AN: Here's the chapter, like I promised. Enjoy!
Chapter Twelve: Kagome's New Friend
Inuyasha tried to focus on his driving, but that proved very difficult when every part of him wanted to turn the car around and beat up that scumbag some more. He wouldn't of course, after all his priority was getting Kagome safely home before he screwed up anything else. Instead he gripped the steering wheel tighter, trying to imagine the scrawny neck of a certain rich photographer as he did so. Although at the moment to be honest, he was really blaming himself.
It had been his plan. He was responsible for Kagome…and he had let her down. He could have paid more attention, waited for her outside the door, or even done some more research on that asshole before he practically handed her over to him on a silver platter. He ground his teeth, the idea of turning around to finish what he started seemed more appealing than ever. He needed a good punching bag right about now.
"Inuyasha, can I ask you something?"
Inuyasha's ears swivelled in the young girl's direction as he caught her quiet voice. He had to admit, she was quite the trooper. She had sobbed into his shoulder when he held her back at the studio but almost as soon as they had come, her tears disappeared and she seemed to remember herself as some of that old, confident Kagome was slowly but surely coming back. He was glad for that because although he wouldn't admit it, it had pained him to see her so helpless.
He always had been quite horrible at dealing with women and tears but seeing Kagome cry was worse.
"You okay?" he asked in return and then felt like smacking his head against the steering wheel. What a stupid question. Of course she wasn't okay. She had just been taken advantage of by a pervy older man and here he was being an idiot by reminding her.
Kagome gave him a weak smile and he felt some relief. "I could be better, but under the circumstances, yeah I'm okay."
"I'm sorry." He blurted and then turned his eyes back on the road. Inuyasha wasn't much for apologizing, but he meant it. There was no way he could make up for his stupid mistake but she had to know that he was sorry.
Kagome turned to look at him, but Inuyasha stared straight ahead, looking more worn out than she'd ever seen him. She remembered him saying sorry before, back when he had held her but she had no idea why….could he really think that she blamed him?
"It's not your fault." She said quickly. Kagome truly believed that. He wasn't the one who forced women to choose between their dignity and their career. Inuyasha wasn't the bad guy here. Underneath that tough exterior, he had seemed genuinely worried and she knew he wasn't the friendliest person, but at least he had comforted her while she cried.
Inuyasha didn't seem to share her opinion. He laughed humourlessly. "Yeah, it is my fault. Whose fucking genius idea was it in the first place? Mine. I should have known better." He shook his head, a frown marring his features. Kagome bit her lip, he looked really torn up about it and it was really touching but she didn't want him to think that she held him responsible for what happened.
"I don't care what you say, but I don't blame you." Kagome said in a softly. "You couldn't have predicted what kind of person he'd turn out to be. You hadn't even met him before."
Inuyasha remained silent then turned his troubled eyes on her her, he looked like he needed to say something.
"Kagome he didn't…I mean, did that asshole do anything…" Inuyasha didn't know how to finish that sentence.
Kagome looked down at her hands folded in her lap, her hair falling like a curtain over her shoulders and obscuring her face from his view.
"No." she said so quietly it was almost a whisper. Then she cleared her throat and tried again, this time trying to get past the lump in her throat and hoping she could keep the tears at bay. "No, he groped me and kissed me, but you got there before..." she trailed off. Even she wasn't able to say it. She didn't want to think of what would have happened had Inuyasha not heard her scream.
Inuyasha sighed. He wished he could say something comforting, to show her that he was there for her, but he'd never been good with words. She may have forgiven him, but he wouldn't forgive himself although he wasn't going to argue with her right now. They'd done so much of that the past few days, and now it almost seemed that they had gotten past it all.
"So what was it you were going to say?" he asked after a while. "Before I interrupted you?"
"Oh." Kagome looked away, suddenly uncomfortable. "I was…well, I wanted to ask if I could stay at your place?"
At Inuyasha's baffled expression she hurriedly went on, "Just for a couple of hours though….I mean if that's okay with you?"
She saw his eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Yeah it's fine with me, but I thought you wanted me to take you home?"
"I was thinking about that, and I realized I can't show up looking like this." she explained, motioning to herself. Not only had her makeup started to run when she'd cried, but her hair had come out of the intricate hairdo the stylists had worked on and it was all mussed up. "My family would take one look at me and freak out and besides my mom can read me like a book. I can't let her know what happened otherwise she'll never let me set foot in the agency ever again."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you're worried about?" he asked. He took the silence as a yes. "Well I'm sorry Kagome but you just got sexually assaulted by a man. You won't need to come back to the agency. The deal's off."
