InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: Aftermath

 

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

 

Inuyasha was at his desk, prepping final grades for his students when he felt a brief flash of fear. At the same time, he felt the school building shake. Other than a few books falling to the floor, no damage was done.

 

(A/N: There are very strict building codes for buildings in earthquake areas. Many of the newer buildings are built so to absorb the shockwaves of earthquakes, reducing damage.)

 

`It is a good thing the kids are already home,' he thought to himself as he picked up the fallen books. `I hope that Kagome is okay. I can't call her since she left her cell phone in her car.' (A/N: Remember, Inuyasha has Kagome's car while his is in the shop.) He felt uneasy, but couldn't pinpoint a reason. Inuyasha returned to work on the grades, trying to finish them before he headed home.

 

A few minutes later, the principal's voice came over the intercom. “Attention staff. As you may have noticed, a moderate earthquake struck Tokyo. Damage is mostly light; most seems to have been centered on the eastside of town. As you travel home, please use caution. Thank-you”

 

Inuyasha put away the grades and locked his classroom. `I guess I will head home and wait for Kagome.'

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Sesshomaru found himself helping the teachers calm the frightened children. Suki was trying to get a head count. Surprisingly, when the earthquake struck, the rooms where the children were sleeping, all in the front part of the building remained mostly intact. Sesshomaru and Suki were able to get them out of the building safely.

 

He stood up from where he knelt as he comforted a crying child (Can you see him trying to calm frightened kids? lol) and looked at the shelter. The entire back and left side of the building had collapsed, leaving a pile of rubble. Sesshomaru could hear the hissing of broken pipes. Looking down the street, he saw that the buildings sustained varying amounts of damage; some appeared to be untouched while others were totally destroyed. He could see the tenants of the buildings milling around in the street, offering comfort and aid to those who needed it. A young man with red hair approached him.

 

“Is everyone okay here? Are any of the children injured?” Sesshomaru shook his head.

 

“It doesn't appear that any are injured here. The children are mainly frightened.” The young man nodded and picked his way over to a young boy who was crying fretfully. Sesshomaru watched as the young man reassured the child and soon had the boy laughing.

 

“Mr. Taisho! Mr. Taisho!” Suki came running up, worry etched on her face. “There are two missing according to my count. Rin and Kagome are nowhere to be found.”

 

Sesshomaru's golden eyes pierced Suki with their intensity. “What do you mean; they are nowhere to be found? They have to be out here somewhere!” He stalked over to where the teachers were clustered with the children. “Have any of you seen Kagome or the child, Rin?” Sesshomaru frowned as they all shook their heads.

 

He pointed to one teacher. “I want you to go around behind the building and see if they are there.” Pointing to a couple of others, “I want you to go down the street and ask if anyone has seen them.” He turned and started back towards the shelter.

 

“Mr. Taisho, wait! It isn't safe to go inside yet,” Suki said, fear and concern coloring her voice.

 

“I am going to see if I can find them. I will be careful.” The red-haired young man approached them.

 

“At least take Shippo here with you.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “Very well.” He started again for the shelter, Shippo following quietly behind him.

 

The two men carefully made their way into the building and began to systematically search for the missing pair. Damage varied greatly inside; from fallen tiles to collapsed ceilings and floors. As they made their way further back, the amount of damage increased. No sign was found of Rin or Kagome.

 

Sesshomaru was about to turn back with Shippo, hoping that Suki had found them, when a faint noise caught his attention. Motioning Shippo to remain still, he listened carefully. Just about ready to think that it was only the building settling, he heard it again. It sounded like a child crying! Shippo indicated that he heard it as well.

 

“Rin, where are you!? Are you okay?” shouted Sesshomaru.

 

The crying stopped. After a long, agonizing moment, they heard a faint “Help!”

 

“Rin we will get you out, just be patient a little longer. Is Kagome with you?” Sesshomaru held his breath. Shippo was poking around the debris from the fallen wall, trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from. Finally a small voice answered.

 

“Yes.” Sesshomaru relaxed slightly before the voice continued, “ `Gome hurt.” `Kagome is hurt? How badly? Is that why she isn't answering?' Sesshomaru growled as the thoughts jumbled in his head. Shippo waved him over to where he was standing.

 

“I think her voice is coming from this area. I can't get any closer as part of the floor here has collapsed and the rest seems unstable.” Sesshomaru nodded his understanding.

 

“Rin, I am going to go get some people to help get you and Kagome out. I will be back in a little while. Take care of Kagome for me, Okay?”

 

“Kay.”

 

Shippo and Sesshomaru made their way back out to the street. Suki came running when she saw them emerge.

 

“No one has seen them out here. Did you find them?”

 

Shippo nodded, “We found where Rin and Kagome are, but we can't get to them. They are trapped beneath the back wall. Rin told us that Kagome was injured.” Suki gasped and tried to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall, but was failing miserably. Shippo gathered her in his arms and tried to soothe the distraught woman. “It will be okay. We'll get them out.”

