InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ Justified Torture ( Chapter 9 )

 

9. Justified Torture

 

 

Inuyasha had no grasp on the amount of time that he stayed knelt at Kikyo's bedside; somehow during that time he had fallen asleep on the cold tile floor. The constant beep of Kikyo's heart monitor droned on in Inuyasha's ears, finally rousing him from his brief rest. Opening his eyes in confusion, blinking away the stupor trying desperately to understand his surroundings through the fog of his mind, Inuyasha slowly stood. Jumping in surprise when his eyes fell upon the form of his elder brother standing in the corner scrutinizing Inuyasha, Sesshomaru had something to say, it was clear on his face, Inuyasha tried to prepare himself for the worst his brother could throw at him at this low point in his life.

 

 

“What is it? You just going to stand their gawking Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha raked his hand through his hair, both brothers glared at each other with harsh saffron eyes.

 

 

“I was simply realizing how fitting it was to see you sleeping on the floor like the pathetic piece of garbage you are.” Sesshomaru stepped to Kikyo's bedside, his face softened only briefly before looking back at Inuyasha with a spiteful gaze.

 

 

Sesshomaru had never particularly liked the human women of this time, not that he ever found any value in them what so ever, but when Inuyasha took Kikyo as a mate, the InuTaisho realized the strong miko bloodline that her family carried. Five hundred years ago the miko's of strength were something to fear by all youkai, and Sesshomaru instantly sensed the tremendous energy in Kikyo, consequently allowing his brother to take the woman as mate. As a result gaining the longevity to stay by her partner's side till the inescapable ending of his life. Now the lapse in Inuyasha's judgment could, and more than likely would, break the bond between the two.

 

 

“You came here to tell me something that I already know? That's not your style, what's happened Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha pulled up a chair to sit at Kikyo's side, Sesshomaru remained standing next to the motionless woman, the senior Inuyoukai took Kikyo's left hand seeming to admire the wedding ring on her finger.

 

 

“This ornament means nothing to you anymore. There is no bond there any longer, is there Inuyasha.”

 

 

“Just who the hell do you think you are Sesshomaru? Of course my marriage means something to me. I just let my priorities slip, but I'll make it up to them.” Inuyasha was exasperated, not wishing to deal with what ever crap Sesshomaru was going to send his way.

 

 

“Not that you would know of this morning's news little brother, but you have successfully tarnished my company with your little liaisons with the Higurashi bitch. It made front page, you should see the pictures of Kikyo's car, and the incriminating photo of you and Kagome, I still can't figure out how those disreputable pictures got out, but I will.”

 

 

“What do you want me to do about it? You're the one who told me about the P.I., how was I to know we were being followed.” Inuyasha slumped further down in the uncomfortable chair, his clawed hands digging into the cheaply made wooden arms.

 

 

“It never should have happened in the first place. You would think the story would run in a tabloid, not the city's most respected newspaper. Although when an executive of one of the worlds most prominent companies screws up all of the dirty laundry gets aired. This is exactly what I wanted not to happen Inuyasha. I warned you.” Sesshomaru silently walked to the end of the bed, his gaze still fixed upon Inuyasha who now refused to look his way.

 

 

“Again Sesshomaru, what the fuck do you want me to do about it? If I could go back three months and stop myself I would, you don't have to threaten me, I already feel terrible enough about it all for Christ's sake, my family is torn apart! I don't even know if Kikyo or Suki will ever wake up. I'm sorry that I screwed up Sesshomaru.” Inuyasha's fatigued eyes finally looked into the indifferent features of his brother. “I'm sorry. But you are not the one that I must beg for forgiveness from. She is.”

 

 

“That is not enough. You are just like our sire; I guess the son is destined to repeat the sins of the father. You Inuyasha are well on your way to surpassing him.” Sesshomaru exited the room shaking his head, wondering what was to be done on the damage control end of things; hopefully he would be able to salvage the companies' reputation, but still how were those photo's released? The hired investigator had handed over the disk and camera, first thing this morning, there was more going on that Sesshomaru did not know, nevertheless he would get to the bottom of it all.

