InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ Whispers of the Past ( Chapter 23 )

23. Whispers of the Past

 

 

 

It was three o'clock in the morning again, Kikyo had no idea of the date, and then again did she really want to know how much of her life she had wasted in this god-forsaken hospital. All she could think about was the meeting of a man ten years ago, when she was younger, more naive, more into believing that she could make a difference in one persons life if she tried hard enough. An by god had the reality of life came around to rip the naiveté from her by force. Kikyo slowly drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day they first met, perhaps by chance, or truly karma played her for a fool.

 

 

The trauma unit was an untainted place; one could become obsessed with the sterility of it. “How can the poor man be alive with such extensive wounds? What happened to cause such devastation to the tissues Dr. Warren?” The youthful voice of an inexperienced nurse ebbed through the pain to the injured mans ears.

 

 

Who was she? The woman was above him somewhere with the voice of an angel, and the gentle touches of a saint. Maybe those bastards finally did kill him? Then again maybe not, he felt as if his entire body was screaming in agony, the pain and the voice of his salvation speaking over him, unfortunately he figured he was still of the living world. A warm sensation flushed the patients shocked system as everything around him became blissfully silent and pain free.

 

 

“I could care less about the why, but the how of it was arson aided with an accelerant. He really pissed someone off, guess they had no idea he was a half-breed or they would have finished the job.”

 

 

“Oh my god how cruel, it's a miracle he's still alive.” The nurse paled as she began to replace the dressings protecting the poor mans exposed chest. “Even if he manages to pull through this, what quality of life could there possibly be?”

 

 

The chief of staff stopped redressing the patients face to glare at his new assistant. “I was told you were at the top of your class, and I was told you had a natural aptitude for youkai and hanyou physiology? Are you now implying that I was sent the wrong student? There is no room for compassion with these freaks of nature.” The glare deepened and a frown transforming his lips, he looked more the freak than his patient at the moment as his gaze narrowed and fixed on his new protégé. “Do I need to send you to county or can you deal with this?”

 

 

The suddenly flustered nurse bit her tongue, and broke eye contact looking down at their burn victims lower jaw, or where it used to be, the man gave the haunting appearance of smiling all accept the pearl white teeth and hanyou fangs were grinning unnaturally through where the mans cheek should have been. The unsettling view of those molars and fangs framed by black charred flesh should have turned her stomach, but that would give the attending more ammunition against her, then again the scene would more than likely upset even the most seasoned nurses, and perhaps the majority of first year residents.

 

 

“Miss Shindo… nurse…Kikyo. Pay attention.” The physician brusquely barked.

 

 

Kikyo snapped back to reality nodding and continuing to redress the exposed bone and scorched muscle of the more than likely doomed hanyou.

 

 

…

 

 

A week later after taking on her first hanyou charge Kikyo was amazed by the pure will of spirit to survive. Even with no family or friends by his side the man fought off multiple infections that would have easily been death for a human, yet the hanyou continued to endure. It seemed Onigumo; the moniker finally given to the hospital by the police, improved a little each day, and the heart monitor jumping speed proved his happiness when she entered the room. He was fighting to live for her. Some where deep down she knew the kindness she was showing the dreadfully disfigured Onigumo could be construed as something other than friendship, but her compassionate heart would allow no less.

 

 

What was she supposed to do, as the man endured excruciating cleanings, skin grafts, and then again dressing changes each and every day? Was she to leave him alone in his misery when death was stalking him? No, there was no way, she may not be a doctor, but she could not leave the man alone with his pain, so she stayed, talking to him even though he could not reply, reading to him, and when the time came for foods delivered other by I.V. it was she who was there to spoon it into his mouth.

 

 

“Ms. Shindo,” The bastard chief caught her on the way to Onigumo's room. “I have become aware, as have the entire staff of the relationship between you and our burnt hanyou. You see him during your shift, and even your time off. What we do not understand is why? I can see the curiosity of getting to understand the psychology of the youkai and hanyou, but you are an attractive woman surely your time off could be better spent elsewhere than feeling sorry for that thing.”

 

“That thing?” Kikyo hissed under her breath, her head hanging down so the doctor could not clearly read the anger on her face.

 

 

Even though the youkai and hanyou had walked out of the myths and legends in the beginning of the twentieth century there were always those who reacted with fear and the all to common hate. It didn't matter if you were in Europe or the States the same group of ignorant assholes were always there it seemed. Unfortunately those same people were also in the medical society, the working of the youkai and hanyou physiology was still a fledgling science. Regrettably those who entered the field in the beginning were shunned in the medical community, even if medical knowledge of youkai was gravely needed.

 

 

Doc Warren was nothing new, even though his views surprised her. Why go into the field when you clearly loathe the patients?

 

 

After a moment to gather her thoughts she raised her eyes the meet the doctors. “That thing as you call him has a name, Onigumo, and he has no one. I want him to feel that there is someone on his side through this difficult time.” The trademark scowl distorted the old ass's face. “Hasn't it been found that encouragement, even from a stranger aids in recovery?”

