Time Floats On by Smortz

Death Wish

A/N

This is my story for TheLovelyMiko's Weekly Prompt and Quote Challenge. The challenge has started up again, although I am hosting it now, which means more work for me. =_= Yay!

I really feel so blessed with all the loyal readers that leave reviews for me. Seriously, you guys make me feel complete.

I have been replying to reviews, but I feel so sad when I do not have a profile to go to... :(

So, shout out to the anonymous reviewers!!!!! THANK YOU

Oh, quick note! IMPORTANT NOTE!

IMPORTANT:

I am moving. Therefore, I will not have Internet for a few days. I will continue to write, but will not update for maybe a week from now – around December 10th maybe.. I am very sorry, and hope you can forgive me for the wait I am about to put your through.

^_^

Enjoy and Review? Yes?

~Smo

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any characters associated with InuYasha.

Prompt: Wishful

Quote: You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Chapter 12

Kagome sipped at the almond milk in her cup as she watched the door of the coffee shop open and close. The woman who entered looked around nervously, obviously looking for someone. Slowly, Kagome raised a hand in the air and waved to her. “Hello, I am Higurashi Kagome,” she greeted, standing up to give a bow to the woman.

The woman gave her a tight smile. “I-I am really excited to have a shot in this nanny position. I love children. I always wanted one, but my husband and I just can't get the proper organs to work. I did have a question though,” she ranted instantly, her words stumbling together with her nerves. “Is there a way to move the location to our house? I don't really want to be away from my husband for too long.”

Kagome blinked at the quick speech she'd just been given. The woman blinked at her politely, awaiting her answer. Meanwhile, Kagome tried not to laugh. When she had talked to the three women on the phone she had blatantly told them that it would be a move-in position. Kagome didn't have time to drive Rin around. This woman had not listened.

“I am sorry, but I go out of town quite a lot and will feel safer is Rin is at home. I do not want her going to someone else's home. I am afraid this won't work out,” Kagome let her down, watching guiltily as sadness filtered into the woman's face.

She gathered her purse and pushed herself up like a zombie – a life with no purpose. “I understand.” Kagome could have sworn she heard a sniffle, but refused to cave in to the woman's demands. This was for Rin's safety.

The woman left through the door and Kagome looked back at her paper. She went to scratch out her name but paused. “She didn't even give me one,” she grumbled, drawing a question mark on the paper. Shaking her head, she looked up, only to see another woman sit down at the table.

“Sorry, I am a bit early,” she started. Kagome instantly smiled. Being early was nothing she needed to apologize for. In fact, being early was far better than being late.

“It is quite alright. I am Higurashi Kagome,” she greeted, bowing her head slightly but not making a notion to stand up at all. The woman returned her own bow as she set her purse on the vacant chair at the table.

“I am Shizuku Sango,” she exclaimed with a smile. “I hope you are still looking for a nanny,” she added as she gestured her head towards the list Kagome held. Kagome tucked it under the table and waved at the woman.

“I just have a few questions to ask,” Kagome warned her, taking a deep breath before getting started. “Have you looked after children before?” She asked.

Sango nodded quickly. “My parents died when I was a teenager, so I raised my younger brother as best I could. He's starting high school this year.”

Kagome nodded acceptingly. “Do you smoke? Do you have a criminal history?” She wondered, hoping that the woman in front of her was honest.

Sango instantly shook her head. “I don't some, and I've never been arrested for anything. Can I be straightforward?” She asked, leaning closer to Kagome. When Kagome nodded, she spoke up. “I have been around demons all my life. I understand how they work, and you won't find a nanny with more experience unless they are an actual demon,” she seemed to whisper. Instantly, Kagome grew curious. “How do you have such a background?” She wondered, hoping this woman would be the one. She hated interviews.

This woman looked healthy. She was tall with luscious, straight black hair. The bangs were cut evenly across her forehead. Her dark eyes were light and serious at the same time. She were a professional dark purple skirt with a white blouse. Kagome was thankful for the appearance.

