Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, VizMedia.

Chapter 10

Summary: Now in the midst of adulthood and recently married, Kagome Higurashi is more than shocked when she sees her ex-boyfriend from high school and university, her first true love who still has a special place in her heart but has also broken it. Despite her reservations, she agrees to a seemingly meaningless reunion when their conversation brings back memories she doesn't want to remember, choices she can't make, and heartache she can't handle.

Last Time…

"How is he?"

"I'm not the physician in charge of Higurashi-san. He's currently in the emergency room where the staff is working to stabilize his condition. I'm here to treat Inspector Takado for his injuries, which he's finally allowed after some convincing from your wife."

"I won't keep you, then."

He nodded at Inuyasha. "Let's get started then." Looking back at Kagome, he added, "A nurse will take you somewhere where you can wait until you can see your father."

"Thank you."

Kouga put an arm around Kagome's shoulders and steered her in the direction a nurse was leading him. Inuyasha watched them walk away, his heart leaping into his throat when he saw Kagome turn her head over her shoulder and lock eyes with him. He couldn't begin walking until she finally looked away and disappeared around the corner with Kouga.

Souta looked up at Inuyasha from his seat, eyebrows raised. "Inuyasha, you're making me dizzy with all of your pacing."

Inuyasha huffed and finally sat on the bed provided for him in the exam room, his leg bouncing up and down quickly, causing the paper sheets to wrinkle.

Souta sighed. "Forget it. Go ahead and pace." He rested a cheek on one of his hands.

"This is a fucking waste of my time," Inuyasha muttered. "I mean you could probably set my rib."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Souta deadpanned. "Inuyasha, it's been like three minutes."

"Three minutes too long."

Just then a woman dressed in a nurse's outfit entered, but before she could speak, Inuyasha interrupted.

"Look, I'm not interested in any x-rays or CT scans. I know what's wrong with me. I just need someone to set my rib and some bandages to dress my wounds with, no stitches necessary."

"You're at risk for having a concussion—"

"Keh! I don't have a concussion. I scraped the back of my head, that's all. I can bandage it myself." Inuyasha turned away from her indignantly.

She pursed her lips. "I'll go get the doctor."

With a scoff, Souta shook his head at Inuyasha. "You're a piece of work, you know that right?"

"He is, but for some reason, he still manages to keep our friendship, doesn't he Souta?"

Inuyasha turned back to the door, his mouth slightly agape. "Hell no. There's no way I'm letting you fix me up."

"Aw Inuyasha. I thought we were better friends than that."

Miroku reached for the clipboard left near Inuyasha's bed and skimmed it. He raised his eyebrows. "Damn Inuyasha, you got yourself into a fight and then got caught in an explosion?"

Narrowing his eyes at Miroku, Inuyasha threatened, "Just hurry up and find someone to set this rib."

"Well since you made yourself such a pleasure, no one really wanted to work with you. That's why they sent a lowly resident to you. At least they didn't send an intern." Miroku put down Inuyasha's file, his gaze alighting on Souta. "So Souta, what are you doing here?"

"Holding Inuyasha's hand."

Miroku smiled. "Don't tell me you were involved with the fight," he joked.

Souta frowned. "No… Kagome and I came here in the ambulance with our father."

"Your father?" Miroku's amethyst eyes widened. "Don't tell me that the man they wheeled into trauma is your father." He looked back at Inuyasha. "How's Kagome?"

"She's fine. Kouga's with her while they wait."

"Oh." Miroku looked at Inuyasha with a mixture of sympathy and pity.

Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha resisted the urge to slap Miroku. "Oh for Kami's sake… Come on! Stop making this more awkward than it has to be."

"Fine. Have a seat, Inuyasha." Miroku gestured to the bed and Inuyasha plopped himself down onto it, the paper sheets crinkling again.

Miroku shined a small flashlight into each of Inuyasha's eyes as he held them open by lifting the lid with his other hand. He then probed Inuyasha's rib, frowning at one particular spot. "Well that's nasty."

"Feels that way," Inuyasha said through gritted teeth.

"Better take care of this before your accelerated healing makes matters worse."

"Just shut up and set it!"

