InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ If You Are Not The One ❯ Reflecting On All of My Mistakes ( Chapter 22 )

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

IF YOU ARE NOT THE ONE

Chapter Twenty-Two: Reflecting On All of My Mistakes

Hello my friend, we meet again
It's been awhile, where should we begin?
Feels like forever
Within my heart are memories
Of perfect love that you gave to me
Oh, I remember

We've seen our share of ups and downs
Oh how quickly life can turn around
In an instant
It feels so good to reunite
Within yourself and within your mind
Let's find peace there

When you are with me, I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice

-Creed's My Sacrifice-

“Sakura stand still so that I can finish your hair.” Sango attempted to blow dry Kagome's hair as she tried to fix her up for her date that had yet to arrive. Kagome sat Indian-style on her bed as Sango did away with her wavy raven stresses. She tried her best to ignore the power of the giant blow dryer as it ruffled her hair all around, not exactly as much enthusiastic as her perky friend. Sango had insisted on straightening her best friend's hair for the occasion, saying Bankotsu would love her hair down than up like she usually wore it to work.

Kagome looked in front of where she sat on her bed to the large mirror hanging on the purple walls of her bedroom. “Sango isn't the top a little too much?” Sango had bought her the cutest turquoise top that showed the perfect shape of her bust, it outlined her slim waist to perfection and matched perfectly with her big blue eyes. And she wore a prim shirt that showed off her toned legs.I look desperate to get laid!

Sango rolled her eyes as her friend looked at herself in the mirror speculation ideas, a horrified expression on her face. “You look gorgeous; Bankotsu won't know what to do with you when he'll have you alone, trust me.” Not helping…Sango.

“Yeah but—”

“How many times do you want me to say it, it looks great on you besides, it's the least I can do for the concert tickets.” Sango yanked her hair a little and Kagome playfully glared at her while looking at the mirror, Sango only giggled.

“They were nothing. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.” She assured her as she sat there and waited patiently for Sango to stop pulling her head. She had miraculously gotten back stage passes to Sango's favorite band and a hotel to stay for two nights this weekend.

The tickets were supposed to be for Miroku to take her, all Kagome needed now was a way to get Sango to take Miroku. Who am I fooling? I should have said I way holding them for a friend while I still had the chance…she thought; Sango had found the tickets going through her purse and had assumed they were for both of them to enjoy a girl's weekend away. When in reality, Kagome had planned to give them to Miroku, so he would have asked to take Sango in the first place.

“Are you positive you can't go this weekend? It'll be great just the two of us.” Sango insisted for the fifth time that day, somehow trying to get Kagome to go with her instead of spending two nights alone in one hotel room for the weekend two hours away.

Kagome frowned, she really wanted to go, she couldn't deny that much; but she had already made plans that she could now not get herself untangled from. “Sorry, I'm booked. I work and I promised Inuyasha to baby-sit for him that day since he has to go to Osaka for something about a business trip and I'm not sure what time he'll be back.”

“You're no fun, you should have told him to get a babysitter.”

“I don't mind, Shippo and I have fun together. I'm sorry, look I promise I'll make it up to you. But take Hinten instead.” Kagome knew that if Miroku found out that she given Sango the tickets to go with Hinten, he would stop insisting on buying her lunch every day and sending it to her desk. She laughed at the thought, when Inuyasha had more than once accused Bankotsu of sending her lunch yesterday to dazzle her. She had to admit she liked Inuyasha's strange hints of jealousy and attention, finding it slightly amusing. The man was truly beyond her comprehension...

“I'll ask him.” Sango interrupted her thoughts. “So are you psyched about the Grand Ball next week?”

Kagome winced at the mention of the Ball that Takahashi Inc. had scheduled to host for next week. Apparently, it was the biggest event held in Tokyo which prestigious people of high ranks in society mingled once a year. It was a huge bash not just anyone could assist; the biggest gossip so far at work was who was going with who and if they should wear undergarments under their gowns or not.

“Oh my god, I completely forgot about it! What I'm I going to wear?” Kagome asked, with all the work she had, there was no time for Yoshida Sakura to think of fancy parties, not that she had ever been to any huge ones in particular.

Sango shook her head amazed at Kagome's ignorance. “Sakura, the ball is a week away, what do you mean you forgot!? We have to go shopping as soon as possible and get you a gown.” Sango turned off the blow drier and unplugged it, and then she ran a brush through Kagome's soft locks before letting her finish preparing for her date.

