InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Demons Within Us ❯ Into the Dark ( Chapter 33 )

A/N: Editted this chapter because I think it was poorly done and rushed. Think this new one is better and makes the next chapter easier to write. I'm back!!!!! PS anyone up to being my beta? WDW

 

 

InuYasha stretched his arms underneath his pillow and nuzzled his face into its enticing thickness. The cool sheets felt so good beneath his aching sides, but they did little to help him fall back asleep. Groggily he opened his eyes to a bleak gray room reflecting the cloud-covered sky outside his window and automatically felt the weather squelch his euphoric mood. With a tight cringe he shifted carefully onto his back before a heavy yawn overtook his lips. He wiped his face with a heavy hand to rid the remainder of the sleep before letting it fall to his side. The feel of cold wetness against the back of his hand caused him to lift his head in question then bolt upright.

 

Blood!

 

A wash of the faded red liquid rested in the middle of the bed. Without thought he looked down on his person to see the vivid stains covering his pelvis with a soiled condom resting by his leg. So it wasn't a dream. A wave of wonderful incredulity flooded over him as he swept his gaze over the room.

 

“Kagome?” He swung his legs off the bed and pulled on a pair of track pants. Heading to the bathroom, he peeked in but she wasn't there. With mounting apprehension, InuYasha looked around the room once more. Her clothes were gone, as was her medical kit. What did this mean? Did she sneak out early before he woke up because she didn't want to deal with him? Did she regret what they did? He quickly tampered it down when soft knocking tapped at his door. An automatic smile erupted from his lips.

 

“What the hell did you do,” he called out as he reached for the knob, “lock yourself out?”

 

He opened the door wide to see the stoic face of his elder brother. Immediately his lips fell into a sullen sneer as he leaned against the frame. “Oh, it's you.”

 

“Obviously.” Sesshomaru scanned InuYasha's disheveled body with a slight tang of disapproval before pushing past him to enter the disorganized room. He swiftly gave the room a thorough perusal as if to make sure they were alone.

 

InuYasha noticed his brother's eyes rest momentarily on the bloodstained sheet before he managed to flip the covers of his bed and sat down on them with a look of defiance. Sesshomaru didn't react to the action as he reached for the remote for the television.

 

“There have been some troubling developments.”

 

InuYasha gave his brother a mute frown before looking at the news program that was flicked on. Clips of the fight he was in last night shook in the screen by an amateur videographer. He could barely make out him sitting on that fucker's chest and pounding the shit out of him for attacking Kagome before the words of the reporter leapt out at him.

 

`…said it was an unprovoked attack that was surely was due to ulterior motive. `Perdition' has been disqualified from the competitions and will most likely be banned from any further events that China will host….”

 

InuYasha sat stunned. The rest of the news passed his ears in a confused jumble. He looked up to see Sesshomaru studying him.

 

“I don't… what did that mean? Perdition has been disqualified?” He stumbled as he shot up from the bed, pointing accusingly at the television.

 

Sesshomaru followed the direction of his finger, his lips pressed in a hard line. “Apparently your actions were taped last night and it has been misinterpreted against you.”

 

“Actions? What actions?”

 

The older man flicked his golden eyes back over to him, scrutinizing the dirty bruises on the younger man's torso. “Your rescue of Kagome from those men has been taken out of context. Apparently they are members of China's main contenders for the War of the Bands. They had stated that they wished to bring Kagome back to her hotel, since it appeared she was drugged. They then went on to say that you mercilessly attacked them, no doubt to pull them out of the competition.”

 

“That's bullshit!” InuYasha shouted. “They were about to hurt her! I was protecting my own!”

 

Sesshomaru's brows rose slightly before he looked back to the television. “I am aware of that. I had argued that point to the competition supervisors since seven this morning, but they are adamant against your innocence. It was finally concluded that fighting was no way condoned, and that it was understood by all who signed the contract that it was an automatic dismissal. It is now out of my hands.”

 

InuYasha trembled with rage and struggled to shake his head. “Those son of a bitches! They set us up! What about them? What did they get out of it? Tell me they got disqualified too!” His voice wavered at the bitter glare from his brother's eyes as he stared at the news.

 

“They appealed and won. They stated they fought back out of self defense and the judges agreed.”

 

“No,” InuYasha choked on bile. “No, it isn't fair.”

 

“No, it isn't. But it's been arranged for us to leave within the hour, and it best we agree to that before we are tangled in more media issues. The hotel isn't taking too kindly in securing their doors from frenzied paparazzi.”

 

InuYasha opened his mouth to argue his case but was cut off by rapid pounding on the door. Sesshomaru gave his brother a pointed look before moving to answer it.

