InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Drama of Edo High: A Modern Tale ❯ Misundersating Can Be Grave ( Chapter 45 )

CHAPTER 45: MISUNDERSTANDING CAN BE GRAVE

She woke up to cold. Her eyelids felt like lead, weighing down, encouraging her to close them and slip back into the abyss. But she forced them open, her sense of feel coming back to her skin gradually. The first thing she noticed was it was cold, and slightly damp where she lay, the sound of water dripping out of broke gutters feeling her ears. Next, came the dull throbbing pain, which grew each time it pulsed through her. She groaned in protest, her head suddenly feeling like it was a balloon about to explode. With each throb in her head, she let out a slight hiss, cradling her poor cranium with her shaking cold hands. Where was she? Why was she so cold?

She tried to sit up, only to flop back down in stiff pain, her torso feeling as if hit by bowling balls, one after the other. Her vision swam when she finally managed to raise herself on her hands, and she reached back a hand to delicately feel the back of her head. She hissed and came back with a sticky liquid on her fingers. She turned to see a wall behind her. She must have hit her head on it. That still didn't explain why she was cold. She looked down, and found she was in nothing but her underwear, a sort of coat draped over her legs. She looked around quizzically, each movement sending another rod of pain through her. Where was she? How did she get here? Why the hell was she half-naked? What time was it?

Kagome looked to the sky, noticing how dark it was. It was well past midnight. How long had she been lying here in an ally? A tremble seized her body, and she groped at the coat before flinging it about herself, hoping to chill her frozen bones. She stood on wobbly legs, the pain in her middle screaming at her to lay down and rest. But she couldn't she had to go home. Like an old woman with a hunched back, Kagome shuffled from the ally, struggling with her clogs, and held up a hand when the streetlight burned into her eyes. Oh god how she hurt. Her head was crusted with dried blood, her middle was having pain spasms, and her legs were giving way to it. She licked her dry lips and whimpered, wanting against anything just to fall there and sleep forever. But she can't she had to get home…her mother must be worried sick. Wasn't there somewhere she was supposed to be? She shrugged one shoulder when a stitch formed in her side. Oh well, not important now. She had to get home.

The first few steps were actually hard to take. She felt a baby just learning to walk. The way home, she stumbled countless times, sometimes stopping because the jarring would make her head spin. She sighed in relief when she somehow made it to the shrine steps. And she just started climbing. She didn't have the tolerance to look up and see if anybody was waiting for her or something. Her head hurt like a bitch in heat.

She almost tripped, and realized she just climbed the last step, looking like an idiot taking a huge step on an invisible stair (I've done that). She squinted, and could just make out the front light of her porch, shining brightly even from there. It was a beacon to shore. She sighed in relief, and quickened her pace despite her state. She scrambled up the stairs, and her hand dove under the welcome mat, earning a smile of triumph when she withdrew a key. She unlocked the door and was greeted with blissful darkness, easing the spike that wanted to lodge into her brain when the front light was just over her. She closed the door, not even caring to lock it again, and in her stupor of relief, dragged herself upstairs to her room, discarding any and all clothing, and almost falling into a wonderful cold shower. She sat on the shower floor, letting the cool water stream down her head and over her body, cooling the heat that pain had caused her, the strain alone exhausting. The dark blood matted on her head became soft and dripped away down the drain. For how long she sat there, she didn't know, but it felt great. But she managed to turn off the heavenly water with numbed fingers, and picked herself up, not bothering with a towel. She almost banged her already screaming head on her counter, but lifted herself, arms trembling, to reach for the medicine cabinet. She opened it quickly and pushed aside random bottles and boxes, making them fall into the sink.

Her blurry eyes spotted a familiar box, and she quickly pulled it out, taking out the foil and plastic container, bending it so multiple capsules opened to offer her the sleeping pills. She dry swallowed two, breathing heavily. It was taking all she had just to stand there in front of her open cabinet. She looked at the pills, and swallowed one more for good measure. Not even caring she wasn't dressed, nor the bathroom light was on, she sighed in exhaustion as she flopped onto her bed, curling up with the blankets and burrowing deep into the mattress. She remembered thinking that she was suppose to be somewhere right before she fell asleep.

&---------------------------------&

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Kagome grumbled as she slowly pulled from her black haven, facing the wall in a fetal position. Her bed was feeling really good right now. She blinked. Hm, probably nothing. Just as she closed her eyes again…

BANG BANG BANG!!! "Goddamn it Kagome if you don't open this door, I will break it down and then beat the living shit out of you!!!!" Kagome opened her eyes. She knew that voice. It was the voice of Satan coming to pay a visit. Did she ever mention that Sango was Satan?

