Notes:
Hey all! I'm super sorry for the late update. Have been pretty busy lately and hadn't had much idea on the story. Well I'm glad that I had it done. Hope you guys enjoy it and thanks for R&R.
Jap Words:
Hai – yes
Ohayo – Hi / Good morning
Sensei – teacher
Domo arigato / Arigato – thank you
Sayonara – goodbye
Sumanai / Gomen – sorry
Okaeri – welcome home
Kowai - scary
Konban wa – hello / good evening
Oba-san – Auntie
Dare – who's that
11. Turmoil
Kagome looked out her bedroom window and couldn't help but dazed herself into the beautiful morning scenery, the clear blue sky, the milky clouds that floated across the sky leisurely and the brilliant morning sunshine. At the corner of her eyes, a sparkling object caught her attention. She turned back and saw the lovely pendant Kouga had given to her as a gift when they were still young on her dressing table. She went towards her dressing table and picked up the pendant.
The sight of the pendant helped Kagome recalled her memories. A little by little was good enough. She didn't need to rush on remembering everything in one shot. What had happened yesterday was something she hadn't expected. A forgotten memory was indeed an intriguing event for her. Her thoughts broke off when she heard her mum calling for her, "Kagome, your friend is here."
She replied, "Hai mama. I'll be down soon," and let out a chuckle, "Must be Kouga-kun again." Kagome grabbed her bag and placed her pendant into her pocket. She hurried down the stairs and there she saw Kouga looking up at her, "Ohayo." He greeted Kagome. She nodded and returned him with a smile. She brought her attention to her mother, "Mama I'll be going to school now. Bye bye." Kagome's mother replied, "Okay bye," and made her way towards the family hall. Kagome turned back to Kouga, "Shall we go now?" Kouga nodded.
Kagura sat at one of the school canteen tables looking down at her textbook solemnly as she flipped each page. She rested her right cheek on the textbook and let out a discontented sigh. An abrupt vision of yesterday's incident ran through her mind.
(Flashback)
"Kagura I promise you by tomorrow everything between me and Kagome would be over," said Naraku with a low and dejected tone. Kagura looked away from him. Those words were exactly what she longed for; those words that would make her spirit glow with bliss and enchant her out of darkness.
But somehow deep down, she knew that there was a hint of doubt in his words. Even if his words were determinedly true, Kagura didn't feel the way she thought she would feel – the feeling of her spirit that would shine with radiance and her darkness were not even a distant near her. This time it was different, no longer had she felt pure happiness in those words but guilt that now overwhelmed her body.
Her thoughts were disrupted when she felt a hand on her cheek and her face was pushed back to face him. Kagura locked eyes with him and realized that his eyes were filled with sadness and pain but at the same time, how Naraku looked at her was so gentle and soft. She had never seen such eyes of his before. She just couldn't bear to see him hurt so much inside.
She embraced him tightly, "All I wish for is just your happiness."
(End Flashback)
She sighed once more. Will he really break up with Kagome-chan? She was jolted when she heard someone calling for her, "Kagura-chan?" She brought her attention to whoever was calling her. Kagome sat in front of her giving her a worried look, "Are you alright?" Kagura replied Kagome with a faint smile, "I'm fine." Kagome asked again as she was worried for her, "Are you really sure?"
Kagura nodded, "Yes I'm really,really,really sure. You see," she reassured her with a broader smile. Kagome returned her with a smile, "Okay. Do you want to get back to class now? I know it's still early, I hope you don't mind." Kagura shook her head, "No, I'm fine with it." Both of them got up from their sit and the school stairway. The stairway was quiet as it was still early before their break would end.
"Neh Kagura…" Kagome paused when she saw Kagura staring blankly up the stairs. She looked up and saw Naraku standing looking down at the both of them. Kagome scurried up the stairs, "Naraku." Kagome called out for him with joy. Kagura just stood there stunned. Her mind preoccupied. Don't tell me Naraku is going to tell her now? Of all times… She snapped her senses back when she heard Naraku calling for her, "Kagura can you please come up." Without a due she went up the stairs and went beside the both of them.
Kagome looked at Naraku curiously. "Is there something you had to tell Kagura-chan? Is it private? If yes I'll leave you both alone." Kagome turned away from them and made her way towards the stairs but she was pulled back by Naraku's hand. He released his hand and kept silent for a moment. Kagome was puzzled with his reaction, "What's wrong Naraku?"
"I have to tell you something." said Naraku in a dull and discontented tone. Kagome didn't like the way he sounded but she tried not to let his tone bother her, "What is it?" Naraku looked away from her and said with a bitter tone, "Let's break up." Kagome stood there taken aback by his words; she was flabbergasted for a moment. She tried to shake herself back to her senses, "Why of all sudden? Don't tell me it's about Kou…" she was interrupted when Naraku growled, "Don't mention that shithead's name."
Kagome was left there perplexed and astounded at the same time. "What did Kouga-kun ever do to you?" asked Kagome resolutely. "And why do we have to break up?" Naraku snickered and pulled Kagura close to him. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "That's because during our relationship I had never liked you, I was just playing you. Kagura here had been with me during our relationship days. And guess what I found her more suitable for me than you," scoffed Naraku.
