InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Smokes and Mirrors ❯ Unsettled ( Chapter 28 )

Smokes and Mirrors

 

Chapter 28 : Unsettled

 

Kagome…

 

“Mama…”

 

Bright light surrounded the teen in a warm soft blanket.

 

“Mama? Where are you?”

 

Kagome…

 

She could see nothing but white. Frowning in confusion, she looked down only to find nothing, again.

 

`My body! Where's my body!?!'

 

Kagome, it's time for you to wake up…

 

“Wake up?” Panic settled in. “But I'm not sleeping!”

 

The white around her slowly morphed, loosing its vibrant color. Gray gradually covered every spec visible.

 

Kagome… Please sweet heart… Just open your eyes…

 

“Mama!!” Her mother's voice was also dimming and disappearing along with everything else. “Mama! Wait!!”

 

Wake up… Kagome…

 

Black spots leaked into view, drowning out any spec of color and all possible sound. Kagome was now in full blown terror. She was loosing whatever battle she was fighting.

 

“Mama! Help me!” She got no more response. “Somebody, please, anybody! Help!!”

 

Kagome clawed for anything within reach, for something that will keep her conscious and aware for as long as possible. The darkness was relentless, though, and Kagome's battle was over before it even began.

 

xXxXx

 

It took a whole month, but it was finally over. He's a free man walking! Or would that be wheeling…

 

“Fresh air!” Inuyasha breathed in long and strong. “How I missed you so.” He'd sworn to everyone within hearing range that he'd go insane if he stayed in there a minute longer, therefore could not be held responsible for any damaged done due to his laps in his sanity.

 

“So Inuyasha,” Miroku asked. “What do you want to do now?”

 

Sango, standing just by his side, giggled as the two friends pushed a wheel-chair bound Inuyasha out the hospital's main entrance. It didn't take long for him to make up his mind.

 

“Take me to Kagome.” He's wanted to do this all month long. He's wanted to see her the moment he opened his eyes.

 

He thought he was dead with all the bright light that shined in his face and with all the people dressed in pale colored clothing, fussing over him. The pain was numbed to a dull ache and for that he was thankful. But the moment Sesshoumaru's face came into view, a burning sensation filled his every limbs reminding him just how much alive he really was! He'd closed his eyes shut against the torture and a scream of agony escaped his clenched teeth. Never-the-less, through all this, Inuyasha's mind went back to the girl he risked his life to save. Did Miroku make it out on time? Or were they now two piles of cinder? Were they all right? Was the girl even alive? Or were his efforts worth nothing in the end?

 

Inuyasha jolted out of his memories as his wheelchair got pushed into a circular motion. Alarms rang in his head. “Wait!” He was positive his freedom was short lived as they headed back through the main entrance. “I'm not going back in there.” With that said, Inuyasha held one of the wheels with his good hand and blocked the other wheel with his good leg.

 

Miroku frowned at the sudden stop and Sango halted a few paces ahead of her friends. “Didn't you want to see Kagome?” Sango asked in confusion.

 

“You mean to tell me she's still in there?” It was now Inuyasha's turn to be confused.

 

A month ago, when he'd woken up from his rather long nap after his surgery, he'd immediately asked to see the girl. No one would tell him what happened, though. They would simply state that she was fine and that she no longer was his concern. From that moment on, he'd pry here and there just to learn as much as he could about Kagome. One would think he was obsessed with her.

 

Miroku and Sango exchanged worried looks. Bending over the back of the chair, Miroku put on his best supportive smile. “How about you enjoy your freedom for today and we'll take you to Kagome tomorrow?”

 

“That's right, Inuyasha.” Sango put in her two cents. “You've been in here long enough to become cranky.”

 

Mr. Cranky set his face in stone. “I want to see Kagome.”

 

“This fixation of yours is not healthy, Inuyasha.” Sango tried to reason with him. “You've done your share. Let the professional handle the rest.”

 

“Fine.” Inuyasha growled out.

 

Both standing friends looked at each other and eased a little, thinking they won this little argument. What they didn't expect, though, reminded them just how stubborn their friend could be.

 

With strength he didn't know he possessed at that time, Inuyasha managed to free the wheelchair from Miroku's hands. He wheeled himself the rest of the way in as he yelled back, “If you won't take me, I'll go myself.” With the use of his still functioning limbs, he wheeled himself to the receptions desk, asked where Kagome was being care for and wheeled himself all the way to the elevators.

 

His two friends silently followed him, both worried he might hurt himself in his incapacitated state. All three waited for the ding announcing the opening of the elevator doors. Inuyasha prepared himself to move forward. He could go no further, however, as Sesshoumaru now blocked his path.

