InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bad Influences ❯ Bad Influence #Fourteen: Worrying ( Chapter 14 )

OLDDOG333, you are so modest! That's it! You are officially my favorite! I love your reviews! You keep my sanity!

 

You wanted a peak or a clue into Inuyasha's past. Well, let me say that I've been dropping clues in his speech and among other things in previous chapters. It doesn't mean that there won't be many more clues to come. This chapter mainly focuses on something that I plugged into an earlier chapter.

 

Note: This is NOT a happy go lucky chapter! Please don't attack me!

 

OOOOOOOHHHH! Chapter Fifteen is getting closer! (Already?) My favorite number!

 

 

 

Bad Influence # 14: Worrying

 

“So, he wasn't here today.” Sango said as she gathered her books from the table. “Did you guys have another row so that now he's avoiding you?”

 

“Oh shut up. Speaking of which, how is your relationship with Miroku? Are you two still going at it?” Kagome retaliated.

 

“I forgave him, but not without giving him a good thrashing.” Sango answered coolly.

 

“Must have hurt.” Kagome smiled.

 

“Class was fast today. Weird huh?” Sango said, changing the subject. Kagome thought back to that morning when their teachers told them it was time to start going over the materials for finals. Every year, the tedious note taking and silence of the class as they rushed to memorize information made the school day last longer then its approximated eight hours.

 

“I hope track doesn't go by this fast.” Kagome said, wrestling another book into her overly puffy bag.

 

“Usually, reviewing for finals take a lot longer. I hate this time of the semester. I swear one of these days I'm going to have a hernia lugging these books across the school. Plus all the extra homework!”

 

“I know, but I'm glad that the teachers review. I'd have to study my butt off to understand those annoying math problems for the final.” Kagome said, gritting her teeth as she placed another book into her protesting bag.

 

“You'll rip the thing open.” Sango giggled.

 

“Then why don't you help me?” Kagome glared at her.

 

“Sorry, if it snaps while I put the books in, I don't want to have to take the blame.”

 

“Oh that's so kind of you.” Kagome huffed, managing to squeeze the last of her things inside. “I hate finals. I keep worrying, if they're this bad in high school, how bad would they be in college.”

 

“Excuse me? Like you really need to worry about that. You're always number one in the final grades. What do you need to worry for?” Sango gave Kagome a knowing look.

 

Kagome placed her hands on her hips. “How do you think that I get to be number one? My mom gets mad at me for staying up late as it is. Last year, I pulled three all-nighters in a row.”

 

“Alright, miss smarty-pants. I'll drop it.” Sango smiled.

 

“Thank you. But you know you're in the top ten also. Who are you to go criticizing me?”

 

Sango giggled. “Just trying to lighted the mood.” She then leaned back and stretched. “I swear I don't know how you balance it. Your last meet is when again?”

 

“In a week. The coach said the district finals would be postponed until summer. So, I don't really have to worry about practice during finals. I will have to come during the summer though to finish the season.” Kagome said, running her fingers through her hair.

 

“Sounds tough.”

 

“It will be tougher if I don't get to practice on time. I'll see you tomorrow.” Kagome said as she hefted the bag over her shoulder.

 

As she stood, the door to the classroom was spontaneously snapped open, a girl behind it. She was panting quickly. The teacher and several students looked up at her. “Sorry.” She puffed. “Is there a Kagome Higurashi in this class?” She asked, coming up to the teacher.

 

Kagome tilted her head to the side wondering what was needed. Maybe student council was having another panic. She walked up to the teacher's desk and told the girl, “I'm Kagome.”

 

“Oh, good you haven't left.”

 

“What is it?” Kagome asked. The girl suddenly looked at her nervously. Kagome waited.

 

“I don't know how to tell you this, but it's an emergency. You have to go to the principle's office right away.” She said.

 

Kagome's heartbeat picked up. “What about track practice?”

 

“I'll send a note to the coach.” The teacher intervened.

