"There's a thing."
The rest of the Inugami paused in chewing during their lunchtime to regard Inuyasha with an exasperated stare.
Miroku swallowed. "How fascinating. Would you care to enlighten us about a thing?"
Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha grounded out, "A masquerade night this Friday at that nightclub, Gehenna. It's a known peaceful ground for Spiders and Wolves. They both go there."
"Good for them," Sango said dully.
After dealing out a scowl, Inuyasha said, "Well, stay home if you want. Kagome and I are going."
Kagome choked on her water. "S-since when?!"
"Since I feel like it. What, you don't wanna go?"
"N-no, I do, but-"
"Okay. Then stop blabberin'."
Her heart sped to impossible rates and she stared off into the skyline while Inuyasha continued to eat nonchalantly. The others gaped, and Kagome wondered, thinking she might pass out in shock and sheer joy, if this was his way of maybe asking her out.
Kagome took a shuddering breath out and smoothed her red, skater dress for the fiftieth time. Her wide eyes continued to regard her reflection in the mirror. Her red and white bandana circled her throat, white combat boots encased her ankles. A sparkling, snow-colored masquerade mask adorned her face, edges sweeping up like angel wings. "You're sure this is okay, Sango?"
"Kags," Sango said for also the fiftieth time in the bathroom, shooting a glance from where she was applying red to her eyes instead of her usual pink. "You look awesome. You're a hot, cute badass dressed to kill a man. The outfit is fine."
"Okay," she muttered. "Okay." She'd managed to tame her wild bangs slightly, so that she was managing to pull off the 'shaggy pixie cut' look. "I can do this. I'm a hot, cute badass dressed to kill a man."
"Atta girl." Sango's hair was curled and hanging down her back. She was in a red, sleeveless top and white skinny jeans with red boots that reached just under her knees. Her red and silver mask curled across and down the left side of her face to her jawline. As always, she looked absolutely gorgeous. "C'mon, the boys will be here soon."
Of course, Miroku had asked Sango to come to the club immediately after Inuyasha had. (Kagome almost wished that Shippo was coming too, because the little fox boy would relieve her nerves, but he was too young to get in the club.) Neither Kagome or Sango actually knew if those two were actually dating… what with that random battle kiss and stuff. They'd certainly been more flirtatious, and he hadn't chased other girls since. Sango didn't seem to require any sort of absolution, though.
"Plenty of time to figure it out," Sango had told her simply when Kagome asked. "I guess we're both more focused on getting Naraku now, getting my brother back. After that, we'll have time for all that stuff."
But Kagome could tell Sango was excited that he'd asked her to go. She wasn't worried about whether it counted as a date or simply an outing with friends.
Kagome, on the other hand…
"Is this a date?" she said in anxiety. "It kind of feels like a date. A double one. Does that mean he likes me? Or he still loves Kikyo and just wants to hang out for some weird reason? Since when does he like this kind of stuff? I mean, I like dancing, but-"
"Well, Inuyasha knows that." Sango had a sweet, half smile. "Maybe he's counting on having a good time just because you'll be happy."
Kagome's face matched her dress. "B-but… does this mean he…?"
"Honestly Kags, are you blind? He's crazy about you. Who would want the ice queen when they could have you?" Sango hugged her tightly. "Stop worrying so much! Just have fun, okay?"
Now, she couldn't stop the grin from taking over her face. "O-okay. Thanks, Sango."
Sure enough, the boys showed up at Kagome's doorstep within the next five minutes, Miroku in white t-shirt that matched his simple, white mask, and crimson skinny jeans for once (which should have looked hipster, but Kagome thought in a completely platonic way that it was plenty attractive on him). Inuyasha was in his white washed jeans and jacket as always, but it still made her breath catch. His golden eyes and silver hair stood out even more shockingly with the complement of his blood-red mask.
"Well, you two both look simply stunning," Miroku purred smoothly. "Not that I'm surprised." He kissed Sango's hand, then tucked it under his elbow. "Shall we?"
Inuyasha blinked at her a few times, and Kagome admitted to being slightly disappointed when all he did was gulp and jerk his head towards Miroku's SUV. But then again, she figured she really shouldn't have expected him to compliment her or something.
