With Love

Chapter Eight: On Thin Ice


A/N: Sorry didn't update yesterday, had some family problems to tend to. Please read and review.


Kagome padded down the steps as the pounding continued. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and unwanted visitors needed to end. How many more relatives did she have? “I’m coming.” Since everyone else had decided to go deaf at this moment in time. She yanked the door open to reveal a thin man in a brown uniform. “Eh hello.”


“Delivery for Kagome Higurashi.” He handed her the clipboard. Kagome looked at the X mark where she should sign. He was whistling as he opened up the back of the truck. He withdrew a box that would fit a small television. She wouldn’t dare hope Santa was sending her a new tv. If it was from Inuyasha it was getting burnt.


“Thank you.” She handed him the clipboard and took the box. It was light and wrapped in red paper. She closed the door and took it up to her room. There was no card on the outside. Who else but Inuyasha would send her a gift? A kid screamed as he ran by her room, brats. She’d be glad when the holidays were over. The wrapper came off without care. It was a plain brown box, not much of a clue. Hoping it wasn’t a severed head she tore the top. Nothing bloody. Her fingers wrapped around something fuzzy. “Awww,” it was a pink teddy bear. She flipped the box upside down. A square white card came out with one thing written. “Hiei.”


“Botan dear, there is a package for you.” A knock came at the door. Botan grumbled under the covers. They needed to shut the hell up. She winced as her mother barged into the room. “Did you hear me? Here, be down in an hour for dinner.”


“Whatever,” Botan grumbled but sat up. It wasn’t even noon yet. Damn, she had a hangover from hell. It was the last time she drank any eggnog her father made. The box was small, not the car she wanted. She went for the card first. “Thinking of you, Naraku.” The penmanship was neat and precise. It was unwrapped quickly. What would he send her? They’d only had one real date. She knew it was jewelry before opening the lid. The bracelet sparkled in the light. It had to be fake, he wouldn’t buy her a real diamond bracelet. One way to find out.


She yanked on her robe and ran down the stairs. Her father was holding conference, a.k.a. a bunch of old farts gossiping. Talk stopped as she came into the room. Her Uncle Kiochi was a jeweler. That’s who she went to. She dangled it in front of him, “Is it real?”


“Lets take a look shall we. But before I do shall I remind you that it’s the thought behind it that counts.” He frowned at her scowl. “Alright girl, kids these days, no manners.” He held the bracelet up in the light. “Very nice, very good quality. Couldn’t tell you the exact value without taking it to the shop. I’d say offhand that it must have cost a pretty penny. Where did you get it?”



Sango glanced at her clock again. Seven fifteen, not good. The carpet was already wearing thin from her pacing. Her eyes went to the calender, it was Saturday. Yes, it had to be because Botan had called earlier to see if she wanted to go out. She’d told them no she already had plans. She ran a hand through her hair. Seven-thirty, definitely late. Was something holding him up? What if he changed his mind? He would call first, not leave her hanging or she’d kill him.


A car drove by, it kept going. Ten minutes until eight. She reached for her phone, no calls. Fine then she’d call him. If he wasn’t going to pick her up then she should know. She might not want to stand around waiting on his ass all night long. Her throat constricted painfully as it rang four times. The voice mail picked up, “Hey, it’s me. Just wondering what was keeping you. Call me back.” She sounded so lame and pathetic, she should toss her damn phone at him.


“You’re still not here are you?” Her mother called from the kitchen. Sango flinched at the scolding tone. The last thing she wanted was her mother’s pity. Or the questions. Her mother would ask why a guy would ask her out and not show up. What could she say? ‘Gee Mom, he asked before I let him stick his hand in my panties. Guess he decided I don’t have what he wants.’


“I’m leaving now.” Sango glanced at the clock. She’d been officially stood up. No way she would stay home. Her coat was grabbed from the closet. The air was cold, it would snow soon. Perhaps she should get a lighter one. Nah, she wouldn’t go far and it would get colder soon. Just an hour or so before heading back.


Two cars came by and she waited to see if they’d stop. None stopped in her drive way. She reached into her pocket to make sure she had her phone. She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. She’d hear what he had to say first before thinking of ways to castrate him. Something important might have happened, like a family emergency. Or his car might have broken down. Time would tell. She hit the pavement and headed towards the park.



What the hell are you doing?” Hiei slammed the door for emphasis. The fox didn’t even acknowledge his presence. His cousin was moping again. He eyed the gift sitting on the desk. Had Kagome received his? Had she liked it? “That isn’t going to deliver itself. Didn’t you have a date? I know you didn’t stand the girl up to hang out with our grandparents.”