Kagome shook her head incredulously, "No…" she turned to Kagura that she once thought was her trusted friend, "Please… Kagura-chan… please tell me it's not true." Her voice trembling from all the commotion, "Please say that it's not true…" Her eyes becoming hazy from the tears that now filled her eyes. Kagura looked away from her, she felt so guilty yet pleased that she had won her lover's heart. Not an answer came from Kagura.
Kagome shook her head and tears flowed down her cheeks. She turned away from them and dashed down the stairs. She had to run away as far as possible. The sight of them made her heart shattered into pieces.
"Inuyasha thanks for helping out." Thanked a soft spoken lady as Inuyasha placed the last crate into the van. She smiled pleasantly. Inuyasha returned with a smile, "No problem, Amoto sensei. Glad to help out." He brought his sleeves towards his forehead and wiped off the sweat that slid down his cheek. "Domo arigato." Inuyasha shook his head, "It's not a big deal."
"I will take off now," said the teacher. Inuyasha nodded, "Sayonara sensei." The teacher returned him a pleasant smile before she had left. Feeling satisfied that his good deed was accomplished,
he reached for the car boot handle and was about to shut it but he was distracted by a tall, slender but mild figure that scurried past him. The body figure was more of a girl. Being curious of who it was, he quickly shut the car trunk and went after the figure.
He followed the girl secretly as she led him into the school park. As soon as she halted, Inuyasha knew he had to hide himself before she would turn back to see him following her like a stalker. He didn't want that kind of misunderstanding. He hid himself behind a tree big enough to keep his body out of sight. From the side of the tree, he saw Kagome standing at the school mini bridge.
He could see Kagome wiping off the tear that slid down her cheek with her sleeves. Is Kagome crying? The thought of it made Inuyasha felt a sudden pinch on his heart. He placed his right hand on the spot where he felt the sting. He questioned himself with the pain he had just felt. Why was it a sour pain to know that she was crying? It had never come across him like this before, so why now? It wasn't like he didn't care about his best friend. He would usually comfort her and make up the silliest face he could do just to bring the smile back to him.
But the pinch he had felt was nothing like he had felt when she cried. His puzzled thought broke off when he heard a sudden thud on a wooden surface. There he saw Kagome kneeling down, her shaky hands covering her face as she wept and sniveled. She cried out in a fragile tone, "Why? Why? Why?"
At that moment Inuyasha was sure of it that she was truly hurt. But who could have caused such pain? He clenched his fist firmly. Who's that sick bastard that broke my dearest Kagome… He held back his words for a moment, stunned by what he had just said. My dearest? Those words somehow made his heart thump faster than usual. He thought curiously as he mumbled to himself, "I had never used such term on Kagome before…" he brought his hand to his chest as he felt his heartbeat, "and why does my heart…"
He shook the thoughts out of his head, "I shouldn't be worrying bout this now, and I should be cheering her up." As he turned to the side, he felt his hand pulled back by a gentle and yet firm hand. He turned back and saw Sango looking at him. The look on her face brought Inuyasha to his senses that she would be asking loads of question. Without delay, Inuyasha grabbed Sango's hand and brought her away from there. Sumanai Kagome.
He led her to the back of the school where they could actually talk privately without anyone interfering. Sango drew back her hand from Inuyasha and shot him with a discontented look. "Are you hiding something from me?" asked Sango apathetically. Inuyasha shook his head, "No." She looked at him doubtfully and repeated his answer, "No?" He nodded, "Yes… No, I'm not hiding anything from you." It was obvious to him that what he had answered was still not convincing to her. "Then why did you pull my here to talk but not there?" asked Sango with a bitter tone.
"That's because I feel uneasy there and doesn't this place give out a much more comfortable atmosphere compared to shabby and shady trees back there?" replied Inuyasha. It was pretty much an honest answer but he knew that deep down he was fibbing. Sango kept quiet as she thought about his answer. Well what he said was quite true…Maybe I was wrong to doubt him in the first place. Sango brought her right hand close to her lips, expressing a guilty look. "Inuyasha gomen. I shouldn't have doubted you in the first place."
Inuyasha chuckled, "It's okay Sango. You don't have to be sorry." He gave her a warm and pleasant smile, enlightening her that she was not in fault at all. Why are you not even a bit mad at me? Sango stood there, a tear drop slid down her cheek. Inuyasha was startled, "Sango why are you…" he was interrupted when he felt a sudden push. The next thing he knew it Sango was wrapping her arms around his waist tightly. "Why are you so nice? Why aren't you even a little mad at me?" asked Sango and she sniffled.
Inuyasha placed his right hand on her head and patted her head caringly. He thought deep down, he felt guilty after hearing such praise from Sango. You're wrong Sango. I'm not that nice at all.