“Are you going with Hinten?” Sango stretched and stiffly collapsing on to the bed and looking up at her friend, watching amused as Kagome ran back and forth about the room with one heal in one had, while hopping to put the other one on her right foot.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, he just asked me today.” Sango nodded; delighted her boyfriend had not forgotten to ask her.

“Oh…” Kagome frowned. “I don't want to go if I don't have date.” She mumbled as she applied eyeliner in front of the mirror.

“Don't worry, I'm sure Bankotsu will ask you, otherwise I'll get Inuyasha to take you.” Kagome flinched at the mention of her boss's name.

“Won't he plan on going with someone else?” She asked, Inuyasha had been lightly rude to her ever since the whole bouquet incident outside his office.

Sango shook her head and denied with some of her usual fire. “No, usually he brings Yura, but I can convince him to take you. I have my ways you know…”

“Sango! You can't torture the guy into going as my date.” Kagome drawled.

“Sure I can! The guy needs a decent date for once. I'm sure he won't mind, we're all friends here and it'll be fun.”

“I don't think he'll want to, he's already infuriated with me for dating one of his employees.” Kagome scoffed.

“Oh don't mind him; knowing Inuyasha, I'm sure he's just jealous, it'll pass.” Sango said, batting her eyelashes before winking at her friend suggestively.

“Hmn.” Kagome rolled her eyes; Inuyasha had not made a move yet to show interest in her and therefore he had no right to be jealous. Grabbing her keys and cell phone and tugging them into her pocketbook, she walked out of her bedroom turning the lights off as she closed her door and Sango followed behind.

************

Inuyasha scowled from the rearview mirror to the little redhead kid strapped in the back seat of his luxurious car, “Shippo they just want to meet you,” his voice adamant as he spoke almost too calmly for his taste.

Shippo glared and hissed. “NO! I'm not going and you can't make me!”

Inuyasha frowned as he speeded through the streets of Tokyo city at night. “Ship—Buddy listen, they're really good people. I promise I wouldn't make you go through all this if I wasn't sure that they were decent enough people—”

Shippo's little arms folded over his chest as he interrupted heatedly. “Then explain why you're trying to get rid of me Inuyasha, why?!”

Inuyasha growled. “I'm not damn it!” Shippo wouldn't understand that all he was trying to do was for his benefit. They had gone to dinner after school something they rarely did since Inuyasha was never the one available to pick him up from school. It would always be Myoga, his personal server to pick Shippo up from school and take him home while Inuyasha stayed late at work. From the beginning, the little boy had been suspicious of his sibling's intentions.

“Why do you want to give me away? You—you don't care anymore do you?!” He watched intensely as Inuyasha stopped at a red traffic light and rolled down his black tainted window to beckon with his hand for a group of women to cross the street before the light changed color.

Inuyasha accelerated as he pushed his foot on the gas pedal and shifted a gear when making a left swiftly on the next street over. “Shippo, they'll be better guardians than I am. They'll take care of you and give you everything that I can't give you!”

“And what exactly is that?! You've already given me everything, please don't make me go.” He argued and pleaded.

“They'll give you a proper home Shippo.” He promised as he lowered his voice.

Shippo shook his head. “But this is my home; you're like a big brother. I'll be good I promise, I'll—I'll eat all my vegetables, I won't hide the remote control from you and I won't go through all your stuff anymore.”

“Ship that's not it, that's not why I'm doing this.”

“Don't be stupid Inuyasha, a guy like you, needs a little kids like me to keep an eye on you.”

“You see, that's exactly it! Look at me; I can't even take care of myself anymore let alone you. It's not that I don't care kid, but I really don't think it's fair for you to put up with me, to have someone like me to look up to or worry over when I come home late.” He argued.

But Shippo suggested in a flat voice. “Then don't come home late.”

“Shippo that's not the point,” the car in front of them slowed down for some reason and Inuyasha angrily drove around them and accelerated but did not make it past the red light. As he pulled up slowly to the light he noticed there was, one car in particular ahead of them with two kids and their parents inside. He sighed as he tore his eyes from the image, and glanced at Shippo who still sourly looked out his window.

“I'm still not going.” He icily said while ignoring Inuyasha's stare.

