Chapter 4. Loving Him

"That one time also, he purposefully screamed that there was a fire in front of the ladies locker room! Those girls run ran out frantically... Some were only in their underwear ... And then, you can guess the rest, right? They all went berserk on Miroku! One of the girls even cursed Miroku so that he can't have any child. " Inuyasha explained as he laughed uncontrollably.

Kagome gasped. "Oh my God, what a pervert!"

"Speaking of not being able to have child, it's also very common to see him asking every woman he meet to bear his child. And the usual answer is five fingerprints on his cheek! Hahahaha."

This time, Kagome laughed along with him. Without the two of them even realized it, their faces were getting closer and closer ...

Inuyasha who was suddenly aware of the closeness, immediately backed off. Kagome too, backed away quickly and tucked her hair behind her ear.

And then there was an awkward silence...

Inuyasha finally cleared his throat. "Kagome, about Kikyo..."

Hearing that name, Kagome froze. Why did she felt so uneasy when the name came out from his lips?

"Kikyo ... She was my friend from childhood." Inuyasha said again.

Kagome honestly didn't want to hear Inuyasha talked about Kikyo. But her curiosity beat her fear, so she decided to keep on listening to him.

"Since I was a child, it's kinda hard for me to get along with others. Especially since my mother's death, many people I met were just mocking me, don't know why. They told me my mother was a horrible woman. I don't believe it. She is the kindest woman I've ever met in my life... And Kikyo ... She was the first who accepted me for who I am, no matter how many people who hated me ... When….My brother went to go to school abroad, Kikyo was the one who always stay with me. "

Kagome was silent. Inuyasha's childhood was so tragic… He's not welcome inside and outside his own family…

"But it turned out there are people who do not like our relationship, Kagome. For the past few years, Kikyo often said that if she felt like she was being stalked by someone ... At first, I didn't believe it, but that day..."

Inuyasha closed his eyes, remembering the tragedy that happened to Kikyo two years ago, which left her paralyzed for the rest of her life.

.

"Inuyasha, please... You know my parents are out of the town. I'm so afraid to be alone tonight ... That stalker might come to get me. Please, let me stay at your house?" Kikyo said, giving him a pleading look.

Inuyasha sighed. "It's just your feelings, Kikyo. My father would not allowed it, you're a girl, after all, and anyway, where are you going to sleep?"

"I can sleep on your couch!" Kikyo replied persistently.

"Kikyo, it's not that I don't want to, but my father-"

"Inuyasha, if you don't want to be with me, just say it to my face. I'm going home alone!" Kikyo said, upset. She then ran away from Inuyasha.

"Kikyo! Wait!" Inuyasha called out before he ran after Kikyo.

Seeing Inuyasha chasing after her, Kikyo quickened her pace. Unfortunately, she sprained her leg and she fell on her knees. In the middle of the intersection, a car went fast from the opposite direction of her.

Inuyasha could saw the headlights from the distance. But why didn't the car stop? Did the driver not see Kikyo? The car was getting closer…. And closer towards Kikyo ...

The black haired man gasped. It's going to hit Kikyo! He tried to run faster, but deep inside, he knew he woildn't get to Kikyo on time ...

"KIKYOOOO!"

.

Inuyasha walked back and forth in the waiting room impatiently. 'It's all my fault ... If I listened to Kikyo ...None of this would've happened!' he thought regretfully.

"Inuyasha, calm down, Kikyo would be fine. Our daughter is strong." Kikyo's dad said to Inuyasha reassuringly.

"Uncle ..." Inuyasha murmured apologetically.

Not long after that, the doctor came out from Kikyo's room.

"Doctor, what about our daughter?" Kikyo's mother asked worriedly.

"Mister and Mrs... your daughter is fine ... It's just ..." The doctor looked a little hesitant.

"Just what, doctor?" Inuyasha asked.

"Ms. Kuragari ... Maybe ... She will not be able to walk on her own again ..."

.

"Go away, leave me alone! Don't come near me!" Kikyo screamed hysterically, refusing the food her mother had brought to her.

"Kikyo, honey, you gotta eat! You just recovered from an accident!" Her mother replied, worried about her daughter's condition.

"Even to do such simple act like eating, I need to rely on someone to bring the food to my face. What good is being alive if what I do is only being bother to others?"

"Kikyo!"

"I beg you, mother. Leave me for now." pleaded Kikyo weakly.

Kikyo's mother took a deep breath and decided to hear her only daughter's plea. When she was about to close her bedroom door, she saw Inuyasha behind the door.

"Auntie, I'll try to talk to Kikyo ..." Inuyasha said.

