Affliction

Karma has a unique way about her; offering either a life of peace or one of wrath. Quantum Physics suggests that there are alternate pathways in one's life. Each decision either opens a door or closes it, generating a new pathway or persona into the grand illusion. If Fate came into play, who would win that legendary battle - Fate or Karma?

"You said that we could last forever. Forever and a day."

Blotches of purples and blues had faded shifting into peach hues, scabs provided a blanket over once blistered flesh; meat had vanquished the sight of bone, scars smeared into lines of white becoming hardly noticeable. Shoulders sloped forward as bare feet padded against a drab wall, ears tucked into the ivory mane signaled defeat of some kind. Months exuberated since the over-dose, since his heart was ripped from his chest. Inuyasha nervously twisted a spot of the gown within his fingers, the knuckles turning a ghostly shade. Withdrawls at first were the equivalent of slitting your own wrists with a salt-doust razor then bathing in battery acid - or atleast that would be how the hanyou would describe the experience. Vomiting had been the worst as it would be a mixture of blood and bile, sometimes dry-heaving himself unconscious. Now, being overly anxious was the only complaint. Dipping his chin into his breastbone, Inuyasha drew his eyes closed tight; no word from Sesshomaru -which couldn't really surprise him with all things considering-, only from his 'friends'. The same friends who introduced the hanyou to his addiction.

"Angels sometimes fall from grace and sometimes heroes die..."

A sickly feeling tumbled around causing Inuyasha to cough violently; though, this wasn't from withdrawl from any drug, it was a withdrawl from Sesshomaru. Betrayal. That word replayed several times which angered the young demon into fits of incoherent outcries; he couldn't understand why his brother taunted him, teased him. One minute they were in love and the next the youkai was berating, beating, his sibling. Yet, Inuyasha always returned for more. Memories...too many came flooding one after another, but only one remained constant. The day when Sesshomaru admitted his adoration for the half-breed; the day Sesshomaru asked him, no pleaded, for Inuyasha to stay by his side. Aromas, familiar and true, filled the hanyou's nostrils as warmness splashed about his flesh in variable spots - the same areas Sesshomaru had touched him that day; playful touching, nuzzling, hugging, and other miscellaneous acts of touch. Sesshomaru bathed Inuyasha with the most sincere of gestures, massaging here and there. Simple acts of respect and care.

"Be with me, Inuyasha."

"Heh? I am with you..."

"No. I mean, forever. Stay here with me...be my mate."

"I...can't. I'm leaving for stateside since we got that contract and all."

"Leave it behind. I can make you happy."

"This will make me happy!"

"Ridiculous. They are merely nothing more than succubi, Inuyasha. You will fall...you will fail."

"You're just jealous! You can't stand the fact that I'm better than you at something. Stop being such a bastard!"

"You belong here with me, Inuyasha. Now you will either be with me entirely or you can take your leave out of my life forever."

"I'm sure ya'd like that wouldn't ya?"

"Stop being obstinate."

"Stop being a jackass."

Jerking Inuyasha from the bath, suds and water pooling at their feet, Sesshomaru harshly tossed the younger demon onto the linoleum as a malicious glare burned in golden eyes. It had been something not entirely unexpected, but it had been decades since the youkai had taken such action against the other. Snaking clawed fingers around tender flesh, they bore within the softness which drew out miniature droplets of crimson. Dragging the kicking and pleading Inuyasha throughout the loft, Sesshomaru cast the ironclad door open, launching the nude boy into the shaft and took the liberty of sending it to the ground floor. Trembling from the memory, Inuyasha ensnared his arms about his chest as he began to gingerly rock back and forth.

"In your soul I know the light fights through the rain..."

Craning from his lolled position, Inuyasha discarded the gown only to shuffle into an Iron Maiden shirt and torn pleather pants. Today was the final day in this damnable cell and the first for a new beginning; the hanyou was undecided whether to continue being frontman or pursuing something else, either musically or education wise. One thing had been certain - he was on his own now. Exiting the hospital, Inuyasha froze being awestruck by the outside world and how everything had taken on a deeper respect, a newer meaning. A shadow cast behind in the sunlight as a breeze lifted through downy hair which caused the young demon to shiver lightly. Inuyasha hadn't told his friends of his release nor gave anyone permission to do so; wanting to spend time with the company of himself, the hanyou started in the direction of nowhere in particular.