“I’m not going and frankly it is none of your damn business.” Kurama eyed the box. It was too late, he’d made his decision. The clock read almost nine. She’d be pissed at him by now. This was for the best. He wouldn’t deliver the gift or explain why he didn’t go. It had come to him this morning after purchasing it. Not once had he given a girl a gift. Yet he’d seen it and bought it without thinking, for her. He didn’t want to become involved. Being with Sango meant being someone he wasn’t.


“Fool, I can’t believe we are related. You would toss her aside?” Hiei couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Wasn’t the date at seven? Getting serious was one thing but pretending like the girl didn’t matter was stupid. For years the girl had mattered to the fox. Now that she was close he was being a coward. “You deserve whatever happens. At least get off your ass and come with me. Perhaps shooting some pool will get that sour look off of your face.”



The feeling was about gone in her hands. She should have worn gloves. It had to be after ten. The park looked desolate and barren. All but the truck sitting near the swings. The person had pulled up twenty minutes ago and walked off. She couldn’t see who it was through the snow and distance. The person hadn’t even realized she was there. It was time to go home. She’d cut through the park. Sitting here was accomplishing nothing but making her ass numb. The jacket was thick but the dress she had underneath wasn’t helping. So much for trying to look nice.


Kurama never called her back, she’d been stood up. It hurt to believe it. It also hurt to move, damn she was cold. A cup of coffee would be needed. She got to the edge of the pond. She bent down to examine the ice. Little tracks were seen from today’s ice skaters. Would she go skating this year? Would Kurama apologize? She stuck her foot on the ice, steady. It’d be faster than walking around.


The wind was picking up blowing more snow. Her thought went to this week. In a few days there would be a party at Naraku’s place to celebrate the New Year coming in. All three of them were invited, she couldn’t go. Kurama would be there, she wasn’t ready to face him. A year from now and she still wouldn’t be ready. Had he done everything to prove a point? Well it had and it was painful. The sting of tears were threatening. “Dammit.”


Her breath caught hearing a loud crack. Fear paralyzed her, another crack echoed. She felt her feet give away and screamed. The sudden pain in her head echoed along with her skin. A thousand needles pricked her flesh. She could barely feel her limbs but knew she was being dragged down. The coat was sucking up water making it impossible to move. Which way was up?


Lead filled her arms as seconds ticked by. She felt weary by the time the coat came off. Able to move she blew out some breath. Bubbles went up, she started to swim. Light! Despair filled her, the hole was gone. No, where was it? A shadow appeared over her, someone was there. Blurry and white but her lungs burned as she pounded on the ice. It was yelling but she couldn’t make out the sounds. Where was the way out? Gods, she couldn’t breath. Her head began to swim and her arms wanted to stop. She couldn’t feel anything. Pain laced her chest as her lungs constricted. She was going to die.


Inuyasha tossed the cigarette aside, he needed to quit. Hell he needed to quit a lot of things. He’d taken the first step earlier and dumped Kikyo for good. He’d screwed up big time with Kagome. Maybe losing her was what he deserved. His ears twitched hearing a scream. The broken stump was abandoned and he ran without thinking. He cleared the park in seconds. Where had it come from? He scanned the area, a hole sloshed water in the middle of the ice. Just what he needed to end a crappy day. He was already dialing as he ran to the spot. The operator sounded like she didn’t want to believe him. “Dammit, send someone now.” He snapped at her but cleared the area. He could make out someone under the ice.


“Shit!” He yanked his shoes off when the person started to drift down. His coat was next, it was dropped next to the hole for reference. This was going to sting like a motherfucker. He went in feet first. Cold was an understatement, his limbs were already going numb. He swam to where he’d seen it. Clawed fingers grabbed hair but he did get a hold on her. The person wasn’t struggling as he placed a hand around her waist.


His lungs were burning, somehow he came up near his coat. Taking a much needed breath, he used his strength to push her over the edge and out. Sirens blared in the distance. He turned her over, she wasn’t breathing. His gut twisted recognizing the face. “Sango.” He popped her face a few times, no response. How to do this. He had failed health class. “Oh fuck.” Tilt her head back, he placed his mouth over hers while pinching her nose. Nothing! “Dammit, you aren’t dying on me, you stupid bitch.” If he broke the girl’s ribs Kagome would have his head. “One, two, three,” he breathed into her mouth again.


Sirens were deafening as they pulled into the park. Inuyasha swore as they took their dear time getting out. He continued to work on her as they brought a stretcher and a bag. Her lips were blue and she still wasn’t breathing. “Think you assholes could go any slower?” The two came up and took over. He remained silent as they tried CPR as well. He didn’t argue when they did what was necessary and rushed her into the vehicle. They took off the second the doors closed behind him.