“My ancestors used to be demon hunters in the Warring States Era. Growing up, I learned the technique and earned money by protecting important demon officers in the Demon Embassies. I have first aid training and can offer protection against other demons. I understand that this position is for the caretaker of a … half-breed … child. So, I am assuming you are taking careful precautions,” Sango elaborated.

Kagome was sure her mouth was hanging open on the table. Urgently, she circled Sango's name. This woman definitely offered a few golden stars on her resume. “You know that this is a position that requires you to move in?” Kagome clarified, hoping Sango would answer this question better than the last woman.

“I am perfectly happy with that. I am in need of a new home anyways. My brother and I were annoying each other in a small apartment,” Sango laughed out. Kagome chuckled, remembering her small apartment in high school. They were nothing but studios with a small bathroom.

“You won't have any rent in exchange for having a somewhat small salary. Will that be alright?” Kagome asked carefully. She had really only planned to pay the nanny twice a month like usual when her paychecks came through. She had no problems covering rent on her salary, so adding another human into the condo wouldn't be much of a pain.

“I assumed I would pay some of the rent. I would be capable of doing that,” Sango returned quickly, almost feeling as if she were the one winning in the agreement. When Kagome shot her a warning look, Sango caved in and accepted the deal. “When do you want me to start?”

“This weekend, or tomorrow, whichever one works for you?” Kagome got out, trying not to sound as desperate as she felt. She left for the party in three days, when the weekend started, but already she was feeling her research slip. It was too hard to constantly worry about Rin during the night when she would sneak back into the lab. Additionally, she didn't want to burden Koga, who had been trying to help watching Rin on her day shifts.

“I can bring over a few things tomorrow,” Sango began. Kagome nodded excitedly. Just then, the door opened once more to reveal the last interviewee for the day. Instantly, Kagome felt guilt riddle her system. She didn't want to turn another person done.

“Ms. Higurashi?” The woman asked as she approached the table. When Kagome looked up to greet her, she was shocked when Sango stood up and bowed.

“Yes,” Sango mocked, imitating her although the woman wouldn't have a clue otherwise. “If you are here for the nanny position, I am sorry to inform you that I have already found a suitable candidate. Please accept my apologies, but your interview is no longer needed,” Sango explained professionally, standing up to look the woman in the eyes.

This one looked younger than Kagome. She was also dressed as if she were going to a club in black stilettos and a glittery dress. The woman turned to stare at Kagome, her eyes narrowing. “Are you sure?” She asked, not taking her eyes from Kagome.

Sango cleared her throat, nodding her head to finalize her decision. “Positive,” she answered. The woman huffed, turning around and walking back out the door. Kagome laughed at the encounter, leaning back in her chair and sipping some more of her milk.

“Thanks for that,” Kagome sighed out, shaking her head at the encounter. Sango let a dry laugh escape her, shrugging her shoulders as if it were nothing. Kagome looked back to the woman, knowing that a formal introduction was in order so the woman could get to know her better. “Well, for starters, I work at a research facility that focuses on demon genetics. I am not in any relationship, so you do not have to worry about loud noises in the middle of the night. I recently adopted a leopard-hanyou named Rin, and we live next door to my boss, a wolf demon.”

Sango's eyes widened a fraction as she took in the information. For a moment, Kagome worried, before a grin entered the woman's face. “This is going to be so much fun,” she exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands together. “I can already tell that being with you is going to be an adventure.”

Kagome blinked at the sudden enthusiasm, playing what she had said back through her mind. She supposed her introduction wasn't like most. The majority of the people didn't even know demons existed. Those that did were either high-ranking businessmen or government officials, and even they didn't like to deal with it.

Kagome gave a slow nod as she realized she led a somewhat abnormal life. She stood up and held her hand out for Sango to shake. The woman's grip was firm and confident. Kagome handed her an envelope with her condo key and the address. “I must go back to work, but please begin to move your stuff in at any time.”

Sango smiled happily, grabbing her purse and leaving with Kagome. They parted instantly. Kagome was impressed that Sango had her own car, while she began to walk to the nearby train station.

