InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Heaven ❯ Uncertain Moments ( Chapter 37 )

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

(Ughs . . . I apologize for this chapter being short [most of you know how much I dread writing short chapters- I nearly break out in hives whenever I work on my drabble story] but this chapter sort of took off in a direction I'd not anticipated when I had been initially planning this part of the story and it just felt right to end this chapter where it is.)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Uncertain Moments

Kagome wasn't entirely sure how they made it there in time- not with the way she kept worriedly glancing over at Sesshomaru every few seconds while she drove. It was troubling to see him constantly checking himself over, to hear him muttering things under his breath in an attempt to keep himself distracted from all that he'd just heard in case the barrier did slip away too soon.

She couldn't help pausing for the briefest moment after they'd pulled up outside of Myoga's building- never mind that her rushed parking job had left the front right wheel up on the curb. "How do you feel?"

"Still like me," he called curtly over his shoulder as he walked to the entrance and yanked the door open. "Let's move it."

Nodding- how could she be so thoughtless as to not be hurrying- she dashed from her place beside the car and ducked under his arm into the foyer. It was difficult, even in a moment like this, for her to switch off her notice of little things about him. There was the way he was clenching and unclenching his fists as he'd walked . . . the tense set of his shoulders, the uncharacteristic- or, at least to her, uncharacteristic, as she'd never seen such a thing from him before- if faint flush in his cheeks. The corner of her mind that was registering all of this with blinding speed as she approached the row of intercom bells was now convinced that she'd finally seen all sides of Taisho Sesshomaru. She was the only one who knew he could be like this and she loved him all the more.

But it did nothing to assuage her fears that once this was all over he would turn away from her forever; he'd not said anything since her revelations to make her think he wasn't simply biding his time until he was free of the demon.

Frowning darkly at no one in particular - she didn't have the luxury of feeling sorry for herself now, even if he hated her after all she was still going to rid him of Nah Rah Ku- she slammed her hand over the button for Myoga's apartment, praying the old man wasn't in the bathroom or on the other side of the meager living space. He might be spry for his age, but she was getting the cold, crawly sensation in the pit of her stomach that every second counted.

It wasn't until she turned to look at Sesshomaru and he spared a moment from his own tiny, forced distractions to place his hands on her shoulders that she realized she was trembling. "Kagome," he murmured softly in a tone that almost sounded effortlessly calm, even though she knew there was no way that was possible. "You need to calm down."

"Okay . . . okay," she responded in a shaky voice, lifting her hands to touch his.

She needed the added comfort and security of his touch, even if for just a moment. The intercom crackled to life then, causing her to jump right out of his grasp. It was a reflex born out of the idea that she was, in effect, dating her professor and the sound had reminded her that despite being alone they were in a public place.

Relief flooded through her as Myoga's voice barked a harassed sounding, "What?"

She instantly spun on her heel, jabbing her thumb against the speaker's button. "It's Kagome- um, things kinda didn't go as planned and I'm here with Sesshomaru."

As she'd hoped, the old man understood exactly what this had to mean. "I hope you're ready."

"Don't have a much of a-" Kagome's words dropped off instantly as she felt that tell-tale shiver dance up her spine, "Myoga! Myoga HURRY!"

Immediately she was spinning on a heel to face Sesshomaru, but his body was already bolting out the door. She'd caught just enough of his face before he disappeared out of sight to see the markings adorning it. Nah Rah Ku was in control, now, there was no telling when he'd relinquish it- or what he'd do while he was at the helm- she had to go after him.

She fidgeted for the barest second; wanting to wait at least long enough for Myoga to see which direction she was heading in, but she'd seen how fast Sesshomaru could move while he was possessed. It was, in fact, the very first thing she'd learned about him on that night so many months ago in the temple. Briefly closing her eyes, she spared the tiniest moment to feel her surroundings . . . she could feel a dull hum from the entire building around her, but the place where Myoga's apartment should be was dead space to her- it confirmed her initial thoughts that he had some sort of barrier set in place there- and she thought she could sense his energy slowly emerging from it, but at the same time she was starting to pick up Nah Rah Ku. It was on the very edge of her perception, just the faintest glimmer, but at least it gave her a direction, she just had to keep a tab on it.

Turning, she opened her eyes, keeping her gaze on the interior door as she began walking backward toward the entrance. She wanted to be certain that the old man at least saw her before she, too, would vanish from sight. Her fingers felt cold and clammy as she reached back blindly to open the outer doors and stepped outside, back into the quiet, darkening night.

Finally, as she was nearing the edge of the large glass pane- as she was certain she was about to lose her touch on Nah Rah Ku's energy- the interior door opened. She waited just long enough to make eye contact with Myoga, assuring herself that he'd seen her. It had only been a few seconds, yet it had felt like forever- she was truly getting sick to death of time stretching itself thin on her- when she was free to turn and bolt after the demon.

Kagome had never been much of a runner, taking off at top speed didn't eat up as much ground as she would have liked. He was still only on the edge of her mind's eye, but she was focused on catching up, on not stumbling or tripping. She was far too distracted with trying to keep herself breathing steadily so she didn't run out of air and the burning in her legs from the sudden, unaccustomed heavy use of the muscles to consider that no matter how much ground she gained, that glimmer of his energy never got any closer or brighter.

She even lost track of how many blocks she'd run, of what turns she'd taken. If Myoga wasn't following her she was going to be well and truly lost even if she did locate The Thief.

He's tricking me, somehow . . . she realized. Almost simultaneously that flicker of buzzing light that she was picking up from him was simply gone as if it had never existed. It was akin to the flame of a lighter going out more than a match, there was no metaphorical wisp of smoke for her to even attempt to grasp.

She stumbled to a halt, pitching forward at the waist to catch her breath. Tears welled up instantly. He was gone . . . Nah Rah Ku had taken Sesshomaru somewhere that she couldn't follow. For once she felt relief at Myoga's district being so deserted all the time, there would be no one to look at her like she was insane if she screamed. Kagome inhaled deeply, straightening up, but just as she was about to unleash that miserable sound of frustration and pain a hand clamped over her mouth and she felt herself being yanked backward and all but off her feet entirely.

Her eyes darted around frantically as her fingers scrambled helplessly at the arms around her, but it was hopeless. Myoga- her only possible savior in this- was nowhere in sight as her captor dragged her around a corner.