InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Addiction ❯ Breathe ( Chapter 7 )

A/N: Well, I hope you all are prepared for this. This is going to be one hell of a chapter. Let's hope anyway. I'm very sorry for the long wait for the update. My life hasn't been treating me kindly, and I've just got a lot that I need to take care of. Inspiration hit me recently, though. Let's be glad of that. Enjoy the chapter.

 

Disclaimer: All rights to InuYasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just the silly American girl that likes to toy with her characters.

 

Chapter 7: Breathe

 

Kagome felt herself being pulled by stony hands as she shook her head fiercely, struggling to find her lost breath. InuYasha's body lay in front of her, still and immersed with a shrieking coldness that emitted the bleak scent of death. Her eyes went wide, tears shattering across her face as the grip around her tightened.

 

“Let me go!” she cried, pressing herself forward, ignoring the pain coursing through her wounded arm. “I have to save him! He doesn't deserve this!” Silent whimpers escaped her lips forcefully, her form quaking with unleveled intensity. “He can't… This can't happen! It's my fault…” Her face burned as if ablaze as she felt numbness permeating through her body. She had let this happen—let him fall into winter's sickening embrace. He was frozen now. Her voice lowered. “He can't die because of me.”

 

“Ma'am… We can't let you stay,” someone said weakly from behind her as she was moved to the doorway in her blank state, InuYasha fading away like a shadow against a setting sun. “Just come with me.”

 

Kagome didn't know what to make of the voice. It was soft, cooing her into complete limpness and submission. She could only watch as she was pulled out of the room, everything flowing around her in a slow, tantalizing motion. Her eyes remained frozen; she couldn't blink or look away. Everything was quickly turning into bland nothingness, and there wasn't anything she could do to stop it. “InuYasha, help me,” she wanted to say. “Save me from my world that's falling.”

 

“This way,” the voice came again, guiding her past staring nurses and white-tiled walls. She must have looked foolish, her eyes distant, mouth ajar, and body lifeless in the arms of this voice that struggled slightly, carrying her. As Kagome choked on her own breath, the world around her finally gave way to the looming invisibility that had been hanging over her, and she fell into a state she fought not to feel, one that had escaped her years ago. She stopped caring.

 

Kagome had come home that day in complete disarray. She made sure to slam the door harder than usual as she stepped quickly into the house, her feet stomping against the hardwood floor. Her hand was buried in the pocket on her khaki pants, fingers curled, and body tense. Her breath came out in staggered gasps as she paused, lost amongst the pages of her indecisiveness. What was she doing? In her current state and aspect of mind, the fourteen-year-old should have been positive.

 

She wasn't, and she didn't care.

 

“Kagome, where have you been?” Her mother leaned through the doorway to the kitchen, her lips pursed in a suspicious manner. She stepped forward, brushing flour off of her smudged apron, sighing briskly. Her eyes sharpened. “What do you have in your pocket?”

 

“Nowhere and nothing,” Kagome said instinctively, her body still as a boulder, mirroring her unwavering and disdainful tone. She knew that she should have simply pushed past her mother and escaped the talons of the fury she was sure awaited her.

 

But she didn't care.

 

“Kagome…” The woman moved slowly, a preying beast as she approached her daughter. Kagome looked as if she were fighting to keep herself collected, battling some internal, raging ocean. How she wanted to hold her—to give her sanctuary from the hellish reality that had clung to her for the past two years. But something kept Mrs. Higurashi at the edge of reluctance. “Tell me what you're holding in your pocket,” she tried again.

 

Kagome began to shudder, biting her lip as she felt something in her break—something that had been pleading to leave her since she had been freed from her father's feverish, greedy clutches. “I'm sorry,” she spat out softly, glancing sideways hurriedly. “I can't…” A heat built up in the pit of her stomach, quickly infusing her body without suspension or hesitation. Adrenaline. “I can't do this!” She ripped her hand from her pocket; there was a small package filled with a powdery substance bound in her fingers. She ignored her mother's gasp, thrusting her hand forward. “You see this?” she asked, her voice shrill. “I can't quit! I can't stop! It doesn't matter where you send me or how much clean time I have! I can't!”

 

“Kagome, stop—”

 

“No!” She let the package fall to the floor with a soft thud. “I don't care anymore! I don't care about anything!” She glared at the small bag, balling her fists at her sides. All she wanted at that moment was a way out. She didn't want the pain, the lies, the guilt, the shame…It was all for something that was slowly killing her. So she let go. She screamed, crushing the bag beneath her foot, powder spurting across the floor like a fatal virus, covering everything it could reach. “I can't,” she mumbled over and over through tear-stricken gasps as she sunk to her knees. “And I don't care…”

 

“Ma'am, you should get some rest.” The voice had turned out to be a man. He was young, with lean muscles, and eyes that could compete with midnight's blue. He stood next to Kagome with his hand on the side of her new hospital bed, his fingers curled amongst the weaving of the rosy blanket she had over her. “I know today's been hard for you,” he said.

 

Kagome watched the bar light above her for a moment before turning to face him. “InuYasha,” she whispered, her lips barely touching. “Is he…” She couldn't say it—couldn't face it. “Is he all right?” she finished quickly.

 

“The boy in the other room?” As she nodded slowly, he moved toward the door. “I'll check for you.”