"You can't be serious!" she said, turning on him.
He ignored her protest. "I'm serious. This was the shittiest plan I've ever come up with and I'm ending it. Now."
"But I need to get into that school!" Kagome pleaded, turning desperate eyes on him. "I need the deal, it gave me an opportunity that people in my position barely ever get and-"
"Don't worry." Inuyasha said, interrupting her before she finished her rant. "The agency will still pay for you… all your first year entrance fees. You held up your end of the bargain and after what's happened it's the least I can do for you."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried in exasperation. "That's not the point. I'm not going to mooch off of you if I haven't even finished the job. Kikyo still has to show up to that fashion show. How do you plan on dealing with that? You need me, I know you do."
He kept his eyes on the road. "I won't have to deal with it. I'll have to pull her out. It's as simple as that."
"But Inuyash-"
"Kagome," Inuyasha said, cutting her off once more. "Just listen to me for once okay? We can't do this anymore. It was a risky plan in the first place and now even that asshole knows about you. If he decides to tell anyone we're done for. Kikyo will become a mockery and her whole career could be over. I can't do that to her, and I can't put you through any more of this crap either."
"I told you not to worry about me Inuyasha. I'm fine, really. I'm sure things like that don't happen everyday and besides now we know better. Next time, I know you'll protect me. I trust you."
"There won't be a next time." Inuyasha growled.
Kagome held up a hand. "Fine, but if you change your mind just let me know."
Inuyasha half-shrugged and went back to driving. Like that was ever going to happen. He couldn't believe her; after all of this she still wanted to work for him. Kagome was so naïve! He was giving her a way out and she didn't want to take it. Of course he'd have to deal with the losses later but he felt like he owed the girl. She was just too stupid and nice to listen.
"Can I still come over to your place?" Kagome asked suddenly, effectively silencing his thoughts. "I'll need to fix myself up before I go home."
"Kagome, you have to let your mother know."
Inuyasha was half worried she'd want to hide what had happened today. He knew they couldn't really file a police report or anything…a fat lot of good that would do anyway. Mike Claire's money would influence the police more than their sense of justice and the charges would be weak regardless. That didn't mean Kagome had to keep quiet about it. That wasn't a good idea; he knew from experience how it felt like to be unable to get things off your chest. It always left you feeling helpless.
"I know, I know, I'm going to," Kagome said. "….just not right now and especially not while I look a mess. She'll take one look at me and faint."
Then she gasped as realization hit her. "Oh no, my eyes are probably all puffy and red from crying." She sighed dramatically and covered her face with her hands in embarrassment and Inuyasha shook his head. How could she sit there and act like everything was okay? She was back to happy, carefree Kagome already.
"You're really strange you know that?" he muttered, but allowed a small smile to creep onto his face as he said so. He kept his eyes on the road, slowing down as they approached a red light. Happy, carefree Kagome was just fine with him.
"Okay, I'm warning you now, I'm not good at cleaning up after myself so it could be a little messy in there."
Kagome and Inuyasha had just gotten out of the elevator and were headed towards his apartment door.
"Exactly how bad is it?" Kagome asked, thinking about her own room at home. Sometimes she'd keep a lock on her closest door just to keep things from tumbling out. What Mrs. Higurashi didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
Inuyasha grimaced, pulling out his keys. "Let's just say, sometimes I forget what color the carpeting is. Alright we're here, want me to warm up some ramen for you too?"
"It's okay. I'll just take a quick shower and be out of your hair." Inuyasha shrugged at her response, turning the key in its lock and pushing open the door to his apartment.
For a second, he thought he'd stumbled into someone else's home but then he recognized his furniture and he was awestruck. He was sure that morning when he left, the place had looked like a tornado had hit yet now it was clean and tidy like had come to visit.
Kagome peered at him accusingly. "I thought you said it was a mess? You weren't trying to scare me off were you?" when Inuyasha didn't respond, she pushed past him and headed inside, leaving him standing dumbfounded at the doorway.
"So Inuyasha, where's your bathroom? I think I'll just aaaah!" Kagome shrieked, clutching a hand over her heart as she saw a woman with her back towards her, sitting on a couch in front of the TV. Inuyasha suddenly appeared behind her.
