo of her memorized. Jinenji didn't really want to keep something that belonged to his lord. No, he wanted to keep Kagome, sweet kind loving gentle Kagome who had treated him even better than Okaa-san did, and she had been the only human ever that had been nice to him.

Eyes on the ground he followed a path he had done some times already, directly to Kigatsuku-sama's office, path which was never questioned by anybody, thus making him assume that the owl-youkai warned people that he'd coming that day. Also, that'd be a good explanation to why people seemed to be so aware of him- not all demons had such a strong sense of smell, or could feel reiki and youki as well.

Blowing a weary sigh as dragged his feet on the stairs, wary of the amount of people that'd be accompanying him in a possible elevator ride, Jinenji's thoughts flew back to Kagome-san and Inuyasha-ouji-sama.

It was his duty to report to Inuyasha-sama and tell him had found Kagome. He was by no means dumb, and he'd heard youkai talk- a lot of them came to the forest to purchase medicinal herbs- they said Inuyasha-sama had gone on a rampage when he knew she was gone. Most of them had heard it from the servants of the shiro who knew little already, and Jinenji knew Inuyasha-sama. He knew he'd send search teams after her, never believing her dead, as he was sure, that in the end of a month, her friends believed her. By now they should've found her car in the Sumida.

But then why not tell his prince all he knew? That she was well, healthy, strong, just… broken inside?

Because of that.

Kagome-san had told him how he'd hurt her, taken advantage of her. How could he hand her to him, when she'd been the only human to treat in kindly, besides Okaa-san? He just couldn't do it. Even if he had to suffer the consequences. Yes, because he was sure Kagome-san would come back to her charming prince- She still loved him. When he heard her sob through the night he was painstakingly, sorrowfully aware of it. But for now Kagome-san was safe, with him, where she would be treated as a princess, when where she in fact was it, she was treated like dirt.

As he came face to face with the metal doors of Kigatsuku-san's office doors, his throat coiled, and a delusional pinch almost made his now human figure double over. An ominous presence loomed over that day's fate. Gulping down his rising anxiety he knocked on the door.

The hollow sound reverberated in his mind, and for some still seconds, all Jinenji could hear were those steady beats as if it was a heartbeat. Then it stopped and the door was opened.

At first he didn't get it. When he entered, Kigatsuku-san was sitting in the desk directly in front of the door, and didn't even seem to notice his arrival, he was too engrossed with whichever call he was making. Then his eyes fell on the entity that'd entered the door, and he almost stepped back.

Hardened sun kissed eyes closed on him, and the second higher person in youkai society raised a brow expectantly, as the door closed itself behind the ba-hanyou turned ningen.

He was so surprised with his prince's presence that he'd forgotten to bow. Doing so, low, as lower as one gets without prostrating oneself. That bow was reserved only for strangers, and he had known Inuyasha-sama for a very long time.

"Keh. Raise baka." He asserted turning his back on him and throwing his visibly exhausted body towards an armchair that creaked under the sheer intensity of tat movement of a numb body. Then lifting rigid eyes to him, he asked a question, in a voice that too Jinenji seemed somehow more mature and adult.

"How's life treating you Jinenji?"

"Not so bad o-ouji-sama"

I know what Inuyasha-sama once threw away.

"And you O-ouji-sama, if O-ouji-sama doesn't mind Jinenji's asking?"

A shallow, hollow and empty of humor bitter laugh filled the crispy autumn afternoon.

"Not so good…" his eyes turned aside suddenly lost in concentration… "Not so good" he murmured again to himself, very slowly, no expecting an answer.

Inuyasha-sama looked paler and thinner, but he also looked tougher and hardened inside. He was the image of a very austere man, severity glowing in his glare, in his lips, all of him exuded sternness.

"Inuyasha-sama, the troops have been summoned."

"Where are they?"Inuyasha turned briskly to his subordinate. Jinenji watched.

"In the other side of Ota" Kigatsuku replied diffidently. Was that fear in Kigatsuku-san's eyes? He was older than Inuyasha-sama, and he'd seen them together before, they seemed to have peaceful, based o equality, relation…weird, that was.

"Jinenji you can have your Zouyoshousho" Inuyasha assured, one elbow propped on the arm support of his chair, not facing any of them. Jinenji bowed in acknowledgement, but the prince wasn't finished yet. "However, complications have surged. There's a panther threat on Ota today. You can't leave the building"

Reflexively Jinenji's right foot went behind him and he almost tripped on is alarmed state. Inuyasha noted his demeanor with nonchalance.

"B-But O-ouji-sama… Okaa-san is waiting for Jinenji…and…"

"I came here today to guard you on your path home."

Inuyasha explained, eyes on his, and Jinenji felt like he was searching for a truth that would soon be discovered… It was all crumbling. He actually felt like the building had started rocking and heavily distorted rocks and stones had begin to disintegrate from the main building and were to fall on him. This lie couldn't continue it. Especially not when Kagome-san was out there alone in a panther threatened place. Alone… Damn it! He didn't have a great sense of scent, but even he could smell O-ouji-sama in Kagome-san.

Snow began its unearthly descent to the ground, except they didn't see it. Not when all the air was sucked off the room with Jinenji's next actions. Very slowly, his now turned human hand sought his most treasured possession, since she had given it to him, in his pockets.