"Ah, ne-chan. Okaeri." Greeted Kagome's little brother wholeheartedly. Not a single word came from Kagome but Souta could see an unpleasant and spiteful aura surrounding her. She walked passed him lifelessly. Seeing her like that made Souta petrified with goose bumps. He dashed into the house once his sister was out of sight. He cried out as he headed towards the kitchen, "Mama! Mama!"
His mother looked back to see what Souta was crying about. She rinsed the soap off her hands after she was done washing the plates and bowls. She turned the tap knob and reached out for the table cloth. While she was drying the plates with cloth, she asked calmly, "What's wrong dear?" Souta panted before he answered, "Mama, ne-chan emitted an aura that tells people to stay away. Kowai! I think…" he paused when he felt a soft gentle hand on top of his head. He looked up and saw his mother smiling at him as she ruffled his hair. "Don't worry. I'll talk to her." She took her hand away, "While I'm consoling your sister, can you please help mama out by setting up the things for dinner."
Souta nodded. His mother returned with a sweet smile, "Arigato." She left him with his task and made her way up the stairs towards Kagome's room. She stopped in front of Kagome's door and knocked politely, "Kagome, dinner is almost ready." She didn't open the door and walked off but waited for Kagome's reply. "Arigato mama but I'm not hungry," answered Kagome in a dull and expressionless tone.
"Okay, but if you feel hungry do come down. I'll reserve some dishes for you," said Kagome's mother kindly. She thought that it was the best way to let her calm herself down and not pry into Kagome's business, so she walked down the stairs and made her way towards the kitchen. As she was about to reach the kitchen she heard a knock on their house main entrance door. Her direction diverted and now she headed towards the door. She slid the door open and there stood Inuyasha dressed in a plain silverfish-grey turtleneck top with long sleeves, and dark navy jeans that just fitted right – not to loose nor too tight.
"Konban wa, oba-san" greeted Inuyasha as he bowed in respect for the elder. "Ah Inuyasha, are you here for Kagome?" asked Kagome's mother. Inuyasha nodded, "Yes, is she here?" She replied with a smile, "Yes. Please do come in first. She's upstairs in her room." She paused for a moment, "I'm not sure if you know about it or not but she seem to be really down. By any chance do you know what happened?"
Inuyasha shrugged, "I have no clue at all that's why I came over." She smiled at his answer, "How sweet of you. Kagome's really lucky to have such a caring friend." Inuyasha thanked her and said, "Domo arigato. By the way oba-san, if you don't mind is it okay if I brought Kagome somewhere?" She shook her head, "I'm fine with it. Try your best to make her happy again." She shot him with another pleasant smile and made her way towards the kitchen.
While on the other hand, Inuyasha walked up the stairs and headed towards Kagome's room. He knocked on her door. "Dare ka" asked Kagome. Inuyasha replied, "It's me, Inuyasha." He waited for her reply but not even an answer. He reached his hand for the door knob but the door was already opened by Kagome herself. Inuyasha could see her eyes were red and she looked restless. "Is there anything you want?" asked Kagome glumly.
"Well I came here to bring you out for a walk in the park," replied Inuyasha. He knew that she was hurt and going out for a fresh air would probably be a good way to clear up her mind. "Alright, I guess it would be nice."
"Neh Kagome. Did something happen to you in school?"
Kagome shook her head and tilted her head down a little. There were walking on the stone pavement at the renowned Kurumi Park. It was breezy and the atmosphere was calm and quiet. There weren't many people out here during late nights but there were a few couples cuddling on the benches. The sight of them being so lovey-dovey with each other, making it seem like they would never be apart made Kagome's heart twitched in pain.
She tried her best to hold back her tears. She didn't want to break down in front of those people. Inuyasha could see that the loving couples they passed by made Kagome felt much more uneasy and distressing. Could it be Naraku? Could it be that sick bastard broke up with Kagome? He brought his attention back to Kagome and when they reached the fine-looking bridge of the park, without delay Inuyasha asked, "Kagome, I hope I'm wrong but is it Naraku who hurt you?"
Kagome stopped walking as soon as Inuyasha mentioned his name. Not a single word came from her mouth. Inuyasha knew he was somehow right but he couldn't be sure of it unless he got straight to the question. He went in front of her. "Did Naraku… break up with you?" asked Inuyasha anxiously. Kagome kept silent and looked down. Inuyasha hate to see her like this.
He clenched his first and said with rage, "I'll go to that bastard's house now and beat him up." He turned away from Kagome and was about to stomp away but was held back when he felt Kagome holding onto his left sleeve. "Don't go…" said Kagome shakily. Inuyasha turned around and saw tears slid down Kagome's luminous cheek. "It's over between us… There is no turning back." The look on her face had the most excruciating look Inuyasha had ever seen yet at the same time the most beautiful.
Kagome closed her eyes shut and wished that what she had said was nothing but just a nightmare. Naraku and I are no longer… Her thoughts broke off when she felt a soft and warm tender lips pressing against hers. She opened her eyes and to her surprise those gentle lips on hers belonged to her best friend, Inuyasha.
That's the end of it… Hope you stay alert for the next chappie. Next stop Chapter 12. Thanks again for R&R. Matane!
