InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Dark Hour ❯ Deeper Than Crying ( Chapter 22 )

Ch. 22

Deeper Than Crying....

"Are you just gonna play fucking mind games with him or are you gonna kill him?"

Naraku glared at the impatient young man pacing before him. He dropped his fork onto his half-finished plate of food. "For God's sake, Inuyasha, sit down!" He hissed. Inuyasha paused in his pacing and glanced over at the annoyed looking older man.

"Am I bothering you?" He asked sarcastically. He flopped down in the chair nearest him. Naraku sighed in disgust and resumed enjoying his breakfast. Inuyasha, however, wasn't finished venting his frustrations.

"The longer Sesshomaru is still alive, the more..." He hesitated, not wanting to reveal how uneasy it made him that his brother wasn't dead. As much as he hated Sesshomaru, he knew the power and cunning that lay behind that cool facade. He'd only allow himself to be pushed so far...

"It's just not wise to know he's alive out there somewhere where we can't find him." Inuyasha muttered. Naraku barely looked up from his food. "Have you ever heard of the saying good things come to those who wait?" He said dryly. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Have you every heard of the expression blow it out your--"

Naraku's eyes glinted dangerously and Inuyasha knew to shut his mouth quickly. He looked down at his hands, studying them closely. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Inuyasha decided to press forward with his questioning.

"Seriously, Naraku, what are your plans for Sesshomaru and that bitch of his?" He said this last part with more bitterness than he'd intended. It still rubbed him that a little slip of a thing like Kagome had caught him by surprise back in Tokyo and ruined his entire mission. He swore to himself that she'd pay, however.

Naraku eyed Inuyasha, his eyes hiding whatever was brewing in that dark mind of his. "What I have planned for Sesshomaru is of no concern to you, Inuyasha." He said evenly. Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest, but Naraku held up a hand, forestalling any comment. "All you need to do is worry about that traitorous bitch Kikyo."

Inuyasha looked genuinely surprised by what Naraku had just said. "I know you don't particularly like Kikyo, but there's no need to--" Naraku stood abruptly, his chair crashing to the floor. Inuyasha tensed.

"Inuyasha, I don't tolerate betrayal or ineptness, which you and your whore seem to have in spades." He spat, his eyes narrowed to tiny slits. "I've only spared your pathetic life because we're...family," The last word was said with no warmth whatsoever. "But I will not sit by and let all I've built be torn down by some fucking bitch who's only concern is where her next handout is going to come from!"

Inuyasha was speechless. Like his dear older brother, Naraku wasn't prone to emotional outbursts, so his little display was way out of character. It occurred to him that he might not be as sure of Sesshomaru's fate as he let on. As for Kikyo...

"Are you sure about Kikyo's treachery?" He asked. Naraku nodded his head. "I've had my doubts about her from the beginning so I had her followed. She was seen meeting with Sesshomaru on two separate occasions, one in which a transaction was made between the two."

Inuyasha shrugged. "Fine. I'll take care of it." He said, rising from his seat. He turned and left the room quietly. Naraku took a deep breath and returned the overturned chair to its previous position. He sat down and placed his hands on the table.

