InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ To Love No Other ( Chapter 22 )

22. To Love No Other

 

 

 

She dreamed of him again, it was all because of Inuyasha's questions; deep within her heart she knew they were not the questions of her husband but those of her husbands brother. Inuyasha had never been one to dredge up the past, but now the past was being resurrected, and it pulled up, remembering those long buried fears, and pains of her previous life. Onigumo, the trickster, the liar, he was the thief that stole Kikyo's virtue, young as she was, yet the man did well to play helpless, hopeless, friendless, and Kikyo fell for it like the youthful girl she was. The worm burrowed under her skin, Onigumo knew how to tug at her heart, playing on her compassion, in spite of that the man was not supposed to survive, so pity was allowed. Yet, Onigumo did live through his injuries, and became deeply obsessed with the only one who showed him kindness. Would Kikyo even know him if they met face to face? Nevertheless Onigumo was the demon that lurked in the shadow of Kikyo's darkest fears, no law of man could protect her, she tried in the days before Inuyasha, a restraining order did nothing, it was when he just fell off the face of the earth, and the harassment ended did Kikyo believe the snake was dead. Was he truly alive, was he coming for her? Could any amount of surgery repair his deformed features? It was the voice of her husband that confirmed without even truly saying so that Onigumo was alive, and once again a threat to her well being. Of course, Onigumo was of youkai blood, the marvels of their deep magic with it they could change their appearance with wraithlike tangibility. She had seen it all to well with her own eyes, Sesshomaru could walk into any boardroom and look completely human until the guise fell and the unnatural saffron eyes and silverspun hair shone through.

 

 

 

 

With her breath caught in her clinched chest Kikyo awoke near panic, visions of the burned phantom haunted her now waking memory. “Inuyasha?” Kikyo sat up with a painful start; she was disoriented, and a bit woozy. “Where are you?” She felt ashamed of herself; she was supposed to be ridding herself of the cheating bastard of a husband, yet here she was calling out for him like a frightened child afraid of moving shadows in the dark.

 

 

 

Ayame strolled into the room all smiles, holding a double dose of syringes. “Here I come to the rescue, I, Ayame will wipe out pain.”

 

 

The fanged grin on the youkai's' face sent a chill through Kikyo's spine, she did not fear Ayame, yet she feared the youkai in general, now the paranoid thought of Onigumo stalking her took first thought in Kikyo's mind. She could not protect herself in her weakened condition, and Kikyo sure as hell could not shield her children from a youkai attack, she was at the mercy of a creature that was supposed to be gone from her life, and the horror of that realization chilled her both body and soul.

 

 

Gathering her wits about her, Kikyo politely smiled at Ayame. “I'd rather know where my husband is.” Kikyo scowled, adjusting the tube in her nose, finding no comfortable position for it, sighing Kikyo crossed her arms over her chest, god, how she wished to be free of this damned hospital, and the frail state of her body. “My husband, he just vanished.”

 

 

“Well there has to be a reason he ducked out about a quarter to five this morning. He was carrying that old sword of his, and it looked to me that Inuyasha seemed rather preoccupied with something, there was a wild look to him.” Ayame flushed Kikyo's IV line, still all smiles. “Kinda unusual for him isn't it? I mean from what I have noticed, he always seems kind of passive to me.”

 

 

Kikyo softly laughed to herself. “Passive. No, not my Inuyasha, he's just gotten a better hold on his anger in his old age.”

 

 

“Well, he had a deathgrip on that sword of his.” Ayame adjusted the lines speeding up the drip.

 

 

“Tetsusaiga? He took Tetsusaiga? Something must be wrong.” Kikyo mumbled under her breath, however Ayame's acute hearing ears heard as if the woman was shouting. Kikyo's eyes going on their own fruition immediately to the vacant spot in the corner where the ancient sword had been housed so many days and nights. “Did anyone come see him, did something happen? The girls! Are the girls alright?”

 

 

“They're just fine, and Karisuma is probably getting out today or tomorrow, thankfully, your sister-in-law has offered to take her home till you get back on your feet.” Ayame smiled warmly. “Sooo, you and the husband seemed awfully cozy last night, all forgiven for his past transgressions?”