The car ride was filled with their usual banter, debating on how, if Inuyasha existed, surely unicorns did as well. After twenty minutes, they'd arrived, being helped out of the car. The club's name glowed in green lights, Gehenna, over the entrance that was swarming with excited teenagers that had their identities sealed with a mask. Fog drifted from within, capturing the colors of the flashing lights. All but normal citizens were wearing black and purple or blue and silver. The red and white of the four of them stood out as they strode forward together, causing the crowd to part and mutter in their wake, "Inugami…"
It was Inuyasha who dished out some cash and IDs to get in, and she was surprised at how quickly they entered. Had he come here before?
The four of them pushed through the mass of people until they made it to an opening towards the side. From there, Miroku snatched up Sango's hand and dragged her, laughing, to the dance floor. Kagome watched them with a wide smile, their happiness infectious. She turned to Inuyasha, a bit shyly, wondering if he could possibly do the same-
"Okay, we're in," he said, giving a triumphant grin. "Let's do this! Faithful Jewel detector, you walk around and scan for Shikon so that no one else gets addicted. I'll carry out part two… Kikyo is here tonight; I heard them talking about it at school. It's the perfect chance to corner her and make her talk to me. Holler if you find something; I'll be able to hear you!"
And he was gone.
For several, long seconds, Kagome just stared straight ahead. Unconsciously, her arms came up to wrap around herself with a suffocating tightness.
Of course.
Of course.
"I'm stupid," she said aloud to no one, weak voice drowned out by the pumping bass.
Feeling rather as if someone had kicked her in the gut, she numbly began to walk forward. After all, searching the place for Shikon was the smart route. Their hunt for Naraku took priority over all. And their goal to get Kikyo safely back into the arms of Inuyasha. No time for fun or Kagome's ridiculous, schoolgirl daydreams that he could ever actually want her.
Her eyes dully swept the place from behind her mask, but she honestly wasn't sure what to expect; if this was peaceful ground between the two gangs to have fun, then surely the Spiders wouldn't want to risk getting caught addicting others or carrying something illegal? Likely, many of them took some Shikon before they came, but didn't bring extra…
Sure enough, all she saw were a few faint glows-how it appeared when it had already been ingested, smoked, or snorted. She felt no tugs on her gut other than her own stupid heart ache, saw no pink light other than the ones flashing with the beat that she now only wanted to escape.
With a heavy sigh through her nose, she made her way to the upper level, which wrapped around the club so that you could see into the lower level through the middle. It was near deserted, maybe an employee's only area. Kagome couldn't bring herself to care.
Once she'd scanned there too and from above, she found a small window seat, where she settled with her legs off to the side. It was a full moon tonight, casting silver down on her skin so that it reminded her of him.
Everything seemed to.
"-can't avoid me forever, Kikyo."
Kagome stiffened at the sound of Inuyasha's voice, footsteps accompanied by smaller ones close by. She knew this window seat sat close to a corner that led to a hall… he wouldn't be able to see her from here.
She also knew she shouldn't eavesdrop. But…
"I know. Once you set your mind to something, you were never able to let go," Kikyo mused. "Very well. I've wanted to talk to you too."
"You… you have?"
"Of course. But you know the hold Naraku keeps on me. He has eyes all over the school. And… I was afraid that perhaps… you'd grown to hate me…"
"Why would you think that?" he answered aghast.
Kikyo was quiet. "Well, I'm an addict now. I thought maybe you'd be disgusted with me, decide you no longer want-"
"Don't be an idiot!" Inuyasha all but shouted back. "I could never be disgusted with you… This isn't your fault! Thinking I hate you… don't you understand? There hasn't been a day where I haven't thought of you!"
Kagome forgot how to breathe.
"Inuyasha…" Kikyo sounded gentle. "Truly?"
"Truly. I'll always protect you, the best I can. And to do that, I'm going to need to know a few things. Like how Naraku got a hold of you a year or two ago!"
There was a pause, and then, "I went to him."
"You wha-?!"
