InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unaware ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 16 )

I do not own Inuyasha & Co.

 

 

Ya know, when I write up a new chapter, I read the most recent posted chapter of that fic and then go from there. What brought me to type this was the fact that it has truly been over a week since I last posted a chapter for Unaware! My life has been so complicated lately that all that time passed by like a roadrunner. Speaking of which, have any of you (my readers) ever seen a real live roadrunner? I have, and they are so cute! Anyways, I'm not sure what I have planned for this chapter just yet, but we'll all find out in a moment here, won't we?

 

 

Reviewer's Corner:

 

From Media Miner. Org:

 

Drake Clawfang: Thank you very much! I am so glad that you see my fic in a different way. That's the first time I've ever looked at my fic that way. I certainly hope this next chapter will please you just the same (wink).

 

XxDemonic PrincessxX: LOL! That's fine that you said that ya liked the previous chappy. Sorry it took so long to come out though. I certainly am upset that it took that long to update…I feel so terrible…

 

From Fan Fiction. Net:

 

Kagome M.K: All righty, sorry it took so long though…

 

Tokyo-Xprss: Oh, I know! I love Shippo's reaction though. And yes, I'm sorry it took so long to update with this chappy. I hope this kinda thing doesn't continue. It began to drive me nuts to the point where I was making up stories just to get rid of some of my creativity…Yeah…nutso I am…But, thanks again, and I hope you enjoy this chappy just as much if not more (hint, hint).

 

Cold Kikyo: Thanks, and sorry for the long wait. I assure you, the wait was worth it (wink).

 

Spirituality: Yes, that woulda been awesome for ya! But, oh well. I am very glad that you hit at the right time though. And yes, there will most definitely be some Rin/Sesshy happy scenes coming up, but in this chapter, it shows that some stuff needed to be resolved. We'll see when those fluff scenes come up. The only thing though, is Sesshy is a bit of a difficult character for me to write as far as affection is concerned, so it might be a while. And you're very welcome as far as taking a gander at your fiction. I can't wait to read more, now that I have the time at work (smiles widely).

 

Immortal Yin-Yang Sacrifice: Hey, you! That's so cool! Thanks for taking a gander at my ficcy! I am so glad that you're here! (Glomps you)

 

silver-angel-sakura: Thank ya, and sorry for the long wait. Hope you find it worthy of the month long unplanned hiatus…

 

kirarakitty: LOL! Thank ya very much! And yes, I would so love to be paid for every review I'm handed, but honestly…That would only be in a perfect world. And since it isn't a perfect world, we have fictional worlds to escape to. All I have to say is, Thank God for fiction. The only thing keeping me sane! (laughs hysterically) And yes, I drool over the picture painted in my head from Kag's point of view every now and then…Ooo yeah…Wish it were real, don't we? Life sucks (snaps fingers) And, oh yes…POOR SHIPPO!!!! But he was the one who ran in…I didn't plan that (shifts eyes)

 

Owari Nai Yumes: Wow! Thank you! I know, as far as what was told and how Inu told Sesshy about what was truly expected of him…really brings tears to my eyes whenever I read it. I'm just glad that Sesshy is now realizing where he belongs. What I think is the most interesting about how he's developing is that I generally have a rough time writing his character, but I'm beginning to understand him more, ya know? He's such a complex character that the future chapters with him should be interesting, ne?

 

sexi sox: Thanks for the comment, and I hope this chappy will make you even happier (wink).