 

 

Kikyo visibly blushed, hiding a grin behind her hand. “No,” She laughed slightly. “no, not forgiven by a long shot, lets just say last night was the first time in a long while that we were open with one another, it had truly been years it seems, I mean with work and the girls, I think we forgot about each other. But no, Inuyasha is far from being forgiven, he screwed that—“

 

 

Kikyo abruptly ended her sentence, she was airing her dirty laundry to a complete stranger, well, Ayame was fast becoming a friend, but still, no one needed the details of her humiliating ordeal with the office slut, better yet the office slut screwing her husband practically under her nose. The degradation the affair left in her soul, nearly killed her, not to mention her family knew, her friends knew, what kind of friends did that make them, Sango and Miroku both, they hid it out of what? Loyalty? Where was the allegiance to her, perhaps it was only her sweet even-tempered Rin who was only sincerely her friend. No, she could not do this to herself anymore, there was a monster out there, she and Inuyasha could work through this later, if she was lucky enough to have a later with him, when and if she wished a afterward in his arms.

 

 

“Ayame, please do me a favor and get Miroku for me? I really need to talk to him.” Kikyo implored the head caregiver warmly.

 

 

The dutiful nurse looked with confusion upon the face of the ill woman, if more stress was added then Kikyo would find herself back in surgery, but to deny her would do nothing but add more strain, to was bad or, well, bad.

 

 

“Are you sure he is here? I mean your family has pretty much been camped out on the floor for weeks. They have to go home sometime.” Ayame opened up the blinds of the room, the gray morning light slowly filtered in.

 

 

“Sesshomaru is still here right?” Ayame nodded a `yes'. “Then there is no way in hell Miroku is gone, where Sesshomaru goes, as do the lawyers and bodyguards which flow in his all powerful wake.” Flustered and already exhausted with the day Kikyo slumped back into her overly soft pillows, the anxiety that crept around her was fighting to get to her by now fractured soul.

 

 

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

 

 

“Get your fucking hands off of me you perverted bastard!” Kagome jumped to her feet from the cozy captain chair she only moments ago resided in. “Listen, just because you helped Shippo and me out does not give you the right to grope me with your filthy hands.” Kagome leered at the cocky faced Hiten, whose hands only seconds ago were slipping up her thigh as she nodded off. “Does Hojo know what a sick mind you have?”

 

“You can't stop what comes natural baby.” The elder thunder brother smoothly remarked with raised brows, his hand brushing through his satin hair, as far as Kagome could see the man was obsessive about his hair, not one split end or unevenly moisturized strand, a glaring difference from his bald brother. “You didn't really give me a chance to make you happy, I've never let a lady down.” Hiten slyly smiled, causing Kagome's stomach to flip out of disgust. “You know you'd love it, all you human women do.”

 

 

Kagome stifled an angry scream, and impulsively struck the arrogant youkai across the right cheek. “What gives you the fucking right to lay your hands on any woman without their permission.” Kagome quickly sidestepped into the isle.

 

 

“Oh you're a spirited one, I like that. I just wanted some physical compensation. Why don't we just call it a bonus for services rendered, I know you just love us youkai in you.” Hiten grinned snatching Kagome by the wrist with the speed of a striking viper. “I can be gentle. I won't hurt you, well, not that much any way.” Hiten pulled Kagome into his lap, the move causing Shippo to jump to his feet. “Sit down little man, or do you want my brother there to throw you off the plane, and somehow I doubt you can fly at thirty thousand feet.”

 

 

Shippo hesitantly looked over his shoulder to the hulking Manten getting up from his seat with some difficulty. The pure anger on Kagome's face caused Shippo to take his seat; there was nothing but sharp defiance in those eyes.

 

 

“You. Are. A. Pig.” Kagome spat in his face yanking herself free of the startled youkai, she stormed to the bathroom on the plane as Hiten watched in stunned amazement of the audacity from the mere human woman.

 

 

The elder thunder brother laughed aloud. “Don't fight it, you know you want me.” Hiten called after her as the lavatory door slammed. “Bitch.” Hiten mumbled under his breath.

 

 

“It seems dear brother that your charms are wavering with the fairer sex.” Manten chuckled; the heavyset youkai was thrilled to see Kagome shoot down his Adonis of a brother with such vigor.

 

 

“Shut up you ugly fuck. Go shine your bald ass head.” Hiten could not believe the nerve of the human, they never spoke to him in such a manner.

 

 

Shippo sat silently for a moment, he wondered if he should go offer his assistance, but thought better of it, Kagome was no doubted angry, and he did not wish to draw her venom upon himself.

 

 

“Dumb bitch, playing hard to get. But, pregnant or not that woman is hot.” Hiten relaxed into the chair, staring the direction of the bathroom.

