InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Escape ❯ Guilt ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: I don't own him. ::tweaks his ears and smiles:: I just like to play with him from time to time.

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Enjoy people!

Last time:

Inuyasha held his breath as she brought her lips to meet his. He could feel her warm breath caress his face as she drew nearer. His pulse began to race. But then he felt her stop, and her head drooped against his chest as she blacked out.

"Wonderful," he muttered gloomily, "you couldn't wait a couple more minutes before passing out." Easing up on the brakes, he momentarily let go of the wheel to place her back into the passenger seat, placing his jacket over her while she slept. 'She's going to have one hell of a hangover when she wakes up' he mused returning to the wheel. "I hope you have forgiving foster…" His jaw dropped when he caught sight of the scene that lay before him. 'Shit.'

Guilt

Kagome awakened groggily and was immediately hit by a wave of nausea and a throbbing headache. Her mouth felt dry and cottony and her head felt like it had been hit by a two by four going ninety miles an hour. What the hell had happened last night? Kagome steadily came to her senses as her vision slowly cleared. She blinked a few times before taking in her surroundings. And where the hell was she? Her sheets weren't made of black silk nor was her room so small. Kagome struggled to keep the bile that was rising quickly in her throat as she sat up. Panic began to well up in her chest.

"Jeez, you look like crap," Inuyasha commented as he opened the door, a tray full of various objects in hand.

The fear that had been gradually accumulating within her died away at the sight of the hanyou. He must have brought her to his apartment after they left the prom. Inwardly sighing in relief, she glanced at the digital clock that sat dormant on his night stand, which read 11:00am. "Carla is going to skin me alive," Kagome groaned pushing back the covers and inching off the side of the bed.

"Why didn't you bring me back home? You know as well as I do how pissed she's going to be when I waltz up to the front door in one of your oversized t-shirts." She bit her lip as the another wave of nausea hit her full force. "Where is my dress anyway? And why do I feel so sick? I think I'm going to toss my cookies."

"Well you'd better toss them into toilet because I don't want that crap all over my sheets," he said quietly setting down the tray on the bed. He'd been up all night pondering over a way to break the news to her gently. Should he even tell her? Maybe it would be best if she didn't know.

Kagome raised at brow. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, her sapphire eyes full of inquiry as she gazed into his troubled golden ones.

Unable to maintain eye contact, Inuyasha began to fiddle with the contents of the tray. "You might want to take a couple of aspirin. You're probably going to have one hell of a hangover."

She frowned. "Hangover? But I didn't drink last night?" She thought back. The last thing she could remember with clarity was going to Yura's place for the after party and some guy handing her punch. Her mouth formed an 'o' as realization took place. "That punch he gave me was spiked, didn't it?"

"I don't think Kool-Aid causes a person to strip down to the bare minimum and duke it out with a friend," he told her, his statement lacking the usual sarcasm.

Kagome groaned, not catching the lack of wit in his proclamation, and put her face in her hands in shame. "I probably made a total fool of myself didn't I?" The headache started to worsen.

He unscrewed the lid of the container and took out two aspirin. "Take these and wash it down with some water." He would have to tell her soon. She would find out sooner or later. It was only a matter of time.

Kagome stared at him in confusion at she took the pills. Something was definitely wrong with him. He wasn't usually this quiet. "Inuyasha, what's the matter with you?"

He sighed. 'I guess its best if she knows now. But I don't know if I have the heart to tell her.' He didn't want to see her cry. Or see her in any type of pain. He had promised her that he would protect her from any harm. And he had intended on keeping it.

Nervousness began to flutter in her stomach. "Inuyasha, would you just tell me what it is," she demanded anxiously.

The hanyou shifted uneasily on his feet. Guess it was now or never. Taking a deep breath, he began. "Last night, after you got drunk as hell, I decided to take you home. You passed out before we got there, which is probably a good thing." He paused, and reverted his golden orbs, that now were specked with unease, to her quizzical and partly frightened eyes. "Even before I turned onto the street, I could smell the smoke and see the flames."

