InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ Away ( Chapter 13 )

13.Away

 

 

 

“Where in name of all the Kami's did the bitch go?” Kouga had stalked the streets all night, following his woman's' scent, and losing it in the “new age” section of town. “Kagome doesn't know anyone around here.”

 

 

 

Kouga would know, he had all aspects of Kagome's life literally on file. The hours of resonance his pack had done were immeasurable, yet his idiot cousins would never complain, they were simply happy that Kouga had called upon the two dim brothers, as the leader of the pack none would dare question the resources used, they couldn't unless they wished for a painful death. He had finally stopped calling her cell phone around four in the morning, and he had his people in all of the hospitals in the area, no she was hiding on purpose, and that thought alone enraged the wolf, how dare she make Kouga appear the fool in the eyes of his own clan. By six o'clock in the morning Kouga was destroying the loft he frequented with his numerous lady friends, only Kagome had never been within the walls, she was always taken to his family's estate, as she was accustomed to wealth, and Kouga was quite the thespian able to play the role of the spoiled brat, who conveniently fell into his fathers enormous wealth at such a young age.

 

 

Kouga fell into a fitful sleep on his now shredded couch around nine in the morning amid the total destruction of his loft, the anger within his soul bringing about violent dreams to plague Kouga's slumber. The pack leader slept for only an hour or so before the cell phone in his pocket began to vibrate, cursing whomever had the gall to wake him, Kouga grumbled, perhaps it would be Kagome looking at the screen cursing once again when the caller came up as his uncle.

 

 

He flipped the cell open growling. “Somebody had better be dead!!” Kouga yelled into the phone, surprised when a woman's sobbing was his response.

 

“Kouga, it's Onigumo, he's been really hurt bad…” More weeping filled his annoyed ears. “idiot, he won't go to the hospital.”

 

 

“Kagura, what happened.” Kouga pushed himself up into a sitting position surveying the damage he had done to his flat.

 

 

“He just keeps bleeding—“

 

 

“Kagura. Listen—“

 

 

“What do I do?” Kagura's voice was cracking; she could barely verbalize any clear words.

 

 

“KAGURA SHUT UP AND FUCKING LISTEN!!” Kouga felt the old flame of anger become rekindled in his blood, the woman was infuriating the pack leader, but it was truly not her fault, she was concerned for her mate, it was a devotion Kouga found as alien to him as being honest. If Kagura only knew of his uncles past, she'd leave him for dead in a pool of his own blood. The other end of the line fell silent. “Okay, now slowly what happened to Naraku?”

 

 

“I don't know, I came down to start the coffee and he was hanging on the patio, really hanging there, somebody drove a sword through his body and left him hanging there all night.” Kagura's incessant sobbing returned.

 

 

“I'll be there in 20, and don't call anybody till' I get there, do you understand me Kagura?” Where do you even get a sword these days? Unless the perpetrator was of old blood, it would then be an unusual list of suspects. The ancient swordsmen of youkai blood would be easy to compile but hard to track down.

 

 

“Yes.” The line went dead.

 

 

“What the hell?” Kouga quickly dialed a number spouting orders as he walked out the door, nearly ripping the door off its hinges, and cracking the frame as he slammed it shut. “I don't care what it takes wake the bastard up!! Send him to Naraku's, and call Ginta and Hakkaku back from the hospitals, have them meet me there.”

 

 

Kouga flew down his stairs out into his garage; his Jeep was ready and waiting for its driver, jumping into the vehicle Kouga peeled out, with smoking tires onto the main street. The gray morning adding to the pessimism in his psyche, the sky was completely cloud covered, the smell of snow in the frosty air heightened his senses; he loved hunting in the snowfall. However Kouga did not know at this juncture just who his prey was, but that would change with any luck when he saw his uncle. No mere sword wound would kill a youkai, it in reality just hurt like a bitch. Youkai blood was quick to heal nearly all injuries.

 

 

 

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Inuyasha sat sleeping in an uncomfortable chair in Kikyo's room, the note and photo hidden in a jacket pocket, he would have to show Sesshomaru, however when Inuyasha returned to the hospital, his brother was gone, and Rin was none the wiser about his whereabouts, neither was Miroku. Sango had also made herself scarce, Inuyasha could feel the tension shift, something was happening, and his family and friends were keeping him in the dark. Irritated and exhausted the hanyou finally decided sleep would help to aid his fuzzy mind to sharpen itself, there was an ominous presence growing around him and those he loved, he needed to be ready to act on a moments notice.

 

 

Inuyasha awoke to Ayame entering the room; she was staring at his bag wide eyed. Rubbing his sore eyes, and watching the nurse with curiosity he stayed silent as the woman reached toward his bag only to leap back in surprise when an aura of electricity filled the room.

 

 

“It does not appreciate full youkai touching it. You'll get a nasty burn if you try to pick it up.” Inuyasha surprised Ayame as he stood behind the woman, she yelped as she turned into Inuyasha's chest. “Tetsusaiga, I have not been compelled in a century to carry that fang, but now, things have changed. I will protect my family at all costs.”