Her purse began to vibrate as her phone went off. Quickly, her fingers dug through it to try to capture the dancing object. “Hello?” She greeted, hoping it would bring good news to make her day better.

“Kagome,” Koga returned with a voice that hid an emotion. It was tightly controlled and caused Kagome to worry. She paused on the sidewalk, causing a man to bump into her from behind and curse at her. She waved him off with a hand.

“What is it?” She asked, hoping that it had nothing to do with the research. Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed that everything was still safe at home.

“You need to get to the lab. I found something.” The words caused her heart to speed up. She began to walk at a slow jog to the station, swiping her card as she cradled the cellular phone on her shoulder. “Now, before you get mad at me, listen to the entire story. Rin and I were cooking and I asked her to grade the cheese. She accidentally sliced her finger on the shredder. Don't worry, she's fine. However, I figured that it wouldn't hurt to look at fresh blood, so I got a slide for her to drip on until I could find where I put the band-aids.” He paused to gather his story again, “Anyways, I took it back to the lab.”

“This is so cool, Kagome!” She heard Rin cheer in the back and released a sigh of relief. Obviously, if the girl was laughing and playing with Koga, she was fine. Being hanyou, a small cut like that would probably disappear in a day.

“Well anyways, I found something that was reacting to the cut. It must have got on the slid because her skin was torn. Anyways, it was reacting like a white blood cell would, but at the same time it's not. You won't believe it, but it was like a kind of cell signaling when the tissue tore,” Koga rambled on. It made sense to Kagome instantly though and she was quickly catching on to what he wanted to say.

Cell signaling was a process known in creatures like chameleons that naturally camouflaged themselves depending on the environment around them. It was lost in the stages of evolution, and the humans did not hold onto the gene needed for such reactions. “If you found that, there needs to be a neurotransmitter that specifically corresponds to that one type of cell,” she informed Koga.

“I found a protein that reacts to it, but the reaction only lasted a minute. It was like the blood from the cadaver you had examined. As soon as it realized there was nothing living to return to, it self destructed,” Koga shouted. “Kagome, this is a breakthrough. This is more than a simple chromatophore cell. This is a demonic version of camouflage that only the hanyous have.”

“It means that it is made by the combination of human and demon, Koga,” Kagome continued to feed off of his theory and branch off. It went back to her earlier idea that it was a neurological connection. “We need to get a better sample,” Kagome bit out, instantly trying to brainstorm ideas. “I don't want you using Rin!” She added as an afterthought when Koga grew suspiciously quiet.

Koga chuckled nervously. “I-I wasn't thinking that...” He trailed off. Kagome rolled her eyes as the train finally departed. “You work on that. I am going to take Rin for some celebratory ice cream and print out these findings. I recorded it, Kagome. We can show it at your party.”

Kagome grinned as she thought about that. It would definitely cause a reaction. Something that could work as camouflage would instantly replace the old concealment jewelry that demon still wore. Also, she had found things in the half-breeds' blood that could offer potential cures to human illnesses once tests and perfected. “This is going to be big, Koga,” she whispered happily before hitting the end button on the phone.

~Time Floats On~

The large window let him see the world beneath him. His golden eyes watched motorcycles weave through the practically stopped traffic. Pedestrians scurried like ants to make it to wherever they were going. School children gathered in small mobs in and out of stores, stopping every now and then to gawk at an attractive male that walked by.

It was the human world, Sesshoumaru mused. They were oblivious to what was around them. Demons blended into them like a wolf in sheep's skin. They were lurking, waiting, and watching. Most demons hated to be so weak. The majority of them wanted to rise to power. Sesshoumaru and his father kept this from happening, although minor incidents have been known to occur.

The underground demon world was their own way of keeping the unknowing humans safe. It was not physically underground, but went below the radar. Sesshoumaru sighed as he turned around in the office, looking into the charcoal eyes of the demon it had taken forever to meet.

