Author's Rant: Well damn. Lol I love you guys. Consider this my warm up story in order to get back in the mix of updates. Thanks a million.
Warning: Probably some typos.
Prologue ll: Decisions
"Hey you, over there! Check out that score!"
"Hey you, over there! Check out that score!"
"Hey you, over there! Check out that score!"
Walking out on that stretch of green always gave that bumbling burst of fireworks in Sesshomaru's stomach. He was an ant compared the span of this stadium and listening of the crowds enthusiasm was overwhelmingly terrible ego boost. Especially when he so much as blinked at a section the whole area would sway like a floating buoy. That was part of the reason he savored football: the fans, the cheer, and the dependence they had for their team to provide them with unpredictability.
They trust them to give them the show of a lifetime and the win to carry on until the next game. Sesshomaru spied the left front row corner of the stadium where his family, friends and Inuyasha normally sat during the game. It'd be difficult to pick out their faces over the seas of colors but he knew they were there. He could feel it.
"Southsiddddde!" Naraku shouted during the rundown of Alabama's third touchdown in second quarter. Coach had to pull him off the field twice for running on to cheer like a tipsy cheerleader. He let the hype molest him and enjoyed it the sadistic fool he was. "Let him have it Hoshi! Don't let them pussies waste you brah. Take 'em out!"
The kick wasn't a success for the goal but who cared. Listen to the crowd.
"Hey you, over there! Check out that score!"
"Hey you, over there! Check out that score!"
"Hey you, over there! Check out that score!"
The glaring black scoreboard read 23-10, Alabama leading the way naturally. Auburn had them spooked for that first quarter when Tsukuyomaru scored the first touchdown, but after Sesshomaru laid him out four minutes in, the bat demon had been staggering half-cocked since. Sesshomaru could feel evil ju ju rolling his rival's eyes like a sweaty acid from across the field.
Sesshomaru sat on the bench stretching his right leg for the next bout when Naraku came bouncing over, "Mannn," He propped down next to his younger cousin, grinning like he won the lottery. "Did you see Hoshiyomi handle number 29? Old dude didn't stand a chance."
"You better not slip up like you did against Florida," Sesshomaru grunted during a long pull. "Father says he bet Uncle Takemaru fifty dollars you'd take a nose dive."
The smile vanished right away. Sesshomaru hid his during a waist bend out of Naraku's sight. "Oh word, it's like that?" Naraku surged up to his feet, scanning the crowd of faces as if he'd be able to pinpoint his uncle with his eyes alone. "Uncle always wanna talk smack but can't back shit up with his old ass—There he is right there too. Looking like a ashy can of biscuits. I can't believe Daddy gonna play me like that."
Sesshomaru glanced over the same direction as Naraku. Sure enough their family was right where he spotted them. How the hell he managed to do that when he couldn't?
"Anyway," Naraku snapped Sesshomaru out his search. "Glad to see you in better shape. You had me worried for a minute, son."
"Yeah," Sesshomaru muttered before sliding off the bench. He was getting there anyway. During half the game he'd been thinking of the different ways he and Inuyasha needed to go about talking things out. The way they parted could've went better than it had. Around three minutes till the end of second quarter was when he'd made up his mind to be the bigger man and call Inuyasha during half time. Sesshomaru would apologize, they'd make up and things could roll back into place as they should.
Yeah. Yeah that would work.
"Ohhhhhh!" The crowd sighed and booed at an unfair call by the ref. A ten yard penalty for Alabama.
"Unfair call!" Shouted one of the fans. "Refs were bribed! Get 'em off the field!"
Coach rolled his eyes after talking with the referees, "Offensive line you're up!"
"That's us baby," Naraku whooped, pulling down his helmet on the side lines.
As Sesshomaru pulled his helmet around, he took a side study of the stands first, wishing he'd catch a quick glimpse of Inuyasha before he took the field. Oodles of faces smashed into one another like a vomit canvas, but he saw some familiar faces fist pumping the air and his cousin Kagura fluffing out her t-shirt with the crimson tide elephant on the front. Beside her was her girlfriend Midoriko holding their two year old son, Hakudoshi, both of them painted from the neck up in red and white war paint. His uncle Takemaru, aunt Izayoi, his daddy InuTaisho and mama Tsukiko were rattling the rails and waving a large yellow banner with his name and number.
Sesshomaru didn't see Inuyasha. Not a sign of those puppy dog ears he loved to whisper in or stroke until the boy started looking at him from beneath those long eyelashes.