Kikyo's mother smiled softly. "Well, Inuyasha, if you're the one who talk to her, maybe Kikyo would listen..."

Inuyasha inhaled deeply as he knocked the door on Kikyo's room.

"I told you, I want to be alone, mother." Kikyo said coldly.

"It's me, Kikyo."

"Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha walked over to Kikyo.

Kikyo flinched and backed away. "Don't look at me, Inuyasha. Leave!"

"Kikyo ... I…."

"I said go away!" Kikyo screamed.

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha rushed over to her and hugged her tightly.

"Let go, Inuyasha, let go of me! I don't need your pity! Leave me alone!" Kikyo yelled as she tried to break free from Inuyasha's strong embrace.

"No, Kikyo. This time, I'm not leaving you. I will protect you! I swear.. I will always be by your side, no matter what happen!"

.

Kagome kept silence throughout the whole story. She wasn't sure how she should felt right now. Angry? Dissapointed?

"Kagome."

Kagome turned to stare at Inuyasha.

"Every time I'm with you, I don't know why ... but it feels like that I could tell you everything... Just like when you were at my house at the time. ... I always felt relieved after talking with you, Kagome." Inuyasha said as he flashed her a smile.

Kagome smiled back at him sincerely. "I'm glad if you feel that way, Inuyasha."

As he saw Kagome's smile, Inuyasha could almost felt his heart skipped a bit, but decided to let go of it.

"Oh by the way, Kagome." Inuyasha said again, trying to get his mind out of his pounding heart.

"Yes, Inuyasha?"

"Did you met my brother yesterday?" He asked.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha. "Eh-heh ... Why is it, Inuyasha?"

"It's nothing ... Uh… Tell me. What do you think of Sesshomaru?"

The raven-haired girl thought to herself for a while. "Uh ... I think ... he's a nice guy .." Kagome replied cautiously.

"Is that so?" Inuyasha looked away, "Kagome. He doesn't really are about anything but himself. So... Maybe you shouldn't let yourself get too close to him."

"Eh? Why, Inuyasha?" Although she already knew about Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's story, she thought that it was not fair if two brothers that used to be so close with one another were to hate each other now because of one simple misunderstanding.

"I'm just talking the fact," Inuyasha said with a shrug, "it's up to you if you still want to be friends with him anyway ..."

"Wait Inuyasha, why is it? Isn't he your brother? If you have a problem with him... Why not try to solve it together?" Kagome replied.

"Brother or not, I don't care. I don't really consider him as my brother anyway." Inuyasha said.

Kagome bit her lips. Why couldn't Inuyasha forgive Sesshomaru? Why didn't he give him a chance? Brothers were not supposed to hate each other, right?

"Why are you talking like that? If there's really a problem between you two, instead of getting pissed off with him all the time, will it be better if you listen to him first? You're so selfish, Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha fell silent. Then he rose from his seat.

"Inuyasha ..?" Called Kagome carefully.

"Hahaha." He laughed bitterly. Kagome flinched at the coldness of his laugh.

"Even you are also on his side, Kagome? I see. He was, and would always be the better one in front of everyone's eyes. I thought you were different, Kagome. Turns out that you're just the same as the others. Yeah whatever. I'm going now." Inuyasha said sarcastically as he left Kagome who was speechless and motionless for a second.

"Inuyasha...!" She called out to him as she tried to get up too. But the harsh tone on Inuyasha's voice has made her knees gone weak. She slumped to her chair again.

'How could this happen? I didn't mean to upset him ... Inuyasha ... I'm so sorry ... '

.

.

"Sango, this might be a bit too rushed... Yet there is some thing I want to ask you." Miroku said, holding the hands of the brunette haired girl in his own.

"Yes ... Miroku?" Sango replied as she raised one of her eyebrows.

"Sango Kimura ... Will you bear my child?"

Silence ... And suddenly...

SLAP

"You…. pervert! What kind of question is that?" scolded Sango angrily.

"Hehehe ... at least it's worth the try..." Miroku said, rubbing his reddening cheek.

"Oi, Miroku!" Inuyasha called from a distance.

Hearing his name being called, Miroku glanced at the source of the voice. "Oi, Inuyasha!"

"If you're done flirting, you can go home. I'm going home now!" Inuyasha said as he stepped out of the library.

"Inuyasha, wait!" Miroku glanced at Sango one last time and winked to her before running after Inuyasha.

"That guy ..." Sango hissed irritably as she clenched her hands.

"Sango!"

Sango turned towards Kagome who was suddenly there beside her. "Kagome?"

"Sango ...What have I done…., he's mad at me ..." Kagome said softly as she closed her mouth to sniffle her cry.