 

 

“You can't have that weapon in the hospital.” Ayame stuttered, her eyes glancing uneasily between Inuyasha and the ancient sword.

 

 

“I'd like to see someone try and take it from my possession. Ask Sesshomaru how deadly serious I am when it comes to my fathers fang.” Inuyasha smirked.

 

 

“But still, you just can't bring a sword like that into a hospital.” Ayame took two steps back hitting Kikyo's bedside. “It's just not done, after all your brother has amply firepower with his guards.”

 

 

“I do not care a rats ass about my brothers so called `security', I got Kikyo into this, and I will take care of it. Now—“ Inuyasha took Ayame by the wrist leading her to the door. “if you want to cause me grief about a weapon, I will have you taken off this floor, I'm sure the humans down below could use your talents. Are you so far removed from the ancient times that you forget your heritage Ms. Ayame?”

 

 

“Who are you to judge me?” Ayame was now fuming her green eyes pools of seething anger. “Stupid hanyou, I'm probably older than you anyway.” The nurse mumbled, only to have Inuyasha growl in response.

 

 

“Leave, before you require medical assistance.” Inuyasha flatly spoke with a raised brow, prodding the wolf to respond in kind, no one had called him hanyou in some time, the use of the word surprising him.

 

 

Ayame glared into the amber eyes of Inuyasha. “Lets just see how your brother responds to you treating the staff this way.”

 

 

Inuyasha broke eye contact and laughed aloud at the nurse with fire in her eyes and her hands firmly planted on her hips in the doorway of Kikyo's room. Her temper being a fitting match to her vibrant hair.

 

 

“Oh my god, how mature is that? One of my daughters could come up with a better come back, and there five years old.” Inuyasha laughed out loud again sitting into the chair that had become both confessional and bed. Smiling to Ayame who was still quite worked up, the grin only causing more daggers to fly from the youkai's eyes. “Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.”

 

 

With a contained scream of frustration, Ayame stomped her foot and stormed off, leaving Inuyasha quietly amused with the altercation. Wonder if she would be interested in a career change? She would be fun at the office.

 

 

Kikyo's heart monitor began to beep erratically, not a full minute after Ayame retreated in her rage, Inuyasha took to his feet at his wife's side stroking what hair was visible through the bandages from her forehead. His mate's breathing was becoming erratic as well nearly matching pace with the monitor. Inuyasha leaned down to Kikyo's ear whispering to her, as Ayame and a doctor rushed into the room. The M.D. pushed Inuyasha aside, and Ayame forcefully removed him from the room.

 

 

“What's happening to my wife?” Inuyasha interjected before the door was shut in his face, two other nurses and a doctor were running down the hall toward him.

 

Pushing a cart filled with medical instruments, Inuyasha stepped aside as the door was flung open and the overpowering smell of blood greeted his nose. He tried to see through the blinds but they were pulled shut, all he could hear was the sounds of medical equipment, and rushed medical jargon that made no sense what so ever to Inuyasha, Kikyo would understand it, but she was the one being worked over by the group of medical know it alls. Inuyasha felt as unintelligent as a wooden post, he probably looked like one as well standing frozen to the spot in the antiseptic hallway, staring at a closed window, barely breathing himself, unable to fathom the idea of losing his wife, his mate, the best friend to his heart which he betrayed.

 

 

“The O.R. has been prepped doctor.” A nurse Inuyasha had never seen or talked to informed one of the M.D.'s working over his Kikyo, even if Inuyasha could not see he could hear.

 

 

The door to Kikyo's room flung open once again. “Ayame tell them we are on our way.” Kikyo's bed came quickly from the room; all the hanyou could do was stare, as his wife was loaded onto an elevator.

 

 

Inuyasha stood unblinking as Kikyo disappeared from his sight, leaving him at a complete loss, and utterly confused as to what just happened. Kikyo was all right not ten minutes ago, now she was being ushered back into surgery. He must have looked like a ghost, because Ayame instantly appeared at his side leading him to sit down in his wife's now empty room.

 

 

“What the hell just happened?” Inuyasha's voice was barely audible as Ayame knelt in front of the distraught husband.

 

 

“Mr. Chinkara.” Ayame began with her heart leaping into her throat.

 

 

“Inuyasha.”

 

 

“What?”

 

 

“My name is Inuyasha, Mr. Chinkara was my father. Please just tell me.” Inuyasha's head hung low, as he felt the burn of tears enter his eyes and there was nothing he could do to stop their imminent arrival.

 

 

“Well…there seems to be some internal bleeding that was not there when she was previously operated on. Why don't you let me worry about your wife for the moment, your daughters need you. Suki is showing some encouraging brain activity, maybe if you were with her she would wake up.” Ayame tried to smile at him, but the severity of his spouses' condition kept the hope from her, she simply gave him a weak smile and helped a defeated Inuyasha to his feet.

 

 

The youkai felt like a complete jerk for their previous conversation, how could she get into a verbal argument when the man's family was on the line? Humans rarely brought out such anger in her. She watched him go with troubled eyes, and truly Ayame prayed for a miracle for his wife.