"I can't do that, Inuyasha. I need an x-ray to see how badly it's broken. If it's a complete break, you may require surgery or the edges can puncture a lung." Miroku walked just outside the door, calling over a nurse. He was whispering quickly with her, but of course, Inuyasha could hear.

"I need you to get Inspector Takado to x-ray as soon as possible after I take care of his other wounds."

"How'd you manage that? He's been biting off the head of everyone else who suggested the same thing."

Miroku chuckled. "Proof that I'm going to be the best doctor this hospital's ever seen," he replied, his voice oozing with charm. He smiled genially as the nurse walked away laughing.

Inuyasha sneered at him, "I'm surprised you didn't ask her out for drinks."

"I'm with Sango." Miroku's face lit up as he told Inuyasha.

"I heard— wouldn't have meant much before."

Miroku shrugged it off. "I was younger. And those girls weren't Sango." He reached into a cabinet, pulling out antiseptic and a roll of bandages. He nodded at the large slash in Inuyasha's side that the other inuyoukai had caused during their fight. "I assume that I don't need to stitch you up."

"Nope."

"I'll just dress it then." He paused awkwardly. "Shirt off, Inuyasha."

Souta guffawed, earning the glare of both Miroku and Inuyasha.

Inuyasha complied, peeling off his jacket and shirt gingerly while Miroku worked. Inuyasha made a face from the sting of antiseptic on the open wound. Miroku let out a low whistle. "Anyone else but you and this would have required fifteen stitches."

"Good thing it happened to me then," Inuyasha retorted dryly.

"I heard that you're Kouga's partner." He saw the look Inuyasha gave him from the corner of his eye and explained, "You know how Sango and Kagome are when they get together."

Inuyasha smirked quickly before it turned into a frown. "Yeah we're partners. I moved back just before winter and I got assigned to Kouga's squad."

"Serendipitous."

"If you say so."

"Can't imagine that it's not awkward," Miroku murmured as he moved to treat the scrapes on the back of Inuyasha's head.

"It isn't. As much as Kouga and I like to be jerks to each other, we are friendly and we work well in the field."

Miroku nodded. "I remember from high school. But you're honestly saying that he doesn't mind you being in close proximity to Kagome?"

Snorting, Inuyasha said, "He invited me to spend the night at their place if I got too drunk to drive home."

Souta shifted in his seat, something that did not go by unnoticed by Inuyasha. He narrowed his eyes at him.

"What's wrong, Souta?"

"It's nothing."

"You have something to say, you might as well say it."

Souta sighed. "I like Kouga. He treats Kagome like a queen and he loves her. But as much as he tries to make her happy… I've noticed how aloof she's been lately." He looked down. "Ever since you came back." He shrugged. "I see it whenever I go over to their place. It's different. Inuyasha, as much as I like Kouga, I don't think it's any secret who my first choice for Kagome would have been."

"I don't think so, Souta. I hurt her pretty badly."

"She loves you more than she was angry at you."

Inuyasha made a face and focused on what Miroku was doing to the back of his head, effectively ignoring Souta.

"Inuyasha…" he pressed on.

"Kid, have they been fighting or something?"

"No. They seem the same." Before Inuyasha could comment, Souta quickly continued, "I said they seem the same, Inuyasha. That doesn't mean they are. There's something off about the way they act around each other. The way Kagome acts around Kouga."

"And you think it's because of me?"

There was a knock at the door and the nurse from earlier peeked her head in. "Excuse me, Dr. Kobayashi? They're ready for Inspector Takado now."

"Thanks. Let's go, Inuyasha. Souta, we'll be back in about ten minutes."

The younger boy nodded silently before sinking into his chair and sulking. Inuyasha sighed and let Miroku go ahead, pausing by Souta. "Your sister's given me more than I could dream to return. There's so much that she deserves but it's too late, Souta. There's nothing I can say or do. If I had the slightest chance, I'd take it in a heartbeat."

Inuyasha put a hand on Souta's shoulder before leaving to follow Miroku. He saw him glancing at him out of the corner of his eye and Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "What?"

"If you ask me, I don't think Souta's that far off."

"No one asked you," Inuyasha grumbled.

Kagome's gaze never wavered as she focused on her father's face. Sadao was laid on an inclined bed, his eyes closed and his breathing even. They had cleaned up his face so that it was no longer bloodied, but it only made the wounds more visible. Kagome fought to quell the surge of rage that built up inside of her when she thought about the men who had done this to her father. Her hands gripped the bars on the side of the bed so tightly that her knuckles turned alabaster.

