InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Miscommunications ❯ Making Headlines ( Chapter 19 )

Chapter 19

Making Headlines

 

Kagome moaned in pain; her neck was extremely sore, though, for the life of her, she couldn't remember why. “It must be a bad posture.” She reasoned as she debated whether or not to leave the heavenly warmness or not. She was always one to enjoy a good sleep, but as she became more aware of her surroundings, she realized she was sleeping on a cold hard surface. “Where did I doze of this time?” She mumbled to herself as she tried to stretch.

She screamed. The sudden pain jolted through her body. Tears edged her eyes as she tried to control her breathing. Something warm and wet stroked the back of her neck, melting the pain away. A reassuring growl calmed her. She relaxed for a second. Then, her brain was functional once more. “Inu Yasha?”

“Does it still hurt?” He questioned from behind her.

“What's going on? Where am I?”

“You're at the bar.” He explained. She could feel him examining the back of her neck.

“What happened?”

“You passed out.” He explained calmly as he placed a fresh ice pack on her neck. She relaxed into his touch.

“Inu Yasha, what's wrong with my neck?” She asked tensely. Something was not right with this picture. All she could remember was arguing with him before a great pain consumed her.

“Nothing…It's still a bit swollen, but I think that's normal.”

“Normal?” She exclaimed as she sat up. Immediately, she regretted the move. The pain in her neck moved into her back.

“Well, you humans are really delicate when it comes to these things.”

“These things?” Kagome was having trouble breathing. What had he done? She traced the back of her neck with her fingers and discovered two distinct symmetric scars. “You marked me?” She accused.

“You're the one that wanted a fucking commitment!” Inu Yasha jumped to the defensive, as usual. He hadn't expected her to get mad.

“So you just marked me?” She looked at him with hurt-filled eyes.

“Don't you fucking go turning this on me again!” He demanded. “You're the one that's fucking confusing me all the time!”

“Me? I'm the one that's putting herself out there. I have no clue what you feel!” She retorted indignantly.

“I fucking marked you! Isn't that clear enough?”

“No!”

“I can't believe you!” Inu Yasha shouted as he stood up. “You keep sending these mixed signals, and then expect me to jump right on them!”

“Mixed signals? I was clear with what I wanted!” She shouted back.

“First you give me the lets be friends speech! Then, you switch to marathon sex night, and next thing I know, you are demanding a fucking commitment! All in the span of a minute!” He accused.

“First of, I was giving you a way out with the friend thing. I didn't want to force you into something you didn't want. Second, I never said anything about a `marathon sex nigh!'”

“Yes you did. `I want much more than that…I don't think you can handle me.'” Inu Yasha retorted in a bad high pitch imitation of her voice.

“I was talking about a relationship, you idiot! I want more than sex, but can you handle my freaking schedule?” She shouted back.

“Then why didn't you say that!”

“I did! You're the one that keeps his feelings hidden, sending un-decodable messages! You don't want to be alone, but you want a one night stand, and then you mark me! Without my freaking permission, too!”

“I thought that's what you wanted!” He defended.

“Not like that! I wanted it to come from you, because you wanted it.”

“I did!”

“You did?” She looked at him in confusion.

“I did.” He whispered back.

“Then, why did you do it like that? Why without warning, or asking?”

“Would you have said yes?” He asked with an indifferent growl.

“Yes, I would have.”

“Then, why were you leaving?”

“Because…I thought you didn't want me, and I wanted to retain some dignity.” Kagome accused, as she stood up.

“Stupid bitch.” He growled as he grabbed her belt and pulled her towards him. His kiss was unexpected, at least to her, but it did not stop her from enjoying it.

“What did I say about calling me a bitch?” Kagome whispered as they pulled apart. She rested her head on his chest as he held her in a tight embrace.

“You can't say anything about it. You're my bitch now.” He smirked. Finally, he had won one argument.

“Inu Yasha, what time is it?” She suddenly asked.

“Four something.” He shrugged.

“I'm late for work!” She screamed as she reached for her purse. She quickly found her work phone. She had missed five calls, all from her producer. Dialing back, she thought of a good excuse, though she never got to use it.