 

zazolia: LOL, I know…I didn't really plan that…it just kinda happened. But, anyways, at least everyone will leave happy, right? Or at least we hope they will. Shikon Hospital will just have to hire more nurses and screen the men coming in, won't they? (Boss: I don't get it! We keep losing nurses to hunky men! They just continue to get emotionally involved with the hunky hubby's and act as if this hospital is a brothel! I don't run my floor that way, but this tends to be the pattern! I have to find some Pats and get them in here…At least I wouldn't lose any more nurses…) LOL! Sorry…There goes my mind again…Talk about pathetic…Anyways, thanks for the comment, and enjoy (smiles widely)

 

SesshoumaruGal: Thanks, and I have now…sorry for the wait…

 

heymary: Well, I aint gonna spoil nothin' for this chappy, but one of your predictions is correct. I hope ya enjoy this chappy. It's a very important one (wink)

 

 

 

Chapter 15

 

 

Inuyasha drove up to the shop, his hotrod catching Bob's eye from his desk in the office. Bob sat and watched as his most favored employee started walking towards the front door holding his lunchbox. Meaning, he was settling in for a full shift. As Inuyasha stepped into the office to drop off his lunch in the break room fridge off to the side, Bob called out, “'bout time.”

 

“Yeah. I have a car that needs to be fixed. How's business been today?” Inuyasha asked as he buttoned up his jumpsuit while he stepped out from the break room.

 

“Slow. You plan on working on that Higurashi car?” Bob asked.

 

“Yeah. No one's touched it, have they?” Inuyasha asked as he looked through the window in the door.

 

“Nope. She's been waiting for your touch only. So, any news on your wife?” Bob asked.

 

“Well, there's been no change, and it's been about a month. I'm really beginning to wonder.” Inuyasha said as he grabbed the keys out of the key box behind the counter.

 

“I'm sorry to hear that. Well, let me know what you decide then, when the time comes I mean.”

 

“You mean if I'm going to let her go?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Yeah. Is she being sustained by machines?”

 

“No. She's supporting herself now. I'm just curious as to what's keeping her alive. I've been watching the brain monitor recently, and it's been normal, but the brain activity hasn't changed. I'm beginning to wonder if she will wake up. Plus, if she's like this for much longer, there could be a possibility that she is brain dead. I'm not sure she would want to go on that way. Always fed by another, never living a normal life, only being able to live in the hospital under the care of nurses.” Inuyasha said, as his gaze became one of sadness.

 

“Well, that's for the husband to decide. She didn't have a living will done up, did she?” Bob asked as he swiveled his chair around.

 

“I don't think she did. It would ultimately be my decision since she disowned her family. They haven't even come to visit. I was all she had,” Inuyasha said as he leaned back against the counter, eyeing Kagome's keys. He found the key chain charm in the shape of a heart and ran his thumbs over it.

 

“What do you think you'd wanna do then?”

 

Inuyasha looked up from his daze at his question, “Well, I don't want her to just lie in bed like a vegetable. I'll wait a bit longer, but if she never wakes up, then euthanasia would be the route I'd choose. That's if it's an option.”

 

“I'm so sorry you have choices of this nature to make, son. I would never wish anything like this on anyone. Not even my worst enemies,” Bob replied as he swiveled his chair back around towards the desk and went back to work.

 

Inuyasha eyed him for another moment and then looked down to the charm he was holding. Kagome. It was a tough decision to make, and one he would have to discuss with a lawyer and his new girl. He knew that he would not be able to make those tough choices on his own. He then stepped away from the counter and through the door into the garage to start working on her car.

 

“Hey, Inu! Great to have ya back!” Inuyasha heard one of his co-workers shout from behind a car. He waved nonchalantly and made his way over to his girl's car.

 

He stepped up to the driver's side and unlocked the door. He then looked below the dash for the lever to pop the hood. After he popped the hood, he suddenly looked up and decided to eye the inside of her car. She had a light colored cover over her steering wheel, one air freshener that smelled of vanilla and a few belongings in the back seat. He eyed the belongings and thought about collecting them and taking them home to her that night. Wait a minute…Taking them…home. Why was he thinking that? He thought hard about her to the point where he didn't even realize he had spent 20 minutes just sitting in the driver's seat of her car.

 

`Can I do this? Can I really look to her as I did Kikyo? She does treat me much more lovingly than Kikyo did. But still. I've known Kikyo for so long,' he thought to himself when the door shut on him suddenly, causing him to jar out of his daze as his face shot to eye the person who shut him in the car. “Hey, you lost in Never Land or something?” his co-worker asked as he knelt down and leaned on the door with his arms.