 

Kagome gave her a quick “thanks” before apprehensively following the girl out of the classroom; the eyes of her classmates and Sango followed her out.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Inuyasha yawned tiredly, rubbing his eyes as he got into his car. He really didn't feel like going to work today, but he didn't have much choice if he wanted to keep living away from his family. Closing the car door and clicking his seatbelt, he blinked his eyes a few times before merging smoothly into traffic.

 

He stopped at a red light, drumming his fingers as he waited behind a large truck. This was the busiest intersection on his way to work, and it was no surprise that it was already packed at only three-thirty.

 

The light changed, and he waited for the car before him to accelerate. Slowly, the truck began crossing the bustling street. Then, something black and white flashed across his eye-line. He saw the car in front of him rush to make a break, its tires screeching loudly as it tried stopping. The truck's wheels made smoke, temporarily blinding Inuyasha as he tried to slow down to keep from crashing into the truck which was circling like a top in an attempt to halt. It came hurdling toward him; he saw it get larger through his windshield. Quickly he turned the wheel to the right, slammed his foot on the gas and steered his vehicle to the side and out of the stampeding truck's way.

 

He breathed in deeply, whipping the sweat from his forehead. The sudden move had made his blood boil. Parking on the side of the street, Inuyasha was among the first to step out, see the truck smash into the car that had been behind him, and notice the crowd that was forming in the center of the intersection where the truck had whirled out of control.

 

“Oh my god!” Someone yelled.

 

“Somebody call an ambulance!” A woman screamed through her hand. Several men in the crowd pulled out their phones as Inuyasha got near. The crowd had formed a circle around the victim so he couldn't see who was the cause of the uproar.

 

It wasn't long before the sirens were heard in the distance. The sound made his heartbeat rapidity thump and he couldn't help cringing. Two white cars appeared in the middle of the road, the paramedics rushing into the crowd and picking up a body. Inuyasha saw one of them was carrying a bloody soccer ball. So that was the black and white he had seen seconds before the accident.

 

He stepped away from the crowd as they watched the medics take away the body. Inuyasha, out of curiosity, tried to get a glimpse as the medics loaded the body into the car. The boy's face was covered in blood. From what he could see, he had a head injury, maybe a concussion? Inuyasha's eyes widened as his mind grasped who it really was on the stretcher.

 

“Souta?” He gasped aloud. The medics stopped immediately and looked at him. “Do you know who this boy is?” They demanded urgently.

 

Inuyasha's heart had skipped a beat at the sight of his classmate's little brother. It suddenly came alive again, beating faster than ever as he felt the blood drain from his face. “Yeah! I know him!” He answered breathlessly.

 

“Come with us to the hospital!” The medics urged.

 

Inuyasha blanched again. His heart rate tripled. “R-right. Yeah, I'm coming.”

 

They loaded him in the car with Souta, who lay unconscious and bloody. Inuyasha watched his face as the medics worked to do what they could to help him stay alive. It wasn't long before they arrived at a tall white building, not far from the accident site. The medics rushed the injured boy inside. Inuyasha stared at the white building, shaking.

 

“You aright boy?” A medic said as he stood behind him.

 

Hospitals. He hated hospitals. Standing in front of it, and he could already feel that disgusting sanatorium smell come into his nose. His imagination ran wild, images hopping in and out of his mind. The sky became dark in front of him. Thousands of voices filled his mind. Lights flashed everywhere and something was making this rushing sound. A girl was screaming.

 

“ …Kid, snap out of it!” Inuyasha blinked, turning to see the medic behind him.

 

“You okay?”

 

“Yeah, yeah I'm fine.” Inuyasha said quickly. Nervously, he followed the man inside the building. It towered ominously over him.

 

Inside, his mind came alive again. A loud burst was heard in his mind. One moment he was looking at a brick wall the next he was staring at the sky, red covering the corners of his sight. Someone was laughing, someone was yelling. Why wouldn't they shut up! Why was everything so loud? His head was swimming in the dark. Light, sound, faces flashed everywhere.

