InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Dark Hour ❯ Leaving On A Jet Plane ( Chapter 27 )

Ch. 27

Leaving On A Jet Plane…

Naraku shielded his eyes from the brilliant pink light that seemed to pour forth from Kagome's body. Her hair floated about her face as if she were underwater. Sesshomaru let out a howl, his head thrown up to the sky.

Naraku watched the scene before him, bewildered. What was she doing? It took him a few more minutes to realize that there was more to her than he'd originally thought. It would appear that the innocent little reporter was in fact a miko.

"Sesshomaru!" He screamed, realizing he was losing his hold over his cousin. "Listen to me, you fucking animal!" His voice held a desperate edge. All he had envisioned for himself, for his empire, was crumbling right before his very eyes. He couldn't allow that.

"Bitch!" He yelled, reaching inside his sport coat and pulling out the small handgun he had stashed there. He took aim, getting Kagome dead in his sights. No, he would not allow her to destroy his plans.

Kagome's body felt white hot, energy rushing throughout her entire body. She opened her eyes and looked at Sesshomaru. His head was thrown back, a long plaintive howl coming from somewhere deep inside. `I'm sorry, love,' She thought to herself. `It's for your own good.' She closed her eyes, willing him to change back into the man she knew and loved dearly. Kagome knew it was working. Deep down, she just knew.

A soft gasp escaped her and her eyes flew open. She looked down, slightly amazed to see blood pouring profusely from a small hole in her chest. Sesshomaru stared at the bullet wound, whimpering softly. Kagome's eyes fluttered closed, her arms falling limply to her sides. The pink energy slowly dissipated.

Sesshomaru nuzzled her with his nose, urging her to move. She remained still, her hair blowing gently in the breeze. He was torn, looking from Kagome to Naraku and back again. He saw the gun Naraku was still holding in his hand.

"Kill her, Sesshomaru! KILL HER!" Naraku's voice rose an octave, completely losing his edge. Sesshomaru wasn't completely himself, but his head was clear enough to realize what had happened. Naraku shot Kagome, the lifeless body he held clutched in his paw. She was losing blood by the minute, both from the gunshot wound and the wounds he himself had inflicted by his claws. He let out a gut-wrenching howl before placing Kagome gingerly on the ground. He then turned to Naraku.

"What are you doing? Heed my orders--"

Naraku's words were cut off sharply when Sesshomaru swatted him like a fly. He watched as the body flew high into the air before coming down with a crash on top of a pile of garden rocks. Naraku had little time to recover as he was picked up, Sesshomaru squeezing him painfully in his paw. Naraku cried out in pain.

"Sesshomaru, why…aren't you…listening…?" A trickle of blood poured from the corner of his mouth as something inside him burst. Sesshomaru applied more pressure, his eyes narrowing to dark slits. A low growl started up.

"I had…plans for you," Naraku continued, sputtering blood with each word he spoke. "Perfect…killing machine." He grimaced, the pain blinding. "I don't know…how that bitch reversed the effects…of the mind control," He gasped. "But I will not be taken down by the likes of you." He reached into his jacket pocket and this time pulled out a single syringe. "I came prepared, cousin." He rasped, jabbing the needle into his arm. Sesshomaru didn't have time to react as Naraku began to transform. Sesshomaru jumped back as long, hairy legs sprouted from his body, which was now changing into a plump round body similar to that of a spider.

Sesshomaru growled at the creature before him, his body tense. Naraku hissed in response, his red eyes glowing. The two squared off, one dog demon and one spider demon. Naraku was the first to make a move.

He lunged at Sesshomaru, shooting a wad of sticky webbing. Sesshomaru deftly sidestepped the attack, catching Naraku by one of his stick-like legs and slamming him to the ground. Sesshomaru let out a sharp yelp when Naraku surprised him by sinking his pincers into his front left leg. Naraku quickly scrambled to his feet and scurried out of Sesshomaru's reach. Sesshomaru bared his teeth, favoring his injured leg. He made a move towards Naraku but stopped, swaying slightly. He shook his head, watching what seemed like two Narakus stalked towards him. He whimpered lightly, lifting his legs to move but falling forward instead, his legs giving way beneath him.

