InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Finding Kagome - Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

A/N : For the record I must make it clear that even though I would love to grab them all up, take them home, and put them in a kennel to keep with me for ever and ever, I do not own Inuyasha or any of his 'gang'. As for the characters, either implied or imagined, any resemblance to actually persons is in fun only, as this is a work of FANFICTION.


CHAPTER WARNING: Contains adult situations, with allusion to sexual conduct.



“Well aren't you just chipper and full of mirth today, Miss Kagome,” Michael sarcastically observed as he took in her less-than-enthusiastic demeanor. Large, very dark sunglasses pressed close to her face, shoulders forward and where her usual bright smile would be, her lips were set in a thin line.

“Please, don't start with me, Mikey...” she pleaded as she reached for her latte` which set in the cup holder of the rental. She took a sip... and gasped as the too hot coffee scorched her tongue and throat. Groaning she put the cup back into the holder, and both hands on the wheel.

“You, my dear girl, look even worse than I did back when I was working graveyard and taking day classes,” he mused.

The comparison, however, did not amuse Kagome, as she dropped the glasses to half mast on her nose and glared at her passenger. His automatic response was to raise his hands palms out, to ward off her wrath, as he pushed himself against the door in an attempt to achieve more distance. She pushed them back up, pointedly with her middle finger, then returned her attention to the traffic, both hands back on the wheel.

“Bad night, huh?” he asked apologetically.

“You could say that,” she responded, as she swung just a little too sharply onto the on ramp for Hwy. 101 and the Goldengate Bridge, deftly moving through the traffic to jockey a good position for the crossing.

“Would you like to talk about it?” He prodded, curious as to what could cause this kind of reaction in his normally sweet friend. She was more like a sister, than just a friend, the ties ran so deeply. “It might ... help.”

“So you can psychoanalyze me??”she snapped. “Maybe include me as a case history in your doctoral?”

“Ouch,” and he said no more.

Kagome, replayed that last bit in her mind. What was I thinking?? He only wants to try to help. He's worried about me... heck, I... am worried about me... and she formulated an apology.
“I'm sorry Mikey-kun,” she sighed. “I didn't mean that.”

“I love you, Kagome. You are my best friend in the whole world, well... maybe except my dear, precious Sally...” he stumbled through his mild blunder, “but I hate to see you like this.”

“I don't know... really,” she tried to put it into an order that someone else could understand. “It all started with that stupid news report...”

“What news report?” he prompted.

“The one about the campers being torn up... in the National Park.” she glanced at him.

“They found more, huh?”

“Yeah... really bad this time, dismembered... and then those stupid chills wouldn't stop,” she continued.

“Chills... you have a fever?” and he reached over to press a hand against her forehead, surprising her, and she pushed it away.

“Feh... I am fine.”

“Well,” he leaned back in his seat, “no fever at least... So...?”

“So...” she tried the coffee again, not so hot this time, sipping then putting it back she trudged on in her attempt to explain her surly attitude. “That report gave me the creeps, and I thought about Momma up there practically by her herself...”

“Kagome, she is far from alone up there, there is always someone with her. Taki and Bo live right there on the grounds, only a shout away,” he countered.

“True... but I was worried... so I called her,” she changed lanes, glancing at the rear view mirror as they entered the tunnel just north of the bridge, and she grabbed at the sunglasses like they were offensive to her, and dropped them into her lap, better able to see in the lower light level.

“And she was fine... right?”

“Yeah, she was great... Taki and Bo were right there with her,” and Kagome smiled for the first time that day. “She was really tickled that you are coming with me this time.” Secretly she hoped this would effectively change the direction of their conversation. “Oh! And she said she is making Oden, just for you!”

He gasped, then rubbed his hands together with anticipation licking his lips. “A pot all to myself? Mmmm!”

“Well, I'm not so sure about that,” she chuckled a little.

“Ok, so Momma is fine, she's making Oden, now tell me... why didn't you sleep well?” His ability to stay on topic was uncanny. Kagome cast about in her mind for more ways to avoid answering his question directly... and found none. “Come on, Kagome-chan... Spill it...” and he waited.

Kagome decided that doing just that would be the only way to get him to back off about it, though she wasn't sure what his reaction would be. She took a deep breath, then...

“ShetoldmethatthechillsarebecauseofDemonsandtoWardmy doorbeforeIgotobedandbecarefulbecauseifIcanfeelthemthey.. can feel me,”she took another breath then held it as she glanced furtively at Michael, waiting for his reaction. His eyes had widened as he took in the cruxt of what she had just said.