 

 

Shippo went wide-eyed at the straightforward comments of Hiten; another youkai after her affections was exactly what Kagome did not need. Just what had they gotten themselves into, leaping from one youkai trap to another in the guise of friendship? Okay so the thunder brothers were sent by Sota, yet the two were mercenaries, hired help be for what ever job was needed, they were hired monsters, Shippo became more doubtful of their safety as the hours drug on. Surely Sota did not align them with such men of dubious reputation, somehow this Hojo person owed the Higurashi's a favor and Sota moved in to collect to protect his sister, but what if more money was offered from another source?

 

 

Kagome sat on the toilet lid shaking uncontrollably, and silently crying for Inuyasha, each step she took was landing her and the baby in a more precarious situation, if only she could let Inuyasha know. Kagome unrolled some toilet paper blowing her nose softly, her eyes locking onto an unexpected ray of hope mere feet from her. The private jet supplied its occupants all of the luxuries of a top notch hotel, the bathroom alone was nearly the size of her bedroom, even having a phone in the restroom, a phone, with a shaking hand Kagome grabbed the receiver, stunned to find out the object was real and not a cruel figment of her over stressed imagination. Without thought she dialed his cell number like it was second nature, which it once was, Kagome hoped with all her heart Inuyasha would answer to the unfamiliar number. Kagome's better judgment was shouting at her viciously for this stupidity, acting in such a brash manner, did she really want Inuyasha mixed up in this? Then again, whether or not she wanted to admit it Inuyasha was a part of this whole mess. Before her better judgment took hold and Kagome could slam down the receiver his voice came over the line, strong and calm with curiosity at the identity of the caller.

 

 

“Hello?”

 

 

Kagome froze; elated to hear his voice after so long, the urge to burst into laughter and tears at the same time after hearing his gentle timbre nearly overpowered Kagome's emotions. “Inu…Inuyasha.” Kagome could barely choke out his name as the tears flooded down her face, and a smile graced her lips.

 

 

“Kagome? My god is that really you? Where are you? Are you all right? I'm so sorry for everything Kagome. I didn't mean to simply push you aside, but my family…they need me. I need them, more than I ever thought I did. I'm so sorry for drawing you into my mistake.” Inuyasha's voice caught in his throat, he was unprepared for the rush of emotion that overtook him after hearing her voice. He was supposed to be strong, he was supposed to be a married man worried only for his unborn child, he was not supposed to care about the mother any more, he promised Kikyo, yet that promise was becoming harder to validate by the second.

 

 

“Inuyasha I love you so much, I'm so sorry for everything, I didn't mean to screw it all up so badly.”

 

 

“You didn't screw anything up, I did it, and I will fix it. Where are you? Miroku said Sesshomaru's people are bringing you back home. They didn't hurt you did they?” Inuyasha pulled his car off the road as the dreary morning gave way to cold rain. His mind was still racing furiously on a plan to get Kagome away from his brothers men without killing anyone, Sesshomaru's people did not make mistakes, they were trained assassins, thieves and other undesirable professions, they all knew their job description well. “Which of Sesshomaru's men has you?”

 

 

“None at the moment, we were kinda taken off of the train, right our of Yura's grasp by some of my brother's friends, now we're with them flying somewhere. I don't really know, maybe to Tokyo, or even back to the states, but we've been flying for some time, I just want away from these bastards, the nerve of some youkai.” Kagome sniffled whispering to Inuyasha on the phone, the last thing she wished to do was alert anyone that she was talking to the love of her life, even Shippo. “Some men just can't keep their hands to themselves.”

 

 

 

“That's not going to help me find you Kagome. Shit, what do I do now?” Inuyasha hit his steering wheel out of frustration; it would have been too good of luck for him to get to Kagome easily.

 

 

“You…you were coming to find me Inuyasha?” Kagome eeped out, her tears now flowing with greater force, Kagome was looking at her feet through a watery veil. “Really?” Kagome nearly sobbed. “Call Sota, maybe he can tell you where we are flying to. I…I still can't believe you're looking for me. You're really coming?”

 

 

“Of course Kagome. You are carrying my baby. I'm not going to let anything happen to you.”

 

 

Oh my god he knows! How does he know? Kagome stiffened, forcing herself up from the toilet seat, staring at her pale reflection in the bathroom mirror, the tears stopping suddenly as the shock of Inuyasha's words sunk in. “How did you…”

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

It was the soft knock at noon that drew Kikyo out from within herself. The unsavory scenarios that were plaguing her mind since Inuyasha's disappearance were frightening her greatly, her daughters could be at risk, and Kikyo would put nothing past Onigumo.