 

Stepping out the open elevator doors, the elder of the two Taka's eyebrow rose in silent surprise. “Inuyasha. Already missed this place? I thought you had enough of people pampering you.” It was more of a comical statement than a question.

 

Inuyasha sneered back at him. “You should stick to your daytime job, Sesshoumaru, before you hurt yourself with your lame-ass jokes.”

 

Sesshoumaru either ignored him or… per usual, ignored him as he eyed his little brother's friends. In his silent stare, a nervous Miroku and a worried Sango heard loud and clear his question: where exactly where they heading? Although he had a pretty good guess, he simply had to ask.

 

Inuyasha was well aware of the tension rising between them. He called out to his elder sibling, “Out of my way, prick.” He wasn't quite sure what he expected out of all of this.

 

Sesshoumaru didn't budge. Instead, he eyed Inuyasha with slight curiosity. What was it about this girl that got the ingrate so worked up? “If you are worried about Miss Higurashi, then don't. She will be out of here in a couple of hours.”

 

Sango's eyes widened. “But I thought sh—”

 

“And she still is.” Sesshoumaru cut in. “The decision has been maid and Ms. Higurashi has given her consent.”

 

Sango's breath caught in her throat. “Oh…” she managed to squeak out. Miroku was instantly by her side, holding on to her and rubbing her back in soothing circles.

 

Inuyasha didn't miss the look of sad shock and grief that flowed through his friends' features. He instantly knew: everyone had been lying to him. Kagome wasn't doing that great. In fact, if his friends were already grieving then that meant, in a couple of hours, she would be… Inuyasha's eyes widened to saucer plates as it all settled in. Suddenly he was scared and he couldn't understand why. Without thinking his actions through, he grabbed a handful of Sesshoumaru's outfit, managed to literally throw him out of his way and wheeled himself into the elevator, quickly closing the door before anyone could make it in. He had to get to her. He had to see her. He had to stop whatever was going to happen to her, whatever her mother has agreed to do.

 

As the floors went by, his hearth beat faster, stronger and louder than before. Ding. The elevator doors opened and he couldn't hear anything. He stared out into the hallway for a while, wondering if it was even his place to be so worried about someone who didn't even want his friendship.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

Ms. Higurashi's voice snapped the boy out of his trance, reminding him to breathe prior to passing out. He noticed her hand holding onto the door, preventing it from closing. Worry filled her eyes. Her face was worn down by sleepless night and days of constant agony, sadness and grief.

 

“I thought they were finally releasing you today.” She smiled a little. Inuyasha silently nodded. Concern once again took the forefront of her features. “What are you doing all the way up here?”

 

Inuyasha swallowed a thick ball lodged in his throat. This really wasn't his place. Ms. Higurashi had already suffered enough. To come up here and tell her what to do in relation to her own daughter… It really wasn't his place to do so.

 

Inuyasha looked down in shame. “I'm sorry.” He couldn't bring himself to look at the woman. “I shouldn't have come here.” He kept his head down, afraid that if he'd look at her, he'd see the grief and pain he probably put there.

 

“Thank you.” Ms. Higurashi's soft voice filtered through his jumbled mind. Confused eyes locked onto the smiling face of the sorrow-aged woman. Ms. Higurashi's delicate smile widened more as she looked upon the face of the young man before her. “You saved my daughter's life, and I simply wished to thank you.”

 

Baffled by her words, “But… I…” Inuyasha miserably tried to explain just how badly he failed.

 

Ms. Higurashi's smile never faltered. “You did save her.” she explained to him. “If she had died by his hands… She… I…” She couldn't say no more.

 

But she had said enough. What Inuyasha refused to outright admit, she came out and said.

 

Kagome was going to die.

 

xXxXx

xXxXx

 

A.N.

Well. There you have it! Chap 28 is finally up! Yes, I know it's a couple of days late… I know it probably doesn't do justice to the amount of time it took me to get it typed and all… I mean, when was the last time I updated this story? … I rather not say…. I thought it wasn't long enough, thus the reason why I hadn't post it up sooner, and I still think it ain't long enough. Anyway…

 

So, what did you think? I know I didn't end it at such a good time, but the Inu/Kag relationship is so delicate, I wanted to make sure I write it correctly. Do send me your feedback. I need that to continue on with inspiration! And I've been thinking about a sequel and I'm planning on being much more imaginative in that one. However, it all depends on how well you take to this story. So feedback please!

 

Till next time! Ja!

 

Quote: If you can't see the bright side, polish up the dark one and look at that — Colin McKay