InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Special delivery ❯ Lifeline ( Chapter 56 )

Chapter 56: Lifeline

 

 

A/N: I knew you guys were waiting, so here's your update. I wonder if something will happen between Kagura and Sesshoumaru…

 

 

Thanks for leaving me a review:

 

Syzhale

Little25victor

Sesshkagufan13

Tigerlover077

Hellina-Bertinelli

Milareppa

Rudhu (x2)

Jinxy-sama

 

Rogue reader (Ah Sesshoumaru's mom? She will make an appearance in a few chapters. There'll be a lemon coming soon too… That's the only hints I can give you.)

 

 

Once again thanks to Dogsfang for the nice PM.

 

 

On MediaMiner.org

 

Zetsuii (And the story will keep on getting more interesting as the plot thickens.)

 

 

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, Sesshy and Kagura would be happily mated and working on silver haired baby number three by now…

 

 

“Talking”

`Thoughts'

 

 

“Sesshoumaru?” None other than Kagura asked as she tentatively walked inside the bedroom they used to share. “You're looking pale. What's wrong?” She asked worriedly, hurrying to his side.

“Just a migraine…” He trailed off as he suddenly, and contrary to his usual demeanor ungracefully, sat down on his bed, his legs giving under him.

“Sessh!” She leaped towards him. “What's wrong?!” She asked again, angered at her lack of words. She had never seen Sesshoumaru look in pain, but could really not mistake the grimace on his face for anything else.

“Are you okay? What can I do?” She asked him, not knowing how to react. What worried her the most, was the sudden lack of response from Sesshoumaru. Instead of answering her, he laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. She took in a shaky breath; he was in as vulnerable a state as she had ever seen him, and that terrified her. The Sesshoumaru she knew and loved was never weak; especially never in front of her.

“Hey what's going on? Talk to me!” A frantic Kagura said as she reached over to the dog demon's side. She kneeled on the bed next to him and gently cradled his cheek in her palm, her body leaning over him. She gently bit her bottom lips as fear spread through her. The grimace of pain on the rapidly paling handsome face of the dog demon frightened her.

“I told you. Just a headache, it will go away in a few minutes.” He let out through gritted teeth. `The last thing I wanted was for Kagura to find out about my condition like this, not to mention that she has had enough on her plate today…' He was however glad that his migraine had only manifested itself through a headache, not the nasty nausea he sometimes had.

“Just?!” She screamed. The grimace of pain that immediately appeared on his face because of her vocal outburst made her feel remorse. She was sure that he was vulnerable to loud noises, even if he would not admit it. “It doesn't look like just a fucking headache to me.” She added angrily, albeit on a softer tone this time.

“Do not worry yourself. This Sesshoumaru will be fine.” He said even as the pounding inside his skull intensified. He had to bite the inside of his mouth not to extend his clawed hand towards the light switch and flick it. The light coming from the two side tables placed on each side of his bed intensified his pain, but being true to himself, and his tough façade, as long as Kagura was in his presence, he would not do a thing about it.

“Do you want me to get you some aspirin or pain killers?” She asked cradling his face in her palm, gently running her thumb over the lowest stripe on his cheek. She remembered how when sick Kanna was always comforted by being gently caressed.

“No.” He groaned.

“Don't start spewing your crap about dog demons not needing medicine or whatever.” She warned him even as she stood up to go back to the living room, where she had left her purse, which contained a bottle of pain killing pills. She quickly fished it and pulled out the bottle before popping out two small white capsules. She then rushed back to the master bedroom, and jumped on the bed before presenting the pills to his lips, hoping to force them through his lips.

`No matter how much he tries, he's no match for my determination. I'll force him to take some medicine whether he likes it or not.' She thought to herself as her hand went towards Sesshoumaru's face. `I can't let him suffer like this in front of me, and do nothing!'

“No need.” He reiterated at the same time as he reached forward to stop her incoming arm. “You are wasting your time. These would not work on me. In any case, the pain will ease soon.”

“Are you sure?” She asked as she reluctantly retreated and placed the unused pills on the dog demon's side table, in case he changed his mind.

However not willing to let him suffer alone, she then gently unmated his bangs from his perspiration slick forehead, revealing the blue crescent adorning his skin.

“Positive.” Then as the throbbing intensified, he decided to give in and ask for help, going against his nature. “If you wish to… aid me, make some tea.”

“Sessh don't take this the wrong way, but based on the face you're making, you're in pain, and I doubt that tea will be enough to make you feel better. Now those pain killers I was trying to give you might help however. They're strong enough to affect demons, I am living proof of that.”

