InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sleep Paralysis ❯ Karma ( Chapter 42 )

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

A/n: I got reviews. Yay ^^.

KawaiChan: Lol, for reals? I needed to just get some relaxed things out there. It's been so wild the last few chapters even I needed a breather @.@;...

KariAngel1100: I appreciate constructive criticism. :D. Ty, and I am sorry at times it is unclear. I will try and work on that. Which chapter were you speaking of, in particular, if I may ask? And I do appreciate the compliments :D. One problem I was having, I noticed to myself, was that I wanted to make them sound young-because they are. 17/18 years old... and I still wanted to show they were kids, so I shied away from the descriptive words. You know? Twas a battle I had with myself. Alas, it seems I did not do it right :/. Tsk, tsk.

Naiya Taisho: OMG, TY! Lol ^^. Writing, typing, same thing in my head. I just can accomplish one faster than the other XD. *flush flush* And ty for the compliments. I appreciate it :D!

Zetsuii: It is alright. All is forgiven. I definitely understand busy, and I do not hold you to it. :D. I hope things are well with you. And take a breather sometimes! I once went through the world and took no time for myself, and now I have an abundance of it. But I think the best thing is to be able to sit down and breathe, and not feel the compulsion to do something. Oo, I sound so meditative. And that is the advice from Dr. Luna I have today :D. No, but seriously-rest does wonders for the mind and soul Miss Zetsuii ^^.

TriNeyce: Scanlations for 'Elfen Lied'? I never tried to look for them... I looked up all the episodes on google.com. There's only thirteen. From what I read, they follow each other pretty closely, with only some changes. And lol, the funny thing is I moved around in the same 30 mi. diameter. I just went from one end of town to the other. Locations... I heard North Carolina was very beautiful. I didn't like NJ, and NY was a nice place-but to visit. But Pennsylvania was very pretty too. Those are the only places I have been to, and my mother loves N. Carolina. She's hard to please, so it must be something good :D. And Florida traffic is awful, the people can be rude, and it's so expensive... >>... Grumble. *considers* Oh, and I heard Ohio was a decent place to live, and Wisconsin is cheap, as well as Oregon. And as far as time-frame... I never really thought about time-frame, but I would say... since Kagome is in the year 99-2000, then I think the best guess is... sometime between 2010 and 2030ish... where things won't have changed in the school system SO much, and society is about the same, but just a squeak different. So I think 2015 is best guess. :D. *frowns* And then I'd have to think it's along the original plotline, and Kagome died, and they were reborn... grum... >>... I'm confused. I'll have to get back to you on that.

That's all, that's all! Thank you to those who took the time to review!

Luna-




Sesshomaru had barely put the car into park before Kagome was already out of it and halfway across the parking lot.

"Hurry up! Let's go!" was her irritated shout, and Sesshomaru snorted as he and Sango exited the car.

"You'd think their lives depended on each other with the way those two panic about one another," came Sesshomaru's annoyed mutter and Sango looked up at him with wide eyes.

Feeling her eyes on him, he turned his gaze toward hers, and gave her a clear look that said 'what'?

Sango shrugged, finding she did not have much to say except the surprise she had when she had heard him clearly complain, and she jogged ahead to catch up with her friend.

"Kagome-chan! Wait up!"

Kagome had already disappeared through the double glass doors that was the entrance to the hospital, oblivious to Sango's call.

Sango huffed in annoyance at being left behind, and she followed Kagome's lead as quickly as she could. Surprisingly, the girl could move, despite her small figure.

Sango recalled... the first time she had come across the girl... silent as the dead, and looking the part...

Discolored skin from the bruises that marred her body, and her flesh a near sickly white... anorexic in appearance, her eyes seeming sunken into her head due to the deep shadows beneath them...

But finally... finally...

After having come to be with Inuyasha, she had slowly put on weight. No longer did her bones look so sharp, and a slight figure began to emerge. A healthy blush came to her skin, and a nice peachy color...

