InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Wake Me Up Inside ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Wake Me Up Inside

Chapter 3

------------------------------------------------------------

Biting her lip, Kagome fought back the tears that threatened to spill as her hand traveled down to the slumbering man's chest. Through the barriers of fabric, she could feel the steady beat of his heart within his chest. The miko tensed as emotions within her pooled still more. Shifting, she laid down to where her head came to rest upon the center of his chest. Now she could hear as well as feel the rhythm of his heartbeat and the breath moving in and out of his lungs. Finding one of his hands in her line of sight, she clasped it with hers, lacing her fingers through his.

Finally, no longer able to keep her feelings pent up, Kagome let the barriers come crashing down. As they did so, the tears she'd held such a tight reign on finally burst forth to flow freely down her cheeks. Squeezing her eyes shut, Kagome drew in a hiccupped breath before falling completely apart to sob out the aches and pains her heart now suffered. She couldn't care less now if anyone saw or heard. All she knew was the pain of seeing her best friend like this was excruciating. If tears would help ease it even the slightest bit, then so be it. She was still female, after all, and it was her job to cry for this man when he was in such trouble as this.

Beth O'Conner shuffled through her purse looking for her car keys as she walked through the hallways, headed out. Hearing sounds from the Japanese man's room, the nurse stopped and blinked. As she focused on the sounds, she realized it was of someone crying. The woman sighed and reached to brush a stray lock of her blond highlighted brunette hair behind her ear as she turned to approach the room. She had a feeling she knew who the visitor was. Entering the room, Beth found her suspicions confirmed. It was the young college girl she'd met earlier today who had known Romeo at some point in the past.

Wearing sympathy on her face, Beth approached the upset oriental girl. Tilting her head a bit, she reached out to give the girl's shoulder a squeeze as she sat down next to her at Romeo's bedside. The girl jolted with a gasp and shot up to look at her in surprise. However, upon realizing who it was, the Japanese girl sighed and bowed her head guiltily.

"Sorry. I didn't hear you come in," Kagome apologized in a soft, broken voice.

"That's all right. I'm sorry for scaring you," Beth smiled. "What did you say your name was again?"

"Kagome."

"Ahh.. that's right. Kagome," the nurse said with a nod of recollection. Beth set her purse down on the floor then looked back up at Kagome. "I'm glad another who cares about this guy showed up. His parents and friends came often at first. His friends grew tired of waiting though and eventually stopped visiting. Then, I guess the pain of seeing him like this was too hard on the parents because they became scarce too. I know his mother was extremely upset over it. I think the father got a job in a city out of state causing them to move. Now they drop by two or three times a year. I understand why they don't come, but it still makes me sad seeing him so alone."

"Hai, that is sad," Kagome said with a frown as she took a glance at the young man in the bed.

"But, we got lucky. You showed up. If he knows you as well as you say he does, then having you here will most definitely be of great help. Wherever his mind is right now, I'm sure it will draw comfort from seeing that people still deeply care for him and he is not alone," Beth told her with a soft smile and hope gleaming in her soft blue eyes.

"I'll help wherever I am needed. I'll do whatever it takes to get him back," Kagome pledged while sniffling against another wave of tears building up inside.

"You are truly a good friend. I welcome your help," the nurse replied. Kagome only nodded while fighting harder against the tears. Beth frowned and reached out to hug her, "I also want you to know I am here if you need a friend. Don't try to keep it pent up inside. It's okay to cry."

Kagome went rigid for a moment in surprise. But, seeing as this woman was offering her the comfort she desperately needed at the moment, she allowed herself to relax. As she did, the tears broke loose again. She didn't fight them anymore. She just let the sobs overcome her while returning the hug to let Beth know the gesture was appreciated.

As Beth sat consoling the young Japanese woman, she couldn't help but wonder about her. Her connection to this man was obviously deep rooted. So, what was her story? Who was Romeo to her? Why had they been separated? Better yet, why didn't Kagome know about the accident that left Romeo in a coma? Then again, there were strange people in the world with strange stories. As Beth glanced at her patient and the beaded necklace that ran around his neck, she couldn't help but feel this was a mystery worth trying to solve.