“Are you serious??”

“Ahuh,” she nodded. “I've got sutras all over my door and windows,” she reached for another sip of the latte`,”but I had to break the ones on the door to leave this morning,” she stated factually as she took another sip, deeper this time, it was getting cold.

Michael watched her as she drank deeply from the cup. He knew a little bit about Demons, sure... but it was always connected to mythos... remote... ancient like the dinosaurs... gone... past... not real. Certainly something once real, had existed that was revered and feared, in kind, by ancient peoples. Shrines had been built throughout history to them. In Japan, alone, there was a wide variety of Kami that were recognized. One thing that was for certain to him, Youkai made for much more interesting tales than did dinosaurs.

“I have a question,” he announced, breaking the silence.

“You think I am nuts, don't you?”

“Quite the contrary, my dear Kagome... no, really!” as he saw the look of doubt cross her features. “Did the sutra help to make you feel more safe? Did the chills stop?” There was sound psychological reasoning behind the use of charms, and he was curious as to how effective they had been for her.

She pondered the question for a moment, “I supposed they did help, some... but I still had that creepy, weird feeling, you know? It was hard to fall asleep.”

“I can imagine,” he said as he looked out the window, at a loss. The landscape had become more rural now, the city in the distance behind them, and traffic was light, which meant they would make good time.

“Then there was that ... dream,” muttered Kagome, half under her breath, breaking the silence. Dreams were right up Michaels, alley, and this pulled his full attention.

“Dream?”

“Yeah... you know...” Kagome considered out loud, “It was Goshinboku that finally calmed me down.... Thinking about it... picturing it in my mind...”

“You had a dream about your family's Sacred Tree?”

“Um... no... actually I'm not sure just what it was I dreamed about,” she lied, as she felt her cheeks grow warm.

“Tell me about your dream, Kagome-chan... Maybe there is a clue in the symbology that will help us find an answer to your recent discomfort,” and he reached to pat her shoulder.

She glanced to the side, embarrassed. “Well, we were camping... I mean I was camping with my friends...” she started hesitantly.

“Go on... outdoors, under the stars... sounds nice... and...?” he urged her on.

“They were talking... and laughing, and I was cooking some ramen... wait... you were there... and Sally too... there were others, it was an open campfire out in the forest.” She paused, remembering those incredible amber eyes , and the warmth of the hug from the man in the amazingly soft, red haori...

“There is a lot of symbolism right there, perhaps you are feeling to constrained in your life, the ramen is directly related to our conversation last night, about Sally burning water, remember?” His analysis made some sense, to him at least. “Continue...”

“You sound like a shrink,” and she grinned. That was his field of study, after all. He winked and motioned for her to go on.

“Well... everyone was talking, and laughing, but... I couldn't understand what they were saying, it sounded like Japanese, but... not... some weird dialect.” She looked over at him, and for just a fraction of a microsecond, she saw someone else sitting in the passenger seat. This made her shake her head rapidly to clear it, and she focused on the road ahead, both hands on the wheel in the standard 10 and 2 o'clock positions.

“Sally was right, you have been spending entirely too much time and energy on this project of yours,” he studied her worriedly. “This weekend should be just what the doctor ordered, for you.”

“Hn,” she acknowledged, her thoughts drifting back to the memory of the dream, more vivid than any dream should be. Again the blood began to flush her cheeks.

“There's more?” Michael prodded, sensing she hadn't told him the whole of it.

“Well...” she tried to organize it all into words, that wouldn't make it sound too risque. “Even though I know you guys were there, no names were used... and there were other people there that I knew... but I don't know... does that make any sense?” She felt another chill slip up her spine, and thought oh Kami, I thought this was over with as she watched the goose flesh appear on her forearms.

“Ok, so no names were mentioned, that's not so remarkable... since you were among friends.”

“Only my name, by one person... while he was... talking to me...” and she glanced at her oh Kami, this is the last time ever I do this analyst.

“What was he saying to you, Kagome? Did you understand him, and not the others?” Michael noticed an increase in the brightness of her rosy cheeks.

“Oh... stuff....” she stared straight ahead at the road winding before them, “yeah, I started to understand him... he just talked... you know...” she squeaked in too high a pitch.

A dawn of enlightenment slowly crossed his features, as he realized what she was not saying, and the lecher in him was unleashed, unceremoniously.