"KAGOME! OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!!"

"hmmmmmmmm…" Kagome whined pathetically, Sango's banging and yelling not only waking up her, but her massive head ache too. She lifted her head stiffly, a few cracks coming out of it. She noticed sunlight was streaming through her window, and her bathroom light was still on. Not to mention her bathroom was a mess. What the hell happened?

More banging. "Kagome, I've been trying to talk to you for almost two days, open the door. Or there will be more than hell to pay." Sango threatened lowly, which made it even scarier. Kagome's head flopped back down. All she wanted was some sleep…

"I'm coming bitch, hold your panties…" Kagome grumbled and stumbled out of bed. She blinked as she stared at herself. Why in the world was she naked? Grumbling about bizarre happenings, Kagome looked around and found her robe, a thick fuzzy blue one that came to her knees. She ran a hand through her hair, and winced when she touched a REALLY sensitive bump. If that wasn't bad enough, her stomach felt like it went three rounds with a heavy weight boxer.

"Kagome!!!" Sango hollered.

"I said I'm coming!!! Jesus Sango let a body die in peace." Kagome yelled back, cursing when it sent waves of nettles over her skull.

"Oh no, if you're gonna die, it'll be by my hands," Sango growled. Oh, Kagome had a little explaining to do.

Kagome glowered at the door. What the hell was that for? Not answering the frickin door? What, was she PMSing or something? Kagome shuffled over to the door, yawning, and grabbed the knob. To find it locked. Her brows crossed. When did she lock it? She sprung the lock and let the door swing open, leaning her aching head on it. "What?"

"Kagome, what the…holy shit, you look like a fucked up version of a Barbie," Sango gaped openly, eyes roaming over her friend. Kagome snorted and walked in her room, leaving the door open for Sango. Sango stepped in and closed the door, her eyes never leaving Kagome. "What the hell happened to you?"

"This is nothing, you should see my bed head," Kagome said dryly, stretching painfully. Sango shook her head.

"Kagome, that is no bed head. You look like you were mugged."

Kagome scowled at her. Sango nodded vigorously, and pointed at Kagome's full-length mirror. Still groggy, Kagome stepped over and got a good look. Her eyes snapped open, and she had to hold down a scream for her poor head. She lifted a hand to her left cheek, where a nice bloom of green purple and blue spread, looking like a nasty flower. Her lip trembled as she turned her head and lifted her hair, where the touchy spot had been. Panic fluttered in her chest when she saw old dry blood scabbed over a large bump. Sango had the decency to look away when she opened her robe and looked at herself, I mean like really looked. She never knew bruises could be so ugly. There were bruises on bruises, the green, purple, blue, red, and yellow making a nauseating combination. They were all over her stomach, stretching up her to her rib cage, and few blotched her breasts. She quickly pulled the robe close, tears full and thick in her eyes. Where in the seven hells had they come from?!

"Kagome," Sango said softly, reaching a hand out to her when she wrapped her arms about herself. Sango bit her lip, and hurried Kagome over to her bed, the tears slipping down her still face. "Kagome, what happened? Where did these bruises come from?"

"I don't know…"Kagome breathed, her lungs hitching as the pain still came. She turned to her friend. "What are you doing here?"

Sango hung her head and bit a shaky lip. Kagome just looked so lost, it wouldn't be right to bring this to her now. But she had to, something was fishy and she was going to find out. "I came to talk. I haven't seen you for almost two days, you locked yourself away."

Kagome shook her head, thoughts coming back from the depths of her agony, "I …I took sleeping pills…I've been asleep…oh god my head…"

"Why? Why have you been asleep?" Sango pressed. She knew it, this wasn't right, this wasn't Kagome.

"I don't know…it's all blurry…all I remember is pain, lots of it," Kagome answered softly, her skin now chilled. What was Sango getting at?

"So you don't remember anything from Friday?" Kagome shook her head. Oh boy. "You don't remember the party? Anything?"

"Party? What party?" Kagome looked at her confused.

"The party where…what I mean to say is…" Sango stopped and sighed, the stress of the past weekend coming back. "Listen, don't freak out on me, I'm just the messenger. Last Friday, Ryoko had party, inviting the whole senior class. We all went, Miroku, Inuyasha, me, and we were all waiting for you. I had just talked to you on the phone. With me?"