 

“Tsch…As if. Whatta ya want?” Inuyasha asked gruffly.

 

The guy shrugged, “Nothing, really. Just comin' by to say hi. What's up with this car? Bob said you requested us not to touch it. Whose is it?”

 

“A very close friend of mine.”

 

“Yeah…Suuuuure. It's obviously a lady friend. Who is she?” he asked with a smirk and mischievous eyes.

 

Inuyasha gave him a sideways look, “No one, just a very close friend. What's it to ya?”

 

“Dude, you don't have to get all defensive at me,” he replied as he backed away from the car and held his hands out in front of him.

 

“Sorry,” Inuyasha replied as he directed his gaze to the keys in his hand and then to the back seat. “It's just that she has articles she left in her car by accident. That's why.”

 

“Yeah. Whatever, lover boy.” Inuyasha's eyes shot back to his with a glare, “Whoa! Down, boy!” the co-worker said as he got up and walked away from the car with an odd look in his eyes.

 

Inuyasha just sat in the seat and watched as the guy walked back to the vehicle he was previously working on and call one of the other guys over. They gave him questioning glances as they chatted away for a few moments, and then went back to work. Inuyasha buried his face in his hands and rested his elbows on the steering wheel, “Maybe I shoulda stayed home.”

 

“Well, you've had a rough month, Inu,” another one of his co-workers said suddenly as he knelt down beside the door. Inuyasha let his head fall back against the headrest as his hands dropped to his lap.

 

“Yeah, I guess you could say that,” Inuyasha replied as he looked at his co-worker.

 

“Dude, you sure you're ready to come back to work? You look like your head's a mess.”

 

“Well, I was kinda hoping this would help get my mind off things for a bit. Guess I was wrong,” Inuyasha said in disappointment.

 

“Hey, if you're worried about the car, one of us can work on it. What's wrong with it?”

 

“Well, I was hoping to fix it myself. It belongs to a close friend of mine. I told her I'd take special care of it. She's already been without her car for a few days now. If I hadn't been so distracted, it would have been finished by now,” Inuyasha replied as he ran his hands over her soft steering wheel.

 

“Well, you lent her the best courtesy car, right?” Inu nodded, “Then just tell her it's gonna be a bit. You could even ask her if she would allow one of us to work on it instead. You just look terrible, man.”

 

“Gee, thanks. I guess my head's pretty screwed up, huh?” Inuyasha asked as the other guy tapped his hand on Inuyasha's arm as he gave him a look of understanding and sympathy. “Okay, you can work on it. You're not too busy, are you?”

 

“No. I was just hanging and helping the other guys out with their cars. I can work on this no problem. So, what does it need fixing with?”

 

“She forgot to take it for its scheduled oil change, and it quit on her while she was on the interstate,” Inuyasha explained as he pointed to the mileage and the sticker.

 

“Ah, okay. No prob. I'll have it fixed by tomorrow, sound good?” Inuyasha tapped his hand back and thanked him as he handed him the keys and stepped out of the car. He then grabbed her belongings out of the back seat and stepped into the office to grab his things.

 

When Inuyasha stepped into the office with stuff in his arms, Bob turned and eyed the young man as he bore a look of melancholy. “Inu,” he stopped on his way to the break room and eyed Bob, “Don't worry about things around here. I had a feeling it was too soon. Just relax and concentrate on what's more important, all right?” Inuyasha nodded and stepped into the break room to collect his things and punch out for the day.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Sesshoumaru was floored by his father's wishes. Sesshoumaru had no idea that had been all his father had wanted for him. He thought that due to his father's success his father would have wanted him to be successful as well. But only to want him to be happy and find someone to love, was not expected at all. After his brother left, the only thought going through his mind, was that nurse. He couldn't even remember what it was he had planned to do that day.