"Calm down, Kagome! Him who?" Sango asked, worried about her friend suddenly crying.

"Inuyasha… He's angry at me, Sango! He- He.." Kagome hiccupped.

"Hush… Don't cry, Kagome, let's go home now." Soothed Sango.

.

On the way home, Kagome told Sango the incident in the library, and she also explained about Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's problem.

"Kagome. I think you shouldn't be too intrusive in their relationship..." Sango said softly, "That kind of issue, they really should get over it by themselves. It needs time, Kagome. Inuyasha still harbor bitterness towards Sesshomaru. You can't try to reasoning with him ... He's only going to be pissed at you, thinking that you're siding with his brother."

Kagome inhaled deeply. "Maybe you're right, Sango..."

Sango smiled. "Ah, we've arrived at my house. Well then I'm going in! Bye, Kagome! Be careful on you way home, and oh, and good luck with your relationship and Inuyasha!"

Kagome turned as red as tomato. "W-what do you mean, Sango?"

"You don't have to hide it from me, Kagome, you like him, right?" Sango winked, then she opened the door of her house and went inside. "Until tomorrow, Kagome!"

"Eh, Sango!"

Too late, the brunette had closed the door.

Kagome just stared blankly.

'I like Inuyasha..?'

.

.

Kagome sighed for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day as she saw the piles of homework above her desk. "How could I even concentrate on my homework if I knew Inuyasha is still angry at me?"

It's been a week since that day, and Inuyasha had been avoiding Kagome.

Kagome had been trying to look for him to talk during break time or after school, but Inuyasha simply ignored her. He just threw her a cold stare every time she tried to make a conversation with him. Kagome had almost given up, but she knew that she had to work this problem out. She didn't want to be hated by Inuyasha.

Her thought was broken when her mother knocked her door. "Kagome?"

"Come in, Mom." She called.

"Sorry, Kagome ... Am I bothering you?" said her mother softly.

"Not really... " answered Kagome. "What is it, mom?"

"I need you to buy some things from the supermarket... But I'm quite busy right now, you know, I should take Sota to a dentist and I haven't prepare dinner yet... So.. can you go for me?"

"Sure." Answered Kagome with a smile. She needed a distraction from her thought of Inuyasha right now.

Her mother smiled back. "Be careful, ok? I mean, it's late evening… and you're a girl. Just hurry back home as soon as you done."

Kagome nodded and smiled to her mom. "Yeah, mom, I'll be careful."

.

After getting all the items that her mother asked her to buy, Kagome quickly headed back to her home.

It was only half an hour passed six, but the clouds are so dark and piled up at the sky, making it looked like it was already late at night.

'Oh ... Please, don't let it be rain!' Kagome begged silently.

Her eyes scanned her surroundings. "Why is it so quiet...?'

Suddenly, she remembered about the kidnappings of young women that has been on the newspapers' headlines. She began to shiver.

'What am I thinking. There's nothing here! This is not even the area of the kidnappings!" Kagome tried to calm herself own.

She quickened her pace, but then her heart almost stopped when she heard someone else's footsteps behind her. Quickly, she turned arround, and with a loud voice, she asked. "Who's there?"

However, she could see no one on the street beside herself…. Her heart was beating very fast. She was afraid, very afraid, but she forced herself to stay calm and brave.

Kagome bit her lip in nervousness, and then proceeded to again, quickening her pace.

Soon, she heard those footsteps again. And time, it was much clearer.

"I don't wanna play around, who are you? What do you want?" She cried again. The streetlights suddenly dimmed.

Kagome screamed. 'Oh, of all times, why should the light dimmed now!' Without any lightings like this, she wouldn't not know what was in front of her!

With trembling legs, Kagome began to walk backwards. "If this is a joke, is not-umph!"

A hand covered her mouth, while another one gripped her body tightly. From his posture, Kagome could see that the person was a male. 'Oh my God, is this the kidnapper?' She thought frantically.

.

.

"I am soooo damn tired," Inuyasha complained as he stretched his arms, "Why the fuck did the coach made us have to practice until this late?" He grumbled all the way to the school exit gate.

"Because we're going to have another match out of town?" Miroku said in a matter-of-factly tone.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "That's still a few months away!"

"Well, having more practice from now won't hurt will it, Inuyasha?" Miroku replied calmly.

Inuyasha just growled lightly.

"Well, I'm going home now, Inuyasha. See you tomorrow! "Miroku said as he waved his hand and walked toward the opposite direction with Inuyasha.

Inuyasha waved back to Miroku, and then walked to his own house.

'It's getting dark ...' he thought to himself as he saw the sky. Inuyasha continued walking towards his home.