Kagome thought deeply. Now that she mentioned it, she remembered something about a party, and she remembered panicking over what to wear, calling Sango to ask, and promised to be by soon. Kagome nodded, and Sango went on, "well, Inuyasha was kind of tipsy, and so was Miroku, and I was getting there. We were out on the porch, waiting, and I saw you, and Inuyasha went out to meet you. You didn't come any farther than the curb, and you just started saying things, yelling at Inuyasha cause he was drunk. And…you were yelling…and you said things…and…hell I'll say it straight out. Kagome you broke up with Inuyasha, fucking smeared him across the pavement, calling him dirty, insulting his heritage, whatever. You even went as far as to throw your necklace at his feet-"

"What?" Kagome's eyes were wide, fidgety like a bird's, and she jumped from the bed to stare down at Sango. "Okay Sango, I've been asleep for two fucking days, and I'm kinda slow on the pick up. Please, do not tell me, that what you're saying is true."

"Kagome-"

"My necklace!" Kagome felt around her neck, wanting to feel the comforting presence of its cool surface. But all that met her hand was her flesh. "Where is it? Where's my necklace? I have to find it!"

"Kagome! Wait damn it!" but Sango missed her arm and Kagome went and tore through her bathroom, searching the floor, trash bin. Her breathing was heavy, hands trembling badly and fluttering horribly. She kept chanting to herself that she had to find her necklace, rushing into her room, going through draws, her dirty laundry. Sango's patience snapped like that. She snarled and yanked Kagome to her feet, making her yip. "Kagome listen to me!!! It's not here! You threw it away!"

"No! Stop lying to me! It's here I have to find it! Let me go!" Kagome struggled against her friend, but Sango had a strong grip, and Kagome's pain was just making her weaker. Her shoulders jerked as she gasped for breath, her sobs finally making themselves known. Sango softened her grip when Kagome stopped struggling, and just gave up. She was kind of surprised when Kagome just fell where she was, curling into a miserable ball, and Sango tried to hug her the best she could. Kagome could do no more than sob and whimper. "Y-you're l-l-lying, I d-d-didn't…it's n-not t-true…."

Sango hushed her and rocked her gently, lying on her side facing Kagome, holding her like a child. Sango fought back her own tears. This just proved it. She knew something was wrong that night, and Kagome didn't remember a thing, and was beaten at some point by some one. She pulled away and wiped away Kagome's soaked bangs. "Kagome…I need you to tell me what you remember about Friday…it's really important…"

Kagome sniffled and concentrated, wanting to get past the newly laid pain upon her soul. This was some kind of trick she knew it. She and Inuyasha…they weren't…gods she couldn't even think it. "I w-was getting ready, and I left. I walked down that old street, you know with Mrs. Okenki, and it was getting really dark. I remember walking…and then…it was just black. I don't even remember how I got home. Sango I didn't go to that party, I couldn't have, I don't remember anything! No no no!! I don't remember! I didn't go!"

Sango held her again as she broke down again, deep sobs racking her body from head to foot. "It's okay…I know, I know…"

Kagome pulled away and stood pacing the room frantically, "then how could that have happened if I didn't go!? This is a mistake! I didn't do anything! Please, tell me he's alright, tell me he still cares!!"

Sango looked at her hands in her lap, and Kagome's chest fluttered in horror. Sango sighed and looked up into Kagome's red eyes. "I don't know, he hasn't talked anyone since that night, and no one's seen him. Kagome…he just thought it was real…"

"But it wasn't real!!!" Kagome screamed and yanked at her hair, whimpering as new shocks of pain shot through her. "It wasn't real! I couldn't have done that! Why can't I REMEMBER!?"

Kagome collapsed to her knees, and just gave one bang to the floor with her fist. Sango sat shocked, panting in horror as Kagome whimpered and sobbed in misery, ranting and shaking her head in disbelief. She has never, EVER seen Kagome like this. She's seen her distressed, sad, frightened, but never like this. Kagome had finally lost it. Sango held out a jerky hand and tried to make Kagome stop. "Kagome-Kagome stop! You're going to hurt your head more!"

"So what?" Kagome hissed and stood, going over to her dresser and pulling out sweats, "it doesn't even matter anymore. I going over there and I'm going to straighten this out. I'm not going to let this go."

"Well good, but Kagome just listen to me, this isn't-" Sango gasped as Kagome whirled around and jabbed a finger in her face. Those eyes…it chilled her to the bone.