 

He wandered around the grounds of the mansion for a bit and eyed the surroundings. He wound up engulfed in the serenity of the grounds. He began to see memorable moments he shared with Inuyasha, his father and stepmother. Images flashed through his mind on how he had once caught his father and stepmother kissing and embracing as they sat together on the concrete bench amongst the flowers and trees in the gardens.

 

He had forgotten how entranced his father really was with that woman. How he'd look at her, and how he'd regard her. He treated her as if she was a precious flower. Very tender, very lovingly, and with great care. His stepmother was very beautiful, and was very kind to Sesshoumaru, even though he saw her differently since he never really understood the divorce of his father and birth mother.

 

Sadly, all he remembered were the fights they had with each other. He couldn't remember any times when the house was filled with complete harmony. Least, not `til his mother stormed out for the last time. She had been unfaithful. His father decided to kick her out after the last time he caught her with the lawn care man. Not too long after the divorce, she had married that particular man and claimed he made her happier than his father ever did.

 

Sesshoumaru had no feelings of sadness or anger towards his mother. He just felt she walked into the wrong arms the first time around. He had just wished she would have used her head and was forward about her feelings with his father and him. She didn't even show him any regard. She left as if she didn't have a son. Why? Simply because Sesshoumaru looked too much like his father at that point and she didn't want to be reminded of his father. Pathetic.

 

Once his father found the wonderful woman, the one who became his stepmother, he truly felt he had disappeared from his father's eyesight. Inuyasha had become his focus since Sesshoumaru became independent. Inuyasha was the one showered with attention and praise, especially since he reminded their father of his new wife.  Sesshoumaru wanted to be a part of that closeness, and wanted to protect him from any harm for their father's sake.  Sesshoumaru only lived to become the dependable son.  The one that remained out of trouble.  Inuyasha was free-spirited.  He never really cared whether he got himself into trouble. 

Inuyasha never seemed the type to care if he was rich or not.  He decided to live and have fun the way every other kid did.  He blended in with his peers in both personality and ambition.  All he wanted was to be normal and accepted.  Sesshoumaru felt that since he was the older brother, he had a duty to his younger brother to remain as an example and hold an air of professionalism.  The son his father could be proud of.

It wasn't until that day in the garden that he realized where Inuyasha gained his rebellious behavior.

 

"Sesshoumaru, come here," Izayoi called out to him as he just stepped out onto the patio.  He eyed her as she sat and patted the spot next to her on the concrete bench she loved to sit upon everyday.

 

As he sat beside her, she sighed and patted his hand upon his lap, "Beautiful day, isn't it, Sesshoumaru?"

 

"Yes, it is."

 

"Sesshy, you've known me for fifteen years now, and you have never shown interest in my past.  I see how you look after your brother and try to be an example for him.  That generally causes you two to fight and argue over matters of opinion," she said as she looked over to him.

 

"Yes."

 

"Why do you do that?" she asked suddenly.

 

"The things he says and does.  I don't understand why he acts like that.  My father and I aren't like that.  Why isn't he proud of who he is?" Sesshoumaru asked.

 

"That doesn't mean he isn't proud of who he is, Sesshoumaru.  Where that rebellious attitude came from was me, not your father." She replied, causing him to give her an odd look.

 

"You?  You're not that type of person." He replied simply.

 

"Well, you only know me as I am now.  Sesshoumaru, when your father met me, I was in a bowling alley with a group of people.  Your father had rented out a lane near me and continued to bowl on his own.  Well, he caught my eye quite a few times that night.  When he stepped over after his rental time was over, he and I chatted and got to know each other." The woman explained with a sigh and a far off look in her eyes.

 

"I didn't know you bowl." Sesshoumaru said gaining her attention once again.