“Save it,” her producer spoke before she could start, “I had given you the rest of the week off. I knew you would be too distraught to work. I'm glad you're body finally agreed with me. I know you overslept. Anyhow, the guy from yesterday is filling in, and we are going to send a cameraman down to the park for a follow up. I am assuming that you're with the hanyou you're not dating, since Miroku would have called me. Help the my guy out. You don't need to be on camera, just show him where your sources are. Oh, and I hope he gave you the recuperative sleep you need.” With that, her producer hung up.

“Maybe tonight.” He whispered as he snuck up behind her. He began to nibble on her ear as she rested against him.

“Keep dreaming.” She teased. “I need a shower.”

“My apartment upstairs is all set in that department.”

“I'm starving.” She complained.

“I can go pick something up at the supermarket. I'll even get something healthy…like oatmeal.”

“No, I need a fix…That dyed sugar thing you had the other day will do better.” He gave her a strange look in return. “After what I've been through the past few days, you're surprise I want a sugar fix?”

He chuckled as he picked up the blanket on the floor. “So, you're off until Monday?”

“It looks that…I just have to show the cameraman around the neighborhood.”

“My bar closes at three on Friday's…do you want to meet up?”

“I can come help you close.” She smiled an insinuation. He just smirked. Picking up the blanket, he passed by the calendar he had on his wall, and noticed what was circled in red.

“Actually, I can't tonight.”

“Why, meeting up with your other girlfriend?” She asked taking the blanket from him.

“No…tonight it's not good.” He replied gruffly. He shrugged in a strange way that made her pause. Looking at his tenseness, she came to her own conclusion.

“Tonight…it's your night?”

“Keh.” He replied leaving the office. “You ought to hurry. You'll be late.”

“I'll stay with you…if you want.” She quickly added.

“What for?”

“Company…or just to help you pass the time.”

“I prefer to be alone.” He yelled back as she followed him up the stairs.

“So, then we can be alone together.” She protested.

“Kagome…” He turned towards her; the look in his eyes spoke volumes to her.

“If you're not ready, I understand. But, I'm here for you…for when you are.” He silently thanked her before entering the apartment. She gasped. “It's beautiful!” She examined the dark vibrant walls that were painted with precision care. The apartment took a dramatic new look as it seemed bigger. The color opened up the room for so many possibilities.

“It's not bad. Mr. Morimoto, the shop owner,” he waited for her to nod before continuing, “said he would have the molding I asked for next week. After that, I'm going to start moving in furniture.”

“You're taking my idea?”

He shrugged. Throwing her arms around him, she pulled him down for a quick messy kiss. “Thank you.”

“Keh, you're my girl. Of course I'm going to take some of your suggestions.”

“I wasn't your girl when you painted this…was I?” She suddenly remembered that she had been out the entire night.”

“I did this after I left your place.” He explained as he led her to the bathroom. She was amazed by the work. He had once boasted about doing most of the work in his apartment, and now she knew why. He had used broken mosaic tiles of different sizes and shades of blue for the walls. The floor was a dusty blue tile, and the bathtub was no longer there. He had placed a shower instead. There was a dark blue tile wall opposite her that kept the shower hidden. As she stepped inside and notice the matching set of faucets, she realized there was a feminine touch to them.

“Who helped you?” She asked, slightly jealous.

“Sango saw this in a magazine. I had told her that I wanted a shower…I don't take baths, and I don't want to scrub a tub clean. She designed it for me.”

“She did a great job…Where are your towels?”

“I'll pick some up with the cereal.” He suggested.

“And milk.” She reminded him as he stepped outside. She thought about turning towards him and giving him a good bye kiss, but decided against it. She didn't want to appear like a love sick fool that didn't give her man breathing space. She got undressed and turned on the hot water. That's when she realized her other problem: no soap. Hopefully, Inu Yasha would realize it. If not, the hot water pressure alone would do wonders for her.

Her breathing had relaxed and so had her limbs. Her neck had stopped hurting soon after they had stopped fighting. Life was good. Yes, she was violating a few ethical rules, but she was happy. Inu Yasha was an incredible guy that made her feel alive. She would just have to pass on the story. That was not realistic. She would find a way to deal with her conscience when she reached that bridge. Until then, it was just her and the hot water.