 

 

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“You saw the papers, right uncle?”

 

 

“Yea, and Sesshomaru's goons banging down my door at first light, scared the hell out of Kagura. They took my camera, and promised to break my neck if more photos were released.” Naraku caught the glare from his wife across the kitchen, Kagura was furious at the early morning intrusion. Naraku knew full well he would be hearing about this for a long time to come. “Ya know Kouga you could have given me a bit of warning boy.”

 

 

“Where's the fun in that? You had to be off guard or you would be suspect.” Kouga sat in a quiet corner of the Starbucks down the street from his condo.

 

 

“Well, what's next?” Naraku sounded stressed through the phone, no doubt he was concerned that eventually the tie between he and Kikyo would be uncovered, Kouga could care less, if Naraku went down so be it, no one could link it to Kouga or his pack until it was to late. Who would they believe, a greasy questionable investigator, or the son of a once highly reputable champion for the environment, who is simply trying to continue his fathers' work?

 

 

The grin on his face unnerving the few patrons that looked his way, maybe it was the fangs, of course it was the fangs. Human women found him dangerously desirable, the youkai within him striking a risky cord in women's psyches. Females both human and youkai loved the bad boy, and Kouga was more than willing to comply. Kouga was never lacking in companionship, hell he was really no better than Kagome in that aspect, he had two other women waiting in the wings just hoping for him to call. The age of casual encounters was good to him, even though his father regarded him as far to relaxed for the amount of women Kouga took to his bed, but hell, the old man was dead, and Kouga was taking out his thoughtfully planned revenge for the patriarch of his pack.

 

 

“Listen uncle, let me worry about it. I am having dinner with Kagome in a few hours, and I will suggest we go see her distraught boss; I am just dying to see how Sesshomaru and Inuyasha are holding up. The Taiyoukai's sons will pay for what they did to my family, and of course Kikyo will atone for slighting you in your time of need. I have it all under control, now go kiss your wife, hell take her shopping, what I paid you two should be set.” Kouga winked at an eye-catching blonde who was flirting with him two tables over. “Listen I'll call you tonight, relax, I've got this.” Kouga ended the call, standing from his chair, his azure eyes locked on the easy target.

 

 

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Inuyasha sat tormenting himself in the morning light that faded to afternoon. Kikyo lay unmoving beneath the crisp white sheet, an emblem of his adulterous, new, but thoroughly destructive life. She was the sole person that he wished forgiveness yet she could offer nothing in her passive sleep. His serene princess in a bed riddled with lies. The responsibility was his own to endure, yet the heart that beat in his chest faltered with each moment that Kikyo remained outside the realm of reality. The mere pressure of not only Kikyo but Suki, his own child, they walked the line of a razor's width between life and death, that reality drew blood from his soul, the unbearable anguish was ripping his entire being apart with the uncertainty of survival, and he would be the one guilty for their demise.

 

 

Inuyasha returned to the cold tile floor on his knees, Kikyo's unresponsive hand in his, his warm lips pressed to the coldness of her skin, the words of prayerful remorse lost to her ears, but in Inuyasha's soul he hoped she heard his inaudible whispers for absolution. How could he even beg for forgiveness, it would be construed as a prideful act, yet it was what his heart yearned for in it's ruptured circumstance. How else could he respond? The hanyou knew full well the penance he must beg for, even if Kikyo could, or would ever look upon his face again. Silent tears escaped from the eyes of the great Taiyoukai's son, his father must be looking down on him with distain, yet the human blood that flowed in his veins gave him cause for remorse, Inuyasha cared not for what those outside would think, he was agonizing throughout his entire being, each beat of his heart, every twinge of muscle brought nothing but pain, anguish rightfully brought upon himself there was no relief but a word of forgiveness.