 

"Oh, you think that's all?" Sesshoumaru gained an even stranger look in his eyes as she asked proudly.  "I was wild in those days.  Hell, I was on my second beer, and I was smoking my fourth cigarette by the time your father came around.  He said I looked a bit tipsy and offered to drive me home later that night, since most of my friends looked about the same as I did.  Needlessly, I accepted his offer, and that was right around the time your mother and father divorced." She explained as she gave his hand a squeeze and removed it from his lap.

 

"I remember him bringing you home that night.  It was the night before the last hearing for their divorce.  He had gone out to bowl to relax and de-stress after a long day in court." Sesshoumaru explained as his gaze fell towards the flowers before him on the other side of the garden.

 

"Yes.  Believe me; I didn't expect him to take me here that night. I'm glad I accepted his gesture.  If I hadn't, Inu wouldn't be here.  Who knows where I'd have ended up, Sesshy?  I might have never had the chance to meet you, or become your step-parent." She said with a smile as she turned towards him slightly.

 

"What are you trying to say?" Sesshoumaru asked curiously.

 

"I mean to say that your brother is his own self.  His own entity.  No matter what you try to do, or how much you want him to be responsible or more professional like a rich son should be, he'd never change.  He's free-spirited, my son.  All I ask is that you accept him as he is, like you have accepted me for who I am." She asked politely.  He eyed her for a few seconds and bowed his head slightly in compliance. 

 

"And loosen up, son!  You're so uptight, ya know.  You'll never be able to be happy with that cold facade.  Live a little!" She exclaimed as she got up from the bench and skipped around the yard with her hands held high as she laughed happily.  That moment, seeing her jubilant disposition caused Sesshoumaru to smile slightly, get up from the bench as well and calmly follow her as she frolicked like a child.  

 

As he sat upon the bench and stared off into space, he heard his stepmother's laughing and giggling as another face appeared in his mind.  Rin's face once again.  She had the same naive disposition as his stepmother.  Very sweet, fun, lively and cheerful.  Least, until her last day with the family.  She had grown ill with a virus in her heart.  She contracted it very suddenly, and it took her quickly.  At her funeral, Sesshoumaru remained out of sight.  Why?  Because he realized that day that he truly did love her for who she was and he was very effected by her sudden death.  He couldn't let his facade falter.  He needed to remain strong for his brother and his father.  He couldn't let them see him cry.

 

After thoughts of that day, he ran his hands over his face and wiped away the tears about to form as he then stood and stepped back towards the house.  He then grabbed his wallet and called for his assistant to drive him to the only place that he felt he belonged.  The hospital, with Rin.

 

 

 

@*@

 

 

 

Inuyasha had driven back to Kagome's house, surprising her and her mother.  He handed Kagome her things, and she thanked him for bringing them home for her.  As they ascended the steps to her room, he followed close behind, wondering heavily about something.

 

As they entered her room, he stepped past her as she hung her jacket in her closet.  He kept his eyes on the floor until he backed up to the bed and fell upon it backwards with a sigh.

 

Kagome turned just in time to see him flop onto the bed lazily like he was bummed.  She stepped up to the bed and sat down beside him as she reached over and placed her hand over his heart.  "Something wrong?  You left work early today."

 

"Well, I couldn't seem to concentrate while I was there.  One of my co-workers is working on your car now as we speak." Inuyasha said as he closed his eyes, a pensive look on his face.

 

"That's fine.  What was on your mind?" Kagome asked curiously.

 

"Mostly you, but also what I am going to do about Kikyo." He said as he turned his eyes upon hers.

 

"What about me?"

 

"Just how we ended up together even though we tried to remain faithful to my promise to Kikyo.  How none of that matters no matter what we do.  It's crazy how quickly life can change at the drop of a hat, isn't it?" Inuyasha asked as he brought his hand to hold hers over his heart.

 

"Yeah.  I was thinking about whether I'd be able to go back to work after all that's happened.  I'm not sure my boss will want me there if I have finally come between a man and his wife's marriage." Kagome said as she leaned over and laid her head upon his shoulder.

 

"You know, you don't have to work if you choose not to.  I have the means to take care of all of you." Inuyasha replied as he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it as his eyes remained on hers.