“OH... MY... GOD!!” And he began laughing heartily.

“Huh?” The chills had turned into something else now, and a cramping sensation deep in Kagome's gut began to annoy her, temporarily displacing her embarrassment.

“Our sweet, adorable... VIRGINAL Kagome.... had a WET DREAM!” Michael announced, turning to her with amazement.

“Uhng...” she moaned as she slumped slightly behind the wheel. Well, it's out now.

“So... “ he moved in closer to her with anticipation, “who was the guy??” His eyes gleamed, “Tell me it was me... oh, please!!” And he laughed some more, alternately slapping his thighs with delight.

“It wasn't you, baka” she muttered, under her breath.

“So that is why you have been such a beast this morning!!” And he set back into his seat, assuming a position of deep thought, arms crossed, hand rubbing his chin, as he considered the possibilities among his acquaintances to match with his dearest friend. Sally was right, she needs a man in her life.

Kagome winced, as she felt a wave of sensations overwhelm her, and she shuddered noticeably. Something is really not right.. she thought, as a panic swiftly set in, and then a twinge in her midsection pulled her attention from the road, as she grabbed at her stomach, eyes wide with fear.


Michael gasped as the car swerved, out of control, into the wrong lane, and with lightening speed he grabbed for the wheel, and pulled... just as an oncoming vehicle slammed on it's breaks, skidding to an awkward angle, and Kagome did the same leaving them haphazardly stopped in the middle of the highway.

“Kami!” She wheezed, as she looked across the highway to the limo they had just narrowly missed.

“My god, Kagome... do you need a doctor??” Concern contorted Michael's features.

“I don't know...” she shuddered again, looking at the limousine. “You drive, Mikey-kun...” and she slid across to the passenger side as he jumped from the car to circle around it, where he was met at the midway point by the limo driver.

“Hey, I'm really sorry about that,” he apologized, “my friend isn't feeling very well so I am taking over the driving, is everything OK with your people?” He glanced across to the black stretch limousine, the windows darkly tinted so he could see no occupants.

The driver was a short man in his middle years, overweight and breathless with the exertion of the run across the highway, as he looked at Michael, then leaned to look into the car at Kagome.

“My Lord,” he panted, “wish for me to inquire about your well being.” Michael looked at the limo again, to see a back window slide down several inches. Peering, he still was unable to clearly see anyone.

“Your... LORD??” He asked, incredulous at the archaic reference. Who could these people be??

“Forgive me...” and the fat man shook his head smiling, “I mean... my employer. Is everything alright? Is your friend injured?” And he tilted trying to get a better look at the girl, who seemed to be hugging herself with distress. He then bowed to Michael, slightly.

“My companion will be fine, we will be on our way. Any necessary attention will be available at our destination.” He replied, hoping it would dismiss any further inquiry. “And your people? No damage I hope...” he really didn't want the delay of getting the authorities involved, it was apparent that Kagome was not well.

“All is well with my Lords, though they are impatient to get home.”

“As are we,” and he forced a smile at the man. “Please tell them that we apologize for causing a delay, and thank them for the... concern.” He caught a glimpse of silver white hair beyond the tinting of the open window.

“I shall, sir.” And the driver bowed lower this time, “Good day to you.”

“And to you,” responded Michael again forcing a smile, as he watched the man run back to the limousine, and lean to the window, obviously making his report. He quickly jumped into the driver's seat and buckling his belt, he said, “Let's get out of here, that was just... weird.” And he started the car and gunned the motor. Looking in the rear view mirror at the diminishing scene, he added, “something about that limo gave me the creeps... hey... you should belt up.”

“In a minute, it's starting to subside.”

“We should be at the retreat soon, your mom will know what to do.”

“Baka Youkai,” she muttered low, through gritted teeth.

“What did you say, Kagome?”

“Stupid, stupid, stupid Demons... Momma said I could sense them, but she never said it would HURT!”

“You don't think that those were Demons in that car, do you??” he was aghast.

“That fat little driver was one...”

“No... no way...” he shook his head. It was unbelievable, impossible.

She straightened up a little to test the level of the discomfort, then satisfied she took a deep, cleansing breath, as she buckled the safety harness.

“The strongest ones were inside the car...” and she closed her eyes, trying to envision Goshinboku, but instead finding those eyes of molten gold, gazing at her... and amazingly, this comforted her.