Kouga stood behind her and gently loosened her grip on the bar, intertwining her fingers with his. He spoke her name softly, almost reverently.

She sighed and leaned into him. "Why would anyone attack him?"

"Your father's a powerful man, Kagome. His firm's dealing with a lot of dangerous men. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them ordered one of his lackeys to do this."

"My father hasn't stepped into a courtroom in years."

"It's not personal… it's to send a message." Kouga suppressed a growl. "These bastards think that they hold all of the power and they're willing to do anything to prove it."

"Inuyasha said that one of them was an inuyoukai?"

"Both of them were. It's peculiar. We haven't seen any movement from youkai crime organizations. Mostly human ones. It's the first time they've surfaced in a while."

"What does it mean?"

"It means I'm not letting you out of my sight. I'm serious, Kagome. You and Souta. If they went after your father, I wouldn't be surprised if they went after you, too."

"Who's next? You?—" Kagome's voice took a slightly frantic tone "— Inuyasha? Jii-chan?"

"That's not going to happen. I won't let it."

"Everyone I love is a target because of me!"

Kouga tightened his hold on her. "Kagome, stop blaming yourself. None of this is your fault."

"Kouga, I don't think I could handle it if anyone else had to be sent to the hospital or worse." She turned in his arms and buried her face in his chest.

"You'll never have to deal with that."

"Some of the most important people in my life are already here, Kouga."

Kouga pulled away from her and Kagome looked up at him, puzzled.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Kagome, there's nothing going on between you and him is there?"

Kagome recoiled, backing out of his arms, her expression hurt as if he had slapped her. "Are you seriously asking me that? You think I'm capable of something like that?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, Kagome! I was there when you guys dated when we were younger. I witnessed for myself what you two were like."

"You didn't answer my question, Kouga."

"You didn't answer mine, either."

"Of course there's nothing going on between Inuyasha and me! Yes, we have history. But that's all it is— that's all it can be. He's one of my friends, Kouga. He was there for me when my mother died. Why wouldn't I care about his welfare?" She glared at her husband. "Do you really think I'm capable of something like that when cheating was what hurt me the most? That betrayal of trust? You honestly think I would inflict that on someone else?"

"No!" Kouga averted his eyes, staring at the tiled floor. "I… I overheard what that doctor said and how he thought you and Inuyasha were married."

Kagome's face contorted even more as the anger rose. "Are you serious? It's an honest mistake! I corrected him immediately so what's the problem? I think the real issue is that you just don't trust me, Kouga!"

"He obviously saw something that led him to think that the two of you were together."

"I can't believe you're willing to act this petty," she spat back acerbically. "You don't trust your wife? You don't trust your partner? Inuyasha's your goddamn partner, Kouga! He's your lifeline when you're working and you know as well as I do that he would put his life on the line for you."

"Kagome, he wouldn't do that for my sake and you know it. He'd do it for yours."

"Is that really your opinion of your partner and friend? Because before any of us got involved romantically, we were all friends first. You and Inuyasha have always been competitive but you've never acted vindictively towards each other. You know, I can't believe that you would doubt his friendship. Inuyasha's not that kind of man." Kagome's shoulders sagged. "I don't understand where any of this is coming from."

Kouga shrugged, his gaze still not quite on her. "You've been distant ever since he came back."

"We both know that has nothing to do with him. Everyone in the city's been swamped with work the past few months. You of all people know that. The fact that we are in a hospital following a freaking explosion is proof of that."

Kouga's eyebrow arched as she spoke. The coincidence between the two events was too great for him to ignore. But he'd file that away for another day.

"You didn't take my last name."

Kagome clicked her tongue at him. "We both know that my father wouldn't allow it. My last name is well known… and probably what got him into this damn mess!"

"Why won't you become my mate?"

Pain splashed across her features once more. "That's never been an issue," she whispered.

"It's still not," he assured her. Kouga felt guilty but his blue eyes appraised her. "But humor me."

"I… I'm just not—"

Kagome became distracted by the sound of her father stirring. She stood over her father, gently placing a hand on the top of his head while taking one of his hands with her other one. Sadao groaned as he attempted to open his eyes, his face contorting into a painful grimace instead. Kouga sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets, knowing that their conversation was over.