Kagome blushed as the fire apparition walked by and the soft brush of fingers trailed along her lower back. Botan was standing in the corner talking to Naraku. She almost giggled seeing her friend blush. Her eyes went back to Hiei who went to stand next to Kurama. Why did she have to get Yusuke as a partner? Better yet who the fuck had Sango gone off with? If Kurama was here then it wasn’t him. They had assumed that was who their friend was spending the evening with but the two guys had come in over an hour ago. Her watch showed it was a little after eleven now. The ringing sounded in her purse. That was over ten times in the last five minutes. “Dammit.”


Botan reached for the phone and stared at the name. “It’s Inuyasha again, want me to just turn it off?” She held up the device for inspection. Couldn’t they enjoy the evening without the hanyou spoiling Kagome’s good mood? Not to mention her own. Her eyes went to the older man sitting on the stool. Yeah, she was in a fine mood tonight. And it wasn’t taking a case of beer to get her that way. She was even wearing the bracelet he’d bought her. Without waiting for Kagome to answer she turned the phone off. “There, he’ll get the message now.”


“Still bugging you huh?” Yusuke watched the miko sigh. He couldn’t blame the man, one could see why he wanted to hang onto the girl. Then again the idiot shouldn’t have cheated. “My turn,” he did notice that Hiei was touching Kagome whenever he got the chance. Was something going on between the two? Hiei hadn’t said anything to him. Another ring tone sounded as he bent to take aim.


Botan dug through her own purse and retrieved her phone. The number flashed but she didn’t have it programmed into her phone. She called out the numbers and saw Kagome confirm it. What was his problem? It was one thing to try and bug Kagome but to bring her into it. “Oh, the bastard has a lot of nerve calling my phone. I’m going to answer and give him a piece of my mind.” She hit the send button as a firm arm went around her waist. She let Naraku pull her back against his chest. “What the hell are you doing calling my phone? You got a lot of nerve.”


“Botan? Please don’t hang up.” Inuyasha spoke, feeling the emotions almost choke him. “It’s important, it’s Sango. She’s been in an accident. I’ve been trying to call Kagome.”


Botan tensed and almost lost her temper. To bug them was one thing but this wasn’t in the least bit funny. “You asshole, I should come kick your ass. I spoke to her earlier tonight. If you think this is a way to get Kagome to talk to you it’s not going to happen. If anyone is going to have an accident it will be you.” A hand went to her shoulder and Kagome stopped what she was doing. Her eyes went over the group and she shrugged. What could she tell them?


“It’s not a joke dammit. I was in the park, Sango was there.” His breath caught, how could he make her believe him? The girl’s parents were here already but they were to distraught to think of calling anyone else. “We are at the one on Fifth Street, we came in about twenty minutes ago. Her parents are already here. I wish it were a joke, she was gone Botan. She was DOA.”


The sting of tears formed as the sorrow in his voice finally sunk in. Botan stiffened as what he said penetrated. DOA, dead on arrival. “No, no, you can’t call and tell me that. I won’t listen to it. She’s fine, I talked to her earlier.” His broken sigh had her vision blurring. No, this wasn’t happening. Sango had been getting ready to go out on her date. Her friend had been happy about it. She couldn’t be gone, she was alright. It was hard to make out Kagome’s voice. What was wrong? Could she say it? No, it wasn’t real. “You’re lying. Please, tell me it’s not true.”


“I’m sorry, I can’t. We are in the emergency waiting room.”


Kagome felt the world still as Botan hung up the phone. She wasn’t the only one that noticed the way the girl had paled and was now shaking. “Who’s not fine Botan?” Somehow she doubted Inuyasha would call Botan if Kikyo was sick. Hiei came up to her and placed a hand on her elbow. What was happening? “Botan?” A feeling of despair ripped through her heart when the blue head lifted showing tears streaming down the face twisted in pain. Kagome shook her head seeing the truth in Botan’s pain. “No,” she shook her head in denial.


Yusuke wanted to know what the hell was going on. Naraku was holding Botan from falling to her knees. Kagome looked to be on the verge of bursting into tears. Hiei looked just as confused as him but was trying to comfort Kagome. The miko was shaking her head so hard he was sure it would pop off. “What the hell is going on?”


Kurama put the stick down as Kagome finally started crying. What was going on? Who had that been on the phone? The only one that knew was Botan. Kagome seemed to think she did. “Botan? Who was that? Mind telling us why you two are upset?” A sinking feeling coiled in his stomach when she turned violet eyes to him. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like what she was about to say.