Yes, he definitely had big plans for Sesshomaru. Although his approach was far too calculated for Inuyasha's liking, it was perfect for someone like Sesshomaru. For a man who held few things dear, it was necessary to take those things and destroy them. Only then would Sesshomaru be completely and totally in Naraku's power.

~~~~~~

Kagome stretched lazily, still not opening her eyes. She was still half-asleep and didn't want to wake up just yet. She snuggled closer against the warm body pressed securely against hers. He was still with her.

She opened her eyes and looked up at the man beside her. He looked so peaceful in his sleep. Gone was the hardness in his features, only serenity. Kagome reached up and ran her fingers through those luxurious white strands. His absolute perfection still took her breath away and she doubted that she'd ever lose the wonder and awe that swept over her that something so flawless and beautiful could be real.

'God, I love him.'

Kagome was surprised that she wasn't surprised by the realization. She'd been denying it to herself for long enough and she could no longer hide what was so plainly clear. She loved Sesshomaru with everything in her and would love him until the day she died.

"What has you in such serious thought?"

Kagome blinked and looked into questioning golden orbs. She gave him a small smile and shook her head. "Nothing." Sesshomaru shrugged lightly and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing in her scent deeply.

They remained in comfortable silence for a few moments before Kagome decided to disrupt the peacefulness.

"What happened yesterday?"

She felt Sesshomaru's body instantly tense up, but his arms remained around her. She stroked his back soothingly. "Please tell me, Sesshomaru." She said softly. He sighed and turned his head so his cheek was now resting atop her head. He closed his eyes, images of blood and slaughter flashing through his head.

"Kagura's dead." He stated simply. Kagome gasped, his news taking her totally by surprise. "What? When? How?" Her mind whirled with a thousand questions.

"I went to her apartment yesterday and she wasn't there, but..." He hesitated, the words unwilling to come forth. He forced himself to continue. "There was so much blood and I knew that she was dead."

Kagome's heart ached for Sesshomaru. The only person he'd ever completely trusted was now dead. She now understood why he'd acted the way he had, so hard and angry.

"I'm so sorry, Sesshomaru." She whispered, hugging him tightly. Sesshomaru didn't respond, instead brushing his lips across Kagome's forehead. Kagome opened her mouth, wanting desperately to let him know what was in her heart, to tell him that he wasn't alone, but she couldn't. She couldn't put herself out there only to have him push her away.

A sudden thought came to her. She quickly scrambled to a sitting position, causing Sesshomaru to look at her questioningly. Her gray eyes were bright with a realization she'd just discovered.

"Yesterday, there was a murder I was sent to cover, a young woman who'd been mutilated beyond recognition, but..." Her eyes found Sesshomaru's. "She had black hair and a little boy told me she was a warning and..." Kagome looked away from Sesshomaru's gaze. She didn't need to spell it out for him, he already knew.

"A little boy told you she was a warning?" Sesshomaru asked, ignoring the sharp pain in his chest at this new development. To know that Kagura had been killed intentionally hurt him intensely. Kagome nodded slowly, remembering how creepy the little boy had been. She quickly filled him in on the events of the previous day.

"He seemed..." She struggled to find the right words. "Like a zombie or something, you know?" She looked at him. "Sort of like I felt that night I tried to kill you." She whispered, bringing her knees to her chest and hugging her legs tightly. Sesshomaru gazed at her, sweeping away the silky black curtain of hair that shielded her face from his view.

"It wasn't you, Kagome." He told her gently. She raised her head, staring straight ahead. "Really? Because I could've sworn that I was the one with the big knife." Sesshomaru shook his head. "You may have been holding the knife, but you weren't in control," He said. "Naraku was."

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise. "What?" Sesshomaru ran a hand through his hair, feeling tired all of a sudden. He told Kagome about the woman at the restaurant and about his mind control theory.

"But how did I get drugged?" Kagome asked after Sesshomaru had told her the whole story. Sesshomaru shrugged. "It had to have been sometime after we got back from Tokyo." He said. Kagome thought back, trying to think of anything that might provide the answer.

"I don't think there's been a time when I could've possibly been drugg--" Kagome stopped, remembering her breakfast meeting with Kouga. She shook her head slightly. He couldn't have done something like that to her.

"What?" Sesshomaru asked, his gaze alight with curiosity. Kagome thought back to that day. She remembered arriving there and a short time later going to the bathroom. When she had returned, her drink was there waiting for her.

"Shit!" She hissed, letting her head fall back against the headboard. Sesshomaru sat up straighter. "What is it?" He asked urgently. Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, knowing that Kouga had been the one to drug her. How could she have been so stupid, thinking he really wanted to have a friendly meeting? And Sesshomaru...she'd lied to him. She opened her eyes and turned to him, her hands reaching out to grasp his own.