 

“What the fuck happened!” Sango stormed into the room, followed distantly by Miroku and Kouga. She stopped inches from InuYasha's half naked body and pointed furiously at the television. “What the fuck did you do!”

 

“Sango…” Miroku's weary voice called over to her.

 

“Don't!” She seethed, swiping her hand in fury before looking accusingly to InuYasha. “Well?”

 

“He was protecting me.” A soft voice flowed from the doorway as Kagome came in, shutting the door behind her.

 

InuYasha nearly sighed in relief seeing her there, freshly dressed and her hair damp. She didn't look worse for wear as she smiled shakily over at him before Sango brought him back to the issue at hand.

 

“Protected you? Will someone fill us in what the hell happened last night?” She gave the pair a suspicious glare.

 

InuYasha scowled and looked broodingly over to the television, crossing his arms in defiance. “See for yourself.”

 

All eyes turned to the screen to watch the entire fight ensue. Apparently last night's escapade was headline news as every channel replayed the lie. InuYasha gave them the lowdown of what really happened.

 

Shaking his head, Kouga said. “Any idiot can see they were hurting her. Why the hell is everyone believing their story?”

 

“Because regardless of all that has changed, some prejudices have stayed the same.” Miroku lowered his disappointed eyes to the floor. He turned to Sesshomaru. “So what do we do now?”

 

The manager released a rare sigh. “We leave. We will fight for an appeal when we are in Japan. We can only fight back for our honor. There is nothing we can do about the competition.”

 

“No,” Sango shook her head, her eyes looking desperately to each person in the room, “no, it can't end like this.”

 

No one responded as each avoided looking at each other.

 

After a minute, Miroku turned and headed to the door. “I have to pack.”

 

Kouga followed slowly behind.

 

“But,” Sango's eyes widened as her boyfriend opened the door, the finality of the situation hitting home, “but….”

 

“No, Sango.” Miroku peered at her from over his shoulder. “We can't fight this here.”

 

Her watery gaze turned imploringly over to Sesshomaru who stood expressionless and mute. With hesitation she turned to the door and blindly stepped out, her shoulders wrapped comfortingly by Miroku's arm.

 

Watching the door close on it's own, the taller man peered knowingly at the indicted pair. “Don't dally. Our ride leaves in forty minutes.” With that he stepped out of the room.

 

Both stared at the door for a long while. Quietly, Kagome looked over at the half naked man at the other end of the room.

 

InuYasha pulled his gaze to face the regret upon her face. Regret… he never thought it possible to see such an emotion from her. He wanted to shut the world away just to wipe that look off her face. He wanted to shut himself away for having caused this.

 

“I didn't mean for this to happen.” Her small voice hit him like a bullet.

 

He blinked in confusion. “You?”

 

She looked at the television. “I should never have put you in this situation.” A sad laugh whispered past her lips. “All this time I've been trying… and it was you who would suffer. I'm so sorry, InuYasha.”

 

“No.” InuYasha reached for the remote and turned off the discriminating sight. “It wasn't you who did this.”

 

“No, but I will do whatever I can to make it right.”

 

Sullen amber flowed over to meet penitent blue. “Don't.” He whispered.

 

Kagome tilted her head in question as he moved over to the bed and sat upon the twisted blankets. His head bowed as his words struggled from his lips. “I'm sorry, Kagome.”

 

He sensed her movement to sit softly beside him. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

 

Serious eyes looked up at her. “I have everything to apologize for. You above all of us have the most to lose because of my stupid actions. And I can't help you. I can't fix this.”

 

“This isn't the end,” she murmured. “We still have contracts waiting for us in Japan.”

 

InuYasha shook his head and looked exhausted at the ground. “After this publicity it's very unlikely. No one wants to be associated with criminals. I'm rather surprised I'm not being arrested for this shit, which would explain why Sess wants us to leave so bad.”

 

“But you didn't do anything wrong!” She argued.

 

“It doesn't matter. In everyone else's eyes I did,” he snorted. “Story of my life.”

 

“Inu…” her soft voice broke over his self-defeat. Peering over at her, he was shocked to suddenly find himself in her arms. His own arms wrapped unconsciously around her waist.

 

“Not in my eyes, InuYasha. Never in my eyes.” She whispered against his hair.

 

He leaned back to look at her, blinking slowly as she caressed his tussled hair from his face.

 

“I will always see you as you really are.” She continued softly. “Never forget that. Never regret what happened. I certainly don't.”

 

Searching past the conviction in her eyes, he could only see loving trust. Leaning towards her, he pressed his lips gently upon her own, then another, and another. Each with a little more force than the last. After a few moments, he pulled back. “We should get going.”

 

She nodded and stood, stopping halfway to the door. “Inu?”

 

He looked up.

 

“Thank you.”

 

He frowned. “Why?”