All along, Kagome had been beautiful, but she had been such the sight of pestilence beforehand... and no one could get passed her diseased look.

It was obvious, simply in this visual transformation, what good he was for her.

Not to mention, the deep metamorphisis that had occurred emotionally for her...

But that was a complex situation Sango never liked to delve too deeply in.

It always gave her a headache.

She learned to accept the fact that it was what it was.

And to see it for the gift it really was.

Upon entering the hospital, Kagome was no where to be seen.

The floors were well waxed, flourescent lights gleaming on their surface. It was a lot more hospitable to the eye than other hospitals Sango had visited, with the light colors and the not-solely-blindingly-white theme. The tile was an adorable checkered pattern, with a geometric twist that Sango almost wished her mother had in their house instead of the linoleum. To Sango's horror, upon moving to Japan and hopefully away from the dreaded housing styles of the American 60s and 70s, she had been in for a big surprise when their kitchen floor was covered in exactly that.

Linoleum.

Who knew the Japanese used it?

And from the looks of it, her house was the only house with the dreaded flooring.

She almost wanted to die.

She didn't know why she was so picky about it, and moreover, why the hell her mother liked the disgusting style.

No amount of begging would suffice.

It would stay.

And one poor, confused Sango had another year to endure the wretched sight.

...and sometimes, just sometimes...

She wondered if her mother kept it as punishment for her tomboyish ways.

"Sneaky bitch... I bet that's the real reason..."

During her mid-thought rant, Sesshomaru came up from behind her and startled her.

"Where is Kagome?"

Sango whirled about, leaning far away from him and yelping, "Kya!"

Sesshomaru, in return, gave her a dry look.

And without bothering to inquire further, he just went on ahead, leaving Sango in a fashion that seemed to becoming some sort of sucky trend...

"W... wait! I don't know where everything is!"

And she chased after him, wondering why it was she was always being left behind...






"Inu!" Kagome choked on his name, emotion overcoming her as she raced over to his bedside, pushing Miroku thoughtlessly to the side in the process.

"Ack!"

Inuyasha bolted up in his bed, heedless of the pain of his stitches, and stared at the unexpected prescence of Kagome wide-eyed.

"Kags!"

She all but threw herself atop him, burying her face into his chest as she knocked the wind from him at the impact, and began to cry harshly.

"Gomen ne! Gomen ne! I'm so sorry! It's all my fault! I'm sorry!"

Inuyasha drew his good arm around her, running his hand soothingly up and down her back, kissing the top of her head in the process in an attempt to reassure her.

"Shh, it's okay. It's okay. I'll be fine. Just promise me... promise me you won't leave me again," Inuyasha murmured into her hair, inhaling the sweet scent that was solely Kagome into his body, feeling as if breathing her made him alive again.

"I promise! I promise!" she sobbed unmindfully into his hospital gown, soaking the paper-thin garment straight through as she tried to tangle herself around his body fully.

And all Miroku could do was look on in shock.

He had never seen them so openly...

Openly.... that way before.

And it was in this way Sesshomaru entered the room... To a bug-eyed Miroku and two cuddling teenagers, one of which was still wincing in apparent discomfort.

Sango came in behind Sesshomaru, moving around the statue he had become, and went to Miroku. She placed a single hand on his shoulder to get his attention, and he looked to her finally, greeting her with a warm spreading smile that overcame his face.

"Sango..." her name was almost like a breath that left his mouth.

"Miroku," she answered him, returning his smile with one of her own.

He plucked her hand gently from his own shoulder, bringing it up to caress the back of it softly with a simple kiss.

Her eyes fluttered, and a blush spread its way across her cheeks...

And everyone's attention was captured by a loud sigh.

Sesshomaru.

And if Sango wasn't wrong, beneath that hand that was rubbing his eyes, he had muttered something about 'hormonal teenagers'...

But she didn't say anything.

He was prone to complaining, wasn't he? She never thought it of him, but she guessed it was understandable.

