Using Love by Chrysolite Heart
Chapter 7
Kagura’s heart pounded in her chest rapidly as she struggled to regain her breath.
She knew what she had to do. Somehow, she had to get Naraku back. But how? She
picked up the phone and dialed the hospital, looking for Naraku. A woman picked up
the phone and directed Kagura’s call. The phone rang once before Naraku picked up.
“Hello?” he asked. Kagura swallowed the lump in her throat.
“I-It’s me…” Kagura replied weakly.
“You…” Naraku said, almost in disgust as he glowered at the phone in his hand.
“Yes…” Kagura responded.
“You have a bad memory don’t you? Forgotten everything I just mentioned to you,
have you?” Naraku taunted.
“No, Naraku, you don’t understand. This is all…” before she could finish Naraku had
hung up. Kagura could feel tears attempting to fall and she quickly wiped them
away. She took deep breaths to steady herself before placing the phone down. She
had to do something…
“So, good breakfast?” Suikotsu asked as he and Kikyou walked back into the hospital.
“Yes, it was. I’m sorry though, you shouldn’t have had to pay,” Kikyou replied in
embarrassment.
“Nevermind, you can invite me next time,” Suikotsu told her. Kikyou smiled and
nodded.
“I will, once Naraku is better,” Kikyou promised. Suikotsu frowned for just a
moment before returning to his cheerful smile.
“Yes, yes, shall we go check on him?” Suikotsu asked. He glanced at his wristwatch.
“He should be up by now,” Kikyou nodded in agreement.
“Yes, he’s probably wondering where I am,” Kikyou said. Suikotsu let his gaze drop
to the ground. He glanced at Kikyou from the corner of his eye, her face pink and
happy. He pulled himself together and smiled again, pushing the ‘up’ button once
they reached the elevator.
Naraku closed his eyes and rubbed his temples in frustration with his good hand. I
wonder if Onigumo knows yet…Naraku thought to himself with a smirk. There was a
slight tapping on the door and Naraku’s eyes blinked open.
“Come in,” he called evenly. He watched as Kikyou and Suikotsu entered the room
together, smiling. He glanced at Kikyou and then at Suikotsu who came to his side.
“How are you feeling?” Suikotsu asked. Naraku paused and shifted his weight a bit.
“Better than yesterday, my arm still hurts a bit though,” Naraku replied. Suikotsu
nodded.
“I see,” Suikotsu said, he checked Naraku over and jotted down some notes. “One of
the nurses will be in to see you later,” Naraku nodded and thanked him.
“Thank-you,” Kikyou told Suikotsu with a slight bow as Suikotsu made his way to
leave.
“No need to thank me, just make sure to keep that promise, hm?” Suikotsu reminded
with a teasing smile. Kikyou returned it.
“Don’t worry, I will,” Kikyou assured and smiled as Suikotsu left, the door
clicking shut when he was gone. Kikyou turned to look back at Naraku who had been
watching the little scene intently.
“So, where were you all this time?” Naraku asked finally.
“Out to breakfast with Doctor Suikotsu,” Kikyou informed cheerfully. Naraku raised
an eyebrow.
“Really…” he muttered.
“Did you sleep well?” Kikyou asked, taking a seat on Naraku’s bed.
“Well enough,” Naraku responded shortly, not meeting her gaze. Kikyou took a deep
breath, analyzing Naraku’s reaction.
“You’re mad aren’t you?” Kikyou questioned cautiously after a moment of silent.
“What did I do?”
“It’s nothing…” Naraku growled back. Kikyou let her head droop a bit.
“Tell me?” she pleaded. Naraku sighed.
“Look, I just don’t like you getting to close to that doctor.” Naraku said, his
mood darkening. Kikyou chuckled.
“So that’s what’s bothering you, didn’t I already tell you that…” Naraku cut in.
“Yes, I know what you told me and I know you only think of him as a friend, but he
doesn’t. Didn’t you even notice the way he looked at you?!” Naraku exclaimed
angrily. Kikyou stared at him in shock, backing away a bit. Naraku took deep
breaths to calm himself.
“I understand, I’ll be more careful from now on,” Kikyou told him, she stood up, a
bit unbalanced. Naraku watched her carefully. What right do you have to yell at
her? Naraku blinked as the question hit him. I don’t…I have no right. She would
probably be better off with that doctor anyway, but STILL…
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you,” Naraku apologized, meeting Kikyou’s gaze
again.