"Would you like to talk about it? Sometimes talking about what's on your mind helps you feel better," Beth gently suggested. Kagome grimaced, knowing this question would pop up again. Heart heavy from being forced to keep it a secret, she shook her head while fighting for the right words to say no with.

"I.. appreciate the offer, but.. I'd rather not. My story is complicated and.. difficult for me to talk about," Kagome answered, hoping that excuse would suffice. It wasn't like she was lying or anything anyway.

"All right. I understand. Though, if you ever change your mind, I have a good ear. And I swear whatever you say stays between us unless you wish it otherwise," Beth said with a soft smile. Kagome blinked then nodded.

"Thanks," the miko replied at almost a whisper.

"Most welcome. Hugs are always free from me. Besides, I think you're someone worth befriending. You have an undeniable spark," Beth chuckled. Kagome managed a slight smile.

"Thanks. People seem to say things like that a lot. I'm still not sure why."

"Well, you're nice. You come from an interesting background. Not everyone gets to grow up at a shrine. And you also seem to be rather bright. I mean, you speak English pretty well, in my opinion. Learning a second language is never easy. Heck, I tried to learn French and Spanish in school. I did horrible at both," Beth admitted.

"Life on a shrine isn't all that much different from anywhere else. Especially the one my grandfather looks after. I grew up like any other modern girl. Most of the stories my grandfather told I never really believed. And what silly spells he does know are pretty phony anyway. The only thing really special about our shrine is a tree there that's rumored to be a thousand years old and an old well that dates back to the feudal era. That's it," Kagome explained. "As for learning English, it's something that Japanese students are pushed to learn. American and other western influences are everywhere in Tokyo. English is often found in popular songs and spoken phrases."

"Wow. I still would find it hard learning a second language like that."

"Well, language is kind of something you have to use every day to get any good at."

"Very true. And for you, living here is a good motivation to learn, I guess."

"Yep."

"So, I bet you can probably tell some interesting ghost stories living a place with things so old. Hmm?"

"Ehh.. well.. Japanese "ghost stories" tend to go a little differently from western ones. Our scary folk tales usually tend to deal with special kinds of spirits and demons and stuff. Like in Spirited Away, if you've ever seen that movie."

"Oh! Yes, I've seen that one. Loved it."

"Me too."

"Well, I'd better get going else I'll have two dogs on my case for being late with dinner when I get home," Beth said with a laugh.

"I can understand that one," Kagome laughed back. "What kind of dogs do you have?"

"I have a black lab named Shadow and a golden retriever named Midas. Partners in crime. That is, until they try to mess with my gray mare Spook. She thinks she's boss of the place," Beth grinned.

"Oh my. Animals are funny aren't they? My family has a fat lazy calico cat name Buyo."

"Yes, they are very funny," Beth agreed. "Are you going to be okay tonight? Do you need a ride home or anything?"

"I'll be all right, I think. No, I have my own car. But thanks for the offer," Kagome replied.

"Okay. Well, in case you need anything…" Beth started as she pulled a piece of paper out of her purse and jotted a name and phone number down on it. "…Here's my number. Call anytime you want. I'm the only one there," she finished as she handed the girl the note.

"Thanks. I appreciate your help and concern," Kagome nodded as she took the piece of paper.

"Hey, that's what friends are for. Right?"

"Right," Kagome smiled softly.

"All right then. I'll catch you later. Take care."

"You too."

At that, Beth gathered herself together and walked out the door to head for home. Kagome heaved a great sigh then turned to look back at Inuyasha once more. Like a life size and likeness statue, he remained as he was before. Frowning, Kagome bowed her head as she felt the ache return to her heart. Swiftly, she shook her head.

"I should get some homework done while I'm here. Maybe it'll piss you off enough that you'll try to come bug me to stop and pay attention to you instead. Ne, Inuyasha?" Kagome said to her sleeping friend.

Standing up, Kagome walked over to her book bag and pulled out one of her text books. Turning, she sat down in the chair and began trying to get some reading done for her chemistry class. After rereading a paragraph five times yet still not understanding what it was saying, she gave that up and traded for her Business Math book. Perhaps chatting with Beth had helped after all. The next time Kagome looked up, her math homework was done and it was two hours later.