 

 

Doctor Edward Warren huffed, rolling his eyes. “I see.”

 

 

“You see what exactly?” The youthful Kikyo's eyebrows rose in question, however she knew what was coming.

 

 

“You sorry excuse for a woman, you have feelings for those abominations of nature.” Ed Warren gave a superior cluck of his tongue, shaking his head as he spun on his heel heading away from her. “Truly pathetic.”

 

 

“Ignorant prick.” Kikyo barked back angrily entering Onigumos' room.

 

 

…

 

That was the way of thing when Kikyo first began her medical career. It was because of Edward James Warren that she pursued her doctorate then successfully went into administration; never again would she work for or beside a hypocrite. When she and Inuyasha married she was sure to send ole Doc Warren an invite, because by that time everyone around the globe knew the Chinkara name, Kikyo just wished she could have seen his gnarled old face when he opened it.

 

…

 

 

Kikyo awoke to the all to familiar sounds of her heart monitor and the BP cuff deflating. Glancing at the clock she sighed that she had only slept for a little over four hours, the sun was up, and she was once again in pain, surrounded by the same four hospital walls. God how she wanted out of this place, Kikyo could not remember ever being as homesick as she now found herself, dwelling in self pity and confusion, never in her life had she been so torn. Between she and Kaede, it was her duty as the older sibling to be strong, but now Kikyo was feeling nothing but vulnerability, and where was the man who was to be her strength now? Looking for his mistress. Kikyo laughed bitterly to herself, oh what a comedy of errors the past few years of marriage had been. The ache in Kikyo's heart intensified as she glanced over to the chair where Inuyasha and Tetsusaiga had been a permanent fixture since her awakening, the vacant chair became a vicious slap in the face; Inuyasha was off again for the other woman, what was Kagome that Kikyo could not be? Was Inuyasha such a coward that he was unable to make a clean break with her and the girls? No, Sango eluded that there was more to it, something else was going on, but what? It seemed clear that her safety was no priority to Inuyasha, then again there were enough of Sesshomaru's people in the hospital to stave off a small guerilla strike force. One could go crazy thinking of the why's and how's, and at the moment Kikyo could keenly feel her sanity slipping away, and it would if she remained here a moment longer.

 

 

Kikyo was through with the room, the sun was up, and Kikyo would be damned to stay another minute in her bed, which at the moment became more like her prison. She was sick of being an invalid. Slowly she lowered the bed, Kikyo eased her legs over the edge of the bed; unfortunately she had forgotten the pain associated with weakened muscles, and deeply bruised tissues a scream escaped her as jolts of electricity tore up her unused muscles. The sudden pull to her abdominal muscles came as a blinding blow, her eyes watered and Kikyo could hear the screams coming from her even if there was no conscious control. The near sternum to belly button incision caught fire, the agonizing wail of her own weak voice filled her ears, as the thick blanket of unconsciousness tried to claim her waking mind.

 

 

“Oh hell no.” Kikyo refused to give into the blackness, she groped for the nurse call button as she tried to relax, and silence her shrieking.

 

 

Ayame seemed to fly into the room, her eyes wide with shock. “What are you trying to do?” The youkai eased Kikyo's body back onto the bed. “Are you crazy?”

 

 

“Maybe.” Kikyo frowned. “Get me out of this god forsaken room Ayame. I want to see my daughters now.”

 

 

“Let me page the doctor.” Ayame tried to recover Kikyo with the sheet but the panting Kikyo stopped her.

 

 

“No right now, or you will be picking me up off the floor for the rest of the day. I want out of this room, I am not a inmate, and I will see my daughters.”

 

 

“I could sedate you.” Ayame slyly smiled.

 

 

“You…wouldn't dare.” Kikyo glared back. “Let me see my girls, please.”

 

 

Ayame sighed, and then nodded. “Alright, Kari has been asking for you anyway. Just give me a few minutes, you're going to need something for pain, plus I have to alert your brother-in-law, he'll want you guarded.”

 

 

“Do what you have to do, I don't care.” Kikyo tried to get her breathing under control, but the pain was lingering. “Thank you Ayame.”

 

 

“I aim to please.” Ayame winked at her. “Just don't try something so stupid again alright?” Kikyo nodded in response. “Good.”

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

The jet Kagome and Shippo were being whisked away in dipped elevation right as Kagome was exiting the bathroom. She tripped over her own feet and nearly kissed the floor, thankfully Manten was nearby and caught her before she could be hurt. Kagome smiled her thanks as she nearly skipped down the isle to Shippo, the grin on her face refusing to depart. Inuyasha was coming for them; it was more than Kagome dared hope for. He knew about the baby, but at least she didn't have to have the uncomfortable conversation with him about her having a child the product of their affair, granted there were still many things to talk about, but now all she cared about was that Inuyasha was coming for her. That had to mean he still lover her, didn't it? Kagome sat across from Shippo the grin unsettling the Kitsune a bit, then again the past forty eight hours had been a nonstop roller coaster, if Kagome found something to be happy about, more power to her.