Naraku advanced slowly, preparing for another web attack. Sesshomaru lay on the ground, immobile. He growled defensively, trying to keep Naraku away from him, as if knowing what horrible fate awaited him if Naraku completed his attack.

Kagome opened her eyes slowly, her body feeling as if it were on fire. She looked around dazedly, just in time to see what looked like a gigantic spider stalking towards Sesshomaru. She sat up, gasping as a sharp pain ran up her chest. She looked down, seeing the bright red blood still oozing from the round hole where she'd been shot and numerous scratches and puncture wounds from Sesshomaru's claws.

She grit her teeth against the pain, fighting back the darkness that beckoned her. Sesshomaru needed her and she wanted to be there for him. If only for one last time.

Kagome struggled to her feet, leaning against the side of the house for support. She looked to Sesshomaru, noticing his lack of movement. The spider was almost upon him.

"Hey!" She yelled, drawing their attention to her. The spider stopped, momentarily forgetting his paralyzed prey. He turned his crimson gaze to the young woman standing a mere few feet away. He hissed at her, quickly scurrying towards her. Before Kagome had time to reconsider, she summoned all the courage and strength she had and held her arms out before her, her hands outstretched. She focused on the ball of anger lodged in her chest, letting the heat overtake her. In a matter of seconds, she felt the familiar energy rush.

Shocks of pink energy flew from Kagome's palms, directed squarely at her target. Her raven tresses flared out around her, her eyes wide and pure onyx. For those few moments it was as if Kagome was taken over by another person…a person from the past.

An inhuman scream pierced the air as every pore of Naraku's body was filled with Kagome's purifying energy. Kagome's midnight orbs glittered as she stared at Naraku, watching as his body seemed to deflate and then inflate swiftly until exploding, chunks of body parts flying everywhere.

Kagome cried out and fell to her knees, digging her hands into the soft earth. She gasped for air, weak from both the purifying energy and loss of blood. She looked up, her gaze finding Sesshomaru. He still lay in the same spot, watching her with wide eyes. His tail twitched and he let out a soft whine. With what little strength she had left, she crawled over to him.

Sesshomaru sniffed the air, noticing the pungent odor of blood. He looked down at her and nuzzled her gently, causing her to give him a slight smile. Kagome turned a worried gaze to where Onigumo still lay. She didn't know if he was dead or alive.

"Help Onigumo," She said urgently, stroking his fur. He whimpered in response. Kagome nodded and put her hands on either side of his nose. She didn't know how much more of this she could take, but she needed to do this for Sesshomaru. This was probably his only chance at returning to his former self. Saying a silent prayer, she closed her eyes and concentrated, feeling the faint stirrings of energy. She concentrated harder, willing the energy to flow.

She felt a tingling in her hands and felt the energy flowing freely from her. `Please work.' She chanted to herself over and over. After a few moments, the energy stopped flowing and Kagome cracked her eyes open. She couldn't help the smile that spread over her lips.

"Sesshomaru." She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. Sesshomaru returned the gesture, holding her tightly to him. He had no words. He smoothed his hand over her hair, placing light kisses on the crown of her head.

"I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you like this again," She murmured, feeling faint. "I'm glad…" She whispered. "I wanted to see you…like this." She leaned back so she could look at him. She cupped his cheek, letting her eyes roam over his features, those perfect beautiful features. She stopped at his eyes. "If I never…see anything again but those eyes," She told him softly, "I'll die happy." She pressed her lips briefly against his own.

Sesshomaru was suddenly alarmed. Why was she saying these things? He looked down at her hand clutching her chest and gently pried it away, sucking in a breath at the blood. Naraku. He remembered Naraku shooting her. He also noticed her other wounds, wounds he was responsible for.