“No pills. Do as I asked instead…. Besides it is an herbal remedy, not a simple tea. The roots and leaves are in the silver tin in the medicine cabinet of our bathroom. Just mixed them and pour hot water over it.”

Glad, and proud to have him finally ask for her help, she decided not to pay attention to his use of the pronoun `our,' and took to her feet and quickly did as asked.

`I have wondered for a while what was inside that box, not that I would have looked.' She reflected back to the time she had shared the bedroom and adjoining bathroom with the dog demon.

The wind sorceress quickly moved over to the bathroom and rummaged around, looking for the previously mentioned silver tin.

`He could have thrown those away.' She then thought to herself, a smile on her lips, once she noticed that Sesshoumaru had not discarded the make-up and facial creams she had left around his sink. Even though she did not plan to say anything, she was glad he had not. To her it was a sure proof Sesshoumaru had faith in them, and knew she was going to come back.

After letting out a sound of triumph pass her lips once she found the tin, the wind sorceress quickly, and not to disturb Sesshoumaru, silently, moved from the bathroom to the kitchen to boil some water. As effective as usual, she made quick work of mixing a generous amount of the brownish foul smelling leaves and roots inside a cup, then placed a tea kettle on the stove.

While waiting for the water to heat, Kagura anxiously wondered about a way to assist Sesshoumaru as much as she could.

`Maybe I should bring him some ice or something in the meantime…' She thought to herself just as she removed her gaze from the heating pot, and reached for the familiar freezer. Not long after the thought had occurred to her, she made a cold compress with a nearby towel.

`Funny. The last time I had to make one of these, it was for my bruises courtesy of Naraku…' Kagura thought to herself as she carried the ice filled towel to Sesshoumaru. Thinking back to the many injuries she suffered at the hands of the spider hanyou made Kagura think back to the revelation Sakura Fujibayashi had made to her a few hours before.

`Now's not the time to think about what she said. I don't know if it's true or not, so I shouldn't waste any time thinking about it… besides, right now Sessh needs my help more than anything. I've never seen him look so much in pain. I had no idea he had some sort of illness, but if he has these herbs in his possession, then it means his migraines are a recurring thing.' Kagura suddenly felt her heart drop in her chest. The thought that the dog demon could be affected by a sickness, or that he could be in pain or die had never occurred to her, and now that it had, she was scared.

`I've been hanging on to Sesshoumaru for support for a long time. He's been a great help, and a lifeline at one of the darkest times of my life … But now he's the one who needs me, and I will be here.' She thought to herself, resolve burning inside her. `Whether he likes it or not, this time he won't be able to get rid of me. He needs to know that the same way that he always saves me, I can save him to. He can hold on to me...I'm strong enough, I won't break.' She then and there made a silent vow to bring herself back in the dog demon's life. Seeing him in an incapacitated state, lying in bed, made her realize how precious Sesshoumaru truly was to her. It was unbearable for her to see him in pain, and would do anything to help him feel better.

“How are you feeling?” Kagura asked, not to disturb Sesshoumaru or worsen his headache, she spoke softly to him. Without awaiting an answer from him, she then placed the make shift cold compress over her ex boyfriend's forehead, hoping to relieve and numb some of his pain. She also saw it as a preventive measure in the case he developed a fever.

“This is unnecessary. I told you I only need a cup of the tea, did I not?” He batted away the cold wet towel from his head, and ignored the growl of frustration that escaped Kagura's lips.

“Damn it! You're worse than a kid when you're sick. Fine fine Mr. Grumpy. I got it. I just wanted to help you, but whatever. I'll just go make your damn tea…” She interrupted herself when she heard a whistling sound coming from the kitchen. “I think I hear the kettle, the water must be boiling now, I'll be right back.” She once again left his side, not forgetting to take the cold towel with her.

`Wouldn't want to have His Highness get mad at me.' The wind sorceress thought to herself as she disappeared behind the bedroom door.

Sesshoumaru did not bother try to follow her with his eyes as she left his side once more. He simply lay back on his bed, closed him amber eyes, and thought about how to exact his vengeance against Kichiro Kanzaki and his new found ally Sousuke Yamashita. Even the sharp pain on the left side of his head was not enough to deter him from thinking of ways to get rid of the older demons.