"I heard he was an expert in demon energies. It was foolish of me not to learn more about him first, but I was determined to find a way…"
"A way…?" Inuyasha prompted.
"A way to make you human. So that we could be together."
Kagome's mouth dropped open; she didn't understand. Why… why would Kikyo want that? Why couldn't they be together the way he was? Kagome had never thought he would need to be human for any reason…
"O-oh," was his response. "Really?"
"I did it for you," she told him, which made Kagome want to barf. "And there still may be a way. Don't you want to be together?"
"W-well I…" he trailed off, voice edging in uncertainty. And then he said nothing.
"Inuyasha?" Kikyo's voice took a new tone. "It isn't… that girl, is it?"
"G-girl? You mean Kagome? What about her?"
Part of her really wished she hadn't been dragged into this nauseating conversation.
"You care about her more than me?" Kagome's eyes narrowed. Since when was Kikyo the whining, jealous type?
"Wh-what does this have to do with-?"
He was cut off by something, and her eyes widened with realization. Feeling a cloud of dread over her heart, she slowly peeked around the corner and-
Holy shit. Kikyo was kissing him.
The girl was gripping his jacket, eyes closed gently. His own were round and bright in shock, but it only took a moment before he relaxed more-tentatively putting a hand around her waist, tilting his head, closing his eyes…
Kissing her back.
Kagome felt bile rise in her throat, and quickly turned around the corner.
Nope.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
Somewhere deep in her chest, pain was twisting. Unwilling to make it worse, she made her way to the stairs and hurried down; she needed some air.
Finally managing to push past the mass of moving bodies, and caught sight of Sango and Miroku. Maybe she could put on a brave face, march over, and dance despite whatever was going on upstairs. But Sango...she was laughing, arms around his neck, and his hands weren't anywhere inappropriate whatsoever. Miroku's dark eyes shone locked on Sango only as he spun her around. No… she couldn't ruin this for them, and dancing by herself didn't sound too appealing, for once. Losing her nerve, she she stumbled to the back door and pushed it open with a breath out. Kagome let it shut behind her after finding a rock to prop it slightly open.
She leaned up against the brick wall of the back alley, tore off her mask so that it clattered to the moist ground, shakily pushed her hair back from her face and gripped it.
Her mind kept flashing back; the words in the hall, the kiss, his determined expression as he left her alone. Kagome drank in the city air-wet, smokey, despairing.
She should have known. She absolutely should have known that this was just another part of their mission. She was here to be the "faithful Jewel detector", as always.
It was a little cold out; Kagome gave a little shiver and rubbed her arms. But the wind wasn't as cold as the turmoil twisting across her mind. Yes, it was so much colder when she realized that… even though she'd been so excited to come… she was the only person in the place that wasn't wanted here.
The thought gave her a wry, snorting laugh. Figures.
Honestly Kags, are you blind? He's crazy about you. Who would want the ice queen when they could have you?
Why had she believed Sango, who was only trying to be nice and not hurt her feelings? Maybe the blind one was simply Sango, and Kagome had seen the truth all along.
Kikyo had looked so perfect, black dress casting an alluring and delicate spell. Kagome didn't want to look at herself for a while; she knew all she would do was compare, and that comparison would never measure up.
Kagome didn't want to be that weak, extra girl whose mood was directed by things one boy did or did not do.
But now, on her own, with only the maddeningly silver moon as witness, she let herself slide down the wall. Maybe Kagome could let herself be that girl for a few minutes. Maybe because he wasn't just a boy. Maybe he was her best friend, the one she was so ridiculously in love with and didn't want to spend a day in her life without.
The thought made her choke and lower her head to stare at her boots.
"Why do you keep doing this?" she muttered, talking only to herself. "Hoping for something stupid…"
"A valid question," came a chilling voice, one that made her bolt up and scramble closer to the door. But it was too late; the rock holding it open was kicked away, and she was shrouded in shadow only lit by streetlight, moon, and glowing, scarlet eyes.
Fear lodged in her throat, and she froze. Kagome knew that there was no way she could outrun Naraku, and sometimes he could teleport, when he could manage to exhaust enough energy to do so. Inuyasha was up and away with Kikyo. He wouldn't hear her when he was so… busy.