...it was like having four children, she could assume, all of which seemed to ignore him from time to time.

"Kagome, get off Inuyasha please."

A loud sniffle was his response, followed by a stubborn growl.

"She ain't going nowhere, Sesshomaru."

"Inuyasha... you're still healing. You just came from surgery. Do you want to loose that arm?"

Kagome gave Inuyasha a hesitant whisper, full of remorse, "...you had to go to surgery...?"

Inuyasha's face was grim, but he did not say anything.

"Should I have not brought her along at all? I did, under the pretense you two could handle yourselves like proper adults. Was I wrong?"

Inuyasha averted his gaze, in the fashion he did when he knew his brother was right but did not want to admit it.

On the other hand, Kagome began to crawl her way out of the hospital bed and off of Inuyasha... but was promptly pulled back against him which caused her to gasp aloud. Inuyasha held her tightly to his body, and she looked up at him with confused eyes.

"Inu..."

"Just a little longer, okay Sesshomaru? I swear not anymore after that."

Sesshomaru seemed to assent, shifting his weight from one foot to another. Then, he turned his attention to Sango and Miroku.

"I will continue to stay with Inuyasha. It is late, Miroku. You have not slept yet... and considering you are still in your sleeping garments, and were soaked to the bone, I believe the next one up for going back to the house is you."

Miroku opened and closed his jaw a few times in the way a fish might, looking down at his ratty pajamas and blinking at them as if they shouldn't have existed.

"...oh. Yeah."

Apparently, he had forgotten the state he was in.

And surprisingly, none of the hospital staff had asked him about his appearance.

Looking up toward the clock absently, Miroku was slightly taken aback by the time.

...it was still only 6:30.

The sun had yet to rise, and school would begin in an hour. And his parents...

"...shit, my parents..." he cursed, having completely forgot about them. Though he was 18, and his parents did not mind him being out, they usually appreciated knowing where he was... Simply out of courteousness.

"Do not worry. I shall take care of them. You may return to the house with Sango. I doubt Kagome will wish to go anywhere anytime soon..."

His assumption was not wrong given the fact Kagome had made a strange noise similar to a whine when he spoke of her.

Miroku then did a double take when a pair of keys dangled before his face, suspended from Sesshomaru's hand, and Sango stared at the item like it might viciously attack her.

A few moments of silence passed, before Sesshomaru grew impatient and grabbed Miroku's hand, shoving the keys into his palm.

"I do assume you know how to drive, right?"

"A...aa..." was the indistinct grunt of affirmation that was issued from Miroku, and Sesshomaru waved his hand in dismissal.

"Go rest."

Sango and Miroku linked arms together, and turned to leave, somewhat creeped out by Sesshomaru's permitting attitude with them.

But first, they were stopped by his warning.

"And Miroku?"

He turned to face Sesshomaru as his name was said.

"Fuck up my car, and I'll kill you."

Miroku nodded rigidly, sweat dripping down the back of his head as he made his escape as quickly as he could with Sango.

Out of the hospital and inside the parking lot, Sango gave into the urge to lean into Miroku, suddenly reminded of the exhaustion she felt. Miroku moved the arm that was linked with hers to lay it across her shoulders and draw her close.

"Sleepy, my tender little love flower?"

"Shut up."

"Testy, aren't we? Seems everyone is telling me that today..."

Sango gave him a slight chuckle, wrapping an arm around his waist.

But her air soon turned melancholic, and she looked up to him in question.

"...what's going to become of all of us, Miroku?"

Miroku's face fell, that serious tone he achieved with a maturity none of the rest of them possessed coming over him.

"I'm not sure, Sango... but what is important, which I know now more than ever... is that we stick together, as friends... and as a family."

Sango nodded, sleepily nonetheless, and spoke, "That is something I can definitely agree with..."

Miroku's tune changed, and he was smiling once more.

"We've had too much bullshit go on tonight. Let's take Rich-man Sesshomaru's car and book it, shall we?"