`I will make them pay. Ever since father's death I have worked so hard for the agency's sake, and I will not let that damned dog demon ruin everything. And that bastard of Yamashita has to pay for all the pain he caused Kagura.' He thought massaging his temple. `First I will put the company back on its feet. I will need to flow a great amount of money into it, which will not be too hard, I will use my savings to do that. Then I will destroy the both of them... How dare they think that they would be able to get away with angering this Sesshoumaru?'The dog demon thought to himself, his golden eyes taking on a red tinge.

“Careful it's hot.” None other than Kagura said as she walked back inside the master bedroom of the penthouse, and placed the tea cup on the night stand. “Do you need help getting up?” She asked, extending her hands towards the dog demon.

His answer to her question, which came in the form of a sharp glare, made her laugh aloud. “I was just teasing you. No need to look so angry…” She did her best to muffle her chuckles.

Gritting his teeth to prevent Kagura from hearing the painful gasp he wanted to let out, Sesshoumaru, with great effort, sat up in bed and picked up the tea Kagura had made for him. He quickly swallowed the foul smelling brew, and wished for it to take effect quickly.

“What is that disgusting, smelling thing anyway?” Her crimson gaze followed his clawed hand drop the delicate china tea cup on his side table with little care for its fragility.

“An herbal remedy. Did this Sesshoumaru not mention it before?” He asked her, relief clear in his voice. He knew that relief for his pain was to come soon now that he had taken Suikotsu's.

“Don't play dumb. You know I really want to know what the deal is with your head.” Kagura said, concern in her eyes and voice. “Oh and don't you dare say it's none of my concern, or whatever…”

“I will explain myself… however later. You need rest. We can talk tomorrow morning.” He said truly hoping she would drop the subject, or even forget about it altogether the next day. However knowing Kagura's personality, he was aware that things would not go this way.

“Are you trying to evade me or something? Have you forgotten how tenacious I can be when I want something? I did get you to do my nails for me.” She tried using humor to get him to open up; truly hoping that reminiscing about their previous strong connection would get him to reveal his secrets to her.

The memory of the time Kagura had lived with him, caused a tiny smile to appear on his lips. “Of course I did not forget. However a lot happened to you today. You have no need to add on to it.”

“Don't worry about me. I am the one who should be worrying here. You pretty much collapsed on me. Do you have any idea how fucking freaked out I was… still am?” She asked him. It was then that he noticed the truly worried look in her crimson eyes. It made his heart melt as he was not that used to having people worry and fuss over him.

“Kagura…you have no need to worry.” After all the way he saw it, he was the one who had to worry about her, and had to protect her, not the other way around.

“Really? Because the look of pain and strain you still have on your face makes me think differently.” She said crossing her arms over her chest in a show of defiance.

He took a minute to figure out what to say before finally giving in. “Fine. I will tell you everything you want to know then.” `It might even help the witch distract her mind from what that Sakura woman said earlier… I also have to investigate her and Naraku, not to mention that I still have to look into finding a tutor to help Kanna develop her powers.'

He extended his clawed hand towards her, inviting her to join him on the bed, she surprised him when she not only did that, but also laid next to him, snuggling as close to him as possible.

“So is something wrong with you? Do you have a disease or something?” She asked, worried before laying her hand on his chest, next to her head. Feeling his strong heart beat under her palm made her feel reassured. She then and there realized how much she truly had missed being able to lie by his side, or be surrounded by his scent.

“Not a disease exactly… My migraines are due to my mother.” He simply let out glad to feel the pressure slowly let out inside his skull, but even happier to have Kagura snuggled against his side.

“What?! How is that possible?” She gasped in surprise and incomprehension.

“My parents' stupidity is to blame.” He sighed then added before Kagura could press him for more information “My mother is from a poisonous dog demon breed, my father is not.” Before going on he started gently running his clawed hand through Kagura's long dark mane. “I have therefore inherited my mother's poisonous abilities. However I am not a full blooded poison youkai and am more vulnerable to the poisonous toxins that run in my veins…”

“You mean you're being poisoned by your own blood!” Kagura asked as she rose up on her elbow to stare down into his eyes.

“It is not so simple. I am not being poisoned per say. There are no long time consequences; the only side effect of my condition is that I get recurring migraines. It is nothing for you to worry about really.” He tugged her back down to his side before adding “I have been living with these ever since my childhood. However my father's second wife, Inuyasha's mother, Izayoi, was able to make an herbal tea that was able to take away my head aches instantly. The recipe is lost, but Suikotsu was able to make some sort of substitute; the tea you just made for me. It works well enough. Thanks to it I do not suffer that much anymore.”