 

 

Inuyasha slowly shuffled two doors down entering the dimly lit room of Suki, at the sight of his daughter the tears broke free, and Inuyasha could do nothing to stop them. With a heavy heart Inuyasha curled up on Suki's bed, weaving his body through the intricate maze of tubes and wires gently pulling his pup into the curve of his body, her head tenderly lying on his crooked arm. He kissed the top of her bandaged head, and nestled his face in her silver hair, loving the security the child's scent allowed him. Inuyasha knew if Ayame found him he'd be in trouble, but at this moment in time he could care less. He did not realize when it happened but sometime in the early afternoon he fell asleep with his child in his arms. Inuyasha was happy in his sleep he dreamt of home, and family.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

By one o'clock Kagome was in a flurry of emotion, and movement. By three in the afternoon all of her financial records had been closed and transferred to Cayman accounts, not to leave a trace, Shippo realized quickly Kagome was ending her life in the states, and if he was not there for the ride he would never see Kagome again. For some reason the kitsune felt drawn to protect this vulnerable woman who seemed to always make bad decisions, his father would understand…eventually. However this meaning she would be leaving her fiancée and married lover, both of which knew nothing of the unexpected pregnancy. Her skill in protecting her money meant that she did indeed have a head upon those shoulders; it was just that she allowed her heart to rule her actions. Now she was a woman possessed, trying with all power granted to her to protect her child, the father be damned. Nearing six in the evening Kagome had gone shopping and packed suitcases, never returning to her home, that place was cursed to her, Kagome's plan was to leave the country, however she knew Kouga would not just let her fly from his life, so her new friend would now have to help.

 

 

“Shippo I need you to buy me a plane ticket. Kouga would easily track my credit card numbers, and if I paid by cash I would be remembered. But you, no one knows that we know each other, we could simply do it on line, and Kouga would be none the wiser. Will you do it for me? I promise as soon as I hit London I will have the money wired to you through a dummy account.” Kagome sat surrounded by luggage, eyeing the kitsune youth with doubt, yet there was a twinkle of hope in those eyes for herself and unborn child.

 

 

“Kagome you cant just disappear.” Shippo interjected as Kagome sipped up the last of her bags with newly bought clothing, both for herself and for a baby.

 

 

“Why the hell not? Kouga could care less, I am just a trophy to him, there is no true feeling other that that held for a possession, and Inuyasha, he will not leave his family, and I would never ask him to do that. I love him, but I will eventually heal, his wife and children may not. No, leaving is the right thing to do, you have to understand the way I feel about this.”

 

 

“Humph,” Shippo crossed his arms looking at the woman who instantly became like a sister to him in only a few hours, how this tragically flawed woman became a friend to his heart he was completely unsure, maybe they knew each other in another life; all Shippo knew for sure was that she was not leaving with out his protection. “fine, I'll buy two tickets. Give me a few minutes okay?” Shippo turned his back to her leaving the room. “Dad's gonna kill me. But he always said I need to become my own youkai.”

 

 

Kagome smiled completely pleased with herself that she had Shippo to turn to, how many strangers would not only open their home but their wallets like Shippo was willing to do, for all the adolescent knew she could be a great con artist, he was willing to see her for what she was, with out passing judgment. Wait a minute did he say two tickets?

 

 

Kagome jumped up following after Shippo who was sitting at his computer and talking fervently on the phone with someone who Kagome surmised was his father. After a few minutes he hung up telling his father `Thank you, and that he loved him.' Swiveling around Shippo faced Kagome with a boyish grin ear to pointed ear.

 

 

“Done and done. Lets get going.” Shippo pulled on a bomber jacket, throwing all he needed into its pockets. He eyed the collection of luggage giving Kagome another charming grin. “You must have broken the bank in two hours, do you have enough stuff?”

 

 

“You're not going.” Kagome stomped her foot as she blocked the front door. Shippo was valiantly struggling with the luggage.

 

 

“Then neither are you. I'm a part of this deal what kind of man would I be to just let you walk out that door, no, I go if you go.” Shippo kicked open the door lugging everything to the elevator. “If you don't hurry we will miss our flight. Come on Kagome.”

 

 

Kagome frowned slamming the door following after the young man with the adorable bushy tail. “Why are all the men I meet so blatantly infuriating!”

 

 

Shippo smiled to her once again as she entered the elevator with a scowl on her lovely face. “Think of it as an adventure Kagome. But an adventure you do not have to go alone.”

 

 

“You know even after all I have done Kouga still may find me Shippo.”

 

 

“Maybe, maybe not.”

 

 

“He'll kick you're ass, he'll think you took me away from him.”

 

 

“Yea right. No wolf thinks of a kitsune as a threat, the food chain just doesn't work like that. Think positive.”

 

 

“Nothing works out right for me. Bad luck follows me like a shadow.”

 

 

“I'll help to change your luck, me and that pup you're carrying. Your life is already changing for the better.” Shippo tried to hug her, but the baggage held him at bay.

 

 

Kagome rolled her eyes stepping off the elevator into a parking garage. “Alright but we do this my way.”

 

 

“Yes of course.” Shippo popped the hatch of his Civic pleased to finally get the 100-pound extra weight off of him. “Get in Kagome, your chariot awaits.”