Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of the characters from the show. (screams: I WANT IT NOW!)
Sorry for late updatyness. Just been super busy with school lately, I have like 3 papers due soon and I'm trying to get ready for prom…I may just pull all my hair out…but here goes with the next update:
Chapter 4
Kagome breathed deeply, trying to calm herself down. She sat with her back against the wall of Kaede's hut, still steaming with anger over Inu-Yasha. She gently petted Shippo, who lay curled in her lap. Inu-Yasha…why does he have to be so angry all the time? I only wanted to make sure he was all right. I was scared knowing that Naraku is hovering around… She tilted her head forward slightly, keeping her eyes closed and letting her hair fall around her shoulders. Why does he always act so stubborn? Just once I'd like to see him smile or laugh or say something kind…but he won't. He can't afford to be kind…not while Kikyo still needs him…
"Inu…Inu-Yasha?" A voice called out, breaking through her thoughts. Kikyo…why did she have to come here? Kagome looked up, opening her eyes and glaring at the former priestess as she rose from the corner of the hut. Her eyes were trained on the doorway and Kagome shifted her gaze to mirror hers, only to find herself staring at Inu-Yasha. A look of deep shock was plastered on his face, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open slightly.
"Kikyo?" He whispered, his voice filled with disbelief. Kikyo took a few steps toward him, her hand reaching towards him. Kagome bit her bottom lip and glanced away as Inu-Yasha wrapped his arms around Kikyo.
"What are you doing here, Kikyo?" She heard him ask, his voice soft and full of sorrow. Inu-Yasha…all she ever does is try to hurt him…why won't he see that? She wants him to feel pain because of what happened between them when it wasn't even his fault! Tears welled up in her eyes and she blinked, trying to keep them from falling. Why won't she just leave him alone? Why can't she just leave? Why won't she just die… Kagome gasped as she realized what she had just thought. How can I be so hateful? I can't let him see me like this…
She jumped to her feet, spilling Shippo on the floor and slipped out the door, grateful that the others had not seemed to notice her leave. Pausing a few steps from the hut, she took a deep breath, breathing in the distant scent of the forest; the sweet aroma of the blooming flowers and the sugary smell of tree sap filling her nose.
Why did she have to come back? Why can't she fight Naraku by herself? Why does she need him She walked further from the hut, glancing around at the bustling villagers who looked up and waved as she passed by. She smiled weakly in response and strolled into the forest. Why do I always let myself get hurt? If Inu-Yasha wants to be with Kikyo, who am I to come between them? I don't belong in this time anyway…I should just leave and let them be together…
Collapsing onto a large rock, she put her face into her hands and let loose the tears she'd been biting back. Inu-Yasha…I don't wanna leave! But how can I compete with Kikyo? She died for you…and you would've gone to hell with her if it hadn't been for me…if I hadn't interfered, you'd be happily dead with her…
"Kagome?" Her head snapped up to find Sango's concerned face looking down at her. "I saw you run out of the hut. Are you all right?" Kagome didn't answer her, just wiped the tears off of her cheeks. Sango sighed and sat down beside her on the rock, putting her arm around the shoulder of her distraught friend.
"What's the matter, Kagome?"
"It's…Kikyo…"
"And what about her?" Sango said, a slightly amused expression crossing on her face.
"Inu-Yasha…he…" She stuttered, unable to find the words she wanted.
"It's because he hugged her, isn't it?" Sango asked and Kagome nodded, more tears sliding silently from her eyes.
"I just…I…I don't want to see them together. I don't want him to go with her…I don't want him to leave m…us. We need him to fight Naraku," Kagome replied.
"That's not really why you want him to stay, is it?" Sango prodded, smiling knowingly at her.
"What do you mean? Of course that's why; we need him to protect us," Kagome answered, looking down at her lap and not meeting Sango's eyes.
"No, that's not all. You love him, Kagome." Kagome's eyes grew wide at Sango's words and she looked up at her, mouth hanging open.
"No, I…I don't…I…" I don't love him…do I? Kagome glanced at her feet, feeling a pain tug at her heart.
"You don't what?" Sango smiled, knowing what Kagome was thinking about.
"I love him…I love Inu-Yasha…" She whispered, finally realizing the truth. I love him…I've always loved him…
"Well, now you just have to tell him that," Sango said, standing up. "I'm going back now…and you know what you have to do, don't you?" Kagome nodded and Sango smiled again.
"See you there." She waved and walked off, leaving Kagome to bask in the warm summer sun.
"I…I love Inu-Yasha…but I can't tell him, not now. He'd think it was some desperate attempt to get rid of Kikyo…" What should I do? How can I tell him I love him when the woman of his dreams is here? What would I do, walk up to him while she's draped in his arms and say "I love you"? Kagome shook her head. I can't stay here now…it'd be too confusing.
She stood up and walked to the well, the sun glinting off and illuminating the plant leaves in a bright gold glow. Sitting on the edge, she took one last look in the direction of Kaede's village. I'll come back and tell him when she's gone…then he won't think I'm just jealous…
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WHOO! Another one done, and looks like Kagome got a lot smarter! Now let's see if love can get through Inu-Yasha's thick skull…
Stay tuned for Chapter 5! Toodles!