"Dad?"

"Kagome… where am I?"

Kagome frowned. "You don't remember?"

"I… it's very confusing!" Sadao yelled, frustrated.

"Dad it's okay. You're at Todai— the University of Tokyo's Hospital."

"The hospital…? Why, I… my head hurts, Kagome."

"It's okay, Dad. I'll get the nurse."

"No, no, please don't leave."

"I'll get one." Kouga squeezed Kagome's shoulder reassuringly and although she was still angry with him, she smiled at him gratefully. Kouga's face brightened slightly at her smile and hurried out of the room to find a nurse.

"Kagome, what… I remember getting hit in the car and then Inuyasha carried me."

Her eyes downcast, Kagome gently smiled at her father. Then she sighed and explained, "You got hit by the car and then I guess you started arguing with whoever hit you. It escalated into a fight which Inuyasha and Kouga responded to. Inuyasha managed to get in between you and one of your attackers."

Sadao closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

"There was gas leaking from the cars and the crash caused a street pole to collapse and there was a live wire… you had gone unconscious so Inuyasha ran with you to get away from the blast."

His eyes remaining closed, Sadao murmured, "I owe him even more, now. I owe him more than my life."

"Dad?"

Seemingly not hearing Kagome, Sadao continued, "Such a good man. So grateful to Inuyasha."

"Dad?" Kagome tried again.

Sadao opened his eyes and smiled sadly at her. "He's such a good man, Kagome."

"I know he is, Dad."

"Your mother loved him, you know. Knew how happy he made you."

"Mama loved everyone."

Sadao nodded sadly, his eyes closing once more. "I miss your mother so much, Kagome. There's not a day that goes by where I don't miss her." He sighed and let out a small moan before drifting off into sleep once more.

Kouga returned with a young woman trailing after him. She cast a small, supportive at Kagome before briskly moving towards the various machines set up by Sadao's bedside. Her brow furrowed as she looked over the machines and checked their results. Pulling off the stethoscope from around her neck, she listened to Sadao's heartbeat and lungs. A small piece of her auburn bangs fell into her eyes as she leaned over to do so.

"He went back to sleep, huh?" she asked quietly.

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, he was kind of talking nonsense before he did, though. He couldn't remember the accident." She looked from him to the nurse. "He said he had a headache?"

The nurse nodded. "Perfectly normal, considering what happened to him. If you'd like, we can bump up his dosage of pain medication." She turned to adjust the settings on a machine that his IV was connected to. "I've been told that you're still not aware of your father's condition?"

"No, not yet. After my father was taken to the ICU, his physician had another urgent case to attend to."

"Well your father's suffered heavy blunt force trauma. There was some internal injury to his abdomen that could be attributed to either the car crash or the following assault. He has a concussion. It's obvious that he banged up his head pretty badly. A broken wrist… we haven't gotten his x-rays or other scans in yet so we can't rule out any internal injury yet."

"Oh Kami…"

The nurse smiled warmly at her. "I'm sure your father will be fine, Higurashi-san."

"Kagome."

"Kagome. You can call me Ayame." Ayame glanced down at her watch. "Your father's doctor should be free by now. I'll go find him and see if he got your father's results back. Then I'll send him in to see you."

"Thank you," Kagome and Kouga chorused.

Ayame left them and Kagome sighed again looking at her father.

"You've been sighing too often."

"Tell me about it," she replied dryly.

"Kagome you can go to sleep. No one's going to hurt him now."

Kagome pursed her lips and then it was Kouga's turn to sigh. He picked up his wife, ignoring her protests, and softly placed her on the armchair on the other side of the room. He gently restrained her, pushing her back down when she tried to get up.

"Sleep."

"I can't."

Kouga knelt down in front of her and made a face at her. "Try harder."

"Kouga, how can I possibly go to sleep?"

"You're exhausted, Kagome. Your dad's asleep. I'll wake you up when he's awake or the doctor comes in, whichever comes first."

"Promise?"

"I promise." He leaned forward and softly pressed his lips to hers. "Now sleep, woman."

Kagome looked at him warily, but nodded, curling up into a small ball in the armchair and closing her eyes.