 

Gentle humbleness swept over her sadness. “That's twice you saved my life.” She turned and left the room, leaving him to taste bittersweet emotion.

 

-+-

 

Kagome sank wearily down on Sango's couch, oblivious to the news displayed on the television screen in front of her. It had been three months since their falling out at the competition with an appeal still pending. Sesshomaru was tied heavily into the legal battle to regain Perdition's innocence, not to mention the entitlements from previous contracts. But in those three months, it had been hell.

 

Arriving back in Japan was as chilling as the weather. No longer the conquering champions, Perdition became a brunt for tabloids and media. It was difficult facing reporters and jilted fans, but worse facing a normal life once more.

 

Sango collapsed down beside her on the couch, her soiled waitress uniform rumpled from a long day's work. She popped open a bag of chips and tilted the bag towards Kagome in offering.

 

Kagome shook her head. “No, thanks. Not hungry.”

 

Sango eyed her knowingly. “How's it been?”

 

She shut her eyes. “Tough...really tough.”

 

Since money was held up in the courts, finances were tight for everyone. Sango returned to waitressing at the diner while Kouga and Miroku went back to the packing plant. The transition was easier on the three since it was something they were used to. InuYasha however....

 

“He hasn't been talking to me much.” Kagome opened her eyes, a taxed sadness reflected in them. “He's been acting distant...strange.”

 

“Has he gone back to...?”

 

Kagome shook her head as she blindly watched the T.V. “I don't think so. He's agitated a lot and most nights I don't think he sleeps.” Her eyes lowered to the floor. “He's depressed, San, and overworked. He's doing so many odd jobs as well as working at the plant with the guys. Most of the time I don't get to see him. He has put all the blame on himself over what happened that I think he's driving himself to distraction. The times that we are together all he does is sleep.” She sighed. “Until something happens with the appeal, I don't think he'll get out of this rut he's put himself in.”

 

“We're all in that rut.” Sango munched on a few chips as she watched the news. “I don't think any of us are going to be able to hold our heads up until this mess is dealt with...if it ever is.”

 

Kagome remained silent. She let her attention drift over to the nearby couch where a rumpled blanket and pillow lay. “How's Kohaku been? He hasn't been by the House in sometime.”

 

Sango shrugged. “He's working a double tonight I think.” She glanced over at Kagome. “Are you sure you're fine with him living here now?”

 

“He's of legal age now, no longer a child of the system. He thought he was being a drain on our resources but I know the real reason was he wanted to help us both out. One less person for us to provide for and a roommate to help you with your costs.” She smiled softly. “He's welcome to come back, but I think he's happier here knowing he's doing something. Has his applications for university come back?”

 

Her friend shook her head. “If they have he wouldn't let me know.” A rueful smile graced her lips. “If the little bastard thinks he's giving up school to help me out he's got another thing coming.”

 

A loud bang announced the arrival of Miroku and Kouga as the door swung shut behind them.

 

“Evening, all.” Miroku sauntered around the couch and flopped into the seat beside Sango. “Any goods from the diner today?”

 

Sango rolled her eyes and thumbed towards the fridge. “Jim made a few cold platters for us, help yourself.”

 

Miroku leaped up and headed to the fridge with Kouga in tow.

 

“Where's InuYasha?” Kagome asked.

 

“Had to drop off some package on the way.” Kouga stated with a mouth full of meat. “Should be here soon.”

 

“Package?” Kagome tilted her head but was cut off as the door swung open and the man in question walked in. His hair was disheveled from the Fall wind and his cheeks reddened from the coming cold. She smiled. “Hey.”

 

InuYasha barely gave a nod as he headed over to the sink and fished out a glass of water. He gargled a few times, spit it out in the sink then gulped the remainder down.

 

“You okay?” Kagome moved to stand but he merely shook his head.

 

“Fine.” He stated curtly as he gasped in a few breaths.

 

She forced a smile to her lips. “You look like you've run a race.”

 

He didn't reply as he headed to the food tray and started to eat.

 

Kagome turned to Sango and sank dejectedly back into her seat. The other woman just frowned.

 

InuYasha sighed heavily into his food.

 

“You okay there, bud?” Miroku murmered beside him.

 

“Keh. Let's just say the package wasn't a welcomed sight.” InuYasha slowly chewed then swallowed hard. “Serving divorce papers isn't a pretty business.”

 

The two males chuckled as they headed back to the couch. InuYasha followed them with his gaze only to land on Kagome. His chest fluttered uncomfortably. She looked so damn tired, and he knew he wasn't helping matters by being distant. He grabbed a few more pieces off the plate and headed to the opposite couch.

 

“How's things at the orphanage?” Kouga asked.