No more safeties-she could take care of her damn self, and if Naraku was so anxious to be her venting punching bag, so be it.
Immediately, she dropped one arm to block and thrust the other up towards his nose, body shifting into battle mode from muscle memory. He dodged, grabbing her wrist, but she used the momentum to knee upward. Naraku dodged that too, but this gave her the chance to throw a left hook that caught his cheek with all her force. Twisting her arm from his grasp, Kagome gave a shout as she kicked his lowered face in the side.
Normally, this would completely take out an opponent. Except Naraku was half demon, and the blows hardly seemed to faze him. Instead, he got back up, tentacles shooting out and wrapping around her body like a boa constrictor. His hand was over her mouth before she could even scream.
"Been training with Inuyasha, have you?" he purred. "Impressive. Lucky he taught you, before he left your silly little band for Kikyo."
Kagome winced at the tightness of the tentacles, their slimy, gross feeling against her arms and legs, chest, that cut off her circulation. But he didn't loosen; only roamed his eyes over her face hungrily. "My, you do look so much like her…" Now, nothing was more horrifying than his leer. "Not quite as beautiful, of course, as you well know, and your eyes remain so much more… innocent. Perhaps when you're a Spider, you'll be her twin… after all, it isn't as if Inuyasha is coming to save you. Just realized, haven't you? That he could never see you when compared to her. But I…"
Naraku stepped closer, and she stopped breathing as if it may lessen his overwhelming, disgusting presence. "Your spiritual power… I must know why you are immune. I can give you a place of importance, make you feel special. You won't get that with the Inugami, what with Inuyasha using you as a Jewel detector and temporary Kikyo substitute. All that jealousy and bitterness you feel towards them? I can make that your greatest power. You won't feel weak and useless anymore. I can help you destroy anyone who dares mistreat you. It's what you want, after all-"
At this point, Kagome had finally had enough. She chomped down hard on Naraku's hand covering her mouth, biting down until she tasted blood. He let out a shout, jerking his hand back. Taking advantage of his loosened tentacles and surprise, she leapt out from his grasp and punched him in the stomach. She knew the smart thing would be to run around and back into the club, but she was too angry…
"Where do you get off, telling me how I feel and what I want?" Kagome seethed, flipping out the switchblade that had been strapped under her dress. "Messing with people's emotions to get what you want, trying to turn them against each other like a game… it's sick! You sound pathetic doing it too, like a jealous teenage girl from a bad movie!"
He snarled, and she fended off a tentacle with her knife. Panting, she spat, "I'm nothing like her! I'm like me, Kagome, and I'm damn proud of it! So what if Inuyasha doesn't love me the way I love him? I'm not doing this just for him! I hate you and your disgusting existence, hurting people, including the rest of my friends! I'll never be one of your stupid followers! Because all this bitterness, jealously, it's just my damn humanity, and in the end, all it means is that I'm in love with Inuyasha! So much so that it doesn't matter if he feels the same or not, because I will stay with him. I'd certainly never leave his side for a lowly, pathetic bastard like you!" Her knife stabbed down into his next attack. "And for the record, I can take care of myself!"
Pink light exploded from the knife, causing Naraku to shriek and recoil. The light raced up his tentacle and to his body, where it spread white and brightness that made him cringe and cower. Kagome had no idea what she'd done to make it happen, but no time to think about it now; she ran at him and gave a roundhouse kick to the head. His tentacles were thrashing about now as if in pain, eyes were closed, and curses fell from his mouth in torrents. It gave her satisfaction, and yet a tentacle ended up smashing her in the side, sending her head smacking into the brick wall. Pain flashed black and white into her vision-the world became hazy. Her knees buckled, she fell-
Close by, there was a bang, a shout of, "Kagome!" and strong arms catching her round the middle. She was pressed to someone's shoulder, and she took in the comforting scent of leather.
"You son of a bitch!" Inuyasha roared, and footsteps followed him out the club door. "I'm gonna tear your throat out!"
"You came…" she murmured dazily against his jacket.
"Of course I came," he said, voice softening. "Miroku, protect her and get her out of here while I dice this guy."