“I was not expecting this.” Sesshoumaru listened to the demon's accent. He was definitely used to speaking a different language. He did not reply, knowing the demon had more to say. “It is to my understanding that your father does not know about this meeting. Additionally, I am at a loss as to why you are doing this.”

Sesshomaru tried not to sigh, even though he wanted to release a calming breath to gather himself. To be honest, he had no idea why he was here. However, he wanted to be closer to Kagome. He needed to watch out for her. It was his fault that she was doing this. It was his fault that she felt the need prove herself. He had destroyed her independence; her self-esteem; her innocence. Now, he needed to help her regain it.

“I need to know what she promised you,” Sesshomaru bit out. Christopher laughed from his office chair. The demon looked too smug. His legs were kicked up on his desk. His hands crossed behind his head to make a pillow substitute.

“I explained this to your father already,” Christopher returned smoothly as he reached forward to retrieve a cigarette. When he saw Sesshomaru's nose twitch in disgust, he stopped the movement. “I apologize,” he mumbled, knowing the smell of burning tobacco would further annoy Sesshoumaru. “I did not ask for anything from Kagome. I told her that I would fund her simply because this is a most interesting idea she had. It is not often that someone challenges your family, Taisho. Then again, most demons don't have the same reasons as she. Since you have come, barging into my office, I would like to ask you some things as well.”

Sesshomaru stiffly took a seat on the other side of Christopher's desk. He arched his brow, the only signal he gave for the European daiyoukai to continue. “Why did you not give her a chance? Izayoi survived. Did you not think she was on the same level? Even I knew from the first moment of meeting the woman that she was stronger that the Princess Izayoi.”

The dog demon had seen this coming. It was a question that even he hadn't understood until Kagome had told him an answer. “I did not trust her,” he answered coldly, almost angrier with himself than the situation. “My father fought many battles in order to secure a safe place for Izayoi by his side. I did not want Kagome to see such things.”

“Surely, you realize this is not the feudal era. I am quite sure that demons are not going to ambush you from the forest. Hell, Sesshoumaru, there is no forest anymore,” Christopher grumbled in retaliation to the dog's stupidity. He cleared his throat to signal a subject change. “I took it upon myself to dig up some information. Since you are Kagome's prime target, I figured I should learn a few things about you,” he mused, leaning forward in his chair to grab a stack of papers, stapled in the corner. “What did Naraku have on you that you needed to mate his daughter?”

Sesshoumaru felt his being go cold. He hated the mere mention of the over-sized spider. He thought back to that month. The North American economy had all but collapsed. Being that their company had several offices in that country, it hit their stocks, which lowered considerably. Naraku's company had saved face due to some sort of package they had been eligible for. Daitaro had gone to him, taken a small friendly loan in order to regain their power.

It had been easy to set everything back up. They cut back spending and worked hard to gather more clients, which was difficult at the time. Still, even at this moment in time, it was weaker than it had been before everything toppled down around them. That was when Naraku brought Kagura to him.

Daitaro had instantly seen a deal to be made. Kagura was wooing Sesshoumaru. Naraku was plotting his next move to takeover the Taisho business. He closed his golden eyes for a moment. It had been years since he thought about those times with Kagura. She had played him like a musical instrument. She offered him heirs, told him that she was a powerful demoness, that they would be mated. It had sounded so simple. Sure, he disliked her father, but they needed the merge. Daitaro and Sesshoumaru were wanted the merge between the businesses. Their money woes would be gone, yet they would till have control.

When Kagura had found out about Kagome, she had talked sense to him. Well, that was what Sesshoumaru had thought at the time. Kagura had reminded him that Kagome was a priestess, which was worse than Izayoi. Izayoi was a simple human, a weak thing that demons would never look up to as a position of authority. Kagome, she was an enemy. Demons would never accept her as a potential leader. They would probably try to assassinate her as soon as possible. She was a threat, not an object they could ignore.

“Our company was in trouble. Kagura promised that her father would merge his company with ours. Kagura would give us full-blooded heirs,” Sesshoumaru answered. The words were rough. His mouth was dry. It felt foolish now. The reasons didn't sound good enough.

