A/N: This story is dedicated to KibaSin, who provided the summary and title. Hope you like it Kiba!
Also, I'd like to thank my wonderful beta, Kushinada-Hime. Much love!
Prologue
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The signs should have been obvious— should they not? The normal 'by the book' cheating; her first clue should have been simple. When she married, she had been young, imprudent and in love; however, she was slowly beginning to regret that choice. If only she had not rushed into things…
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"Sango, I don't know what to do anymore," the raven haired woman confided in her friend through the phone she held tightly against her ear. Her hands were trembling in anxiety and she clenched the receiver tighter to stop the motion.
"Kagome, if you really think he's cheating, you need to talk to him," Sango replied, sympathy lacing her words. She had known ever since high school how much Kagome loved her husband, probably more than most faithful wives.
Kagome sighed. "It's hard for me...You know how much I love him. I don't want to let that go."
It was true. Kagome loved him deeply, something that would never fully die out; nevertheless, she knew if he was breaking his vows—his promise of never stooping to infidelity— then she needed to let him go. If not for herself, then for him.
When no response reached her ears, Kagome took a deep breath, coming to a decision. "I'll talk to him tonight, Sango. I promise."
"That's my girl. Now, go get some rest, ok?"
Kagome nodded, though her friend could not see her, and hung up the phone without saying goodbye. She reclined against the headboard, her back pressed against the bony exterior and closed her eyes for a moment's rest only to snap them open when she heard the front door slowly creak open.
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His sun-soaked colored eyes were shadowed, unreadable as he glanced around the room. His face was stoic as was his posture and the way he carried himself. Most would call him handsome; however, a more appropriate word would have been beautiful because of his somewhat feminine features. That was not to say he wasn't masculine. No, with broad shoulders, a strong jaw, whip-cord muscles, and a husky voice, Sesshomaru was very male; the perfect specimen of his species.
Sesshomaru was reluctant to enter his brother's home, aware either his whore of a mistress or his wife could be close by. Admittedly, he knew his half-breed brother's instincts and it'd almost always be the latter.
"Sesshomaru?"
He heard the voice, knew who had spoken, but did not answer her.
"What are you doing here?"
Once again her meek voice reached his ears. But before he could grab what he needed and leave, she stood in front of him, detouring his mission further. "I must retrieve a belonging of mine," he answered flatly when she refused to move out of his way. He was in no mood to be trifled with.
"Oh."
He hoped that was the was all she would say. His hopes were dashed when she spoke again.
"Do you, um, know where Inuyasha is? His phone is off and I'm kind of worried." Her voice was hesitant and he could tell he made her uncomfortable. He smirked inwardly but kept his expression impassive.
"I am not my brother's keeper." He grabbed the envelope he had been searching for from the counter, feeling her eyes following his every move.
He could sense the curiosity radiating off her and he could understand why; he was coming into her humble home, unannounced, snatching things from his brother's possessions and not giving any explanations as to why. In a way he felt somewhat sorry for his brother's wife. Either she had no idea as to what her husband did in his free time and was oblivious to his infidelity, or she had suspicions when it came to his loyalty.
It seemed only right to tell her the truth.
But he had promised not to get involved in his brother's affairs.
So, without another word, he left.
Leaving a very befuddled human in his wake.
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It was four in the morning when he pulled into the drive-way. The rising sun was hidden behind clouds, but the feeling and scent of morning was upon the small town he called home. Everything was quiet and the windows were dark. Knowing his wife, she'd be bundled up safely in their bed, having given up around ten on his return.
She must have been getting suspicious towards his late nights. He merely told her he was working and then...
As he entered the house, his brother's scent reached his nose. The bastard had entered his home with his wife securely tucked away inside. Would his brother stoop so low as to inform his wife of his 'nightly outings'?
He scoffed at the idea.
"Inuyasha?"
His ears swerved around to the young female standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes with the tips of her fingers, trying to rid the sleep from her russet orbs.
"Hey, Kaggie," Inuyasha greeted walking up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "What are you doing up so early?" He asked softly.
"Mm, waiting for you."
Inuyasha chuckled, the vibrations coming from deep within his chest and into her body. She reluctantly pushed away from him when he tried to pull her closer. Inuyasha frowned. "What's wrong, Kagome?"
"Inuyasha, look me in the eye. Where were you?" she asked firmly, tightening her robe and looking straight into his eyes.
She saw him looked down hesitantly at the tiles beneath his feet before sighing and looking up at her. "At work."
"If you were at work, then why was your brother over here at eleven? Is he not the owner of the company? Wouldn't he be there longer than you?"
Inuyasha came to one conclusion: his brother must have said something. How else would she have all these suspicions? "Not necessarily. Come on, Kags, what's wrong? Can we just go to bed?"
She sighed and turned away from him, walking back up the steps. He ran a hand through his silky, ashen hair before following.
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She awoke to his arms fastened tightly around her petite figure, his nose nestled into the juncture where her neck and shoulder meet. Kagome sighed and moved to get up. Last night had been the last clue as to where he had been. No job would cost him to stay until four in the morning. He had to be having an affair.