Sango arched an eyebrow at him and grumbled, "Book it...?"

Miroku grinned wider.

"Make like a tree and leaf? Haha. Funny."

Sango bopped him gently on the head and he winced.

"Ite..."

"You deserved it, you corny bastard."

"I know, I know... Let's just go home..."

"...I think that's the best idea you've ever had..."





"You two," Sesshomaru turned, addressing those before him.

Inuyasha and Kagome gave him their undivided attention.

"Though I will separate you for the time being, simply so Inuyasha can focus on healing without distraction... after this, you two must stay together."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at his brother, as if he were stupid.

"No shit."

Sesshomaru snapped at his otouto, "I'm not talking that way merely for the sake of doing so. I'm saying it for Kagome's protection, as well as your karma, Inuyasha."

Kagome leaned up as far as she could while lying on her stomach to glance at Sesshomaru.

"What are you talking about?"

Inuyasha snorted in agreement, "Yeah, what are you rambling about?"

Sesshomaru gave him a dull look, one of pressed patience, and growled, "Inuyasha, I'm going to hurt you and put you back into the hospital after you leave here once more if you don't cut that out."

Inuyasha ground his jaw shut.

"Thank you. Now, Kagome, what I meant was in the previous life Inuyasha was unable to fully protect either you or Kikyou. So, he made the wish upon the jewel to start again, because he felt unfulfilled. Yes?"

Kagome echoed him, "Yes."

"Okay. Now, that lingering desire to protect you is what has brought you two together now. In order for his karma to be fulfilled, he must be your guardian so to speak."

"Like... a bodyguard?"

Sesshomaru scratched his temple and his eyes seemed to look off in the distance as they did when he was thinking.

"...I suppose that would be correct, yes."

Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged looks, and Inuyasha gave her an affectionate smile. "Keh, that shouldn't be any sort of problem."

Sesshomaru contested his confidence, "That is not entirely true, Inuyasha."

He received a scowl from his otouto, "And why not?"

"Because, Inuyasha, you must first learn to control the power that runs through you. Until you do that, you are merely human, and are of no use to Kagome."

Inuyasha's face faltered, looking rather dismal and forlorn.

"...for real...?"

Kagome's reaction was automatic, and she went to console him immediately. "You're never useless to me, Inuyasha. Don't worry."

She smoothed his cheek over with a delicate hand, and he looked at her adoringly.

Sesshomaru, on the other hand, appeared to be in distaste.

"What I meant was, that if he did not learn he would be of no use as a 'bodyguard'... Meaning, he needs to practice. As do you, Kagome."

They both peered at him in askance.

"And how are we going to do that?" Kagome ventured.

Sesshomaru just shook his head in the negative, "That is not something you should worry about at the time being. For now, Inuyasha needs to rest."

Kagome nodded, settling back down against Inuyasha, who ran his hand once again up and down her spine affectionately.

"I am going to go get some coffee. Would you like some, Kagome?" Sesshomaru stated, heading towards the door.

"Yes, please."

Sesshomaru left upon her confirmation, leaving Kagome and Inuyasha blissfully alone.

They instantly took advantage, seeking each other out, pressing themselves together and locking together in a passionate kiss.

"Inu..." Kagome moaned his name quietly between their heated caresses, and he returned the favor.

"Kag..." he kissed her once more, covering her entire face as gently as a butterfly, rocking her and cradling her preciously to him.

When they had calmed, their need to ascertain one another's wellbeing filled, they laid quietly together in a peaceful silence. Neither of them had to speak, for they already knew what was in each others' hearts.

As true as their karma may have been together, they knew ultimately they belonged together. In that world, and the next, and every rebirth therein. Never again should they be torn apart, lest they wish to fall apart.

And that was their silent truth.

And in the quiet, Inuyasha almost thanked Naraku for opening their eyes.

...Almost, but not quite.

Because first, he swore a bloody vengance on the demon that dared try to take his most cherished thing from him.

...His Kagome.