.

"Hehehe, calm down, sweetie ... I just need some money ... You will you help me, right?" said the man, pulling off his hand that was covering Kagome's mouth and wrapped it around her, restrained her tighter.

Kagome held her breath. 'Gosh! This guy is reek of alcohol!'

"I don't have any money! Let me go, please!" She said as she tried to fight from the man's tight grasp.

"Don't lie...sweetie pie..." the man hissed, "I don't like girls who like to lie ... Do you want me to punish you, sweetie?"

"I'm not lying! I beg you, please let me go!" Kagome cried. Her heart was beating frantically... She was afraid of what might he do to her…

The man chuckled darkly. "Alright then ..." Kagome barely had the time to let out a sigh of relief, as he went on to contine, "But you must come with me ... sweetie."

Kagome gasped and tried to fight back. Is he going to sell her? Or…. rape her…? "No, get off! Release me!" She screamed in panic.

"No one will hear you here, baby ... We were alone ... " He said in a sickening voice.

"Somebody! Help me! "Kagome screamed.

The man snorted angrily. "I said shut up!" he finally snapped. Kagome shivered in fear. For a moment, she could've sworn the man's eyes were red in anger. He then took out something shiny out of his pocket and held it beside her neck.

Kagome froze. It was a knife!

.

"Release me!"

Inuyasha stopped his step. That's a girl's voice. And it sounded so dangerously familiar….

"Somebody! Help me!" This time the voice was clearer ... Wait ... he knew that voice... Oh no, Kagome!

"Kagome!" He ran as fast as he could to the end of the street, where he heard the voices.

His eyes widened at the scene. "You ..." he growled angrily at the drunken man. "Let go of Kagome!"

Kagome gasped. 'Inuyasha?' She thought.

The man laughed sinisterly. "Oh, what is it now? Did I bother your little girlfriend? I'm sorry boy, but I have no desire at all," he touched Kagome's neck with the knife in his hand. Kagome let out a small whimper. Inuyasha's eyes grew wide at this.

"to release the new toy I just got. And you better go now. Shoooo."

"Why, you bastard!" Inuyasha shouted angrily, walking closer towards them.

"Inuyasha! No, this guy is drunk!" screamed Kagome worriedly.

Inuyasha growled, regardless of Kagome's warning, he quickly lunged to the man, making him accidentally released Kagome in the process. Kagome fell to the ground, while Inuyasha was still struggling with the man against the wall.

"Kagome, quick, call the police!"

Kagome nodded and quickly took out her cellphone. "Inuyasha, be careful, he has a knife in his hand!" cried Kagome, worried about him.

Too late, in panic, the man scraped Inuyasha's arm with his knife.

"Argh!" Inuyasha groaned in pain, clutching his injured arm. And that's when the man took the advantage and use the chance to escape.

"Hey, you! Don't run away! Coward!" called Inuyasha angrily. But the man had vanished from the view…

"Inuyasha!" Kagome quickly ran towards Inuyasha. "Are you okay? Gosh ..You're bleeding!"

"Keh. This is only a small scratch." Inuyasha replied casually, then he stood up. "C'mon, I'll take you home."

Kagome bit her lips as her tears started welling up. 'He's hurt because of me... And yet he's still offering to take me home?'

"Kagome?" called Inuyasha when the girl didn't answer. The road was very dark, but faintly, Inuyasha could saw the droplets of tears that have started rolling down to her cheeks.

"Hey-hey, Kagome! Why are you crying? It's okay, you're safe now, calm down, " he said frantically.

Kagome began to sob uncontrollably. Inuyasha grew even more panic. He didn't know what to do; so he hugged her tightly.

Kagome gasped. Is Inuyasha… hugging her?

"Kagome ... calm down ..." he said softly.

Kagome forced herself to stop crying, as she hugged the man in front of her back.

.

As they arrived at Kagome's home, her mother was surprised to see her daughter came back with an injured young man. Kagome immediately explained what had just happened to her mother.

"Oh dear," Mrs. Higurashi said, "Let me take something for you. Kagome, tell your friend to sit and wait!" And with that, she left to take some things to treat Inuyasha's wound.

"Tell your mother, it's okay, Kagome. I'm alright." Inuyasha said.

"Stop being so stubborn, Inuyasha. How can you be alright! You're not a superhero, superhuman- or anything in that category! Look, your arm bleed so badly..,And it's all because of me ... Sorry, Inuyasha ..." she said as her eyes began to get all teary again.