"Inuyasha," Sango said, aghast, "look!"
The Inugami finally registered the fact that Naraku was in pain from the light. "He was struck with purification magic," Miroku said in wonderment. "Kagome… you did this?"
"Dunno how," she muttered back, words slurring. "Just… wanted him to be gone…"
But then, a pulse of blackness raced through the alley, and the light flickered mostly out. Naraku looked to them, tears of blood staining his face. He advanced on them. "It will take more than a beginner's attempt at purification power to destroy me. And you will become a Spider, little miko, one way or another…"
"LIKE HELL!" shouted Inuyasha. "Iron reaver soul stealer!"
The claws of wind sliced through Naraku's skin, sending him flying back-then he was gone, body fading into the dark with a last laugh.
"Fucking coward," Inuyasha hissed, and then swept Kagome up with an arm under her shoulders and the other under her knees. "What did he do to you? Do you have a concussion? We should get her straight to the hospital!"
"She wouldn't need one if you were with her!" Sango shouted at him suddenly. "What the hell is wrong with you?! We thought she was with you!"
"Why would you leave her alone in a crowd of Spiders?" Miroku added, apparently not trying to be a peacemaker this time. His voice was stern, almost scary. "It was only a matter of time before Naraku would snatch her up! You're lucky her miko powers kicked in, or she could be dead right now!"
"Sh-shut up! I'd never mean to put her in danger! I-I thought she'd be fine! No one would take her in a crowd, and she had you guys and all the Wolves-!"
"I stepped out to get some air," Kagome said, wincing at the pounding of her head as she tried to defend him. "I-I shouldn't have left the building…"
"Don't you think for a second that this is your fault," Sango warned. "It's even easier to take someone in a crowd, Inuyasha! What the hell were you thinking?!"
"I wasn't thinking!" he shouted, quieting all of them. "I wasn't thinking, okay? I was an idiot, and I'll never leave her alone again! You can beat the shit out of me later, and I'll deserve it, but right now we need to get her to the hospital!"
"Don't need ho-pal," Kagome insisted, shaking her throbbing head. "Just… home. Mom can help if there's a problem. Please… I want to go home."
"I saw your head hit that wall, Kagome. You could have seriously damaged-"
"Home, Inuyasha. Please."
He stopped talking, and then sighed, hugging her closer to himself. "Okay. We'll take you home. Just keep talking; don't fall asleep on me. You probably have a concussion."
But the dizziness was fading. "I-I don't think it's that bad," she managed, as they walked around to the front. "Really, I had him on the ropes…"
"You sure did," Inuyasha said quietly as he buckled her into the back seat. Sango took shotgun with Miroku shooting a worried glance back before starting the engine. Inuyasha sat beside Kagome, arm around her as she snuggled into his shoulder. "I bet you were a badass, Kagome."
"I'm always a badass. And Sango said I'm dressed to kill a man; guess I didn't fulfill that…"
"There was blood coming from his eyes-pretty sure you're still damn worthy of the title."
"Good," she muttered, closing her eyes.
But Inuyasha tapped her forehead. "Nuh uh. Eyes open. You can't fall asleep."
"Not falling asleep," she said. She'd only been trying to blink away tears, but now that her eyes were forced open…
"Oh no… where do you hurt, Kagome?" he said, sounding anxious.
"Not that, I just…" Her emotions were everywhere. She'd been so scared, angry, depressed, and happy in such a short amount of time.
He was quiet, as if he was understanding why. Then- "I swear on my life, I will never leave you alone again. I-I'll never be able to forgive myself…"
"You came," Kagome said. "That's what matters." Tears were still dripping onto his jacket. "I'm sorry… I should have been more focused on my job, tonight-"
"Job?" Sango spoke up from the front seat. "We weren't here to work! We came to have fun…" Kagome saw her swivel around and stare at the two of them. "Right?"
Inuyasha swallowed. "W-well… I thought it might be a good chance to get Kikyo to talk to me, and Kagome to come with to look for Jewel-"
"You two-timing fuckboy!" Sango screamed, causing Miroku to almost swerve out of their lane. "You lead on one girl so that you can come here and slobber all over another? I can't believe you! Kagome deserves better than this!"