“It was Inuyasha, he’s at the hospital.” She placed a hand over her mouth. A broken sob escaped her, she still hadn’t said it. “She’s dead. Sango’s dead.” Arms went around her and Kagome lost it. Could it be true? She wouldn’t believe it. Sango wouldn’t let anything happen to herself. He had to be mistaken. “I got to get to the hospital.”


“Yusuke, get me my keys now. I’ll drive them. Move it.” Naraku pulled the girl against his chest. She wasn’t trying to stop the tears any more. His brother moved and was back as Hiei picked Kagome up. “Come on, let’s get to the hospital. Yusuke stay here and we’ll call you.”




Kagome was thankful for the hand as they opened the double doors to the emergency room. It wasn’t hard to spot the three people standing in the corner. Sango’s mother was sniffling while her father petted his wife’s head. Inuyasha was sitting in a chair with his head in his hands. Seeing them made it all real and the tears began anew. Botan was already rushing inside towards the older couple.


“Oh girls you’re here.” Sango’s mother reached for Botan first. No one spoke as they embraced. She went for Kagome next and didn’t let go. A hand stroked a handful of hair. “They haven’t told us anything yet. We just know that it doesn’t look good. We can only hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.”


“Is she alive?” Kagome wiped her face, crying wasn’t helping. If they didn’t know anything yet then there was a chance. It meant they were doing something. The woman pulled back to look at them. This was the woman that had babysat her as a child. A second mother to her. “She’s going to be okay right?”


“We don’t know anything. They just say we have to wait for the doctor. Inuyasha was there thankfully, if he hadn’t been. I don’t want to think about it.” She patted Kagome’s shoulder before turning back to her husband. “She’ll come through, she’s strong.”


“Inuyasha?” Kagome knelt down in front of the hanyou. She had to know exactly what had happened. He was the only one that knew anything. Fingers clenched as she grabbed his hand. Her heart twisted seeing the pained look, he showed anger more than anything. Seeing the unshed tears touched her. What had happened out there? She’d been with him for some time and he’d been around Sango for half of it. Being with her meant being with her friends. They’d never been too keen on each other but whatever happened must be effecting him. He was an idiot and unsure of what he wanted but she knew he was a good person deep down. “What happened? Please tell me.”


“Don’t make me say it. Don’t put yourself through it.” His ear perked hearing the abated breath of those around him. Amber eyes landed on the smaller man standing just behind Kagome. What was he doing here? It didn’t matter, if he was here then it was because Kagome wanted him here. Botan was sniffling into the older guy’s jacket but looking at him for answers. Then he turned to the redhead. No emotion showed in the man’s face. Inuyasha had to wonder why he was even here. Amber caught green, nothing. “I drove to the park. I’d had a long day, fight with my mother then Kikyo didn’t take it well when I ended things. I had a lot on my mind, so I wanted to get away. I’m not sure if she was already there when I got there. I went for a walk, I sat down in the woods smoking. Then I heard it, she screamed. I called for help. I saw where she went through the ice. They said they’d be there as soon as possible.” Fingers tightened in his hand as fresh tears went down the miko’s face. “I didn’t know who it was. I got there and saw her under the ice. She was trying to get out, then she went down. I didn’t wait for help, I went in after her.”


“I couldn’t save her. I pulled her out but she wasn’t breathing.” He caressed her cheek, knowing he might have been able to prevent her tears. “I wasn’t fast enough, I’m sorry. I tried, she was so cold. They managed to get her breathing again on the way here but as we pulled in she flat-lined again. They took her back, they wouldn’t let me go back with her.” He let her move away from him and she went to Hiei. It should have bothered him but it didn’t. He glanced up once more at the redhead. Hn, the void look was still there. As if what he said hadn’t been spoken. “Why the hell are you here?” Should he say the rest? “Would you like to know who’s name she spoke as I held her hand in the back of that ambulance? Would you like to know who she called out for as she died? No you don’t, I can see it. Maybe it’s better that she died before having to see that look on your face.”


He braced himself as the fox moved. He almost smiled as the fingers closed around his damp shirt. The fist was solid, tearing his lips. The pain was welcome and he didn’t bother to defend himself. As expected before the fox could land a second blow the other two were pulling him back. Inuyasha wiped his mouth and shook his head. “At least that got a reaction out of you.” He needed to go home and change before he got sick himself. Tension clung around them as he stood. “Kagome, I’ll be back soon. As for you Kurama.” He practically spat the name as the man glared at him. “If she dies you can be content with knowing you were the last person she thought of. If she doesn’t I hope you manage to pull your head out of your ass. Trust me, you really don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”

Next Chapter: Sango's condition.....Please read and review...