 

Where was that crunching sound coming from? Why did he see something fall to the ground? Who was laughing, and who the hell was yelling! Why was everything rushing past him so fast?

 

“Sir, do you need a doctor?” Inuyasha suddenly snapped his head to look up. A nurse was looking down at him, worried. He looked about the white walls. Feeling came back into his body. He noticed that he was on his knees, his hair tussled and covering his eyes as he held onto the wall with his left hand. He was shaking all over.

 

“No, I need to get out of here!” He said urgently, struggling to stand as his quivering muscles protested.

 

“Don't worry, your friend will be fine.” The nurse assured as she placed a warm hand on his shoulder.

 

“Do you have a piece of paper?” He asked quickly, trying not to breath even though his heart was attacking his rib cage. Don't breath, don't smell it, he repeated in his mind.

 

“You need to relax.” The nurse continued.

 

“Please, just give me the damn paper!” He ordered. Momentarily, the nurse flinched, but handed him her clipboard with the pen that had been tucked behind her ear.

 

Inuyasha tried his best to make his writing legible. His symbols were sloppy and had smudges from where his hand had given a strong spasm. Finished, he swiftly handed the paper to the nurse who looked at it and him curiously.

 

“The kid's name is Souta Higurashi, if you can't read it. That's all I know about him.” He said, indicating to the writing.

 

The nurse looked suspiciously at the paper. “And what's your relationship with the boy?” She looked up to see that he was wobbling, away. “Hey, sir, wait!” Inuyasha brushed her arm off, rushing toward the exit as fast as he could. Outside, a few blocks away, he took quick and deep breaths. Why could he still smell it? Was it on his clothes?

 

He starred at the street. The people coming and going didn't give him any attention. He suddenly felt colder then before. Spotting his car not to far away, he walked toward it.

 

()()()()()()()

 

A knock sounded, followed by the patting of feet before the door opened. The woman gasped at the sight of him. Quickly she urged him into the house. “What happened child?” She begged. Inuyasha said nothing she looked him over. His skin was translucent and covered in sweat, his pupils were dilated and he was shaking from head to toe.

 

“I need to lie down Kaede.” Inuyasha wheezed.

 

“Did you drive here in this condition?” Kaede said in outrage. “What happened to you?”

 

“I…went to a hospital.”

 

“You did what?” Kaede exclaimed, ushering him up the stairs as he held on to the rail, breathing deeply.

 

“What made you do such a thing?” She opened the door to the room, watching as Inuyasha covered his eyes with his hands and trembled across the room. Sitting at the bed, his hair covering his face. “Please don't yell, Kaede. My head really hurts.” He said softly.

 

The old woman looked at him sympathetically. She walked across the room, opened a drawer, and threw a pair of green pajamas on the bed next to him. “You need rest. Change clothes and lie down. I'll be back.”

 

She left the room. He did as she asked, changing and settling under the covers, his head spinning as he placed it on the pillow. Soon, Kaede returned, holding a glass of water. She helped him sit up.

 

“I don't want that.” Inuyasha said, wheezing.

 

“It'll calm you.” Kaede insisted and he reluctantly took the water, chugging it down. It only made him feel colder.

 

“Where are Pops and Sesshoumaru?” Inuyasha asked, giving the glass back to his family doctor.

 

“Your father is out of town at the moment. Sesshoumaru is with him.

 

“Typical.” Inuyasha huffed, pulling the blanket up. “Kaede, please don't tell them about this.”

 

“I won't. Try and get some rest.” She said, placing the half empty glass on the bedside table. “Is it still there?” She asked.

 

Inuyasha shook. “Yeah. It's the smell. And I can't stand being inside; it makes it all come back. Why can't I get over this?” He snarled weakly, covering his eyes with his arm.

 

“You went through a really traumatizing experience. It's not something you can brush away.” Kaede said softly, rubbing his head tenderly with her withered hand. “You should be glad that it's not any worse.”

 

“How?” Inuyasha demanded.

 

“Never you mind. Go to sleep, it will relax you. You can stay home until it's gone.”