`I guess that explains why Sesshoumaru was so confident into Izayoi's remedy Inuyasha made when I got sick during out trip to the beach house….' She thought to herself before adding aloud “How come I never noticed about your condition… I mean you didn't have any migraines during the months I spent here with you.”

“I do not know how to explain it myself… according to my doctor, stress levels affect my condition. It is one of the only known variables of it.” He shrugged.

`I guess that means Kanna and I kept him stress free…' She thought to herself, pleased to learn about that information. It was one thing, amid her dreadful evening she could be happy about. `Then does that mean that if I we were to move back in with him he wouldn't have to suffer from those migraines?...' She wondered to herself. `Not that it would be the only reason I'd like to get back with Sesshoumaru… I mean I missed him, but being able to help out with his migraines would definitely be a plus.'

“Then you should be okay since I am here, right?” She smiled when she felt him nod against her. “Well I'm glad to see you are feeling better for now.”

“Kagura. I am fine. Do not worry really. The migraines are strong, but never last.”

“By the way are they the only thing… hum… symptom of your blood condition? The headaches I mean.” She asked him. The wind sorceress did not know why, but she could not shake the feeling that he was not being entirely truthful with her. She truly felt he was hiding something from her, and she really could not see why

“Yes. This is why I tell you not to worry.” He easily lied. `There is no need to tell her he entire implications of my condition. She would worry too much for no reason…' He thought to himself even as he knew inside that an appointment with Suikotsu would be needed soon.

“Let us go to sleep for now. You can ask me more questions tomorrow morning.” Without waiting for her to answer, the dog demon reached over to the light switch on his right and turned off the light in the room. He almost let out a sigh of relief as darkness surrounded them. Since he did not want Kagura to worry about him too much, he had not told her about the sensitivity to light that accompanied his migraines, instead he decided to suffer in silence rather than turn the lights off as he wanted.

Kagura freed herself from the hold Sesshoumaru had on her to reach under them for the covers. After placing them over their bodies, she took her place back again, beside him, in his arms.

“I'm glad I came here tonight. I may hate crying, but it's nice to know I have a shoulder to cry on, literally.” She said tracing her hand over his shoulder, where her head lied. “Not to mention that playing the nurse to someone as reluctant as you proved to be a nice distraction. It was just what I needed.”

“It is always a pleasure to be a source of enjoyment for you.” He scoffed. He relished having her warm body in his bed, by his side, where in his opinion she belonged, and would suffer her continuous teasing if it meant he got to hold her. Without thinking about it, he pressed a soft kiss to Kagura's forehead. It was a thing he used to do all the time when they still lived together, and was a good night gesture.

“Goodnight Sessh.” She responded to his earlier kiss by reaching up to press a peck on his unsuspecting lips. Without even knowing how, what she had first meant to be a brush of the lips turned into a passionate lip lock. As their tongue met, they both let out a mix between a sigh and a moan; the two of them had waited so long to kiss again. Soon, before she had even noticed it, Kagura found herself laying over Sesshoumaru, kissing him deeply.

He was not sure what had suddenly come over her, or why she was abruptly kissing him with such intensity and passion, but he was not one to complain. `I will enjoy it as long as it lasts.' He thought as he eagerly returned her kiss, letting his hands roam over her body appreciatively. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and let the two of them get lost in their kiss, but did not want to scare her off.

Kagura started laughing against his lips when she felt Sesshoumaru's hand trail from her head, down her back, causing pleasurable shivers to run down her spine.

`I want so much to get lost into this, and sleep with Sesshoumaru tonight, but I don't know if it would be wise.' Even as she thought it, she reached for his hair with her hand, and frowned when she felt the perspiration drying on his forehead, side effect of his previous migraine. `And anyways I think he's probably not up to that, so it'd be better to wait…'

“Hum I may be acting as your nurse, but I won't be giving you the happy ending you gave me when you took care of me at the beach house.” She chuckled against his lips, even if she did not resist when he kissed her once again.

“Okay. Enough. I wouldn't want your head to explode or something. Besides you need your rest.” She took the time to press a lingering last kiss to his lips before rolling off his body to resume her place at his side.

`I hope he doesn't think I don't want him… I don't think he would since it sounds silly to hesitate now considering that we have slept together several times before.' She then paused in her reflection as something occurred to her. `Then again we were intimate before he found out about my past, and what I used to do while working for Naraku.' She thought to herself, letting a sigh escape her lips.

The dog demon had to restrain his need for the woman so close, yet so far from him. As much as Sesshoumaru wanted to go beyond a few exchanged kisses, he knew better. He was aware that things moving on too quickly would not bode well for their relationship in the long term.