"Inuyasha-sama" this was the most informal form of addressing a peasant so to say, could you to speak to him. Jinenji had never worn it. Finally from his too large hot thick jacket; Jinenji removed a plastic bag, sealed. Then opening it, always avoiding the royal golden eyes of Inuyasha, he took off the handkerchief that Kagome-san had patched for him. He'd had the caution to seal it in a plastic bag to escape Inuyasha-sama's keen nose. And because he rarely took it out of his sight.

Now he exposed it to his lords, whose eyes turned to big saucers and that searched for support in the chair again. Pain and surprise stricken eyes found Jinenji's and he uttered a soft word.

"Where?"

Jinenji sighed and turned his face. Turned his face on the promise he'd made to Kagome-san of never telling, of letting her stay, and to his chimerically future.

"Outside" A whisper. In spite of his sadness in doing so, when Jinenji's now warm deep brown looked at Inuyasha-sama's golden ones, he truly comprehended the way Inuyasha-no-ouji-sama clung to every breath he took as if in the next one it was possible for him to find his motive to exist. He understood then, that no pain could be vaster than his. That no love could be greater than his.

He was on fire as if an itch had spread through his skin expanse and he had had the maniac urge to scratch but couldn't, because of his claws. He looked mad, his eyes darkened and his body trembling.

"At the end of the protective shield. She couldn't enter." He whispered.

He knew somewhere deep in his mind, he knew he was going to be punished. He knew it, but at that moment, he didn't care.

There were only two things in his mind. That what he'd predicted was happening, at last, putting a short end to his joyful week. And that maybe, just maybe he'd see the thing he'd always wanted to see, since a week ago… Maybe she'd smile now. He thoroughly hoped he wasn't doing a mistake, that he wasn't submitting Kagome-san to misery.

--

A scream tried to be torn from his lips, but it came out as a quiet ask for help, muffled and choked by his need to see her, to touch her, to make sure she was alright. Never had he felt the eminence of the possibility of her death, as strongly as he was feeling now that he knew she was alive.

His feet almost didn't touch the ground. All he could think was that he had to dash through six floors. And that she needed him, he was sure, she needed him. And he knew because inside him something pulsed thrummed, awoke. A mating call? How strong their bond was! They weren't even bonded physically yet, and in spite of that their souls were still linked in a strange mingling of anguish, agony and love…

Trusting any and every thing he found in his way to connect with the walls with such strength that maybe he had made some dents and broken some bones, he ignored every malicious thought that tried to take hold of his head, of his body. No, she was alive, and she needed him. And he loved her so… He needed her too; he couldn't ever live without her. Never again, no, Never, ever, again!

Finally coming out of the emergency stairs that had made possible that his arrival had been quicker than any elevator, he almost fell, almost tumbled over a dozen of people who also wanted to get in the elevator which had just arrival at the ground floor. But he couldn't wait and his leap over that group was amazing, spectacular, in the landing that he'd known it was going to be difficult, his face was planted on the ground with a large thump. But he didn't ever stop. If he stopped then Jinenji maybe wouldn't have said it, it would all be dream, no maybes! He was sure of it!

Doors of cold metal were thrown apart by his sheer viciousness and hit the glass walls, with an extremely noisy and ugly shattering, glass shards adorned the cement ground as he crushed them even more, to the point of dust, disorientated without knowing where to go.

Feeling Tetsusaiga at his side as a way of comfort, the hanyou prince closed his eyes in the single only moment he'd allow himself of quietness as he searched inside himself for his instincts to lead him, taking him to her. As if it was a spark a sudden awareness pulled him to the right.

It wouldn't take much to get to the end of the protective shield, and somewhere in Ota he could hear the thrumming of soldier feet, lined up and ready to battle at his side, what meant that half an hour had surely past, what meant she'd been here for all this time... Alone and unprotected

But this was his fight, his woman, his honor…his self-forgiveness.

Would he get to her on time? And what should he say to her, then? Hey I suddenly and finally realized I love and that you're my one true mate. I'm sorry for using you mistreating you and making you suffer?

How would she believe in something he'd never acted on? How was she supposed to still love him after he'd broken her?

Again those thoughts fluttered out of his mouths as a cry of possession tore his doubts apart. That didn't matter now. Thick desperation grabbed him with ferocity as he sped up, and drew the salvation yearning blade from its scabbard. All that mattered was getting to her in time.

Would he?

Tic-tack

--

Well no Depeche Mode this time. I honestly hated this chapter but it had to exist and I had to get it out of my way and my system. So yeah, here it is. I won't update for some time because I have two tests next week, and one of them its history which is great- but my teacher is like the most strict and methodical person ever, she's like always "I've told you before, if you don't use your Marxist concepts well, if you don't articulate them with proletarian work conditions, then it's not right…" bla bla bla bla.

Aff

Writing this chapter has been though but I'm doing an effort to not abandon this fic like I do with all my other ones. So please give me suggestion and reviews if you want to see it move forward. By the way, thank you to all of you who've read and reviewed, or just read, thanks so, so much guys.

The next chapter is already initiated (27 words already, yay!)

-Chino