"I've listened to enough of your bullshit! I'm going to make him see that it was a lie, it wasn't real. Even if it kills me."

Kagome jerked on her sweats, and stalked from her room, leaving Sango shaking slightly in the middle of her room. She grabbed the Honda keys and slammed the door open, almost running to the driveway. Her mother was there, worry strung upon her facade and her head snapped up as Kagome came storming out. She didn't even get a word in before Kagome opened the car and slammed it shut, roaring the engine to life and backing out at a very dangerous speed. Mrs. Higurashi gripped her broom tight, knuckles white. What happened?

She ignored all the other cars, the blaring horns and cursing. She ran through red lights at speeds not even comprehended. This was all a big mistake, some fucking sick joke that someone got off on. She didn't go to that party, she didn't…she didn't b-break up with Inuyasha, and there was no chance in hell she was gonna let it slide. It just…couldn't be real. She loved him, beyond anything, and she'll be damned if it just ended like this.

Before she knew it, Kagome had pulled up to Inuyasha's front gates, and she leaned out the car to press the intercom button impatiently. A nervous Akiko came on. "Hello?"

"Let me in, NOW," Kagome barked, and she heard the gates open as they sprang to life. She sped down the driveway, screeching to halt outside the front doors. They opened just as she slammed her car shut, and Akiko stepped out, eyes darting.

"Kagome, slow down, you don't-"

"Get out of my way," Kagome growled dangerously as Akiko attempted to hold her in place.

Akiko shook her head, "Inuyasha hasn't come out, he's too upset!"

"Upset?!" Kagome roared, and Akiko jumped back into the entrance hall, where Kagome followed, "he's UPSET!? Oh, you haven't seen upset. Inuyasha-"

"Is right here."

Their heads snapped to look at the stairs, one in frightened relief, and the other in nervous hesitation. But Akiko stepped aside. Kagome looked over Inuyasha, taking in his haphazard state. He was bare chest, hair unkempt, dark bags under his glowering eyes. But it was still good to see him.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. Was that a bruise? Where the hell did she get a bruise? But he shoved the thought aside. No need to dwell on it, he had his own pain. Just having her standing there, gazing at him in worried relief brought back all the pain from the past two days. His heart was freshly bleeding, and to see her was making it worse. He had tried, without success, to keep her from his thoughts. But how could he when she was all that was on his mind? When all he thought about was her touch? Her kiss? Her laugh, her eyes, her intoxicating scent that was flooding his nose? His lip snarled in frustration. Oh no, he wasn't about to go sniveling back. She's the one who did this, and she was going to pay for breaking the only heart he had. Kagome backed away when he growled deeply, his `usual' warning growl to other males who had eyed her.

Her heart sped up, and she licked at her dry lips. This wasn't good. Why was he looking at her that way? Like he hated her? She clutched at her chest as that sent a slice of fresh pain along with the pain the movement itself had caused. Her lungs were refusing to work right. "Inuyasha…"

"What the fuck are you doing here?" he snarled, hand grasping the railing tightly. The hurt look that crossed her face sent a slimy chill down his spine. Oh how he hated being mean.

Her lips trembled, and new tears threatened, "Inuyasha I wanna talk-"

"You wanna talk?" he said lowly, slowly descending the stairs one at a time, "you want to `talk'? What good is that gonna do you? You already said what you wanted to say at the party, so why `talk' now?"

Kagome felt a cold pit empty out in her gut, and her knees shook as his glare intensified. "You don't understand, I was-"

"Oh I understand just fine," he sneered, pushing back on the urge to just sweep her up and say sorry for the rest of his life, "I understand perfectly. You made yourself clear on Friday, so nothing else needs to be understood."

"Please, Inuyasha, I don't remember-"

"Ha!" he barked a laugh, making her cower and back away still, "how original Kagome. What were you gonna say? You don't remember what happened that night? Well I do, only too well. You came, broke my fucking heart to pieces, and threw this right back at me!" he held up the locket with its broken chain, the same thing he had been holding for the past two days, never letting it go.

"Inuyasha-" she screamed as he was suddenly in her face, his eyes boring holes right into her soul.

"Get out of my house, get out of my face, and get the fuck out of my life," he hissed and turned on his heel, leaving Kagome wide eyed and quivering. Using his speed, he flew upstairs and slammed his door shut, running from the scent of her tears.