Kagome screamed as she lost her balance. The sudden explosion rocked the building. The shower head spit out one last burst of water before completely shutting off. Kagome, failing to regain her balance fell hard, using her hand to break her fall. She was glad she hadn't been in a bath tub: she would have hit her head. Stepping out of the shower, she ignored the pain in her right hand as she put on her pants and tank top. She didn't have time to waist. Inu Yasha was out there, and she recognized the sounds of car alarms going off early in the morning too well.

She was suddenly in the Middle East again. She was in that school, and Juan was screaming her name again. It had been difficult to pull up her jeans with her legs still wet, but she was too determined to allow that to stop her. She slipped on her shoes without bothering with socks before running out the door.

The hall way was a mess. Some boards Inu Yasha had stacked up on the side had come loose and where now blocking the stairs. She tried jumping above them as she raced down to the main floor. The boards creaked beneath her before one broke and caught her foot. Screaming in pain, she pulled her foot free. She didn't care about swelling or permanent damage. Inu Yasha was out there, and the strange pain surging through her heart told her something was wrong. He was a hanyou, but not immortal.

She stepped through the front door and found herself in a city of rubble. Most of the windows in the neighboring buildings had been blown out by the force. The streets were covered in glass and fallen cement blocks. A few bricks had fallen on some of the parked cars, crushing their hulls. Silently, she was relieved she did not have her car today.

“Inu Yasha,” she breathed as she made her way towards the supermarket. It was only up the street. She ignored the persistent pain in her foot and hand as she kept running faster and faster. The streets were beginning to flood with confused people. Some were screaming, others cried. They walked around aimless screaming for their loved ones. Most were in shock.

Kagome pushed herself through the crowed. She had to get to Inu Yasha. The same fear that had flooded her in that basement three years prior, invaded her blood again. She had to hurry. She had to save him. Of what, she did not know. But, she knew he needed her.

Reaching the corner, she saw the park: an overturn collection of rubble, rock and steel. A few fire hydrants had ruptured and were releasing high pressured streams of water into the air and street. The water reached a large piece of concrete that had landed on the street. That's when she saw it. The claw hand was sticking out from beneath the rubble. She froze as she recognized the leather cuff. The city went silent as the world around her collapsed.

“Inu Yasha?” she whispered. “Inu Yasha,” her voice picked up more strength with each repetition of his name, “Inu Yasha…Inu Yasha…Inu Yasha!” Finally, as the sounds of the city flooded her again, she screamed his name for all to hear,

“Inu Yasha!”

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Sesshomaru growled contently as the woman by his side moaned in pleasure. Only he could do that to her, even in her sleep. Exhausted from the night's activities, Kagura smiled contently, as only her body was conscious of his ministrations. How he would enjoy teasing her about this later! Licking his mark on her neck, he spooned her. Softly, he pulled one of her legs over his, and teased her entrance with his manhood. She moaned again. Kami, he could do this all day. He used his other hand to tease her breast as he began to enter her. He moved slowly, not to wake her. After all, they had played this game a few times the night before. It was obvious the young woman wasn't used to that much exercise.

“Sesshomaru-sama!” Jaken rushed into his master's room without knocking. He yelped and turned embarrassedly when he saw Sesshomaru's female companion. Silently, the toad thanked heaven that the two lovers were underneath the covers.

“What is it?” The anger in Sesshomaru's voice was more than evident as the exhausted wind demon remained unaware of her surroundings.

“The phone…an emergency!” Jaken tried to explain, but it was just too much. “Both Sango and Myoga called…I set up the three-way.” He explained.

“What?” He growled into his phone.

“We're sorry to disrupt you at home, but there's been an incident.” Sango began. She must have interrupted something good if Sesshomaru was openly angry.

“What kind of incident?”

“There's been an explosion at Paradise Hills Park…about a block away from Inu Yasha-sama's bar.” Myoga explained.

“My brother?”

“I can't locate him.” Myoga held a regrettable tone.

“And I can't contact the men I had follow him.” Sango added.