Damn he must be more upset over the fight then assumed. No, that was dumb. They'd had worse fights where half the dormitory would hear their voices echoing from the top floor and sure as rain, Inuyasha would still arrive on time to catch his man owning the field.
"Sesshomaru get your ass out there !" Coach snatched Sesshomaru out of his pondering. The crowd revived with excitement.
"Coming Coach!" Sesshomaru stole another desperate glance at the stands before he took off to the front line. Inuyasha would have to wait. For now, he needed to stay focused on the goal. If he allowed himself to get distracted Tsukuyomaru would take him out of the game without a second breath. Just call him during half time, chat it out a little bit, make up and then set up a time to talk it out in person. That's all there was too it.
Sesshomaru lined himself behind the lineman, catching a small signal out of his eye from Naraku. Sesshomaru didn't need to know who he was talking about. The dark skinned asshole was right across from him, wearing all that orange and navy like a Crayola joke. Those violet eyes were livid and like a fuel to an already burning fire, Sesshomaru let the adrenaline fill his veins. His smile was a wild mix of taunting and psychotic mania.
"Don't fuck up Sesshomaru," He heard Naraku spout from the side.
"I got it," Sesshomaru hunkered down, hands cupped. His eyes switched from side to side, letting the men know the deal. He called the play and the pigskin snapped into his hands. Auburn's linebacker took the right, with the safety coming around him. He waited for an opening. Seeing two opens, and the one he needed open blocked by the linemen.
Shit.
Sesshomaru balled the ball back and took the run, devouring the field in long legged strides. The crowd roared like something out of Jason, it was so crazy. Sesshomaru got around to the thirty second yard line before Auburn took him down under with over seven hundred pounds of sweat, grass and bodies. The referees blew their whistles to make the calls.
Sesshomaru got pulled up several different ways, some ass slaps and a couple of helmet smacks for a good job. Breathing in between pants and catching his wind, he took a chance at staring at the stands again but getting the same results. Nothing but the same family, friend and faces. Damn Inuyasha. Either he really was pissed or the snack lines were wrapped around the building. Inuyasha was never late for a game.
Ever. He'd be there before the team buses, snacks, drinks and smile in place. Sesshomaru got a little worried.
"Fuck," He hissed, tasting sweat and anger in the one word. Was marrying me that much of a bad idea you'd stay home Inuyasha? What the hell. . .
"His pussy ass ain't about shit," Some growled and cackled from the opposing team. "I'll catch him before he touch the five yard line."
So, somebody got some kind of death wish then. Sesshomaru saw the smart mouth lining up for the next play. That's cool. He needed to let off some steam.
"You alright man?" Naraku asked him, passing through the crouching men.
"I'm cool. Listen, you taking the run from here. You see that one there," Sesshomaru pointed out the silver haired demon he knew had been the one talking noise. "I'm lighting his ass off the ground."
"Who—Ohhh you mean Hakakku? Shit, you ain't say nothing but a word."
The refs called the teams down for the next call. Sesshomaru eyeballed the fool and Tsukuyomaru. He made the call, grasped the ball and pulled back a few paces. Naraku stole off to the left and not the anticipated right. Hakakku took after him the minute Sesshomaru pitched the ball that way.
I got your ass now.
Just as predicted Hakakku wasn't watching Sesshomaru, too focused on running behind Naraku as he hugged the sidelines. The cocky ass didn't see Sesshomaru coming from behind before he had a mouth full of grass and some tender ribs to boot.
"Ah, you son of a bitch!" Hakakku wailed when Sesshomaru rolled off to the side.
Sesshomaru kneeled by the wolf demon's head, face shrouded in stadium lights. The angle gave him that superior god glam he wanted to intimidated the prick. "Catch that. Stupid ass," He added, climbing to his feet.
The play placed them at the three yard line with a minute three seconds to go. Naraku cheered with his hands smacking the back of his ass, singing Pony Ride. Time was winding down fast. Good. Sesshomaru was going to finish this up fast. He was itching to get to his cell phone.
Koga walked through the door, his face melted into slacked disbelief. "The fuck. . ." He whispered.
The entire place was in shambles. Love seats and couches were tossed to the side, broken glass sprinkled across the floor, sheets of magazine pages laid crumbled and tore, wall pictures were either dangling off a nail or shattered on the floor. Koga crept through the mess, thinking he was going through an old war zone. He dropped his keys on a table that somehow made it through the calamity, and carefully walked through the dorm room.