"The hell do you mean two-timing fuckboy?" Inuyasha snarled back. "I'm not dating either one of them, and I'm a virgin! And there was no slobbering involved! I wanted info on Naraku and how he made Kikyo join! Kagome knew we were here for business, right, Kag…?" he trailed off when he saw her lowered gaze.
"Did you bother to tell her why you asked her before we went?" Miroku asked, steel behind his voice as he gripped the steering wheel so that his knuckles turned white.
"Oh." Inuyasha grimaced, closing his eyes. "Oh damn. Shit. I-I thought…"
"It doesn't matter, guys," Kagome sighed, not wanting the remainder of this. "I should have known anyway-"
Sango rounded on her now, danger eyes flashing behind her blood-red mask. "Don't you dare let him get out of this one. I know how happy and excited you were to come tonight with us, and it's his fucking fault that you were there alone when Miroku and I thought Inuyasha was with you!"
"Sango…" Kagome said tiredly. "I just don't want to talk-"
"You… were excited?" Inuyasha said, voice unusually timid.
"Doesn't matter if I was or not," she told him, watching the city lights out the window listlessly. "Either way, I was clearly the only one in the place that wasn't wanted there." Damn, she hadn't meant to say that out loud.
"Y-you can't mean that," Inuyasha choked. "I wouldn't have asked you to come if I hadn't wanted you there!"
"You didn't want me," she went on tonelessly. She had wanted to drop it, but now it was all flooding out. "You wanted a Jewel detector."
"W-well you are a Jewel detector-hey!" She'd pushed away from him at those words and rested her head against the window instead.
"Just leave me alone," she sighed, putting a hand to her eyes so that they wouldn't show wetness.
"Says the girl that was all cuddly just a second ago," Inuyasha growled.
"If you don't shut the fuck up right now, I will smack you into next week," Sango snapped at him. Kagome thought Inuyasha would protest and start a fight, but instead, he became silent.
They arrived at Kagome's house not too long after, where Inuyasha finally broke his silence to insist that Kagome be checked for concussion by her mother.
The Inugami then sat around as Mrs. Higurashi asked Kagome questions, shined a light in her eyes. Then- "It does look like she has a minor one; lucky it's not more, what with that big bump on her head. What on earth happened, dear?"
"Dance floors can get rough," Miroku supplied. "We brought her home right after we saw her get accidentally hit." Well, none of that was a lie.
"Thank you," her mother said. "Well, I'll give her some pain meds and ice for that bump. Sleep would actually be the best course of action at this point. I suggest you all get home and get some rest."
"Right," Sango said gently, putting a hand on Kagome's back. "Take care of yourself, okay, Kags?"
"You know it," Kagome assured her sleepily. "Sorry your night had to end early, guys."
"Don't you dare think of it," Miroku said firmly. "We're just glad that you'll be okay. Mrs. Higurashi, would you mind if we came to check on her tomorrow?"
"That would be no problem; so sweet of you to offer. Be safe, now."
"Text me when you get home, guys," Kagome said as they left. "So that I know you got there."
"Will do. Goodnight!" Miroku and Sango waved before they left. Inuyasha was still at her side, quiet. His hair had grown out a bit, so that his bangs shaded over his tight face. Standing tall and silent, casting a protective shadow over her, he looked more like a guardian angel than half demon.
"Inuyasha?" her mother said, hinting in her innocent way. "Your brother is probably wondering where you are. Do you need something?"
After a beat in which Kagome felt his eyes burn into her, he said, "No. Thank you. Goodnight." She heard the door close.
"It seems as if he was really worried about you," her mother said.
"Hmm."
Pressing an ice pack to Kagome's head, her mother went on hesitantly, "Why don't you tell him how you feel about him?"
Kagome really hoped he wasn't listening in. "It wouldn't do any good. He loves his ex and I can't compete with her. He wouldn't accept my feelings and then our friendship might be destroyed."
"Or," her mother countered, sitting across from her daughter, "you could just be acting insecure and all your chances to be together the way you both want will disappear because of it."