 

Kagome smiled at the worried look on the man's face. Kouga hadn't seen much of Ayame since they had come back, namely since she decided to leave the Shikon House to pursue a different job. She still stayed at the House but as a tenant. “Better than expected. Hojo managed to use the earnings I saved to hold our contract for another year. The only stipulation was that we needed to bring the house up to code. Unfortunately it means replacing the plumbing, wiring and windows.” Her eyes lowered to the coffee table to keep from meeting certain eyes. “I've taken on a second job to help pay for the repairs.”

 

InuYasha shot her a glare. A second job? The one she had now was practically 24 hours. How the hell was she going to manage that? A sick feeling twisted in the center of his gut. God, he hated this! He hated seeing his friends work in the most mundane positions. He hated seeing his girlfriend have to sacrifice more time just to make ends meet. It shouldn't have to be this way. And he hated that most of all. The fact that he couldn't provide for her. Fuck, he barely got by. He was a shell of a man he so wanted to be. Not rich, not famous, and barely a man that could care for the one he so wanted to protect. He finally had the woman of his dreams, one who time and again reminded him how much she loved him, that she never needed anything else from him. And like a fool and a coward he accepted her words...and never once returned them.

 

Why? Why couldn't he tell her how he felt?

 

Because it was the last wall, the last barrier that kept her from him entirely. It was the last safety net in case it got too hard, too much. He couldn't bear being stripped to that raw point of absolute honesty because it would hurt beyond anything should things go wrong.

 

And things were going so very wrong.

 

He felt guilt - an intense amount of guilt that it soured everything he touched. Kagome, with her perfect smile, her perfect thoughts and dreams, was a nice escape, but it did little to help him and he fell deeper into a depression he never realized he had. But she did.

 

How many nights did she spend waiting for him to call when he promised. How often had she come to see him and he pretended to not be there. How many times did he feign sleep in her arms so she wouldn't see - see the hollowness he had succumbed to. But she knew. The sadness in her eyes told him she knew. And even now she couldn't look at him to see the misery he felt.

 

“That sucks.” Kouga sighed. “Where?”

 

Kagome's mouth opened a fraction before she responded. “As Hojo's secretary.”

 

A furious stab of betrayal pierced InuYasha's chest and he couldn't breathe for a moment.

 

“Hojo?” He rasped, his fury barely contained behind his words.

 

She nodded, her pleading eyes finally looked up at him. “He was kind enough to find me a part time position in the afternoon and evenings. It pays well and -”

 

“Yeah.” He swallowed bitterly as he stood up. “You do who you gotta do, right?”

 

Her mouth parted in hurt.

 

He shut his eyes as he tried to control his breathing. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.” He stepped out of the silent circle of friends and headed to the door. “I have a few things I need to do. I'll see you all later.”

 

“InuYasha?” Kagome rushed up to him, her hand barely gracing his arm before he moved away.

 

He blinked heavily down at the floor. “I'll call you.”

 

Knowing silence then, “Okay.”

 

He pulled himself from her hurting aura and let the door shut firmly behind him.

 

In his darkest times he would scorn her words that drove arrows into his heart. Lately she said so little, but he knew her enough now to know what they meant. 'I love you.'

 

Words he couldn't bear to hear. Words he now kept her from saying because he was afraid of where they would lead. Fear had become the driving force of his life. It was fear of failure, of never being better than what he now was, of losing everything he had because of it. And he was terrified.

 

Terrified of losing her because he was slowly losing himself.

 

And terror made a man do desperate things.

 

-+-

 

“The boy has held up fairly well, considering.” Naraku poured bourbon into a crystal glass resting perfectly on his desk. He leaned back in his leather chair to regard the woman before him. “I hate to think he's forgotten all about me.”

 

Kikyo watched the amber fluid flow like silk past his lips, her face impassive from her seat on the couch across the room.

 

“I would have thought he would have come back to me by now. He is a tough, old bird.” A sour flex of his throat showed his thoughts on either the liquor or the object of their conversation. “Just like his father.”

 

Deep brown eyes flicked up to meet with clandestine black.

 

“I think an intervention is needed. Don't you?”

 

Again, he was met with silence from the woman across the room.

 

“Are you still of the belief I should just leave the boy alone? Obviously you don't know about revenge, dear girl. It is the best dish one could indulge in, and I crave it as much as he no doubt craves what I can give him.”

 

Her eyebrow pricked slightly at this.

 

“He's had a long time to face a world without the luxuries I had given him. I think a little temptation is needed. Go to him, Kikyo. Give him a little taste of what he's missing. I think he'd like that.”

 

Kikyo merely nodded and left the room.

 

Naraku took another sip of his bourbon as he eyed an aged newspaper seductively. “I think it will be something he won't be able to refuse.”