“No, it’s ok. I’m glad you did, it at least proves you care,” Kikyou replied with a
shaky smile. “Although I’ll admit it was a bit frightening, this is the first time
you’ve ever done so,” Naraku dropped his gaze again.
“Kikyou, if…” Naraku trailed off. What could he say to her? This wasn’t the time
either, it wasn’t right to push this on her now. Or maybe, you really just don’t
want to tell her the truth? What does it matter when you tell her that everything
has all been a lie? Wouldn’t it be better to tell her sooner?
“Yes?” Kikyou prompted. Naraku sighed.
“Nevermind, we’ll talk about it some other time,” Naraku told her. Kikyou knew not
to push him and didn’t ask further.
“Have you had anything to eat yet?” Kikyou asked. Naraku nodded.
“A nurse brought me a tray earlier,” Naraku replied. Kikyou smiled in content.
“That’s good,” Kikyou said. Suddenly a phone rang. It wasn’t the hospital one and
Kikyou quickly dug into her purse. She pulled out her cellphone and flipped it
open.
“Hello?” Naraku watched as Kikyou talked.
“Oh! Mrs. Takahashi!”
Pause.
“Yes, yes, that’s me,”
Another pause.
“Oh of course we can meet, where?”
Pause again.
“No, that’s fine. I’ll see you there then,”
Short pause.
“Thank-you so much, I’ll make sure to bring it. Bye!”
“Who was that?” Naraku questioned after Kikyou gleefully put her phone away.
“Big client, she wants to buy one of my paintings!” Kikyou exclaimed happily.
“Oh? That’s good then, which one does she want?” Naraku asked. Kikyou smiled.
“She said that she was interested in buying the one I painted of the ocean,” Kikyou
replied. Naraku nodded in acknowledgment.
“I see. When are you meeting?” Naraku inquired. He watched with curiosity as Kikyou
grabbed her purse. She glanced at the clock in the room.
“Soon, I should get home to prepare,” Kikyou said in a rush when she realized what
time it was.
“Ah, that’s alright, I’ll be fine,” Naraku assured. Kikyou smiled and quickly
stepped over and placed a kiss on his forehead.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Kikyou promised. Naraku smiled and nodded.
“Do a good job, don’t lose this one,” Naraku told her as she made her way for the
door. Kikyou turned back to look at him and shook her head, rolling her eyes as
well.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Kikyou replied with a good-natured laugh.
“I’ll see you soon,” And with that, she was gone. Naraku heard the door shut behind
her and her quick footsteps as she made her way down the hallway outside. With a
sigh, Naraku reached for the remote and positioned himself more comfortably so that
he was facing the TV in the corner of his room. He flicked it on, searched for an
interesting channel and began to watch.
Kikyou arrived home in a rush. She quickly headed into the house. Miroku watched
curiously as his mistress hustled into the house.
“Kik…?” he called but she was gone up the stairs before he could finish even saying
her name. Kikyou threw open the door to her room and scrambled around for clean and
appropriate clothes to change into. Miroku followed her up the stairs.
“Ms. Kikyou, you’re back,” Miroku said. Kikyou nodded frantically, glancing at the
nearby clock.
“Yes, yes, I’m sorry Miroku, I’m in a rush,” Kikyou told him.
“Yes, I see…” Miroku replied coyly. I never would’ve guessed…Miroku thought
sarcastically as Kikyou finally gathered up a bundle of clothes and made her way
over to her bathroom. She turned to face him, flushed.
“I have to go meet a big client, if you don’t mind; could you prepare dinner for me
tonight?” Kikyou asked. Miroku smiled.
“Not at all, is there anything in particular you’d like to eat?” Miroku inquired.
Kikyou shook her head.
“No, anything’s fine,” Kikyou replied and thanked Miroku before closing the
bathroom door shut behind her. Miroku stood there for a few more moments, not sure
quite what to do.
“Is she alright?” a female voice asked from behind him. Miroku jumped and turned to
face a young woman, her eyes curious with a high ponytail and long hair swaying
from it as she strained to look around Miroku.
“Yes, she should be fine, Sango,” Miroku responded to the young house keeper.
“Although she asked us to make dinner for her tonight,”
“Oh, did she say what she wanted to eat?” Sango asked. Miroku shook his head.
“She said “anything is fine”,” Miroku said.
“What does she usually like to eat?” Sango continued, she had only started working
and didn’t know what Kikyou liked. Miroku shrugged.
“Noodles, sushi, Italian food…” Miroku listed as he thought. Sango nodded
thoughtfully.
“We could make lasagna!” Sango declared with a smile. Miroku raised an eyebrow.