"Sesshomaru, please don't be mad," She said hurriedly. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Mad about what?" He asked slowly. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"The morning I told you I was going to see Sango because she was sick was a lie." She looked down at her lap. "I was really going to meet Kouga, but only to clear the air." She explained quickly, raising her gaze so he could see the truth reflected in her eyes. Sesshomaru regarded her blankly, saying nothing. Kagome frowned, worried that he didn't believe her.

"I swear I'm telling the--"

Sesshomaru held up a hand, stopping any further explanation. "I believe you, Kagome." He told her quietly, brushing his thumbs across the top of her hands. "But why didn't you tell me the truth earlier?" He questioned. Kagome smiled sheepishly. "I didn't want to...cause any problems between us because, well, I thought something was happening with you and me and it was new and--"

Sesshomaru pulled her gently towards him and kissed her softly on the lips. Kagome was surprised by the sudden gesture, but also touched and kissed him back. She was disappointed when he pulled back and threw the sheets from his body.

"If Kouga was the one to drug you, then that means Naraku got to him." Sesshomaru said, his demeanor instantly becoming brusque and businesslike. Kagome eyed him, knowing he was planning something. Sesshomaru walked over to the window, sunlight illuminating his features.

"He killed Kagura, I know that." He said, his voice hard. "And from what you told me of that little boy and from what I've seen with the woman from Tranquil Springs, Naraku's planning something terrible."

Kagome couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine. She felt as though something awful was being set in motion and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

"The longer he's able to control you and Onigumo, the more danger the both of you are in." Sesshomaru continued. Kagome shook her head, knowing what he was going to say even before he uttered the words.

"I have to kill him," He said, glancing over at her, his eyes dark. "And like they say, there's no time like the present." Kagome instantly rose from the bed and stood in front of him, her eyes pleading.

"Sesshomaru, you're not in any condition to make a decision like that." She tried to reason with him. Sesshomaru scoffed. "There's nothing wrong with me, Kagome." He said defensively. Kagome placed a hand on his arm. "I'm not trying to say anything like that, Sesshomaru." She told him softly. "I only meant that you're upset about Kagura's death and you want a quick fix, a solution, but there isn't one."

Sesshomaru shook off her hand and turned away from her. "You're right. I am upset about Kagura's death. The person that I've loved and trusted for years is gone, dead, all because of Naraku." He spat. Kagome flinched, hurt by his words. Even though she shouldn't feel hurt by what he'd said, she did. She wanted to be the one he loved and trusted more than anything.

"But you're wrong about me wanting a quick fix." He said, turning back to her. "Naraku deserved to die long ago. His time is up." He walked past her out of the bedroom. Kagome followed him into the hallway and down the stairs. She had to make him understand what a bad idea it was to face off with Naraku when he didn't fully comprehend the consequences.

She grabbed his arm, bringing him to a halt. He sighed heavily, his temper beginning to wear thin. There was nothing Kagome could say that would make him change his mind. He needed to protect his uncle as well as her from the evil that was his cousin.

"Kagome, you can't--"

Sesshomaru heard more than saw the object whizzing through the air. Kagome noticed the strange expression on his face. She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but the words were lost as she felt a sharp pain in her back.

"Oh!" She gasped softly, before falling forward. Sesshomaru caught her before she hit the floor. His gaze flew to the figure standing by the open patio doors.

"Just a little message from Naraku," Inuyasha said, a slight smile on his face. "Meet him at the mansion in one hour or she will die." He turned quickly and disappeared from sight. Sesshomaru was at a loss for words, his gaze returning to Kagome's face. Her eyes were closed and he could already see the blood beginning to drip down her back from the spot where Inuyasha's arrow was protruding. He knew that it was poisoned; they'd been trained in the field of archery and were always taught to poison the tips, eliminating the victim's chance of survival.

"Kagome." He whispered. He wouldn't lose her, too. He hugged her to him and rocked her gently in his arms. All the while, he felt the rage building within him and he couldn't suppress it, not this time. If he lost her...he'd lose everything.

He'd be bathing in Naraku's blood soon enough.

a/n: sorry for the delay...as some of you might know, finals are coming up and i've been studying my little butt off! hope it was all worth it...anyways, thanks, as always, for the reviews! you guys are great! the story is almost at an end, but don't worry...the end isn't coming too soon! hope you guys enjoy and i'll see ya next chap!