"No!" Sesshomaru said forcefully. "Nothing's going to happen to you, got it?" Kagome's eyes fluttered. "Don't…worry," She said, her voice faint. "I'm ready. Just know that I love you…always." She smiled before her eyes drifted close, her hand dropping limply to the ground.

~~~~~~

Sesshomaru walked briskly down the halls, his dress shoes clicking on the hard linoleum floor. He grimaced at the bright fluorescent lighting and faint smell of chemical products. He knew there was a reason why he hated these places.

He walked up to the front desk and nodded at the short, plump lady sitting in front of a computer. She looked up at him, her face bright and pleasant. "May I help you?" She asked.

"Yes, I'm here to see Onigumo Iakouy."

The woman picked up a chart, looking over it quickly. "Are you a relative of Mr. Iakouy's?" She inquired, looking at him over the top of the clipboard. Sesshomaru nodded. "I'm his nephew." The woman pointed to the right. "He's in room 116, two door down."

Sesshomaru thanked her before heading in the direction she'd given him. Once he arrived at the plain white door marked 116, he knocked once before turning the knob. The door slid open noiselessly and Sesshomaru stepped inside the meticulously neat room. Onigumo sat with his back resting against two fluffy pillows. He gave Sesshomaru a wide smile.

"Sesshomaru! It's good to see you!" He greeted, motioning him over. Sesshomaru smiled and sat in the armchair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked, studying his uncle. Onigumo waved a hand at him.

"Fine, fine." He assured him. "If anything, I'm ready to get out of here!" He crossed his arms over his chest. "The nurses are kind enough, but they treat me like an old man." Sesshomaru cocked an eyebrow at him. Onigumo glared at him. "I am not an old man!"

A moment of silence passed before Onigumo spoke up.

"What happened out there?"

Sesshomaru looked away, staring out the window. It had been two weeks since everything had gone down at Naraku's. Onigumo had respectfully not asked about the events, only being told that Kagome was shot in the process and the truth about the Iakouy family curse. He felt it was time he got the full story.

"Kagome brought me out of the hypnotic state, but not before she--" Sesshomaru stopped, feeling a lump form in his throat. Even though Onigumo knew that Kagome was injured, he didn't know about the part Sesshomaru played. He cleared his throat, continuing on. "I hurt her."

Onigumo looked away from Sesshomaru's face. He hated seeing his nephew in such obvious pain, but there was nothing he could do about it. "It was before she got me out of the hypnotic state, but I did a lot of damage to her."

"You weren't yourself, Sesshomaru, so don't beat yourself up over it." Onigumo told him. He knew his words wouldn't be of any comfort, but they were true. Sesshomaru couldn't have stopped what was already set in motion.

Sesshomaru nodded his head, grateful nonetheless. "I had Naraku on the ropes, but then he injected himself with that formula and made his own transformation." Sesshomaru said, his jaw tensing. He recalled the fight, a battle between two unnatural beings.

"It was Kagome who killed him." He said softly. "Did you know she had miko powers?" Onigumo nodded his head. "She told me about the first time."

Sesshomaru leaned back in the chair. "She was amazing." He said, remembering how awed he'd been at seeing her at her most powerful. "She saved me." He whispered. Onigumo reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.

"I'm sorry for everything Naraku put you and Kagome through." He said. A note of sadness could be heard in his tone. Sesshomaru knew it was just as hard for him losing a son, his only son, no matter how estranged they'd been. Sesshomaru shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for. Naraku was a grown man and in the end he got what he deserved. I'm just sorry he hurt you worst of all." He rose to his feet.

"I've got a few things to do before I leave--"

Onigumo looked at him in surprise. "You're still leaving?" He asked. Sesshomaru nodded. "I can't stay here. You know that."

Onigumo sighed. "I know. I was just hoping you'd change your mind at the last minute and decide to stay." He gave him a rueful smile. "After all, I've just recently come back from the dead and I was hoping I'd get more time to get to know my nephew."

Sesshomaru felt a pang of guilt. He, too, wanted more time to get reacquainted with his uncle who was like a father to him. As much as he wanted that, he knew that he couldn't stay. There were many reasons, but she was the main one…

"I'm sorry, Onigumo, but this is what I have to do." He said, his tone holding a note of finality. Onigumo nodded sadly. He reached out and clasped Sesshomaru's hand. "Take care of yourself, Sesshomaru, wherever you end up." He said getting choked up. "If you ever change your mind about coming back, you know where to find me."

Sesshomaru smiled slightly in return. "I'll keep in touch, uncle. And I know I'm leaving the company in good hands, where it belongs." He turned towards the main door, grasping the handle.