Kagome felt her throat close up and she tried to suppress the vomit that steadily began to build.

"At first, I thought it was another house… that was on fire, but as I got closer…it was yours. The firemen were already trying to put it out, but the flames were just too fierce. They were only able to bring out two people, but even they were barely alive."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Please…continue," she croaked. The room began to spin, but she tried to stay alert. She had to know what happened.

Inuyasha winced at the sight of her tears and anguish. He didn't want to see her in such pain. It hurt him to see her like this. But she needed to know. "Rin…they were able to get her out. She's at the hospital now. She didn't get many burn wounds, but she inhaled too much smoke. She's in a coma. She's stable, but they don't know for how long. And…they were able to get your fath…foster father out. He's got severe burn injuries all over his body. They don't know if he's going to make it. He's in ICU right now. But the woman…she didn't make it."

And that was when Kagome commenced to vomit all over his sheets.

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"How is she?" Miroku asked as they sat on the stools in the hanyou's kitchen while Kaede stirred herbs in the large mixing pot on the stove.

"She was crying and throwing up all of yesterday," Inuyasha replied wearily. "She wouldn't eat anything and only would eat soup when I forced her to. Up until a couple of hours ago, she hasn't been able to get to sleep."

"And by the looks of it you haven't gotten any either," Sango commented eyeing the sleep deprived hanyou's haggard appearance.

"Keh, I don't need any sleep," he mumbled propping his head up with his head up with his hand and yawned. Inuyasha hated seeing her suffer. Which is why he hadn't left her side for the past 24 hours until now. He had never seen one person vomit so much. He had been afraid that if she had continued there would be nothing of her left.

Kirara, who had been up until now resting in Sango's lap, jumped onto the counter and began to lick the hanyou's face in an attempt to comfort him.

Shippou bounded onto the counter in a single leap and cocked his head to the side. "Inuyasha, maybe you should get some sleep. If Naraku happens to show up, you'll be to tired to fight."

At the mention of the hanyou's name, Inuyasha snapped to attention, his ears alert. "I'll never be too tired to kick that bastard's ass," he growled.

Kaede smirked, but didn't comment on it and continued to stir the contents of the pot. "Why exactly caused the chile's house to burn down? Was it an accident or was it the work of Naraku?"

Inuyasha frowned. "I don't think her people were stupid enough to set their own house on fire. And there was too much smoke in the air for me to detect if there was a demon presence at the scene."

"I can find out for you," Shippou volunteered opening his laptop. "I can hack into the police database and find out how the investigation is progressing. From there, we can determine if there was any foul play involved." He began typing away on the keyboard.

"So is Kagome-chan's house still standing?" Sango questioned.

"I went over their early this morning," he said grimacing. "Not much is left. The second level had caved in. Whatever that house was made of wasn't very strong. Even the trees caught fire and were burned to the ground."

"Ah hah!" Shippou grinned proudly. "I got it." He scrolled down the screen as everyone gathered behind him to take better look. "It says here that the detective that is currently following up on the case has already searched the scene and found traces that an arsonist had set the fire inside of the house." His green eyes widened as he skimmed over the next part.

"Well? Is that all?" Sango asked somewhat urgently.

The kitsune gulped. "It also says that a body…the foster mother…had been set on fire after receiving some kind of mortal injury through the back, and spread from there after a grandfather clock caught fire. They don't have any suspects and it looks like they're still searching for missing child…Kagome."

Inuyasha, detecting her enticing scent before seeing her, lifted his head toward the hallway to find Kagome dressed in one of his shirts, looking utterly worn out. Dark circles hung under his eyes with her midnight tresses hanging limply around her. Her skin didn't have its usual healthy glow. But it was those eyes of hers that tore him up inside and made his heart bleed. Her usual vibrant and sparkling sapphire eyes were now empty and seemed so soulless.