"Mom, you don't-"
"Understand? Sweetheart, no one fully understands being in love. But something I do understand about it is that the most important part of a romantic relationship is friendship. It is the basis for everything, and you and Inuyasha have that."
"Mama, he doesn't-"
"No, you're going to hear me out. Listen, Kagome. If friendship is the most important, than what will make your friendship strong will also strengthen any other bond. And a best friend," her mother said, "always, always, tells the truth." Sitting back, she gave a laugh. "Well, if your friend asks you if their dress makes them look fat and you think it does, then honesty isn't always necessary there. But with the really important things, like how you feel, something you don't approve of them doing… you always tell the truth, and truth takes confidence. So don't compare yourself to that girl, and be honest with him, okay? A person deserves to know who loves them and how."
Kagome didn't feel like arguing. "Okay, Mama."
Half an hour later, she was crawling into bed with ice pack still held to the back of her head. Soon after, Inuyasha invited himself in through the window, outside which he normally slept. Ignoring him, she lay down facing the wall-he finally sat himself down with a heavy sigh by her bed, and spoke. "Kagome, I'm sorry." When she didn't respond, he went on, sounding slightly more desperate. "I-I'm not… good with words, okay? I didn't mean to say you're a Jewel detector as if that's all I think you are. I meant that you just have that ability. I wanted you there. I would have if you could detect Shikon or not. We make a good team, and it's not the same if you're not there."
She still couldn't find it in her to answer, but that just made him keep talking. "And I'll never, ever leave you again. I figured out it was a trick to distract me and ran down to find you as soon as I could. Please believe me."
Finally, she answered, "I believe you. I just wish you would've told me… why we were going. I don't think you understand how stupid I felt when I realized you didn't come there to spend time with me."
"But I did want to-!"
"A good friend always tells the truth," she bit out, turning to face him. "Don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying!" he protested. "I was planning on hanging out with you after I talked to her! You want me to take a polygraph? I'll pass with fucking flying colors."
"I doubt you wanted to do that after she kissed you," she said in return, feeling a little petty.
"Wh-what?"
"I saw you two. Heard you. Don't play dumb."
He was quiet, and she was surprised he even understood that it upset her. Eventually, he said slowly, "Kagome, I don't know why she did that, okay? I was surprised too and didn't want to hurt her. I just… I think of her every day because… it's my fault Naraku got her. I wasn't there to protect her when he forced the Shikon on her. I feel it's my responsibility to free her from it, because I should have been there to make sure it hadn't happened in the first place."
Kagome felt herself soften. "Inuyasha, what happened to Kikyo wasn't your-"
"I'd fought with her before it happened, okay?" he ground out. "I was mad that she was moving away. I felt like someone else was leaving me and so I lashed out at her. She did something reckless afterwards because she felt guilty, and now it's my turn. The year she had moved away like her family had planned, she was forced to buy drugs from that bastard and get them shipped to her, forced to join the gang and be his girlfriend when she came back. I can't let her try to escape this on her own."
Kagome paused to let the words sink in. "I… understand why you feel responsible. But I don't think you are."
"That's because you're a fucking cinnamon roll sunshine that rejects all the bad shit in the world." She glared, but his mouth played with a grin. "Maybe because when you're here, the shit in the world runs away screaming. That's what makes you Kagome." After a moment of hesitation, he leaned up and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now get some sleep. I'm not leaving your side, so don't worry."
"I don't worry," she told him, the haze of sleep already overtaking her vision of his gentle face. "Because I won't leave you, either."
Evenin', dorks!
SO SORRY I'm a day late! Yesterday was a little crazy, being my first week back at school and all, and it totally slipped my mind. I'll answer the reviews as soon as I can! But here it is! Some more action and… tbh I won't do too much with the love triangle. I actually can't stand love triangles. And an ever-grateful thank you to Akela-Nakamura for editing!
Thank you so much for the reviews! I'm trying to write more of my original stories, and when I reread what I wrote my head screams "THIS SUCKS" so when I see a review, it really cheers me up. They bring the confidence from 0 to 187. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one!
See ya next week!
Mizpah,
~LoneStorm