“I want my brother found immediately.” Looking at his Rolex, he realized something else. “Have him in medical care before sunset.” Sesshomaru growled as he stepped out of the bed. Not caring that the embarrassed toad was running around, unsuccessfully trying to be useful, he walked into his closet, pick out a suit and a shirt as he gave one final order. “I'll be in the city within the hour. I want results by then.”

He growled at Jaken as he offered him a pair of shoes. That damn mutt of his brother better not get himself killed; not now that he needed him. Sesshomaru's carefully laid out plan could fall to pieces before his eyes. They had a right of survivorship. Inu Yasha's trust was primarily set up using company assets. If he died, the money and the stock would go to Naraku, breaking the delicate balance of power. The only reason Sesshomaru still had his share in the company after his father's death was due to him being a partner in the company when Naraku joined them. If Naraku died, in theory, Sesshomaru would receive his share. Though, his father, the wise Inu Lord he was, had found a loophole in the law. He named Inu Yasha his successor, and gave him the survivorship rights. Even though Inu Yasha would not receive one share of his father's initial stock holdings, the day Naraku died, he would receive half of the spider demon's shares.

As he looked at the sleeping woman in his bed, Sesshomaru clutch his shirt. He needed those shares to go to Inu Yasha. Though, he did not approve of his brother's blood, he rather the company stayed primarily in the family. If Inu Yasha was unavailable to receive his share, for any reason, they would be put up for public sale. Sesshomaru was not going to allow that.

Putting on his tie, he called out to Jaken, “Make sure she has food ready when she wakes up. I imagine she will be hungry.”

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Inu Yasha first noticed the feeling of freedom. He was weightless and relaxed in the darkness. Although his chest burned, he was in no pain or stress. He saw the light next. It was warm and beautifully blue, like the eyes of someone he felt he should remember. It wasn't important. The light was calling to him. It had a woman's voice. It was a lovely voice, and strangely familiar…perhaps death had one of those voices. It was probably why no one ever saw her coming.

As he reached the light, he felt tense. Something was wrong. The light burn; his chest burned. He didn't want to go. It hurt. His chest heaved as he felt air being pushed down his throat. This wasn't right, but the voice was more urgent…pleading. More air…he was feeling sick. “Stop,” he wanted to scream, but he had no voice. He coughed as more air was forced upon him. He was chocking…drowning in air. How could that be? One final burst of air filled his lungs, forcing him into a coughing spree.

His eyes remained unfocused as he registered the terrible silence. It was followed by a persistent ringing. He blinked several times before he saw her, leaning over him, crying. “Kagome?” He asked in confusion. Her mouth moved, but he could hear nothing more than the ringing. Why was she crying? What was going on? That was when the paramedics arrived.

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Kagome moved away from Inu Yasha and allowed the paramedics to take over. They explained that the hanyou had at least two broken bones and a concussion. She hugged Mr. Morimoto in thanks and turned to the other three helpers. Between the five of them, they had been able to pull the concrete slab off of Inu Yasha. When she had seen him lying on the dirty street, blood coming down his chin, not breathing, she had almost died. The others looked away in hopelessness, but she didn't. Thanking the heavens for having been trained in CPR, she made him breathe. There was no way in hell she was going to let him leave her that soon.

She thanked the two youkai that had moved in to help them, and after noticing the Full Moon Enterprises Logo on their jackets, she asked them to thank Sango as well. They were embarrassed for being caught, but knew that this was one of those situation in which you had to break cover.

The third man was Kagome's cameraman. He had moved to his van and prepared the audio equipment. She looked at him in confusion as he threw her a business jacket. “Boss lady said we're going international with this. I hope you remember your on site reporting training.”

The minute Kagome had the jacket and earpiece on, she was removed from her world. “On whose behave am I reporting?” she asked as he started the countdown.

“The entire network.”

The camera focused on her, “A few minutes ago, a large explosion rocked downtown Tokyo. As you can see behind me, Paradise Hills Park has been completely destroyed; the area is devastated. Pieces of glass from the nearby windows are sprinkled across the street; cars have been destroyed; people are wandering the streets looking for their loved ones, and though we know of no fatalities at this point, there have been multiple injuries. We are lost in a sea of chaos, as we try to make sense of the situation. This is Kagome Higurashi from the Morning Scoop, reporting on behave of FME Networks.”