 

 

“You seem way too happy for the load of crap we're in. What's up?” Shippo leaned forward looking highly skeptical of his companion.

 

 

Kagome glanced down the isle to the apparently sleeping Hiten then back at Shippo. “He's coming.” She whispered in his ear, Kagome gently rubbed her bump of a tummy then leaned back into the chair completely relaxed.

 

 

“Who—“ Shippo began to question then it hit him, his voice cracked with surprise. “the father? Oh god the wolf?” The young man paled.

 

 

“Oh no, no, no, Kouga is definitely not the father.” Kagome inadvertently scowled at the mention of his name, even from her own lips. “The father is Inuyasha, and I talked to him, he's looking for us.”

 

 

“But how? We don't even know where we will end up Kagome.” Shippo whispered back.

 

 

“Inuyasha will find us, I know he will.” Kagome hoarsely whispered, her smile faded, and tears filled her eyes. “Inuyasha will not give up on me.”

 

 

Shippo knew blind faith when he saw it, and He really did not want to hurt Kagome, but the reality of the situation was that her Inuyasha was not some knight in shining armor coming to rescue her on a white steed, if anything Inuyasha wanted her to get custody of that baby. Shippo wasn't deluding himself, however Kagome was. The sons of the InuTaisho were capable of anything with their lawyers and unlimited resources, they were just as dangerous as the wolf tribe, yet not as blood thirsty, at least if the rumors held true. Then again when could one ever trust rumors?

 

 

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

 

 

 

The first day on the job, there was no hint of normal jitters, she was calm, steady, and she had done this before. The colorful scrubs white with a pattern of primary colored clowns was a façade of the personality that dwelled within. She was a nurse, secretary, lawyer, senatorial aid; she was the void of a fruitful life, meant to fool all that came into contact with her. Her long pale platinum hair was done up in a cheerful ponytail, her mirror silver eyes took in all details as she entered the floor, Sesshomaru's men only briefly questioning as she proceeded to the nurses station to check in with her superior Ayame.

 

 

The head nurse looked up from her computer screen with a grin on her face. “Oh so you are the new meat. I'm Ayame. Hope you are ready for long days.”

 

 

The petite 5'2” woman bowed slightly, an unassuming smile returned the friendly gesture. “My name is Kanna. I am pleased to meet you.”

 

 

 

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

 

 

Kouga flung the warm blood from his hands, the crimson drops melting into the deep snow banks. Steam was coming from the various wounds on the youkai woman that lay at his feet. She was one of the Taiyoukai's agents, but the bitch reeked of his Kagome and that other masculine scent which infuriated the blood drunk wolf alpha even more.

They were only a mile away from the Glasgow train station; Kouga had so sloppily snatched the woman after easily killing her male companion as he was taking a leak. Ginta and Hakkaku were standing on the other side of the doomed man relieving himself, shocked when Kouga tore his throat out within a half a second.

 

 

The brash behavior of their alpha was getting out of hand, but the two underlings could do nothing but help to clean up the mess, and stay out of Kouga's way when his actions became so bizarre. He was led to the train station by a phone call, yet when the train pulled into the station with no Kagome to be found the wolf prince lost all composure.

 

 

The three stood in the blinding snow, the blood scent filling their nostrils, the veins in Kouga's neck bulging and the woman's blood everywhere decorating the snow bank like a gruesome splatter painting.

 

 

“Now what Kouga?” Ginta throatily forced out, he hated to ask anything of Kouga now a days.

 

 

“I don't know! FUCK!” Kouga vocally roared into the whipping wind and snow.

 

 

“At least we know two other youkai took them off the train.” Hakkaku meekly replied as Kouga glared at his cousin sending a visible tremor through the terrified wolf demon.

 

 

“And what good does that do me!” Kouga stalked toward Hakkaku who sheepishly backed away.

 

 

“I… I … don't know Kouga, at least you know the slut human is keeping your heir is alright.” Hakkaku whispered out looking toward his brother whom even in the viciously blowing snow visibly paled at Hakkaku's words.

 

 

Kouga let out a deep throated growl his right hand swiped at the face of Hakkaku gouging out the wolfs' left eye quicker than Ginta could step in to pull his brother away. As Ginta yanked Hakkaku back, the eye was already staring up at them from the snow.

 

 

“I fucking told you don't say a word about my Kagome.”

 

 

Hakkaku shrieked falling into Ginta, the two landing beside the mangled remains of Yura in the ensanguined snow.

 

 

“MY EYE YOU BASTARD YOU TOOK MY FUCKING EYE!” Hakkaku squalled his hands covering the oozing vacant cavity; Ginta was too shocked to do anything but hold his brother from getting up and going after the infuriated alpha.

 

“Hakkaku hush.” Ginta pleaded.

 

 

“You can both just die right here.” Kouga raced across the snow fields with amazing speed leaving the two brothers, the wails of Hakkaku still meeting his acute ears as he came close to the lights of the train station. “I don't need anyone slowing me down, especially not those two morons. I'll find Kagome on my own, and rip that bastard pup out of her body. Damn you Inuyasha.”