Kouga leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He remained in this position for the next forty-five minutes, his glance alternating between his sleeping wife and sleeping father-in-law. His gaze lingered on Kagome's sleeping form. He knelt by her and lightly brushed her bangs off of her face. Taking a deep breath, he frowned. Kagome's scent was always like he remembered— fresh peonies with a touch of the sweetness of honey. The lack of his own scent mixed with hers was a big blow to his ego and to his heart. Kouga continued to stare at Kagome's face, hoping that by searching it, he'd figure out why she refused to bind herself to him.

"Excuse me, sir?"

Ayame's soft voice got Kouga's attention and he was surprised he didn't notice her walk into the room earlier. He got to his feet and stared at her expectantly. She smiled apologetically at him and gestured to Kagome.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I need to ask you to wake up your wife. There's some paperwork that she needs to look over regarding Higurashi-san's hospitalization."

Kouga sighed. "And it can't wait?"

Ayame bit her lower lip and shook her head.

Rolling his eyes, he leaned over Kagome, shaking her shoulder gently. "Kagome," he whispered gently, "The nurse needs you to deal with some paperwork for your dad."

Kagome groggily opened her eyes and sat up, her palm rubbing over her bleary eyes. "Ok," she murmured. She yawned and accepted Kouga's hand to help her up. As she stood, she heard some of her joints crack and she groaned. "I'm getting too old."

"You're perfect. Now hurry up. I'll stay here with your dad." Kouga accepted the quick kiss from Kagome before she left the room with Ayame.

He saw their shadows stop just outside the door and a new voice talking to them.

"Higurashi-san, I have some people who'd like to see your father. I've informed them that you wouldn't be taking any visitors, but they insisted."

"Oh no, they're family. They're welcome to come in."

Inuyasha winced and he fought not to curse at Miroku again. He had already cursed him to the depths of hell and beyond in the past three minutes. He sucked in another gasp of air as Miroku pressed against his torso, wrapping the bandage one last time before securing it in place. Inuyasha let out a sigh of relief but quickly glared at Miroku when Miroku smiled apologetically at him.

"Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm not exactly done…"

"You're not done?" Inuyasha asked, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Miroku held up an elastic band. "We just have to fit this rib belt over you and then you're all set," he said, chipper.

"You're telling me that these bandages aren't enough?"

"Unfortunately, no. You're lucky, Inuyasha. You saw the results of your x-ray. Anyone else and I would have insisted on surgery to help fix up that rib."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just get the damn thing on." He raised his arms once more so that Miroku could fasten the belt.

"Souta, can you hold this edge?"

Miroku held out one end of the belt at one side of Inuyasha's torso. Souta held it in place as Miroku wrapped the belt around Inuyasha, the elastic fabric stretching but not enough that it didn't compress Inuyasha's torso when Miroku fastened the two ends together. Inuyasha pursed his lips in an effort to hold in the groan that threatened to come out with the pain.

"Have we finally finished torturing me?" he asked, his voice tight.

"You're good to go, Inuyasha. I don't recommend that you do any strenuous activity for the next twelve hours. In all probability, by then, you'll be healed."

"Keh! I'll be sleeping."

Miroku raised a dark eyebrow at him. "Most likely at your desk at the station."

Inuyasha grunted his response and glanced at Souta and back at Miroku. "Can we go see Sadao now?"

"Public visiting hours ended a while ago. I'm sure Souta would be able to go, but I'm sorry, I don't know whether you'd be able to, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha nodded understandingly. "That's fine. I should probably be on my way to the station. You said that the two bastards responsible for this are still unconscious right?"

"And under watch by armed officers."

"Then I guess I'm not needed here anymore." Inuyasha jumped off of the bed, shrugging on his jacket. "Come on, kid." He reached an arm out to usher Souta out of the room.

Souta jerked away from his touch. "Inuyasha, you can't leave yet."

Inuyasha groaned in exasperation. "You heard Miroku. What am I going to do for the next eight hours while I wait for it to be visiting hours? I'm better off getting some work done."

"You're the one who saved my dad's life! He'd want to see you."

"Kid…"

"I'm not a goddamn little kid anymore, Inuyasha!"

Miroku coughed loudly, getting both of their attention. "I could send someone to talk to Sadao's nurse and see if she'd let Inuyasha in."