"I know you'll watch over her." He said quietly.

"Yes." Onigumo responded.

Sesshomaru nodded and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. He started towards the exit, but changed his mind at the last minute and headed in the opposite direction towards the bank of elevators. He pressed the `Up' button and waited, glancing at his watch every now and then. His flight was leaving in less than an hour and he'd probably be late, but he couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

Riding the elevator up to the fourth floor, he stepped off and looked around. This floor wasn't as crowded as the rest of the floors. He noticed a nurse at the front station and a few doctors, but other than that, the floor was empty. He walked up to the nurse's station and smiled charmingly at the pretty young nurse seated there. She returned the smile.

"Hello, Nurse…" He glanced at her nametag. "Stewart. I was wondering if you could check to see if Dr. Johnson is on this evening." She gave him another smile, this one more seductive. "Let me check that for you, honey." She said before turning her back to check the logs. Sesshomaru quickly leaned over the high desktop to look at the clipboard he knew was hanging next to the computer.

Higurashi, Room 406.

Sesshomaru leaned back just as Nurse Stewart turned to him, the smile still in place. "Dr. Johnson's shift starts at six." She told him. Sesshomaru smirked. Johnson was such a common name that he'd taken a gamble. Turned out to be a good one.

"Thanks." He told her, giving her a small wink. She wiggled her fingers at him and shook her head, still smiling. Once he was sure she wasn't looking, ducked through the double glass doors marked ICU. He made his way quickly to room 406, stopping momentarily before going inside. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

The sight of Kagome hooked up to various machines, her chest rising and falling steadily, greeted him. He walked slowly to her bedside, ignoring the beeps and whirring noises of the machines.

"Kagome." He whispered, running the back of his hand across her smooth cheek. She was so pale, her normally ivory skin even paler. He placed his other hand on her head, smoothing the silky black tresses. This would be the last time he ever got to touch her.

There were so many things he wanted to tell her, so many things that needed to be said. He sighed. She looked so beautiful, like she was asleep, not in a coma.

"I'm sorry, Kagome." He whispered, closing his eyes. "I got you mixed up in this whole thing and you're the one who ended up getting hurt."

He laughed humorlessly, opening his eyes to look at her. "We've been through a lot, you and I." He lowered his head. "I don't want to leave you, Kagome, but…but--" He gestured helplessly. "I've already done enough to you. The last thing you need is me in your life."

Sesshomaru leaned down and brushed his lips across her own, his heart twisting in his chest.

"I love you, Kagome." He said softly, knowing she couldn't hear him. "I loved you from the start." He tore himself away from her, knowing in his heart that he was doing the right thing.

As he walked down the hall toward the exit, he couldn't stop that pain that he felt in his heart with each step that he took. He climbed into the cab waiting for him, telling the driver where to go. His luggage was already in the cab, so all he had to do now was make it to the airport in time to catch his plane.

He spent the ride looking out the window, refusing to think of what he was leaving behind. Instead, he chose to think of his new life. A fresh start. No more dirty deeds and sneaking around. He was free to do as he wished. Well, almost.

All too soon, the driver turned to announce that they were at the airport. Sesshomaru paid the man and had his luggage carried inside. Once he'd gotten his bags checked and everything was in order, he made his way to his designated gate. They were already boarding the plane so he quickly got in line, showing his ticket information and walking through the tunnel to plane.

Sesshomaru settled himself comfortably in his first-class seat and turned his attention outside. The last of the passengers were coming aboard and preparing themselves for the impending takeoff. Sesshomaru didn't pay attention to the stewardess talking in the front or to the captain that came on the intercom minutes later to explain minor details. All he could think about was Kagome.

As the plane taxied down the runway, the wheels just beginning to lift off the ground, Sesshomaru leaned his head against the small window, closing his eyes tightly. If he was doing the right thing, then why did it hurt so much?

a/n: and so the story finally winds down…to those who are wondering, this is not the end of the story(although there is only going to be one more chap). i wouldn't be so cruel as to leave the story like this! anyways, hope you guys like where the story is going and nobody's disappointed with the results. thanks for the reviews and i'll see ya next(final) chap!