“Is there any reason this lasagna is so special?” Miroku questioned. Sango blushed.
“No, but it’s easy to make and lasagna is my specialty,” Sango replied, still
smiling.
“Ok, lasagna it is…so shall we go shopping then?” Miroku asked, looking at Sango
meaningfully.
“You mean together?” Sango questioned, playing along. Miroku nodded eagerly. Sango
smirked and turned on her heel, her long hair swaying behind her. “I think I’ll do
better on my own,” Miroku held out his hand to stop her but she was already heading
down the stairs, two by two. She was out the door before Miroku could think of a
good excuse to stop her. Finally, Miroku sighed and then went back to his house
chores.
Kikyou finished her shower quickly and got herself dressed. She blow-dried her hair
as fast as she could and combed the knots out, wincing at the tangles. Once she was
finished she dabbed on a bit of make-up and then checked herself over. She was
looking a bit better now, at least better than earlier this morning. She pulled on
a silver wristwatch, checking the time before clicking it on.
“Miroku!” she called, stepping out of the bathroom. Miroku appeared at the doorway
of her room.
“Yes?” he asked. Kikyou smiled.
“Can you get me my ocean painting down in the basement?” Kikyou asked. Miroku nodded.
“Of course, is it the one this client wants?” Miroku asked as he turned to go.
Kikyou nodded but Miroku’s back was to her.
“Yes, hurry please, I’m running a bit late,” Kikyou said as she fumbled around for
her purse. Miroku returned quickly with the large painting in hand.
“I’ll help you carry it down,” Miroku offered. Kikyou smiled gratefully.
“Thanks so much,” she replied sincerely. She scurried down the stairs with Miroku
following after her quickly, in spite of the large painting. Kikyou reached into
her pocket for her car keys and then opened the door for Miroku. Soon enough,
Miroku had the painting loaded in the trunk and was waving Kikyou off as Kikyou
started the engine.
“Good luck!” he called as Kikyou took off. Kikyou stuck her hand out her window and
waved in acknowledgement. He grinned as the car disappeared in a cloud of dust. He
coughed a few times and waved his hand around, fanning the dust away and returned
inside.
Kikyou arrived at the designated coffee shop just 5 minutes earlier than the
scheduled time. She sighed in relief and found a parking spot. Once she had the
engine turned off, she head to unload the painting, grunting at its size and
weight.
“Can I help you with that?” a male voice questioned. Kikyou turned to look at the
man and was about to drop the painting in shock. She looked the man over.
“N-Na…” she was at a loss for words. Wasn’t this Naraku? Wasn’t he in the hospital?
The man smiled at her loss of words and cut in smoothly.
“My name’s Onigumo,” he implied. Kikyou nodded slowly.
“I see, I’m sorry, I mistook you for someone else,” Kikyou apologized. Onigumo smiled.
“Don’t worry about it, so, can I help?” Onigumo asked, nodding towards the large
painting that was threatening to fall at Kikyou’s loose grasp. Without waiting for
her response, Onigumo grabbed the painting and hauled it out, holding it gently.
Kikyou quickly closed the trunk of her car and then lead the way inside the coffee
shop.
“Just set it down here,” Kikyou said when she arrived at an empty table. Onigumo
obeyed and set the painting down, leaning it against the table.
“There we go,” Onigumo huffed as he finally released it. Kikyou bowed and was about
to speak when a shrill voice came from a few feet away.
“Oh, there you are! You’re early,” a middle-aged woman exclaimed. Kikyou and
Onigumo both turned to look at her.
“Mrs. Takahashi!” Kikyou replied in recognition. She smiled as the woman approached.
“Please, please, have a seat. I’m so excited about this painting of yours Ms.
Kikyou,” the woman said.
“Please, Kikyou is fine,” Kikyou replied as she took a seat. She suddenly
remembered the man who had helped her. “Thank-you so much for your help,” she said
with a bow. Onigumo shook his head.
“Not at all, I suppose I’ll be off now,” Onigumo said and bowed slightly at both of
them before leaving. He didn’t bother to listen as the two females behind him began
chatting. He pushed open the coffee shop door and took in a deep breath of fresh
air. The young woman’s face flashed in his mind. Kikyou…she couldn’t be…? Onigumo
shook his head. Of course not, it’s probably just coincidence, he thought to
himself. And with that, took his leave.
Chapter 1,
Chapter 2,
Chapter 3,
Chapter 4,
Chapter 5 ,
Chapter 6 ,
Chapter 7
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