 

 

Sango entered the room, her eyes downcast, hiding her face from full view, there was regret there, Sango should feel shame, and as far as Kikyo was concerned they all should. Sango and Miroku knew, god knew how many others at the office did.

 

 

“Kikyo. Ayame said you wanted to see Miroku? He's gone to the police station with Sesshomaru; they are trying to keep Inuyasha out of jail. Is there something I can do for you?” Sango quietly closed the door hesitantly raising her eyes to meet Kikyo's gaze.

 

 

“I'm sure your lecherous husband knows where Inuyasha is, and I want to know.” Kikyo raised the bed slowly to sitting, the gaze of the ailing woman locked onto Sango who was once a treasured friend. “Do you know where he has run off to?”

 

 

Sango went to speak but held back, of course she knew Inuyasha was going after Kagome, well as Miroku told it he was going after his unborn child, but who was she to tell all this to Kikyo?

 

 

“You do know then.” Sango mutely nodded, walking to the foot of the bed. “You owe me the truth Sango, I know you, and you are not so distrustful as your husband can be. Just tell me.” Sango's silence was irritating Kikyo. “Is it the Higurashi woman? Does Inuyasha have the audacity to go and see the woman right under my nose?”

 

 

 

“There is more to it than that Kikyo.” Sango sat on the foot of the bed, her eyes focused on her folded hands in her lap. “He's not doing this to hurt you I promise.”

 

 

 

“Then tell me, make me understand why you all continue to protect him.” Kikyo righted herself a bit more in the bed. “Sango look at me, really look at me.” The normally self-confidant woman's eyes wavered over Kikyo's broken body, her eyes finally meeting Kikyo's scornful gaze. “Look at what all of the lies and secrets have done to me Sango.”

 

 

Sango's eyes welled up with bitter tears, Kikyo had bluntly put what all of the lies had done, and Sango knew that she had played her own considerable part in it all, the fact that Kikyo was speaking to her gave her hope, Kikyo was constantly the bigger woman, and it seemed her heart was always ready to forgive, even now.

 

 

“I'm sorry Kikyo.” Sango gasped out through her tears.

 

 

“I know.” Kikyo reached toward her friend with great difficulty and squeezed Sango's hands with her own. “I have forgiven you and Miroku, even Sesshomaru, I am just not so sure about Inuyasha, and now that he has run off to find that whore, what am I supposed to do?”

 

 

“Absolve him as well Kikyo. He loves you so much, Inuyasha has been torturing himself ever since the accident, I know, as do you, deep down he would give up his life for you and the girls.” Kikyo mockingly let a small laugh escape, Sango appeared stunned at the significant action. “Really Kikyo, Inuyasha knows he screwed up, he has been a wreck, a walking shadow of himself, no one had ever seen Inuyasha in such a state of mind, Miroku honestly feared for his life.”

 

 

 

“How do I forgive Sango? When he proposed to me he swore upon the soul of his father that he would never love another woman but me, now how am I supposed to feel? Could you just let Miroku off the hook? Especially when you find out he is gallivanting around after his girlfriend?” Kikyo eased herself back into the pillows, her right hand hitting the button on the morphine pump. “That makes things a bit better.” Kikyo slightly smiled.

 

 

“Inuyasha is not running around with Kagome.” At the mention of the name Kikyo's smile went to a glower that sent shivers up Sango's spine. “Please believe me on this Kikyo, Inuyasha is doing nothing wrong this time.”

 

 

“Then tell me, let me be the judge.” Kikyo closed her eyes slowly, she was exhausted form the conversation, Sango wasn't about to tell her, and Kikyo was uncertain who would.

 

 

“Again Kikyo, I'm sorry, but Inuyasha is going to have to tell you when he gets back. Please don't hold this against Miroku and me, but really, it is neither one of our place to tell you, I hope you can understand.” Sango stood up from the bed as smoothly as possible. “I'll come by later after you rest, you look exhausted.”

 

 

Kikyo didn't say a word only waving Sango out, yes, Kikyo was frustrated, and angry, but this also deeply hurt. How could Inuyasha keep twisting the knife in her heart any deeper than it already was? Kikyo drifted off. “Guess I'll see how deep it goes.” She mumbled to herself as a morphine induced sleep took hold.