"I need," she croaked weakly, "I need to go to the hospital. I have to see if they're ok." She leaned against the wall for support as her legs threatened to give way.

Inuyasha rushed to her side before she collapsed to the floor and swooped her up in his arms. "You're not going anywhere until you at least get a full day's rest," he said taking her to the couch. "You regain your strength first and then I'll take you to the hospital."

"And this will make ye feel a whole lot better." Kaede brought a cup over to where Inuyasha had sat her down. "Drink this chile. It take away the emotional and mental pain, but it will help alleviate physical pain."

Too weary to bother asking what the murky green liquid was, Kagome slowly downed the contents of the cup, not wanting it all to come back up. At least it was better than regurgitating her own concoction of stomach matter.

"How are you feeling Kagome?" Sango asked sympathetically, taking a seat beside her.

"How do you think she feels?" Inuyasha shot back, his voice dripping with cynicism and impatience. He didn't want Kagome harassed. Not even by her friends. She was in a very fragile position right now and didn't need all of the stupid questions.

"Its ok Inuyasha," Kagome responded giving him a weak smile to assure him that she was fine, then turned to Sango. "And I'm recovering. It just a lot to take in you know. A hangover plus learning that your family is either in intensive care or dead equals a lot of retching and tears."

"Well if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you. We all are here for you," Sango said smiling in reassurance at her friend.

"I'm here for you too Kagome," Shippou said perching his small body on her shoulder.

"And," Miroku announced kneeling before her and taking her delicate hand in his, "if you ever wake up in the middle of the night lonely with nobody to comfort or ease you of your pain, my room is just across the hall, number 657." He pulled out a key out of his jeans. "In fact, here is the extra key to my apartment…just in case you want a little more than consolation and wish to rid yourself of any sexual tension Inuyasha is unable to relieve you of," he added with a lecherous smile and a mischievous glint in his violet eyes.

Kagome laughed as Inuyasha and Sango both drove their fists into opposite side of his head. "Thanks you guys. I don't know what I would've done without you all, especially you Inuyasha."

A feeling of light-headedness and warmth spread throughout his body as she gazed at him smiling. "Whatever," he mumbled crossing her arms and looking away in embarrassment. At least the vacancy that had been her eyes only a moment ago had left, which had been instantly replaced affection and admiration.

Kagome blinked as a small kitten made its way into Sango's lap. "Is that a neko youkai?"

"Yep. Her name's Kirara. Kirara, meet Kagome," Sango introduced.

Kirara meowed and climbed into the newcomer's lap for inspection. "Aww, she's adorable!" Kagome squealed as the neko youkai licked her fingers. She loved cats. Kagome ran her fingers through the neko youkai's silky main and giggled when she began to purr in response, who was basking in the attention. "She sounds like you Inuyasha."

"Keh, I don't purr," he said wrinkling his nose at the thought.

Sango smiled and knew that bringing Kirara had been a wise decision. "Well when you get ready to go to the hospital, you can borrow some clothes from me since we're about the same size."

A flash of pain flickered through Kagome's eyes and her smile faltered at the mention of the hospital, but she recovered quickly and forced the smile back into place. "Thanks Sango." Kirara hopped out of her lap as she came to her feet. "I'm going to take a shower."

Miroku hastily sprung to feet from his facedown position on the floor, grinning goofily. "Well Kagome-sama, if you need any help with anything, I'll be right here. Just give me a call."

"I'll give you a foot up the ass in a minute if you don't shut the hell up," Inuyasha growled eyeing the monk in contempt, obviously not approving of his intentions toward Kagome.

Kaede raised a brow but didn't say anything, knowing full well of the hanyou's affection for the miko. It would only be a matter of time before he announced his true feelings for the girl. Kaede only hoped it would be soon. With a bond as strong of love connecting them, nothing would be stand in their way.