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Naraku smiled as Kanna contacted the mayor. He loved it when a good plan came together. He should have contacted the Shichinintai sooner. They definitely knew their work. He watched the camera leave Kagome as it focused on the playground. If the jewel was there, now it would be easier to find. The camera panned around and focused on Inu Yasha, sitting on the edge of an ambulance. They were wrapping him up…Naraku's smiled brighten…The Takahashi boy definitely broke some bones.

Kanna quietly stepped into the dark room. She handed the phone to her master before making her exit. Naraku laid on his mauve wool comforter, wearing his matching robe and slipper set. He hated to wake up this early, but that was the price of business. “Hello? I just saw the devastation on television. I want you to know that you have my full backing for the rebuilding. I would like to volunteer my services to restore the park. It didn't deserve to go down like this.”

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Sesshomaru stepped onto the scene as if he were a god. While the pitiful beings around him were scurrying around to extinguish fires and evacuate buildings, he walked straight onto the heart of the explosion without blinking an eye. The smell was the only thing that bothered him. The dust, fire, charred flesh, and gasoline, didn't make a pleasant combination in his opinion.

His expert eyes scanned the crowed. He had already seen Kagome's reports. Every fifteen minutes she was giving an update, and seeing her report with her hair in tangles, dust on her face and clothes and her obviously bruised hand as she calmly informed the public of what was going on, he knew he needed to move her. She was an amazing reporter. She kept her head cool, while reporting the facts. She projected an image of confidence and authority. The public believed her when she spoke. Why wouldn't they? She looked like a firefighter stepping out of a burning building. She had been there. She had survived. She would guide the public through their unrest.

His brother wasn't in the ambulance, though the ambulance was still there. He wasn't surprised. Inu Yasha was too stubborn to go to the hospital. He found Sango quickly; she was working with the search and recovery team. They had set up a makeshift hospital in a nearby school. Those with minor injuries that were lost or separated from loved ones would be sent there. At least they could tell the families where to look and where to wait for further news.

“You're brother is helping with recovery. There was a daycare on the other side of the park. The whole entrance collapsed. He's helping them clear a way in.” It was the first time he had seen Sango's uniform dirty, though the dust and blood on it served more as badges of honor than shame.

“Is he in direct danger?”

“No, he's too hurt to go into the building. His claws are sharp enough to cut through some of the beams faster and cleaner than any tool. Besides, they don't want to use a blowtorch until they know if there are any gas leaks.”

“The girl?”

“She was supposed to get information from Myoga for her next report.” He nodded and left her. He noticed the news van had been moved further away from the park. He decided that was as good a place as any to find them. When he reached them, Myoga, who looked drained and tired, was giving Kagome a cold resentful look. Sesshomaru could not hear their conversation over the sirens and subsequent noise, but it didn't look like Kagome was paying any mind. Her head was bowed, and she held a hand over her mouth. When she looked up, a single tear ran down her cheek. Sesshomaru caught her discretely brushing it away. She moved away from the police officers and had her cameraman set up again.

Sesshomaru reached them in time to here her report.

“It is now six thirty in the morning; one hour has passed since the fateful explosion intruded into the lives of all who live here. It has also robbed this community of something precious. Captain Myoga of the Tokyo Police Department has just informed me that Play Time Daycare, which used to stand across the street from Paradise Hills Park, has been completely destroyed. Inside, two day care professionals and a six-month baby were killed when the ceiling in the crib area collapsed. Three small children believed to be around the ages of three and five died of smoke inhalation as the third floor playroom caught on fire. They are believed to be the family that owned and operated the daycare.

“This brings the death toll up to ten. The other four are believed to be local youths who where in the park as part of their community service program. The program was designed for local high school students to go in and clean litter and gang tags left in the park during the night before school. This program currently enrolled six students, which are all unaccounted for.

“The city faces an even darker hour, as police reveal evidence of a terrorist attack. Though no organization has taken credit for this devastating tragedy, traces of dynamite and other explosives have been found in the area surrounding the explosion. As of this time, the police have no suspects.”