 

She watched him leave, little hope in her mind. She wanted to cry—to scream at the heavens as loud as her voice would allow; but at that moment she didn't know how. Her face remained impassive, her body motionless. She knew that reacting would only make her believe that this was actually happening. She didn't want to believe it. InuYasha was the brightest light among the darkness of her broken past, and he was slowly dimming into a deep abyss. He was too kind—too strong. How could he be ripped from this life so easily?

 

A smile crept onto her face as she thought back to the way things used to be. He was so full of life and yet so isolated, drawing her curiosity to its very peak each time they were together. In a moment, his smirk would transmute to a menacing glower, and always for the smallest of attentions. She had never gotten a chance to fully understand the magnitude of his personality—his thoughts, reactions… She shook her head. He'd be there soon. He'd be grumbling about what a weak human she was, and how she had no ability what so ever to protect herself. Only the man from before walked into the room.

 

“Miss,” he began, lightly tapping the door with his knuckles, “he's still alive.”

 

Kagome couldn't help it; she laughed feebly, letting her head fall back. “He's still alive,” she repeated. She glanced at the man. “Will he be…all right?”

 

“He made it this far. I'm willing to bet that he can make it all the way.” He smiled warmly, dimples forming on the corners of his cheeks. “I'll keep you updated.”

 

(0000000000000000)

 

For Kagome, the days had gone by rather quickly and uneventfully. Her arm was making continual progress and visits from her family were regular. She stood in the middle of the patient's wing, letting a soft sigh sift through her lips, anticipation sitting firmly on her shoulders. She needed something—craved it. Her fingers drummed against the outside of her thighs, enjoying the fluffy texture of the white robe she wore over her hospital gown, her mind wandering. What was it that was making her body yearn and shudder?

 

“InuYasha,” she murmured to herself. But she knew that was a lie. Pushing the thought away, she turned to the side. Room 506. The door was open, beckoning her inside. As she stepped in, she could feel the chilling breath of those killed there brush the back of her neck, faintly whispering, “murderer”. She should've been able to exclaim her innocence with the greatest of ease and grace, but guilt's lips held hers tightly shut. Her father was supposed to be locked away long ago, and if it weren't for her own foolish fear, he would have been. She had chosen to keep herself quiet—to hide the entire truth from everyone, even her mother.

 

Kagome stood motionless, her eyes catching InuYasha's sleeping form. For a moment, she couldn't breathe. Shutting the door behind her, she leaned against it, watching him with the smile she couldn't stifle. He looked deathly peaceful, his rattling breathing echoing throughout the room. The ears atop his head swiveled at the intrusion. She giggled, sure that the doctors were in utter bewilderment because of such features.

 

“No windows,” she said quietly, moving closer to InuYasha. “It's just you and me, separated from the rest of the world.” She paused, sitting in the navy, cushioned chair that had been moved to his bedside. “I've really missed you, you know? I'm glad I'm finally getting to see you.” She placed her hand against his cheek, her eyes trailing down his body. His arms sat at his sides, his palms facing skyward. She frowned as her gaze focused on the scars dispersed around his left arm. Tracing her fingers over each injection mark, her blood began to boil, heat rushing to opposite ends of her body. She began to lose herself in the patterns of each scar as she quivered, her need growing. Kagome shook her head furiously.

 

“What is the matter with me?” she asked herself, fearing the answer she secretly kept underneath her tongue. It was clear—directly in the line of her vision. But she didn't want it to be. “InuYasha, I need you,” she said. “I need you to get better… I need you to stay alive.” Her voice dropped as she let out a ragged breath. “Live for me.”

 

“Kagome…”

 

She leaned toward his voice, drawing her hands back. His clouded, amber eyes met hers. As she watched him smile, she felt her heart grow wings, soaring off the balcony of relief. “How are you feeling?” she let out softly, tensing as he forced himself to sit up, a wince plastered on his face.

 

“Like shit.”

 

Kagome laughed. That sounded like the InuYasha she knew. “But how are you otherwise?” She sighed, her expression turning serious. “I don't mean physically.”

 

InuYasha said nothing at first, silently gathering memories in his head. He stared at her, his eyes timidly searching hers for the words he couldn't find. “Kagome,” he began, his face looking like that of a lost child, “you were hurt… I didn't do anything… I just walked away. I didn't even feel anything…” He took a deep breath. “There's something wrong.”

 

She nodded, clasping his hand. “I know, but… I can help you, InuYasha.”

 

He hesitated for a moment. “Okay.”

 

Kagome could've taken him in her arms right then if it weren't for his injuries. She squeezed his hand tightly, giving in to the tears that were long overdue as she let her head fall forward. “Okay,” she gasped out with a broad grin. “Okay…”

 

(00000000000000000)

 

Kagome settled against InuYasha's cradling body that night, his face shining against the dim glow of the television on the corner wall of the room. She could hear his quiet snores ringing in her ears, lulling her into a gentle repose as she settled into darkness.

 

“A woman was killed in front of Higurashi Shrine…”

 

Her eyes shot open, darting blankly to the TV screen. There was a man, hands placed firmly on a black desk, and face stony. He wore a dark dress coat that seemed to embellish his slicked hair. His words stuck in the innards of her mind like sewn on pockets that were never left unfilled with horror. As soon as the woman's picture appeared on the screen, Kagome felt herself go numb. “Mom…”

 

A/N: Okay, I know that was short, but… I had to end it there, and I didn't want to add anything else. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I'm sorry it took so long for me to get it out. I really am having a hard time right now, so I hope you can forgive me. Reviews are adored. Thank you all.