“If I buy you a Nintendo Wii, won't you at least meet them?”

“I already have a Nintendo Wii, you bought it for Christmas remember?” he replied.

“What about a DS?” Inuyasha said making Shippo annoyed at his persistence.

“Miroku gave me one for my birthday.”

“I'll buy you all the games you could ever want, but—”

“Then if you don't want me to stick around I'll just runaway!” He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door in the middle of heavy traffic, stepping out of the car. Surprised, he watched alarmed as the little kid took the red light as his opportunity to escape, Inuyasha's eyes widen with panic. He had not seen that one coming.

“Shit.” He murmured unbuckling his seatbelt flustered.

“Shippo come back!” He called as he got out the vehicle but the other cars in back honked and one man flipped him a birdie. He wanted to run after him but because traffic was starting to accelerate again as the light turned green, Inuyasha had no alternative but to get back into his car. As soon as he got back in, he stepped on the gas to make u-turn and go back for Shippo who had crossed the street and was currently running down a street to nowhere in particular, his eyes filled with unshed tears as he held back a sob.

As he drove down the street, he eyed constantly for a little redhead boy in a school uniform. Just then his phone rang and he growled at the person on other end of the line. “Shippo wouldn't agree and now he ran away before I could stop him! This is all your fucking fault Sesshomaru! ”

Sesshomaru's voice was recollected and unalarmed at the news. “Inuyasha I trust you find our little cousin, otherwise I'm calling the SWAT team to go after him and you will pay dearly little brother.”

Inuyasha desperately parked before reaching an intersection and promptly got out of his car, he ran to the sidewalk hopping to catch a glimpse of Shippo but failed miserably. “No! I'll find him Sess, give me till midnight, and then you can go berserk and call the fucking SWAT team unless I don't succeed.”

“Don't do something stupid that'll attract the media, we're in deep shit as it is.” His older brother reminded him.

“Fine, I'll call Miroku and Sango to help me.” Inuyasha ran back to his car and took off, there was no point in running after him when he could be anywhere by now.

“Find him.” Sesshomaru instructed one last time in a threatening manner.

“Will do Flufster.” Inuyasha hanged up and rapidly pressed speed dial in order to contact Miroku for help.

***********

The atmosphere of the little Italian restaurant was serene and vivid as they discussing work, a little about their personal lives and friends. Apparently they had much in common, but nothing really caught Kagome's interest about him. And instead, was currently wondering what Inuyasha was doing at the moment. For some unexplainable reason, his face popped up in her mind when she least expected him to. She was curious for one part, not sure why Inuyasha had instructed her to stay away from her date tonight, deciding that maybe he was hiding something from her that she would later confront him about.

Remembering she was presently at a date and should not be thinking about any other man in particular, she gave Bankotsu a nod on whatever it was he was going on about though she paid no real attention. To be frank, he was less interesting than she had first thought; he mostly talked about himself than anything else and how everyone of his other siblings looked up to him.

The waitress appeared out of the blue and placed a large plate of calamari decorated around a diminutive bowl of sauce for better tasting. Kagome stared at the appetizers Bankotsu had ordered for them, her stomach clenching disapprovingly. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy eating such specimen of deep dried squid; however her sensitive nose was behaving in contradiction to her mind. Kagome could not help feeling a revolted bitterness at the back of her throat. “Will you excuse me; I need to use the lady's room.” She excused herself and flashed him a fake smile.

“Sure thing Sakura.” He told her and watched as she walked away to the back of the restaurant near the kitchen towards the restrooms.

Kagome heard her phone vibrate loudly and answered quickly her persistent call. “Sakura! It's about time you answered!” Sango yelped in her ear apprehensively.

“Sango breathe, you're scaring me. What's wrong?” Kagome partly shouted as she covered her left ear with one finger and held her cell phone to her right, the raucous of the restaurant overpowering even thought she was currently in one of the bathroom stalls.

Sango explained herself as she spoke loudly and utterly anxious. “I know I shouldn't be bothering you right now but I need your help. It's urgent.”

Kagome's eyes widen. “What's the matter? What happened?” She heard as Sango screamed at Miroku for touching her in such circumstances.

“It's Shippo.” She managed too choke.

“Oh god, did something happen to Shippo?” Concerned, Kagome walked out of the bathroom stall and was currently pacing back and forth in the little lady's room.