"Hey ... Kagome, can you please stop crying? I can't stand seeing a girl cries!" He really didn't like to see women cry. It made him remembered those times when his mother cried whenever people started to mock her or himself. He also recalled the time Kikyo had cried hysterically when she found out that she would not be able to walk for the rest of her life…

He shook his head, trying to get rid of the unpleasant memories.

Kagome's mother finally came back with a box in her hand. "Kagome, can you dress up his wound? I'm still cooking the dinner… I can't leave it for too long... " She said.

"It's okay, mom. I can do it. " replied Kagome.

Kagome's mother smiled warmly. "Well, then. If you need something, just call me."

"Thanks mom." said Kagome again.

Kagome quickly treated Inuyasha's wound. First, she cleaned the wound in his arm with a piece of wet cloth and alcohol. Inuyasha winced in pain.

"Sorry, Inuyasha, does it hurt a lot..?" asked Kagome concernedly.

"It's okay ... Just… continue ..." Inuyasha replied with a muffled tone.

Kagome got back to cleaning the wound.

Inuyasha stared carefuly at the girl who was tending his wound. Suddenly, he began to speak.

"Kagome .."

"Yes, Inuyasha?" Kagome said turning her gaze towards the dark-haired man.

"I'm sorry…. I ignored you in these few days… "He murmured apologetically.

Kagome gasped. She didn't expect him to suddenly apologized to her.

"I had been heartlessly ignoring you, even though all you wanted to do is just to apologize to me ... I shouldn't be that angry to you for one simple matter in the first place… I'm sorry, Kagome. " said Inuyasha softly.

"Inuyasha ..." replied Kagome slowly.

"Today, when I saw that drunken bastard holding you, with a knife in his hand, I don't know why, but I was so scared ... really scared that something might happen to you," he confessed, "I couldn't even think straight and immediately lunged to him."

He didn't know since when did Kagome became an important person for him. At first she's just a stupid junior of him who had been so enthusiastically come to school so early. However, there was something in her that drew him to her. He grew even more attached to her every time they met…

Kagome was silent. Her heart beating fast. 'Inuyasha... Does he…. Is it possible that he feels the same way as I do..?'

But a certain longhaired girl passed through her mind, and she quickly got rid of that thought from her head. 'He has a girlfriend, Kagome. Remember that.'

"All set!" She said as she finished bandaging his arm.

"Thank you, Kagome." Inuyasha said with a smirk.

Kagome smiled and blushed a bit. "No need to thank me, I'm the one who should be thanking you...Because, again you had help- no. You had saved me today."

Inuyasha chuckled, then he leaned his face close to her. "You're blushing Kagome."

If possible, Kagome blushed even harder. "Inuyasha! Why do you always have to tease me?"

Inuyasha chuckled. "Well, Lady Kagome. Looks like my duty here is done. May I go home?"

Kagome blinked a few times. "Lady? Duty? What are you talking about, Inuyasha?"

"Well, you can say... I am your bodyguard. Eh wait ... that sounded so pathetic and uncool. How about a knight? Yes, I'm your knight in shining armor!" Inuyasha said proudly, not realizing how foolish he sounded.

This time, it's Kagome's turn to chuckle. "Knight in shining armor? How could a mere knife cut through your shining armor, Inuyasha? Or perhaps…. you forgot to wear it today and wearing a P.E clothes instead?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Hey, hey. Why do you make fun of me now?"

Kagome laughed again. "Sorry Inuyasha."

Inuyasha faked a pout before he smiled at her. Finally, he could see her laughing again.

"It's late. I'd better go home now, Kagome, I don't want to bother your family." said Inuyasha.

Kagome sighed. "Okay, then, Inuyasha."

.

"Well, I'm going home now ... I'll see ya tomorrow at break time, Kagome." said Inuyasha.

"Uh, wait a minute, you mean…. you want to… meet me at break time tomorrow?" replied Kagome, hardly believe what he just said.

Inuyasha grinned. "Of course. As your gratitude, you should make me a lunch for tomorrow! "

Actually, it was just an excuse Inuyasha made so that he could see Kagome again tomorrow.

Kagome snorted. "And this was coming from the guy who said he didn't need me to thank him!"

"Sooo, you refused to do so…. Ah.. Guess it can't be helped…but my arm still hurts ... " moaned Inuyasha.

Kagome suddenly felt guilty. "Ehh, I didn't say anything about refusing! Fine, I'll make you lunch for tomorrow! "

Inuyasha grinned smugly. "Deal. Well, I'm going home now. Bye, Kagome!"

"Be careful Inuyasha."

As she stood in front of her house, she stared at the disappearing figure of the man she couldn't help but to grow feelings with. Yes. This time, she was sure as that she has fallen for Inuyasha Takahashi ...