"Hey!" He shouted out to anyone inside. Inuyasha shared this room with another guy named Reikotsu. No doubt he hadn't made it in yet cause if he had, he'd be raising all kinds of ape shit. Just look at this place.
Koga explored the whole place from top to bottom looking for Inuyasha. He knew something was amiss from how tattered his best friend's voice sounded. Almost like listening to a hollowed egg shell.
Something rustled from down the hall. Koga noticed after he was stepping around an overturned plant. "Inuyasha?" Koga went back. He thought he heard it come from the bathroom and pressed his ear against it. Sniffles, and harsh coughing erupted from the other side. "Inuyasha," he called a little stronger. "You in there?"
No reply. Just more snotty nosed grunts. Koga tested the door knob, with a few jingles. It turned but shot open before he could it open himself. Inuyasha stood there tear streaks, tangled hair clumps and ears looking like they'd been raked over with a kitchen fork. God damn he looked like something out of Skeleton Key.
"Inuyasha, the hell?" Koga ducked inside the bathroom. "What's going on with you? You called saying to give you a ride and hang up? And the hell went on in the living room?"
Inuyasha's ears sagged, "Oh that."
"Oh that?" Koga's expression was divided between incredibility and pissivity. "You shittin' me right? I open the door to find it tore up the floor up and all you can muster up is an Oh that?" His voice rose word for word until he matched a Barbie call. "What's going on with you?"
"I'm pregnant."
Lightning could've struck between them and carved their names on the wall, but it wouldn't have surprised Koga as much as he was right now. Koga shook his face as if ice water had been poured over him and reached out to grip Inuyasha's shoulders, "That's great man. That's," He couldn't find the right words for the situation if Inuyasha wasn't in the best of moods for it. He didn't look at all happy. "That's great news."
"No, it's not," Inuyasha dropped his head on Koga's chest, breathing hard and raspy, "I don't want this baby, Ko. I can't."
"You're not rea—Inuyasha you ain't gonna go through this alone. You have us here. And you know how Sesshomaru is. He's gonna be thrilled to hear—"
Inuyasha went hysterical, "NO! YOU CAN'T TELL HIM! I DON'T WANT HIM KNOWING SHIT ABOUT THIS, YOU HEAR! HE CAN'T KNOW!" He was shaking Koga senseless. "He mustn't know. He ain't ready to be a father and I ain't either. This'll fuck up his career. I can't do that to him!"
"Yash', Yash' slow down, whoa," Koga wrung himself free and shook Inuyasha in turn. "Are you outta your mind? Sesshomaru ain't gonna care about that. He'll want to be a daddy. All he never tell folks is how you gonna give him his own football team."
Inuyasha's head viciously twisted left and right as if expecting Sesshomaru to walk through the front door, "No, no, no, no, no, you're not listening to me. He can't find out. You gotta take me to the clinic. I can't have this baby. We're not ready."
This reaction wasn't one Koga was expecting or the sudden rush of tears painting Inuyasha's face with ugly stains. He hiccupped and chirped like a terrified child, eyes big as saucers. His entire body was vibrating, "Ok, just relax," Koga coaxed, hands raised up. "I know you're scared, but that shit comes naturally with having your first baby. Inuyasha," he gripped his best friend's hand, soothing the quivers with gentle strokes. "Think about what you're saying. You don't wanna hurt this baby. It ain't do shit to deserve this. Take some deep breaths and think."
Inuyasha hung his head low, "You don't understand," He whispered through his hair. "I can't. I don't want this baby. Please," He crumbled down to the floor, dragging all his weight on Koga until they were both on the floor.
"Inuyasha, look," Koga started heavily wishing he had some support for this. "I don't want you to make any decisions you'll regret. If you do what I think you wanna do, this shit is gonna eat you alive."
"You don't think it already is? I've agonized over this since I found out. I keep hoping this is some cruel fucking joke but when I keep looking back at that stick, all I see is blue."
Koga licked his lips, wavering down a path he didn't want any part of. This was an odd situation to be in. Koga was stuck between doing what he felt was right or helping Inuyasha in something he'd regret in the long haul. And watching the hanyou in the worse emotional state he's ever been in was gaining more points with the latter. Koga finally sighed long and drained through his nose, "Are you sure?"
Inuyasha nodded against his chest, fingers tangled and wadded in his t-shirt.
"Alright," Koga stood with Inuyasha as one and helped him out the door.
Koga knew. Both him and Inuyasha knew. This was going to be the longest drive of their lives.