 

“Thanks.” He suddenly opened his eyes. “What about-”

 

“Get some rest!” Kaede said tiredly. “I'll call your school and your boss. You need to stop thinking about those things and sleep, understand?”

 

Saying nothing, Inuyasha turned to his side and closed his eyes. Kaede picked up his clothes, and exited the room, closing the door behind her. She heard him trash about in the bed, but knew that he would fall asleep soon.

 

She walked through the deserted house heading toward the laundry room. On a normal day, she would ask one of the maids to do this for her, but they had been given leave for the day. Reaching the desired room, she was ready to through the clothes into the washer. Just as she reached into the pockets for items, the sound of a phone came to her ears. Reaching inside, she answered it.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Kaede? Why are you answering Inuyasha's phone?” The male voice responded.

 

“Good to hear from you Satoshi.” Kaede said, dropping his clothes into the water.

 

“Wait, if you have his phone then-”

 

“He's home, yes.” Kaede cut across him.

 

“What happened?” Satoshi demanded, and by the sound of his tone, he knew that it could not be anything positive. It was clear knowledge that Inuyasha loathed this house and would not return unless it was for an emergency.

 

“I don't want to hear any complaints from you. He needs to rest.” Kaede scolded before she sighed, conveying him the news. “He went to a hospital. It was lucky that he made it home without collapsing.”

 

“He did what! I'm going to kill him!” Satoshi yelled into the phone. Kaede waited patiently for him to relax. “How is he?”

 

“Sleeping. He should stay indoors for a while till his nerves settle down. I don't want you to visit too soon. Wait for a few days, he won't be going anywhere.”

 

“Did he say anything about, you know?” Satoshi's voice sounded strained and worried.

 

“It still bothers him it seems.”

 

When Satoshi was quiet for a long time, Kaede called into the phone to reassure him. “Do not fret. I'll be here watching him. He will be fine.” She heard him exhale, proving that he was immersed in worry.

 

“Thanks.” That was the last thing he said before he hung up.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Satoshi sat in his kitchen looking at the clock. He then averted his gaze to stare at the phone in his hand. Sighing at the meddlesome thoughts that plagued his mind, his began dialing a number. The phone placed a few long rings before it finally was answered by an irate voice.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hey, Maki.” Satoshi greeted.

 

“Do you realize how early it is here, Satoshi?” Maki asked, annoyed. She gave a long, tired yawn and Satoshi immediately felt bad for waking her.

 

“Sorry, I just needed to talk to you.” He said quietly.

 

“What's on your mind?” Maki's voice became calmer.

 

“Inuyasha has collapsed.” Satoshi said quickly.

 

“What? Is he okay?” Maki asked frantically. “He went to a hospital didn't he?”

 

“Yeah.” Satoshi muttered solemnly.

 

“Doesn't he know what those places do to him? What they make him remember? Oh, I'm going to kill him when I get there!”

 

“Do you want me to thrash him for you?” Satoshi offered.

 

“No, thank you, I'll do myself. That jackass, he promised he would stay out of trouble.” Maki growled. She then changed her tone of voice. “Hey…um, Satoshi are you okay? I mean about-” She trailed off.

 

“I'm fine. I just wish there was more I could do. I should be in that bed, not him.”

 

“Don't you dare start with that again!” Maki spat. “What happened happened. Don't you go beating yourself up about how it should have been you, how it was your fault, whatever! I don't blame you. Inuyasha doesn't blame you. Let it go.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“That didn't sound very convincing.”

 

“Sorry and thanks, Maki.”

 

“Feel better?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Me two.”

 

()()()()()()()

 

Kagome sat in the middle of the hospital lobby with her hands crossed, her fingers shaking. Her heart almost stopped when she heard the principal say her brother had been in a car accident. She repeated a chant in her mind over and over, wishing that her brother would wake up. The doctors hadn't said anything about his condition other than he was unconscious.

 

First Dad and now Souta, Kagome shook. Please let him be okay.