The woman, who had turned around at Kagome's shriek now regarded her with a blank stare and then Kagome's racing heart calmed down enough to recognize who it was. 'Oh my God it's her!'
"Kikyo? What are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked, stepping forward. He looked around with astonishment at the much cleaner than before living room. It wasn't completely spotless but someone had definitely tidied up his mess. "And what'd you do, hire an army of maids for me?"
Kikyo stood up slowly, she had been staring at Kagome but now she turned her attention to Inuyasha. "I just wanted to stop by and discuss some things. I let myself in. You gave me your spare keys remember? I couldn't stand looking at you clutter so I cleaned up." She shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. Cleaning? Voluntarily? That was not something the Kikyo he knew did. She did often show up at his apartment but she always called first and he thought she'd be off enjoying her few days of freedom while she was off work to even give him the time of day.
"You actually put away all my stuff?" he asked, incredulously. He was sure there had been a load of paperwork and junk he'd been meaning to get to that had been sitting in the corner.
"No, that was too much work. I threw most of it out." Kikyo pointed to the three bloated garbage bags that were lined up behind him. "Some of your clothes were lying around too so I got rid of them. I can't believe you choose to live like this." She wrinkled her nose.
"What the fuck Kikyo? Some of that stuff was important!" Inuyasha groaned, running a hand through his hair.
Kikyo didn't even flinch. "Language Inuyasha," she reminded him keeping her calm.
"Whatever." He muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets. He heard Kagome shift uncomfortably beside him and realized he had completely forgotten her presence. Kikyo seemed to remember too and her eyes flicked over to the younger girl.
Kagome had watched their whole exchange in awe. She hadn't known that Inuyasha and Kikyo were close, but if he had given her keys to his apartment did that mean they were together? Inuyasha acted much more differently around Kikyo than he had with her. She recalled the time when she'd yelled at him for swearing in front of the children during their dance lesson and he'd been a jerk about it. When Kikyo reprimanded him he didn't even argue with her. Kagome felt an odd feeling stirring inside her and quickly dismissed the thought. No, they were probably nothing more than close friends. Years of working together was what probably made them lose that sense of formality…right?
An awkward moment passed in which none of them said a word and Kagome was sure she was blushing from all the attention so she instinctively pulled Inuyasha's jacket closer around her. Kikyo cocked her head to the side as she noticed that Inuyasha's jacket was draped over the younger girl.
"I don't believe we met before but you must be the girl Inuyasha hired." She conceded at last. Kagome didn't notice it, but Inuyasha was sure he'd heard an edge to her voice. It only then dawned on him that Kikyo might be getting the wrong impression with Kagome being in his apartment. The jacket he'd given Kagome didn't help matters either.
"Well?" Kikyo asked turning to him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Introduce us already." Yeah Kikyo was mad alright.
Inuyasha hesitated then let out a frustrated breath. "Alright Kikyo, this is Kagome and Kagome that's Kikyo. Now you long lost twins can bond while I go make me some ramen." Not wanting to be questioned by a miffed Kikyo, he hastily left the room leaving Kagome to her own devices.
Kagome squirmed under Kikyo's penetrating stare.
"It's really nice to finally see you in person." Kagome managed to say amiably as she came over to shake Kikyo's hand.
"You too," Kikyo murmured distractedly as she took in Kagome's appearance. "I've wanted to see you for myself after Inuyasha told me how alike we looked."
She was still staring at Kagome with an odd look and Kagome furrowed her brow in confusion.
'Is there something on my face?' Kagome thought then blushed beet red when it hit her. She'd completely forgotten that she looked like a wreck.
"Oh! I gotta go…take a shower." she cried lamely and left the room in a hurry to the adjoining kitchen where Inuyasha was rummaging through his cabinets. Great, she finally managed to meet a celebrity and she looked horrible! Kikyo wasn't her role model or anything but she was still famous…and Kagome probably left the worst first impression ever.
"Inuyasha you could have told me you were going to have Kikyo over! I can't believe she saw me like this." Kagome whined as she ran over to him.
"What are you yakking about, didn't you hear her? She said she came on her own, how was I supposed to know?" He straightened and gave her a calculating look. "Wait a minute...are you a fan?"
Kagome's cheeks flamed red. "What no, why would I be a fan of her?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow and Kagome realized what she'd said.
"I-I mean she's amazing and talented of course but I've just never been into this fashion stuff." She explained, trying to cover up.