 

"I know.  I have thought about that, but I don't want my skills to go to waste.  I do plan to become a doctor or brain surgeon someday.  That is my ultimate goal." Kagome shrugged.

 

"Well then, how about this.  I put you through medical school while I help you raise Shippo.  Sound good?" He said as he laid her hand back down upon his heart and patted it gently.

 

Kagome's eyes lit up as she grabbed his cheek and laid a big kiss on his lips in appreciation, "Oh my God!  You would do that for me?"

 

"Of course!  Why wouldn't I?" He chuckled.  She squealed with joy as she hugged him happily and he held her close as a smile of comfort graced his lips.  

 

They embraced for a bit until the smile left his lips and his eyes grew distant once again, `Kikyo'. Kagome noticed the change in disposition and she turned his head to look her way, “Something wrong?”

 

“I have so much to do. I have to try to solve Kikyo's murder, but I'm not sure if I can on my own.” Inuyasha explained as Kagome's smile left her lips as well.

 

“I know. I wish there was something I could do, but I'm not sure I could be of much help save for support,” Kagome replied as she eyed him in concern.

 

“I think that's all I will need. Someone to come home to after a hard day of thinking and searching for info. With everything I think I have to do, I need you now more than anything.” He replied as he held her hand.

 

“You can count on that. You are welcome to stay here as often as you like. Also, feel free to call me if you need me with you at any point. I won't be going anywhere, especially since I've just quit my job,” Kagome said with a smile.

 

“You're not upset by that?” Inuyasha asked curiously.

 

“No. I now have another purpose. I have to be there for you.”

 

Tears began to form in his eyes at her words, “Thank you, Kagome. I love you,” he said as he held her to him and they laid upon the bed in each other's arms for a few moments when he pulled back. “I have to go. I think I know who to contact, but I'm going to go visit Kikyo to see if I can get her to remember some more info for me. She has to remember something. I have three suspects to talk to, but I wanna try and narrow it down if I can first.”

 

“All right. You sure you don't need me with you?” She asked innocently.

 

“No, I'll be fine. Go ahead and tell your mother and Shippo the good news, okay? I should be back in time for dinner. If not, then I'll call you.” Inuyasha replied as he stood from the bed and pulled her to his body in an embrace.

 

“I will. Be careful,” she replied as she reached her hand up to his cheek. He leaned down, pressed his lips to hers one last time and then turned from her to leave the room. She followed and opened the front door, giving him one last kiss on the way out.

 

Kagome's mother saw them pass the living room and watched as they said goodbye. As Kagome stepped back towards the living room she asked, “So, are things okay?”

 

“Yeah, things are fine. He's still broken up about his wife's murder though,” Kagome replied as she took her seat on the couch.

 

“Murder…I thought you two said she was still alive.”

 

“Well, we're not too sure anymore. She has been supporting herself lately, but she still hasn't awakened, and Inuyasha feels that with how she's starting to regress that her soul is no longer there. Things aren't turning out the way they should right now.”

 

“What do you mean?” her mother asked curiously.

 

“I mean, he thought he could get over her, since she hasn't awakened and his heart has turned him towards me for various reasons. Don't get me wrong, we haven't done anything wrong, it's just that he's having a hard time letting her go. He's a bit confused,” Kagome explained.

 

“And how do you feel about that?” She asked.

 

“Well, I do love him, and he was the young man I told you I saw and thought was an angel eight years ago at that party. Momma that was Inuyasha who saved me that night.”

 

Her mother gasped, “You sure?”

 

“Yes, he even said the story I gave him a few weeks ago was the same story he remembered back then. Momma, he's been trying to find me all these years. He said that he had been wanting to get to know me all this time.” Kagome explained with tears in her eyes.

 

“Wow. So he is very special then. How do you feel about his marriage and what's happened with his wife?”

 

“I told him that I'm here to support him no matter what happens. He has no one to turn to, so I will fill that role.” Kagome replied simply enough.