Sango continued, “I got a call from Inuyasha saying he ran away, we can't find him yet and I was hoping you could help us track him down.” Sango explained and Kagome couldn't believe her ears, Shippo was seven years old, where in Tokyo City could he have possibly ran off to?

“…I'll be at the apartment in twenty minutes.” Kagome assured her.

“There's no need for that, Inuyasha is heading towards the bus station near you. I'll get for him to pick you up immediately, just wait a few minutes outside the restaurant until you see him.”

Angry for a moment, wondering what on earth would have caused Shippo to decide to run away, she glared at the thought of Inuyasha. “Right, but what color car is he driving?”

“Black, it's a Mercedes-Benz you can't miss it. Don't worry he'll be there and we will find Shippo even if it takes us all night.”

“But what happened?”

“No time to explain, I'm sure Inuyasha will tell you everything when you see him. I gotta go; Miroku and I are looking for him as well. See you guys in a bit and don't forget to update us on any news of his whereabouts.” Sango explained frantic and hung up before they could discusses the matter any further. Taking a deep breath, Kagome walked out of the bathroom to her table where she spotted Bankotsu glance over at his watch.

When he caught sight of her he smiled as she sat back down in their booth, he had to admit she looked quite stunning tonight. He killed for the company of an attractive woman for a night. “What's wrong Sakura is there anything I can do for you?” His expression concerned for the look of anguish on her face, detecting their date was about to be cut shorter than expected.

Kagome gave him an apologetic look, “I'm sorry Bankotsu; I'm having a great time I really am. But something came up and I need to get home as soon as possible.”

His eyebrow rose at the urgency. “Is there anything I can do?”

“I'm afraid not.” Kagome shook her head.

“May I ask what's troubling you?” Bankotsu asked.

“A little boy I baby-sit has run off and it's important for me to help find him.” She wasn't about to go into details so she explained without beating around the bush.

“Come on, I'll take you home.” Bankotsu offered like a true gentleman.

“Thanks but my friend is picking me up outside the restaurant.”

“Are you sure?” He insisted.

Kagome nodded. “Absolutely, listen I truly feel bad for cutting our date so short.”

“No problem, just promise me one thing.”

“Sure.”

“Go out with me this Friday night.” Bankotsu offered.

“I would love to, thanks for understanding Bankotsu. I better go now.”

“But please let me walk you outside and make sure someone will come for you.”

“There's no need to, he must be already waiting outside as we speak, thanks again and I'll see you at work.”

“Of course, good luck and I hope you find the little guy.” He encouraged and she thanked him silently.

“Me too, goodbye Bankotsu.” She got up to leave and so did he, they kissed on the cheek and he watched as she walked away towards the exit.

“Goodbye Kagome.” He whispered after her retrieving figure.

************

Kagome waited for Inuyasha as he spoke to a policeman and asked if by any chance he had seen a short little kid in uniform. She noticed for the first time that night how he still wore his black suit, but his golden tie and usual blazer were nowhere to be seen, his shirt was unbuttoned just a little and his long silvery hair was kept tied back today. He stopped conversing after a minute or two, a disappointed look his honey molten eyes as the officer apologized and walked away.

Inuyasha caught her curious stare as he walked back towards her, not missing the blush on her fair complexion. They walked side by side, keeping their eyes alert for any signs. “Inuyasha what happened with Shippo? Why would he run off?” She asked as she scanned any visible trace of the crowded subway, watching out for a lonely kid about seven years of age. They had looked for three hour now and he was nowhere in sight, they had visited two bus station and a subway but he was still nowhere to be found.

Inuyasha shrugged. “How the fuck should I know, the kid was there one minute and next he was gone.” He still had yet to tell her of his adoption plans thinking this was not any of her concern, and had come to realize she was more of a persistent woman than he had first thought her out to be.

Kagome pushed a strand of hair behind her right ear. “Well what happened?” She asked him again and he avoided her stare as they walked back to their car parked outside the subway.

“I don't see how it's any of your business.” He offensively snapped.

“Look stop being a persistent dick for once and just tell me, so help me god, I will make you fess up.” She fumed sick of his irrelevant excuses as she got in the passenger seat of his car and then buckled her seatbelt as he did the same. She was restless with worry just as much as he was thought he provided very little help.