 

“Kagome?” She looked up at the call of her name. Ms. Higurashi and Grandpa had arrived. Rising from her chair, Kagome hooked her arms around her mother's middle, sobbing into her shirt. “He's alive, but he hasn't woken up. Oh Mom, it's just like that time with Dad. What if-”

 

“He'll be fine.” Ms. Higurashi encouraged, but Kagome knew that she was also uncertain. Grandpa placed his hands on Kagome's shoulders, forcing her to sit down. He told her to take deep breaths and just hope for the best. Sitting, Kagome crossed her fingers again, her heart beating fast.

 

An eternity of anxiety followed as Kagome kept silent, listening to the sounds of nurses and patients as they came by, but her world was suddenly dark, filled with the fears of losing another family member. Dad, please don't let Souta join you, not yet. She repeated in her mind.

 

Finally, the nurse called them. She guided them to a room and silently opened the door. A doctor, who told them that Souta would pull through, but was yet to awaken, quickly greeted them.

 

“He has a concussion and he broke a few bones, but nothing serious. There are some bruises. It will be a while before he recovers but he'll make it.” The doctor said, watching as Kagome and Ms. Higurashi burst into tears.

 

“Thank goodness.” Grandpa brushed his eye with his finger.

 

Kagome walked past the doctor, sitting next to the bed Souta was silently resting in. His skin had a scraps and bruises. His face black and blue, his left arm in a cast, but she didn't care what he looked like, so long as he was alive.

 

()()()()()()()

 

The light blinded him, creeping into the red that had invaded his vision. Snapping his eyes open, his head was overcome by a painful buzzing. Not knowing how long he had slept, or didn't care, he turned over in bed, his head sending another wave of agony as he turned. At least, he thought, he was away from that damned dream. His mind was pounding. He tried breathing in, but it only made his headache worse.

 

He brought his hand up to his face, looking at his palm. At least some color had returned to his skin. A knock was heard on the door. He gave no answer, just starred at cold plate of food placed on his bedside table. He didn't have much of an appetite as he stared into the bowl of soup Kaede must have left for him. Forcing himself on his elbow, he managed so give a weak “come in.” His voice sounded so hoarse.

 

The door creaked as Miroku slowly peeked his head in. “Hey.” He said, walking inside as Satoshi appeared behind him.

 

“How are you?” Satoshi asked as he came closer, his hands in his pockets.

 

Inuyasha leaned back into the bed, covering his eyes. “Like Shit.” He huffed. Why was the room so bright? “Can someone close the damn window?”

 

He heard Miroku move from his side before the light faded from behind his eyes. “Better?” He asked.

 

“Thanks.” Inuyasha croaked, un-shielding his eyes. Even without the light, his head was still drumming.

 

Satoshi placed his open palm in front of his face, as if waiting for something. “What's that for?” Inuyasha asked as he struggled to some to a sit, finally managing to get his back straight.

 

“You owe me for making me worry, jackass.”

 

He laughed at Satoshi's blatant humor. “You never change do you?” He rubbed his forehead. “How long was I out?”

 

“Two days.” Miroku answered.

 

“Damn. She's going to be pissed.” Inuyasha muttered.

 

“She already is.” Satoshi muttered. Inuyasha looked up at him in astonishment. “I called her the other day.”

 

Inuyasha tilted his head. “How did you get her number?”

 

“I've always had Maki's number.” Satoshi looked with his brows raised.

 

“Oh, right.” That's who he meant. He'd forgotten about Maki. In fact, he hoped he wouldn't remember. A rush of guilt invaded his mind, making his wince.

 

“You alright?” Miroku asked, noticing.

 

“What did Maki say?”

 

“She's not happy. She sounded pretty worried when I spoke to her.” Satoshi said remorsefully.

 

“Can't wait for the thunderstorm when she comes back.” Inuyasha mumbled, lifting himself off the bed. His muscles gave a powerful protest, but he ignored it as he tried stretching.

 

“Are you sure you're all right to be moving around?” Miroku asked.

 

“Yeah, the sooner I get away from this damned house the better.” Inuyasha growled. He hated this place.