`This Sesshoumaru merely has to be patient. There is no need to get angered, Kagura will come around and be back in my life and bed soon enough.` This time around he had a harder time taking comfort in these words. According to his plan, Kagura would have been back by his side a long time ago, and in addition the problems Kanzaki and Yamashita were causing him were not helping his jumbled mind.

Based on the hungry look still present in Kagura's crimson eyes, he knew that she wanted him, but could not see why she had decided to stop. He knew that he would easily be able to get her to make love with him, if he pressed her some, but knew it would not be in their best interest in the long run. `Kagura having regrets is not something to look forward to, not to mention that she is psychologically weak right now due to her familial situation.'

Fear of his headache coming back prevented him from grinding his teeth in anger. He could not forgive anyone setting out to hurt Kagura. `And anyways a sure way to release some of the tension I feel will be to crush the two annoying pests Kichiro and Sousuke.' He thought to himself, once again using his legendary self-control to reign in the bubbling anger inside him.

“I see. In this case have sweet dreams. Goodnight.” He said pressing a kiss to the wind sorceress's lips, comfortably settled on the bed next to him. Just as he closed his eyes, he tightened his hold on the woman snuggled in his arms.

`You better be alright Sesshoumaru Takahashi. I hope nothing happens to you; especially not before I get a chance to make things right between us, like I should have a long time ago.' This was Kagura's last thought as she closed her eyes, and let sleep take her.

Even as he felt Kagura's breaths even out, and he knew that she had fallen asleep, the dog demon knew he would still be awake for a long time; a side effect of his migraines was for him to develop insomnia.

`Holding her, and being close to her will have to be enough tonight…' Sesshoumaru thought as he let a sigh escape his lips. He did then do his best not to move too much in bed for fear of waking up his beautiful visitor.

 

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“Good morning. How are you feeling?” These were the words Sesshoumaru woke up to the next morning. The dog demon sat up in his bed and stared at Kagura who was brushing her hair with a brush she had forgotten behind in her haste to leave him weeks ago.

“I am fine. Why are you up so early?” He asked when his golden eyes noticed the time displayed on the clock on his side table.

“I have to go pick up Kanna from the Higurashi shrine before going to work, then to class. Despite the whole drama about Sakura, I still have an exam to take. You know the one you helped me study for yesterday… wow was it only yesterday?” She smiled at him before heading towards the living room to retrieve her things. Sesshoumaru quickly bolted out of bed, and followed her. He was glad to see that he indeed was doing quite well, and was not suffering from any headache.

“Well I'll call you about rescheduling our outing to the swimming pool, I know Kanna and Rin are looking forward to it.” A smile then appeared on her lips at the idea of implementing the plan she had just come up with to improve things between her and the dog demon. “In the meantime I'd like to drop by your office to bring you a little thank you gift this week.” She was glad she managed not to give away her true motive by displaying a grin on her face.

“Oh?” He merely said masking his interest in the matter.

“I think I'll drop by on Wednesday around one in the afternoon. Do you still take your lunch break around that time?” She asked him. Thinking back about his schedule was bittersweet. On the one hand she happily remembered the times they would spend together on his lunch break while she still worked at the Takahashi agency, but on the other hand, she could not erase from her mind the image of Sesshoumaru with another woman that she had seen in Kanna's mirror weeks ago.

“Yes.” He repressed a smile at the idea that she still remembered his schedule perfectly.

“Good. Then await a little surprise from me on Wednesday.” She smiled before walking towards him. “I guess I'll see you then.”

“Kagura… be safe.” He almost cursed himself when he really could not find anything else to say. He was really surprised to see how Kagura had apparently shrugged off the meltdown she had had the previous night. `She is such a strong woman, a reason why I love her so much.'

“Don't worry about me Sessh, just like you, I'll be just fine. Now then I'd better go now. Bye I'll see you later.” She took the time to press a sweet peck on his lips before leaving.

After Kagura left his penthouse, Sesshoumaru forced is mind to focus back on the problem Kichiro Kanzaki and Sousuke Yamashita had created for his agency.

`I believe it is time to pay a visit to Touran.' He thought to himself as he went towards his bedroom to get ready for the day.

 

To be continued…

 

A/N: In the next chapter we will see who the mysterious Touran is, and what she means to Sesshoumaru. The chappie will be named Assistance. Sorry my dear readers, but there will be no update next week. Although the next chapter will be a transitional one, the one after will be worth your wait. Let's just you'll love me after reading it ;)