`Amazing. And I don't even like that subject,' Kagome thought to herself as she put the book away. Then she pulled out her sociology book to get work done in it. She managed to get half the review questions done, but then her mind started to lose interest as it began wandering back to the conversation she'd had earlier with Beth.

From what Kagome gathered, the nurse seemed to be someone she could easily become good friends with. She was very nice. She was surprisingly concerned for Kagome's welfare. She even went so far as to console Kagome and offer her phone number when she'd only just met the miko. `She is a nurse, though. It is her job to be helpful to people,' Kagome mused.

Yet, Kagome also sensed Beth carried special interest in Inuyasha. That interest seemed to transfer equally to Kagome. It wasn't a bad thing. It was more like Beth had grown a connection to her patient through sympathy for the boy. `Maybe someday, if she's trustworthy enough.. maybe I can tell Beth my story. It would be nice having someone in my own time, besides my family, that understands me,' Kagome thought to herself with a soft smile. This, she would have to wait and see.

Realizing, it was near time for the hospice to close for visitors, Kagome sighed and started packing her things back up. Once that was done, she got up and walked over to sit back down next to Inuyasha. Reaching out, she picked up his right hand laying next to her and clasped it between both of hers.

"So we begin a new journey, the two of us. With a new goal and new friends to gain along the way. One thing that will not change is the way I feel for you. You're not alone anymore. I won't give up and I won't leave you behind now that I know there's a chance, however remote, that I'll get to keep you in the end this time. Wherever you are in that world inside that crazy mind of yours, know that I'm here for you. I'll help them take care of you. I'll do whatever it takes to get you well. When the day comes that you open your eyes again, I want to be the first thing that you see," she told him as she held his hand and gazed lovingly down at his face.

Freeing one of her right hand, Kagome grasped his with her left. Then she reached out with her free hand to brush her fingertips through his bangs and down his cheek. She let her fingers play in his hair a bit, then returned her palm to the side of his face. "I have to go home for the night. But I promise I'll return tomorrow. I drop by in the morning before classes, then again after they're over. I only have two tomorrow so I'll have more time to spend here with you. Can you handle that?"

A sad smile spread across Kagome's face as she watched the face of her beloved. She rubbed her thumb over the fingers of the hand she held while the thumb of her other hand ran across his cheekbone. She could feel heat fill her cheeks as the tempo of her heartbeat rose. Leaning down, she kissed his cheek. Yet, in her heart, she felt this was not good enough for a good night to one she thought she'd never see again. Even though he was stuck in this unnatural sleep, she knew his soul was in there somewhere. For the sake of the chance he was in there somewhere listening, she gave him a decidedly better gift to brave the night on.

Tilting her head, Kagome shifted to where her lips hovered in pause over his. Then, closing her eyes, she let herself lightly capture those lips with her own in a gentle lingering caress of soft, delicate flesh against flesh. In that moment that she could so strongly smell him and taste him upon her lips, her breath caught and her heartbeat seamed to cease as stillness took over everything. To her, that precious moment was seared forever to memory in her mind. Then, her heart beat once more and her breath returned. So, too, did her lips break from their embrace of his as she rose to look at him one last time for the night.

Kagome forced a brighter smile to her face as a blush graced her cheeks. She took the hand she held and smoothed it to splay across his chest as a gesture he, himself, might do.

"Oyasumi nasai… Inuyasha," she said quietly. Then, without further ado, before her sorrow had a chance to stop her, she picked up her belongings and left the room. As she walked down the hallway towards the front entrance and her car, she couldn't help but think about the gesture she had left him on. As the blush on her cheeks burned brighter, she knew.. she had a very long, hard, bittersweet memory filled night ahead of her. She wondered if she would get any sleep at all out of it.

---------------------------------------------------

Penguine: Well, there concludes another chapter. I admit, it was slightly difficult getting length out of this one. But once I sat and thought over it for a bit, the words finally came to me. It felt good ending it on such a sentimental note. Makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy inside despite the sadness we're feel'n over poor Yash-kun's situation.