"Miroku, that's not necessary."

"Maybe not for you, Inuyasha, but it seems to be important to Souta."

Growling in frustration, Inuyasha pushed past them. "Fine! Hurry up though so I can get out of this fucking hospital sooner."

Miroku and Souta shared a fist bump and a grin as they trailed after the grumbling hanyou. Miroku took the lead and led them to the nurse's station where he asked one of the nurses to find Sadao Higurashi's nurse

"Higurashi-san's nurse?" She browsed through the numerous files on the desk to find Sadao's and the nurse listed. "You're looking for Yorozoku-chan."

"Yorozoku? How come I've never met her before?"

The nurse cast him a snide glare. "Probably because she heard the other nurses' rumours of your lechery."

"Hey! I'm happily in a long-term relationship with my girlfriend!"

"Bless her soul for dealing with you."

Inuyasha guffawed with pure pleasure at the exchange and Miroku blushed.

"Can you please tell me where Yorozoku-san is?"

"She should be checking on another patient." The nurse looked around and pointed at a room. "In there."

"Thank you for your help. It's deeply appreciated."

She raised an eyebrow at him skeptically and Miroku nervously chuckled as he returned to Inuyasha and Souta.

"I'll go ask the nurse if we can visit."

"I heard, Miroku." Inuyasha gestured to the triangular appendages perched on the top of his head. "Just hurry up." He scoffed as he watched Miroku enter another room. Inuyasha nudged Souta with his shoulder. "You need anything?"

Souta shook his head. "I just need to see my dad."

Miroku came back, a grin on his face. "She said she'd have to go ask Sadao's daughter first, but obviously, Kagome's going to agree. She just left to go ask her. Come on, I know where Sadao's room is."

As they approached the hospital room, Inuyasha was able to pick up Kagome's voice as she talked to the nurse.

"Higurashi-san, I have some people who'd like to see your father. I've informed them that you wouldn't be taking any visitors, but they insisted."

"Oh no, they're family. They're welcome to come in."

"You stay here then, Kagome. I can just bring the paperwork to you."

Inuyasha frowned. There was something familiar about the nurse's voice but he couldn't place her. By the time they reached the door, however, both she and Kagome were gone.

Miroku opened the door and held it open for Inuyasha and Souta to enter first. Souta immediately ran to his father's side. Sadao was groaning softly as he slept.

"Is he okay?"

"He will be," Kagome answered. She snuck a glimpse at Inuyasha from the corner of her eye before she leveled her gaze back at Souta. "How are you, Inuyasha?"

Miroku closed the door behind him as he entered. "As his physician, I am convinced that he will make a full recovery."

Kagome let out a small cry of happiness as she hugged Miroku, who rubbed her back comfortingly. Kagome frowned when she felt his hand travel lower. Inuyasha noticed and scowled.

"Try it, and my best friend will suddenly be single again."

"Damn right," Kouga muttered.

Miroku held up his palms and laughed sheepishly. "How are you holding up, Lady Kagome?"

Kagome couldn't help but shake her head and smile at his old nickname for her. "As best as can be expected. The doctor should be coming in soon to tell us how long Dad's going to have to stay here. I'm guessing it's probably going to be a long time?"

Miroku stared at Kagome's father, scrutinizing his condition and the clipboard attached to the foot of Sadao's bed, detailing his injuries. "It would appear so, unfortunately."

The door opened and Ayame walked in, a clipboard and some papers in her hand. "Kagome, here's the paperwork I was talk— Inuyasha!"

Ayame's green eyes widened in shock and everything in her hands fell to the floor in a flutter and clattered noisily as her body went slack. Kagome frowned at her in concern and followed her gaze to Inuyasha, whose gold orbs were wide with surprise as well.

"Ayame," he mumbled, stunned.

"Do you two know each other?" Kagome looked between the two perplexedly.

Kagome looked back at Inuyasha. He was no longer staring at Ayame but looked at Kagome, his eyes forlorn and his shoulders slumped, ashamed. Kagome's eyes widened in shock and she took in a sharp inhale of air.

Inuyasha's blood turned into ice when he saw the realization dawn on her face, quickly followed by hurt and betrayal, as fresh as when she first found out he had cheated on her.

Edited May 2019