With who, she did not know just yet, but she promised herself she would find out. Once she had solid proof, she would leave him; no matter how much it broke her heart to do so. It hurt more to know he was sharing his body and love with someone else, but she wanted liable proof before she took action.
"Kags, get back in bed," Inuyasha tried to say but it came out more as a groan.
"I'm going to go for a run," she muttered and pulled out of his grasp. He let her go, grabbed a pillow in favor of her and fell back asleep.
She glanced one last time at her husband before grabbing her purse and jacket and leaving.
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"Kagome?"
"Hi, Sango…I'm sorry, I know it's early but can I speak with Miroku?" Kagome asked, fidgeting nervously atop the doorstep of her two best friend's home.
Sango nodded. "Is everything alright?"
Kagome shrugged solemnly. "I just need to ask Miroku a few questions."
"Okay. Come in." Her best friend ushered her inside the cozy home, leaving to go get her boyfriend after she had told Kagome to 'make herself at home'. In truth, Sango and Miroku hadn't gotten an actual personal visit from Kagome since she had gotten married three years ago. They had seen each other when the whole gang got together but other than that, it was mostly phone calls.
"Hey, Kags," Miroku greeted with a smile.
Kagome smiled back and gave him a quick hug before sitting back down on the couch next to Sango. Miroku took the recliner across from them and raised an eyebrow. "So what did you need to ask me?"
"It's actually about Inuyasha."
And suddenly Miroku didn't look as relaxed as he had two seconds before.
"You know something, don't you?" Kagome said, trying hard to keep her voice from cracking.
Sango glared at her boyfriend.
"N-no, I mean, I just know that he hasn't been at work lately…" Miroku said hesitantly, fiddling his thumbs.
"Was he there last night?" Kagome asked, her eyes downcast. She blinked back the tears that had gathered in her eyes.
Miroku gulped. "He left around six."
The tears she tried to keep at bay began rolling down Kagome's cheeks. She had known all along. She quickly wiped the watery drops away with a closed fist and looking up, forcing herself to smile. "Thanks…um, I better go. I'll call you guys later." She got up and hurriedly walked toward the door.
As soon as she exited the house, Sango hit Miroku as hard as she could.
"Ow! What was that for?" he asked, rubbing the area where she had hit him.
"You idiot! Do you know how much it hurt Kagome to hear that!"
"What did you want me to do? Lie?" Miroku yelled back. "It's best if she finds out what a loser Inuyasha is now than in three years!"
"Miroku…today is their three year anniversary," Sango said softly.
Miroku's eyes widened. "Shit."
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Kagome decided a quiet lunch would do her good. She walked into the quaint café about five miles away from Sango and Miroku's home, only to see her brother-in-law sitting at one of the booths, a magazine held between his hands as his eyes wandered the page. She debated whether or not to join him. Finally, she decided against it; he could be a very intimidating man when he wanted to. "Just one miss?" the waitress, a girl younger than her, asked.
Kagome snapped her attention back towards the girl. "Yes."
"Alright, follow me."
Kagome obliged, following the girl and walking past Sesshomaru on her way to her table. He saw her and merely raised an eyebrow. She ignored him.
"Thank you," Kagome said softly, taking the menu that was handed to her.
The girl nodded and pulled out a notepad. "What would you like to drink?" she asked with a smile.
"Just water is fine."
The waitress went off to get her drink. Kagome sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back against the seat. "Where's that half-breed brother of mine?" a deep, silky voice asked from somewhere beside her table.
Kagome didn't have to open her eyes to tell to whom the voice belonged to and that he had invited himself over. "Probably with his mistress," she spat before she could stop herself.
"You know." It had come out more like a statement than a question. Kagome opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru sit down in the seat across from her.
"Apparently, I'm the only one who didn't," she muttered.
"Apparently," he agreed, sipping from a glass of water that he had been brought over when he came to join her.
The conversation hit a dead end before Sesshomaru spoke up again. "You knew he could not keep one woman. Why did you marry him?"
"Because I thought he could change. I was foolish in my choices."
"I see." He stared at her, studying her posture and eyes. "Why not divorce him then?" He didn't know why he was getting involved in such a scandal. It was really none of his concern and he knew for a fact he wasn't questioning her because of guilt—that was one thing he could never feel.
"I need to actually catch them—I want proof before I divorce him."
"Your friend's words are not enough? You surely have talked to Sango and Miroku by now," he replied as the waitress came back.
"Oh, hi," she chirped once she saw Sesshomaru. He ignored the girl, his attention having shifted to something behind Kagome, or more specifically, to the woman walking in. "Well, um, what can I get you guys?"
"I'll just have a poppy seed muffin," Kagome said with a kind smile. She noticed Sesshomaru's gaze was focused elsewhere and decided to investigate. She turned in her seat to follow his gaze, watching as a tall woman, who looked disturbingly like her, walk into the restaurant gracefully, a large handbag hanging from her wrist.
And then who she saw enter after the woman—placing an arm around her waist—just about ripped her heart out.
Her husband.
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A/N: Sorry if it's somewhat confusing. Inuyasha and Kagome are married--Sesshomaru is well--Sesshomaru haha and Miroku and Sango are their friends. Umm yeah--so review!!! And this IS a SESSH/KAG!
Reposted: March 1, 2007