 

Sesshomaru made a few calls and after a moment, hung up with a look of grim satisfaction. “I have a team of workers on their way to help excavate down to their location. Suki gave him a watery smile as she struggled to regain control of herself.

 

Sesshomaru sighed and unconsciously ran a hand through his hair as he gazed back down the street. He was amazed at what he saw. In just a short amount of time, the residents had organized themselves to help each other. Off to one side was an area that appeared to be set aside for first aid. Further down, an area was set up with food and drink. Several of the seniors were even helping keep the children calm and entertained.

 

“Suki! I got here as fast as I could.” Sesshomaru turned and saw a young man rush up and embrace the woman. “I left the children in the gardens. Is everyone okay here?”

 

Suki tried to hold back the tears as she shook her head. “Not quite. Kagome had come by with Mr. Taisho,” she gestured towards Sesshomaru as she continued, “Kagome and Rin are missing in the rubble. Shippo and Mr. Taisho found their general location. I guess Rin indicated that Kagome had been injured.”

 

The young man kept one arm around his wife as he reached out with the other. “Mr. Taisho, I am Hojo, Suki's husband. I thank-you for the aid you have given Suki and the children today. What can I do to help getting Kagome and Rin out from the building?”

 

Sesshomaru shook the man's hand. “I have workers who will be arriving shortly to help us get Kagome and Rin out.”

 

“Thank-you again for your generous assistance.” A look of sadness settled across his face. “Has anyone tried to reach Inuyasha?”

 

Sesshomaru shook his head. “No, but I will call and inform him.” He walked a little way from them and placed the call.

 

As the phone rang, he saw his team of workers arrive; Jaken with them. Shippo stepped forward and briefed them on the situation.

 

`Hello?'

 

“Inuyasha, it is I, Sesshomaru. I take it that you weathered the quake in one piece.”

 

`Yeah, I did. Why are you calling me like this now? You never have called after any of the other earthquakes.' Sesshomaru could hear the curiosity in his voice.

 

“You are aware that Kagome and I met for lunch today, are you not?”

 

Inuyasha's voice became hesitant as he answered, `Yeah, why?'

 

“We came out to the children's shelter afterwards. When the quake struck, part of the building collapsed, trapping Kagome and Rin in the rubble. Rin indicated that Kagome has been injured. We are not sure how badly. You may want to come down.”

 

`Damnit!' Sesshomaru could hear more cursing and a door slamming. `I'm on my way.'

 

“Very well.” Sesshomaru hung up and strode towards Jaken.

 

“Jaken, I want you to call and have the office building set up as a shelter for the children and any of the other residents here that need a place to go.”

 

Jaken looked up and gave a small smile. “It has already been taken care of, sir. It should be ready within the hour.” Sesshomaru nodded.

 

“Well done, Jaken.” The assistant broke out in a huge grin. It wasn't often that he received a compliment from his boss.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Rin sat beside the unconscious Kagome and gently patted her cheek. When the earthquake hit, she remembered Kagome had thrust her under a desk before a loud noise and lots of stuff filled the air. Once the dust had settled, Rin had started to cry.

 

****Flashback****

 

It was dark with a few patches of a lighter darkness scattered around. Rin crawled from beneath the desk, scraping her knees on jagged pieces of concrete.

 

“ `Gome?” she called out softly. She started to cry again when there wasn't any answer.

 

Rin continued moving in the direction she had last seen her friend. Her hand brushed against flesh - KAGOME! Gently running her hands across the woman's body, Rin was able to remove most of the debris covering her. There was a large piece that lay across her back that was too heavy for Rin to move. When she brushed some hair from Kagome's face, her hands came back sticky.

 

Rin sat down beside Kagome and held the woman's limp hand. Rin continued to cry, scared that no one would be able to find them.

 

After awhile, Rin heard a voice calling her name. She smiled and stood to her feet. Finally, someone would come and they would take care of Kagome. The voice promised to come back with help, and Rin settled down to wait again.

 

****End of Flashback****

 

Rin had been sitting in the darkness for a while and was becoming chilled. She lay down and carefully snuggled against Kagome, hoping to stay warm. A short time later, Rin drifted off to an uneasy sleep.

 

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

 

TBC

 

A/N: Thank-you for all of the wonderful reviews on the last chapter. I apologize for not updating sooner, but I was on vacation, and then had a slight case of writer's block. As always, special thanks goes to Breezie for her much appreciated help with this chapter.

 

Yes, Shippo is back and he seems to be doing better. He was the one who saved Kagome from the car earlier in the story. A couple of people reviewed and told me that they were able to pick up on that - Well Done! For those who may be confused as to why I said that he seems to be doing better - please read I Will Always Be There For You. You will find the answer there.

 

As always, Read, Enjoy, and Review, Review, Review! Thanks guys!