“So you chose business over,” Christopher paused. Could he say love? Would he go that far? “Kagome,” he finished simply. “Interesting,” he muttered. “So, you came here to find out what I plan to do with her?” He repeated the question, humming as he thought about it. There were a great many things he wanted to do with her, but just so little time to do them. “I suppose I will request she become part of my own research team at some point, moving her to my region,” he thought aloud, as if brainstorming the possibilities. “However, I have not thought of it. I am sure the right thing to ask for will present itself soon. Until then, I have no answer to your question.”

Sesshoumaru growled in frustration. “We received an invitation to a party in her honor, why?” He asked.

“Well, that is simple enough,” Christopher mused. “She wants you to see her. Kagome wants you to watch as she climbs the ranks without your help. I am sure she has told you this,” he elaborated. A sick and twisted plan began to form in his mind. This was all for his own entertainment. While he did not want to see anyone physically hurt, he would love to see some drama. “Did you also get the hotel information?” He wondered, knowing the answer would be no.

The hotel he had gathered for Kagome was private. Only a select few had been invited to stay the weekend. Most of them had been researchers that would be interested in Kagome's work. Others would be pharmaceutical heads looking into the potential cures she had found. Then, there was himself.

“No,” Sesshoumaru answered. Christopher cursed, feigning anger. “I swear my secretary is on his own vacation,” he grumbled, trying to hide his smirk. He grabbed another paper, sliding it across the table. Sesshoumaru reached out with sharpened claws. “Call and arrangements will be made for you,” he finished, standing up to dismiss the dog demon.

Sesshoumaru stood and turned to leave, tucking the paper into his inner-jacket pocket. Christopher couldn't resist asking the next question. “Why do you want to go, Sesshoumaru? Are you going to try to stop her again?” He wondered.

He wasn't prepared for the deep stare he got when Sesshoumaru turned. He saw something that he had never seen in Daitaro's eyes – chaos. The dog demon was out of control and he didn't even know it. Interesting, he thought. Sesshoumaru was being driven by his emotions right now, whether it was a good or bad thing, Christopher did not know. However, it would serve to be a wonderful spectacle.

“Kagome came to speak with me,” Sesshoumaru stated. “She told me that she no longer wanted to climb the ranks to show me. She now wanted to do it because she felt... happier. Kagome wants to complete this in order to establish herself. I-I will support her.”

Christopher continued to stare at the closed door long after Sesshoumaru left. The dog demon's speech had been softly spoken, as if he was happy with her realization. His eyes showed a loving warmth that brought Christopher out of his own safe zone. The past began to haunt him. He remembered feeling that way once. Unfortunately, when one has so much power, one is blinded.

Sesshoumaru may want to support her, make her truly happy. However, Kagome would never accept that kind of support. She wanted to do this independently, without Sesshoumaru, even if he was just watching from the sidelines. Two things were bound to happen after this ordeal. First, Kagome might accept his support and carry on with her work, something Daitaro doubted considering her spitfire personality. Second, she would reject him completely, become frustrated or emotionally unbalanced which may lead to her destruction. The situation was all to familiar to him suddenly, bringing up the past he was toying with by getting involved between the two, wishful lovers.

“Do not destroy her,” Christopher whispered, dropping into the chair and reaching for a much needed cigarette. With suddenly shaky hands, he opened the bottom drawer on the side of his desk. His dark eyes collided with a picture. The black and white photograph was old, with horrible quality. “...Not like I destroyed you,” he slurred to the woman in the picture, closing his eyes tightly in order to escape the onslaught of emotions the picture brought out. It was enough to spark his memories though, to trigger the last moments he had with her.

He cradled the limp body in his arms. She suddenly felt so cold. Her skin was growing pale and he felt useless, helpless. The silk kimono was soaked with blood, and he wondered if there was something he could do. This was his mate, his one and only.