Akiko eyed Kagome worriedly when she just stood there, shaking like a leaf in the wind, her jaw opening and closing, but no sounds came from it. She held back a shriek when Sesshomaru was suddenly beside her, his narrow eyes on Kagome. His golden hues went from her to the stairs slowly, the scent of anger and hurt still in the air.

"Open the gates Akiko, and don't question me," Sesshomaru said coolly, making a jerky Akiko quick to her task. He slowly approached the stunned girl, coming into her view as she seemed to gasp for breath. He took note of the bruise, and found the scent of several others and some blood, but kept a calm cool face. She never lifted her eyes to his. "Kagome…"

It fell upon deaf ears. Her heart was pounding in her head, making her unknown concussion throb even harder, the waves of pain eating at her sanity. She felt cold, hot, frozen yet feverish. Her mind was flying with thoughts, her heart was being cut to pieces. How could he? How could say those things? She thought he loved her, she loved him. It wasn't real, this was just a nightmare, she'd wake up and it'll be over, she'll be with Inuyasha again, she'll be in his arms happy, free loved. They'll love each other.

"Kagome…" she looked up and found icy gold eyes penetrating her soul. That did it, it was too late. Her face crumbled before she ran.

"I didn't do anything…"

Sesshomaru watched placidly as Kagome ran from the house, hurriedly opening her car door. His chest fluttered in panic. No she couldn't drive like this. But too late, she was in and the engine was revving. Her tires squealed to life on the rocky driveway, kicking up gravel as she sped off and out the gates, tires burning as she sharply turned. All this was watched by a pair of painful amber eyes.

Kagome drove and drove, not caring for the other drivers. Her breath came fast and heavy, and she felt iron bands tightening around her lungs. Her skin felt hot and itchy, getting tighter with each breath she let out. Her mind whirled, eyes frantic as cars swerved out of her way. Her hands were white knuckled, and her face contorted in pain as her skin grew tighter. She couldn't stop it, the heat, the tightness, and the pain. For Kagome was rapidly and surely, having a mental breakdown.

The next thing she knew, a black blur skidded to a stop in front of her, and her mind snapped at her to brake. She slammed both feet down on it, and she felt the nose of the car dip. Oh sweet Jesus…

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"I don't care Neko, I want those reports," Nagumi huffed a breath as her assistant told her they'd need another hour. "Hour my ass! Those files should have been done before my lunch break! Get them, and get them now!"

Cursing as she turned off her cell phone, Nagumi Orizato stalked down the streets of the business section of Tokyo with her long legs, pin strip skirt stretching, and her one button jacket to match covering her white blouse. Was it so hard to find help these days? I mean come on! They were simple progress files, how hard could it be to get them? She's done it thousands of times, earning her way to the top with her hard work. Now if these kids had ambition, they too could become a high-class lawyer in a respective firm instead of staying as interns. Yes, Nagumi Orizato was a smooth, sexy, first class prosecutor, making big money on cases and putting criminals in their place. And she was damn good.

But today was not her day. She wakes up with a massive headache, her assistant forgot to schedule a meeting with her latest client, and now, simple files that she needed for a case, were nowhere to be found. Nagumi stopped with the rest of the walking mass on the sidewalk as they waited for traffic to stop so they could cross. What else could go wrong?

Her head swung around as screeching tires were heard, and her wide eyes saw a speeding maroon car heading against traffic. The driver seemed to comprehend what was happening, and slammed on the brakes, skid marks stretching far behind them, to come to a complete stop just as a black Ford jerked to a stop, hoping to avoid collision. Nagumi craned her neck over the crowd, and heard the owner of the Ford get out and start cursing the maroon car. But the other driver never got out. They never got a chance to.

BUUUUUUUUR!!! BUUUUUUUUR!!!

Nagumi screamed. A large deep green truck came barreling down the street, too fast to be able to stop. And Nagumi knew, the maroon car would never be able to move in time. The crowd screamed and started running away, and all Nagumi heard was the sound of metal crunching, the glass shattering. She pushed her way through the chaos and found herself on the curb. She watched horrified as the maroon car, now crushed in on one side, went rolling one, two, three, four times, flinging glass everywhere, the car becoming smaller and smaller with each contact it made with the road. It finally slide to a stop, the truck not too far behind burning up its thick tires to stop, the compact on its side, the driver's side meeting that of the pavement. Smoke rose from the demolished engine, and the truck driver got out and ran to the destroyed car. He leaned down to check the driver and came back up, pale and terrified.

"SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!! SHE'S STILL ALIVE!!!"