"Damn," Nothing but his voice mail. Sesshomaru clenched his phone like it was the blasted thing's fault Inuyasha wasn't picking up. He'd called five times, left two short voice mails and God knows how many text messages.
Inuyasha hadn't replied to a single one. Did he have to work today? No, Enterprise always gave Inuyasha Fridays off. It was the only requested time he asked for.
Then, was he really that mad? Sesshomaru pushed his sodden fringe off his forehead, scratching at his crescent moon. This was bothering him. If Inuyasha was as upset as he was, he would've texted to say he didn't want to be bothered or outright cussed out Sesshomaru. Either of those would've been just fine because at least that meant he was acknowledging his boyfriend enough to say, 'I love you but I'm still pissed at your lanky ass.'
Sesshomaru dialed the ten digit number one more time just as the three minute warning was called in the locker room.
Hi, this is Inuyasha. I'm out walking my donkey right now, but as soon as I get my ass back in, I'll be sure to call. God bless! Beep
Damn his voicemail again. Well, it was better than nothing. "Hey baby, it's me," Sesshomaru blew hard as he reached up to compress all the stress from between his eyes. "Listen I'm gonna be straight with you. I don't like the way we ended things and we need to talk. I don't know what it is about the thought of marrying me, but if it scares you that bad we can wait. . . I'm willing to wait if that makes you happy." He chuckled suddenly. "Shit, I'm willing to do anything if it means you'll talk to me. I'll wait forever if that's what it takes. But—shit Inuyasha just call me back. Please," He added in more rough than need be. "I'm not trying to scare you off. You mean too much to me for that . . . I love you."
The phone clicked off before he could say anything else incriminating on his emotions. Guess I went a little overboard. Sesshomaru stared at the wallpaper screen of a photo he and Inuyasha took last year at the Gulf State Fair. It was his favorite one.
No, not overboard. Not enough. When the game was over he planned to hold Inuyasha down and make him listen. Pissed or not Sesshomaru would be damned if they let this relationship go over some bullshit.
He loved that fool too much for that.
Walking out of Sacred Heart Clinic—the irony of that name was barbaric—felt worse than walking to his grave. Inuyasha's pasty face turned darker shades of green as he gripped the door handle and pushed. The door felt like it weighed a ton. Lips curled and uncurled, sucked and dried between his teeth. His tongue became swelled like a bed for the vomit threatening to pour from his mouth.
He was dizzy. "Koga."
"I got you," Koga appeared right by his side, anchoring his arm around Inuyasha's waist. "Easy, easy."
"I can't believe this."
Koga didn't answer him. He only glared out the corner of his eye and had a whole other look for the clinic behind them. "Let's just get you back to the dorms."
Back to the dorms. "Sesshomaru's gonna find out," Inuyasha wept so quiet and broken.
"Yeah," Koga answered him after he got them situated inside his 1987 Cutlass. "He probably will."
Inuyasha sagged down deep in his seat and turned to stare out the window. Sesshomaru was going to find out. There's no question about it. Inuyasha roughly scratched at the tears dropping from his eyes, anger for still crying. It was over and done with now. He was going to have to live with these consequences. It was just facing them that was the hardest part of all.
He didn't think he could. Sesshomaru's expression would murder him as a blade twisting in his heart. He couldn't own up to it. Inuyasha couldn't face him. He wouldn't face him.
There weren't a lot of options.
Well, he would just have to make some. Sesshomaru would be grateful to him by the time the night was over. He'd hurt for a while, but. . . in the end it'd be for the best.
When Koga dropped Inuyasha off home, he offered to stay until Reikotsu returned from wherever he was. Inuyasha declined the offer, saying he'd be already. He just wanted some alone time. Truth be told, he couldn't bear the company.
A decision was made the instant he stepped through Sacred Heart and another as soon as he stepped out the double doors.
Inuyasha crossed the destroyed threshold to his bedroom with a one tracked mind and mission determined to complete it in time. He snatched a piece of paper from his notebook and began to write. Not with his mind or his heart. He wrote in a way that would get Sesshomaru to leave him alone. Something that'd tear his soul apart so much so, he'd never come for him again.
Sesshomaru will never look his way again.
He won't bother to care what Inuyasha's doing.
Because when Inuyasha left, it'd be the best thing that ever happened for Sesshomaru.
And knowing he'd be just fine without him was what tore Inuyasha's heart in half and allowed the tears to soak his letter.
TBC: Ok that's it. Time for the story to begin and Time skip!