“Bas,” she coughed out, blood spurting from her lips. Desperately, he shook his head. She couldn't talk, she needed to conserve her energy – to fight. He shushed her, setting his forehead against hers and walking their bodies back and forth in the bloodied mud. “This is your second chance,” she whispered.

“You weren't supposed to be here!” Christopher shouted angrily, unwelcoming the tears that began to gather in his eyes. She was supposed to be home with their children. He should have known she would have followed him. She was stubborn, needing to be by his side through the dangerous situation he had put them in. He should be struggling for his life in the mud – not her. “Why did you come?”

Her chortle was watery, blood filling her mouth again. “Someone needed to protect you,” she joked. Her green eyes seemed to be the only color he saw. Even the blood was too dark, almost black as the moon rose into the sky and night covered the lands. Her skin was pale, lips growing blue, yet her eyes were still green as grass, sparkling up at him as if she were perfectly fine. “You always bit off more than you could chew, stupid wolf,” she reprimanded him. The corner of her mouth turned upright weakly at the joke.

A sob wracked through Christopher. He tried to laugh, if only to calm her. “I am going to find a healer. I will fix this,” he declared. Slowly, he reached for the spear, lodged between two of her ribs. His fingers wrapped around it, but her hand cupped his.

With a shake of her head, she begged, “Leave it. I can barely feel any pain, Christopher. Let me go like this. Don't cause me pain.” The words were like arrows embedding themselves into his heart. His mate should never say these things. “Stop fighting, Christopher,” she pleaded. “You always tried to make me happier and happier with new things,” she whispered, her eyes beginning to lose focus. She reached up to cup his cheek, her thumb catching a few of his tears. “I was happy with just you. I didn't need anything more,” she cried, feeling the end nearing.

Christopher shook his head in denial. He clung her to him, jarring the spear and causing her to cry out. Selfishness clouded his emotions then. He needed her to be closer. “I just wanted you to live the way you should have. Hold on, I beg of you. I will bring you back, I know someone who has that power!”

Her deep inhale said it all. Darkness was overtaking her. The demonic flow of her energy was lessoning. The grim reaper was nearing, coming to claim her for his collection. “You only live once,” she croaked, “and I did it right, so once is enough.”

Death filled the air. The only thing he could hear was the trees swaying in the wind. There was no heartbeat other than his own. Panic filled him. This was his fault. He had been greedy, wanted more for himself and it had killed her – destroyed her. Angrily, he released a roar that shook the ground. His demonic power exploded in his grief and remorse. He wouldn't accept this.

He settled her body along the ground. Her head rolling to the side and arms dropping lifelessly. In one swift pull, the spear dislodged from her body with a sickening sound. He pulled off his obi, his robe falling open to expose his bruised and scratched up torso from the fight that had just ensued. Gently, he picked her up, afraid that if he was too rough she would simply crumble, turn to ash in his grasp.

Then, he sprinted. He ran as if there were millions of demons chasing after him. The desperate urge to make this right, to give her a second chance regardless of what she had said was too strong to ignore. Christopher Basille needed a second chance, if only to prove that he deserved her. He would bring her back to life, he decided, pushing off the ledge of a cliff to jump the gap between the mountains. His mate – his life – needed to be resurrected, and there was only one being that wielded that power. With one, powerful stride he increased his speed, making his way to the Western Lands.

Christopher jolted from his memories when a knock sounded at his door. Quickly, he kicked the drawer shut, wiped at the moisture leaking from his eyes, and turned to stare out the window to avoid eye contact with whoever was there. “Come in,” he grunted, hating how his voice was suddenly raspy.

“Sir, your car is downstairs waiting,” his secretary informed him. Christopher sniffed as he stood up, taking a deep breath to recover from the past. Sesshoumaru was playing with fire, trying to get everything just perfect. No one on this planet could do that. The dog demon needed to choose what was important, what he needed to protect. Until he realized that, anyone around him could get hurt. Christopher forced himself to shrug it off as not his problem. He would remain on the sidelines and watch for the time being. It was not his time to step in – not yet.