_____________________

The ride to the hospital was long and silent. The others had opted not to go, for reasons unknown and Kagome was grateful to them for that. She needed this time to be alone with the remnants of her family and she didn't want their pity. Kagome had told Inuyasha that she wanted to do this alone, that it would be better that way. But the stubborn hanyou had flat out refused to let her be alone in her misery, and had volunteered to take her to the hospital. Kagome was secretly grateful to him for that and had been inwardly relieved when declined her request to go unaccompanied.

They pulled up to the hospital a few minutes later. Inuyasha glanced at Kagome, who had gone pale at the sight of the towering hospital. "Are you alright?" he asked hesitantly, his amber eyes full of concern.

She nodded and gave him a small reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Lets go."

The moment they stepped foot inside of the hospital doors, Kagome was hit with a deep sense of foreboding and uneasiness. The smell of antiseptic substances lingered everywhere, triggering a wave of nausea within her. All she wanted to do was run back out the double doors and leave this place.

Inuyasha, sensing her tentativeness and nervousness, put his hand on the small of her back and smiled down at her, silently urging her to go on.

Taking a deep and calming breath, Kagome walked up to the nurse's station in the center of the lobby. "Excuse me miss, can you tell me where I can find Rin and Ron Takeda?"

The old nurse, in her crisp white uniform, paused from what she was doing to look up at the newcomer overtop of her thin framed spectacles. "And you are?" she questioned staring at her with hard brown eyes full of impatience and annoyance.

"Kagome. Kagome Higurashi. There was a fire…at my house, and my sister and foster father were injured-" She trailed when the nurse's eyes widened in recognition.

"Well I'll be. So you're the girl the police have been looking for. Where have you been? Everybody thought that you had been incinerated in the fire and firemen are still looking for your remains." She picked up the phone. "I have to call Detective Malone-"

"Listen old hag, we don't have time for this. Just tell her where they are so we can see them and leave," Inuyasha snapped in irritation.

Her eyes narrowed when they locked with his. "And just who might you be?"

"I don't think that's any of your damn business," he growled.

Kagome elbowed him and gave a bittersweet smile to the lady. "Please excuse my friend for his ignorant outbursts. I'm still trying to break him of his rude habits. We're both just really anxious to see how my family is doing."

The nurse's gaze softened a bit. "Of course. You must be going through a difficult period in your life. Hold one second." She began to punch in keys on her computer.

"Break me will you," he growled softly into her ear.

Kagome only shrugged. "It's the truth."

"They're on the third floor, room 319 and 322. Only one person is allowed in at a time."

After thanking the kind nurse, they made their way to the elevator and up to the third floor. With each progressing step, Kagome felt more and more fretful. She felt as if the weight of the world had been put onto her shoulders, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Are you going to be alright?" Inuyasha asked as soon as they came upon room 319.

"Yeah, I'll just be a minute." She turned to go in, but stopped when she felt his hand latch on to her arm.

"I'll be here if you need me."

She smiled. "I know," she responded then opened the door to the room. Blinking and beeping machines surrounded the bed in which Ron lay on. Kagome sucked in a breath when she saw what he had been reduced to. The majority of his body was covered in white gauze and layers of bandages. The only area that didn't have various strips of cloth wrapped around him was his nose and mouth, in which both had been inserted with tubes.

Tears began to well up in her eyes as she took another step forward. But even from the spot she stood in she could see plainly the burn and blisters that marred his facial features. Unable to gaze upon such a retched sight any long, Kagome turned on her heels and flew out the door.

Inuyasha immediately stood at attention from his slouched position against the wall. "Kagome?" He reached out to gather her in his arms, but she dodged away.

"I have to see Rin," Kagome croaked and marched past him to her sister's room. She couldn't break down now. Not yet. She had to remain strong.

The hanyou sighed as she strode in to the room. He knew that she needed to do this; to see for herself what had occurred that night. But he hated seeing her so miserable and in pain. And not matter what he did or said, nothing would ever be able to erase it. The only way she would be able to tackle her inner demons, were to attack them head on.