He irately turned the ignition, the car roaring to life before he took off with a stomp on the gas pedal and frigidly looked at her direction. “And what for? The kid is already gone and we can't waste time chit chatting away Sakura,” his expression frustrated as he spoke.

He was so damn relentless sometimes.

She fiercely looked back. “Shippo is the most important thing right now and maybe I can help.”

“Just fucking great…” He muttered as they stopped at a traffic light. He sighed at her expression deciding he might as well tell her before she drove him mad. “I'm putting him up for adoption, and I told him about searching for new foster parents and how this one couple I met wanted to meet him.” He confessed.

“Why would you put him up for adoption, you can't be serious!” She demanded.

“You wouldn't understand my motives okay.” his expression frustrated thought he did not raise his voice.

“Try me.” She challenged and he shot her a dark look because of her determination.

Inuyasha sneered and hissed. “The kid is better of without me alright! I'm a bad example, you've said so yourself.”

“Inuyasha, that's because I didn't realize what you went through. Besides, everyone has flaws you know...You aren't a bad role model, the kid loves you and it would be emotionally hard for him to be away from you. You're the closest thing he has to a family.”

“Keh." He blushed. "Stop your yapping woman and help me look for the kid.” Growling now, he avoided her, thinking of what could happen to Shippo if he didn't get to him in time. He looked at his wristwatch; it was nine o'clock of twilight and their time was currently running out.

“You don't have to be such a jerk you know.” Kagome muttered and he narrowed his eyes.

“Bite me bitch.” His words came out half-strangled for his exasperation was starting to get the best of him.

She ignored him and desperately thought of places she would go to if she was a little seven year old boy. “Crap, he could be anywhere by now, how can you be so careless Inuyasha?”

“I don't see how this is entirely my fault.” His golden eyes looked pained thought he knew the answer he tried too hard to ignore.

Kagome gave him a sympathetic look as she tried to reason with him. “Then stop being so selfish for once, put yourself in Shippo's shoes, how do you think he feels about all this?” Before Inuyasha could answer her question, his phone rang and he picked it up while steering with one hand.

“It's late Inuyasha.” A smooth voice reminded him, much to his annoyance.

“No shit Sherlock, can you predict lottery tickets too?” Inuyasha's voice unnaturally even and trained with dry sarcasm.

“This just proves how irresponsible you are Inuyasha, our uncle should have never left you in charge of that kid, I told father not to allow this but he insisted.” The older brother recalled in a tranquil voice.

“If you're not going to help then piss off asshole.” Inuyasha's eyes fix on the road, his expression ready to kill.

“I suggest you find Shippo before something happens to the kid or I will personally kill you myself—oh and Rin says hi—” The entire time he spoke, Sesshomaru's voice was monotone.

Inuyasha's eyes softened and diminished the anger for a second as he drove almost to a hundred miles-per-hour. “Tell her I said ditto.”

“Inuyasha please slow down, you're practically driving double the speed limit!” But he ignored Kagome's pleas and the engine made another roaring sound as he was able to quickly shift back to the best gear for optimum acceleration, continuing to pick up speed, the adrenaline traveling through his veins.

“Was that Miroku?”

His jaw clenched tight but he shook his head at once “No, it was my wonderful fucking brother telling me how much he loves me and wishes me luck on finding Shippo…that lazy ass bastard, always making me do all the work.” He mumbled more so to himself.

He stopped slowly as he came to a halt, they were stuck in traffic again and he was starting to give up. “Look I'm sorry alright.” He sighed, the apology something Kagome wasn't expecting.

“I'm sure we'll find Shippo.” She assured him and brought her hand to rest on his shoulders for a moment, a way to comfort him.

He frowned. “No baka, I mean your date. Sango shouldn't have called you, I told her not to.” He sounded impatient as he looked at her from the corner of his eyes waiting for a reaction of the motionless woman who fidgeted on his passenger seat.

Kagome instantly glared, having forgotten already about the date she had ran off from. “You have got to be kidding me. I love Shippo, it's more important that we find him…If only we knew where he could be, we've checked everywhere.” She sighed and bit her finger nails childishly in an attempt to calm herself down.

She looked up to meet his gaze pleadingly. “Think Inuyasha, where could he be?”

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND CO. I REPEAT...THEY DO NOT BELONG TO ME WHATSOEVER, ONLY TO THE VERY TALENTED MISS RUMIKO TAKAHASHI.