 

“I see. Well, tell him I am behind him as well. Where did he go off to just now?” the older woman asked.

 

“He went to see Kikyo. He thinks he might be able to figure out who it was that shot her. He has three people to talk to. He said he'd be back by dinner time, and that if he's going to be late, he'd call.”

 

“Okay. That's fine. When are you going to go back to work then? It's been almost a month of your leave time, hasn't it?”

 

“Well, Inuyasha and I decided something.” Kagome replied shyly.

 

“What's that?” her mother asked.

 

“Well, he decided to take care of us as if we were his own family and put me through medical school.” She said as she twiddled her fingers a bit.

 

“Really?” the woman asked excitedly gaining a nod from Kagome.

 

“He said that he has no one to take care of and that he would love to put me through school, help me with Shippo and take care of you as if you were his own mother. Don't worry, mom. He's loaded,” Kagome replied with a smile and a stitch of excitement in her voice.

 

Her mother clapped happily, as she got up from her chair and hugged Kagome. “Oh, baby. That is so wonderful! I am so happy for you!”

 

“Thanks, mom. Me too,” Kagome replied as they hugged tightly for a few moments and left the living room to start a pot of water for tea and sat at the table talking about the near future.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Inuyasha sat in his car in the hospital parking lot and closed his eyes, trying to remember that dream he had where he saw everything happen. The shadowed figure before him seemed familiar somehow, but the identity still alluded him. What he did remember was the look on her face at what was said to her as she backed up to the wall. All he heard was her pleading with the perp, as well as his name spoken from her lips for the last time.

 

He couldn't wrack his brain to find what wasn't there to begin with. He had to talk to Kikyo. He needed to know if his hunch was true. He got out of the hot rod and walked towards the hospital. On his way through the parking lot, he noticed the stretched limo parked across the edge of the parking lot. He caught sight of his brother's servant sitting in the driver's seat, reading a book with the window down.

 

“Great, he's here. I hope I won't have to shove him out of the room when I get up there,” He said quietly to himself as he stepped through the automatic doors and towards the elevator.

 

When the elevator landed, he heard slight laughing. As the door opened, he saw the most unusual sight. Sesshoumaru leaned up against the wall of the elevator chuckling as the other nurse, Rin was laughing hysterically.

 

“That was a great joke, Sesshy!” Rin said in between giggles as they both almost walked right into Inuyasha. “Oh, sorry, Inuyasha. Excuse us,” Rin said politely.

 

“No problem,” he said, eyeing his brother curiously, as he stepped aside. Sesshoumaru's face grew serious again as he eyed Inuyasha. They both exchanged silent glares as they passed each other and the doors to the elevator closed between them.

 

“What was that all about, Sesshy? Is everything okay?” Rin asked.

 

“Don't worry about it. Everything's fine. Now, where were we?” He continued as they stepped through the automatic doors to the limo.

 

Once Inuyasha stepped from the elevator, he walked down the hall and up to Kikyo's room. As he stepped in, he looked to his wife, noticing they had once again hooked her up to the heart monitor and inserted the IV. He then picked up her chart to see what had happened the past couple of days. Her brain activity had regressed. Her heart rate was becoming irregular. She was back on life support. As he flipped the pages back and set the chart into the slot, he stepped around her bed and up to the chair and sat beside her bed.

 

“Kikyo. I need you. Can you please try again? Can you try to remember who did this to you? Can you give me more clues? Please?” he asked as he held her hand and eyed her dead face.

 

 

 

Kikyo was sitting in Houji's room. They both had noticed their bodies regressing. They could no longer support themselves. They were running out of time. Houji had asked her every now and then to try to remember what she could. She had even tried to remember by telling Houji all that happened on that day. He hurt for her. He had hoped that someone could solve her murder. He wanted her to try her hardest so that she could at least tell her husband what she could.