A chill went up her spine as soon as she set foot inside of the room. Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, but the image stayed imprinted in her mind. She didn't want to see her sister like this. It wasn't right. To see the girl who had once overflowed with joy and enthusiasm laying in a hospital bed looking as white as the sheets that covered her.

Releasing a shaky breath and reopening her eyes, which now had begun to shimmer with more unshed tears, Kagome took small steps toward the bed. Rin's eyes were closed, her hair fanned out surrounding her head. An IV was hooked up her left arm and tubes similar to the one she had seen on Ron were inserted through both her nose and mouth.

Kagome took one of the girl's cold, pasty hands into her own. "I'm so sorry Rin," she choked out as the tears came streaming down her face, "its all my fault you're in here. I should've been at home, like I was supposed to be, and then I could have protected you from the people that did this." She pressed her limp hand to her face. "If I had stayed home, Carla wouldn't be dead, Ron wouldn't be burned, and you…you wouldn't be in a coma right now. If only I had listened to Carla when she told me to stay home."

Kagome bowed her head in shame as the river of salty tears dripped into her lap. "Forgive me." And with that she, kissed her hand, set it back on the bed, then exited the room with one final glimpse of her sister and closed the door behind her. She was pummeled with another wave of nausea. 'I have to get some air.'

Running right past Inuyasha, she bolted down the stairwell and out the side door. The fresh air that greeted her lungs was heavenly and sweet, but she didn't stop there. It was all her fault. Naraku had been the one that had sent his minions to destroy the only family she had left. Tears blurred her vision as she ran past the parking lot and into the park. Why did this always happen to her? It was like history was repeating itself. Once Rin and Ron were gone, she would have nobody.

"Kagome!" She looked up, only to be swept into the embrace of her companion, who had somehow gotten in front of her.

"Get off of me!" she squirmed in his tight embrace. "Leave me alone!"

"That's the last thing you need to be right now," he responded looking into her angry sorrowful blue eyes.

She began to hit his chest with balled fists in a rage. "I don't need you Inuyasha! Let me take care of Naraku on my own! I'll kill him when I get my hands on that bastard!"

"I know you are," he soothed and stroked her raven black tresses, "but you aren't going to do it alone. I'm here for you, as well as Miroku, Sango, Kaede, and even the fox brat. And you will always have us. We will be your new family. And don't beat yourself up over what happened. You'll only end up in more pain." He caressed her tear streaked cheek with a callused thumb. "And I don't want you to suffer anymore. You need to be strong if we're going to go up against Naraku. Blaming yourself only shows how weak you are. And I believe you're far from it."

Kagome stopped struggling in his grasp. He was right. Blaming herself wouldn't bring her Carla or her family back or wouldn't revive Rin or cure Ron. It would only hinder the healing process. She sniffled, then burrowed her head in his warm chest, inhaling the strong scent of masculinity and cinnamon that was being emitted from him. "You're right. I can't bring them back. And I need to stop blaming myself. I will become stronger so that I can take Naraku out…for all of them."

He sighed and held her tighter to him as the scent of sakura blossoms teased his nose. She would make it. He was sure of it. And maybe in the end, when all of this was over. Maybe he would have the courage to tell her how he really felt about her.

But their peaceful moment was shattered when an bloodcurdling scream rippled through the air.

End.

AN: Hmm, I think Inuyasha just had a moment there. Oh, and you'll be pleased to know that I finally finished the plot of the story. I've been pondering it for a couple of weeks now. So now I know what direction I'm headed in. And I'll just let you know a little secret. The best is to come. ::squeals:: I can't wait to start writing it.

Oh, and theses next couple of chapters you are totally going to hate me. But it is necessary for the good of the fic.

Next chapter: Reunion

One word just about sums it up. But I'm not telling. Review! And check out my other fic I just started: Til Death Do Us Part