 

Suddenly, she felt him. She felt Inuyasha's presence nearby. She got up from the floor across from Houji's bed and left the room, Houji followed curiously.

 

As Inuyasha waited for some kind of response, he suddenly felt the air shift. He looked around and saw her as he saw her the other day, a dance of light before him. “Kikyo, please. You must know something more to help me.”

 

“I have been trying to gain as much back as I can, but I haven't succeeded,” Kikyo replied.

 

“Maybe my questions will help. Was it who I think it is? Was it Naraku?”

 

“No. That I am sure of.”

 

“Was it Bankotsu?”

 

“No. I saw him leave in the opposite direction from the alley.” Kikyo replied.

 

“I knew it. I know who did it. There was only one other person who could have done this, and I think I know why.” Inuyasha mentioned.

 

“Who?” she asked curiously. He looked at her intensely, showing her an expression she recognized. She gasped and it all came back to her. His face. His voice. What he said before he shot her.

 

“You have been in my way this whole time! Why would I let you go if you're only going to come between me and what I want? I hate you, and I've hated you since the day I met him! As far as I'm concerned, you're my rival! You have to die! I HAVE to kill you!”

 

At the memory of those words, she screamed and left the room abruptly. Inuyasha covered his ears at the sound. When she was gone, he got up from the chair and followed her screams and cries. She had become so upset and determined that she left the hospital. He rushed through the halls and chose to take the stairs. Once he got through the automatic doors, her screams ended. He knew where she was headed, the alley.

 

Once he arrived in the convenience store parking lot, he dashed from his car and ran into the alley. He saw the crime played out before him. He saw him finally. He saw him plain as day. The man he hated the most. He ran forward as the trigger was pulled and his wife collapsed against the wall and fell limply to the ground. The man's image walked towards him and then passed right through him after he hid his gun and said the words he hated to hear.

 

“Heh…Now, he's mine, and there's nothing you can do about it, bitch.”

 

Inuyasha then ran towards the corpse lying before him and he held her in his arms. She opened her eyes as blood ran from the wound in her forehead, “Inuyasha.”

 

“Kikyo. Are you all right? What's happening to you?” He asked as his voice cracked.

 

“I'm dying, Inuyasha. Please, get him behind bars. I need him to be brought to justice quickly.”

 

“But how? I don't have anything on him concrete! They won't believe me!”

 

“You have to try, Inuyasha. You're the only one who knows now. Please, baby. I need to move on, and I know you do too.” She whispered as her body began to fade in his arms.

 

“No! Kikyo, please! Don't go!” he yelled in pain. She smiled and breathed one last sigh as her body disappeared and his arms were once again empty. He fell to his hands and knees and cried outwardly, his tears soaking the ground beneath him. He could tell she was gone. There was no turning back now. He knew what he needed to do.

 

One thing was certain. He couldn't have Kagome with him where he was going. He needed to go on his own. He needed to prepare himself for his next task and she was not to know to whom he would pay a visit. It was uncertain if he'd return to her that night. He needed to be alone for this one.

 

 

Meanwhile, back at the hospital her body had flat-lined. Houji watched her as she raced from the hospital to the alley where she had died. She finally remembered who had shot her. Houji knew when he arrived back at her room that she had in fact left him alone. As the nurses and the doctor tried desperately to revive her, he hung his head and went back to his own room. Since he was once again alone, and had no purpose, he decided to sit upon the bed next to his own body.

 

He eyed the faceless man before him and reached out. As he touched the body, it decayed before his eyes. Once the body was fully decayed, he too flat-lined, causing that floor to go crazy, seeing as how both of them left at nearly the same time.

 

 

@*@

 

Wow…This fic is going a bit quicker than I thought…I certainly hope I can make this one last as long as I thought it would. But we'll see, won't we? Once again, I am sorry for how long it's taken for me to update, but I certainly hope this chappy has given you all enough to soak in to make up for it. I tried to make it as long as I could make it without going too far. Well, I'm now off to work on Street Musician, so `til next time. Ja ne!