Inuyasha leaned against the counter, smirking. "Then why are you so worried?" he asked patronizingly.
"Just shut up and tell me where your bathroom is." Kagome ordered as she glared at him. "I'll just take a quick shower and be out of your way."
Inuyasha laughed. "You sure you don't want to stay and get an autograph?"
Kagome kept glaring.
"Alright, alright… It's down the hall, and to the left."
"Thanks, stupid!" Kagome called out as she ran off in the direction of the bathroom.
"You're welcome…cow." Inuyasha muttered, turning back to the cabinet and pulling out a pack of ramen.
"Inuyasha?"
He turned around to find Kikyo leaning against the kitchen doorway, levelling a glare aimed towards him. He tried hard to hide his grimace.
"What's up?" 'Please don't ask about Kagome…'
Kikyo didn't waste any time beating around the bush. "What is she doing here and what the hell is going on?" Kikyo was frowning. She hadn't raised her voice, but Inuyasha could tell she was angry.
'Oh crap...' Inuyasha thought. He was kinda hoping she hadn't noticed Kagome's presence at all although that was asking for too much. He'd had a long day and to top it all off now he'd have to do clear things up with Kikyo before she went into one of her mood swings again. It was the cherry on top of another crazy day.
"I can explain." He said quickly, and then realized how guilty it made him sound. He tried again. "Remember how I told you that I rescheduled the photo shoot? I took Kagome but then something…happened and then I had no choice. I had to bring her over."
Kikyo's frown deepened. "Did she mess it up?"
Inuyasha opened his mouth to explain but she didn't give him a chance.
"I just knew I shouldn't have let you go on with your plan. She's probably incapable of acting my part…I mean look at her! I thought you said she looked like me? If Mike Claire is unhappy with her work then how does that make me-"
"Mike Claire," Inuyasha snapped, effectively ending her tirade, "is a fucking asshole. He forced himself on her…and if I hadn't gotten there in time things would have been a lot worse than your bad reputation. And you know what? She does look like you, that bastard hadn't known the difference until I burst in calling her name. It could have been you he was all over!"
Kikyo looked taken a back at his rough tone and then her expression turned back to nonchalance. Inuyasha, realizing that he came across too harsh sighed and stepped closer, taking her hand in his. Her skin felt cool against his. Her hands were always so cold.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I just… had a very tough day."
Kikyo looked away, not ready to give in.
"That still doesn't explain why you brought her to your apartment, or why she's taking a shower in your bathroom." She said quietly.
Inuyasha smirked knowingly, placing his hands on Kikyo's waist and pulling her close. She acted like she didn't care, but he could see past that.
"You jealous?" he asked, smirk still fully in place.
Kikyo scoffed, turning to face him. "You wish."
"Well in that case, what really happened was that I took advantage of Kagome and because she's such a gullible young girl I thought I'd bring her back to my place so we could… you know, get it on some more." He winked.
Kikyo punched his arm. "You think you're so funny." She said, but could feel the corners of her mouth tilting up in a small smile.
Inuyasha dipped his head down till his lips met hers but Kikyo pushed his chest firmly away.
"Don't be stupid, she could walk in here any moment." Kikyo chastised.
Inuyasha groaned. He hated that part of their relationship. It was kind of a secretive thing that not many people except the really close staff at the agency knew about. Miroku worked in the advertising part of the company but he'd found out in his own way.
Apparently Kikyo's image would look bad if people knew her boyfriend was her very own agent. An average man with nothing to his name. It was times like these that he wished that maybe he shouldn't have left home. He shook his head suddenly, trying to get rid of that thought. There was definitely no going back now.
Inuyasha pulled away, the mood having completely broken and went back to preparing his ramen.
He was waiting for the water to boil when it occurred to him that when Kagome came out of the shower she'd need a change of clothes.
"Kikyo, you gunna mind if I give Kagome some of my clothes to wear?"
Kikyo shrugged. "I don't care;" she said dismissively, "do what you want."
Inuyasha wanted to roll his eyes as he looked around for some clean eating utensils.
"Okay, could you hand her some? You might have to rummage around a bit to find something that might fit."
Kikyo pursed her lips. When Inuyasha had told her about Kagome and the plan, Kikyo had been rather satisfied. This was what she was waiting for, a break from all the crap she had to put up with constantly. All the go-sees, the appointments with fashion designers, the television commercials…it was all too much and frankly she was getting a little sick of it. So naturally she agreed with Inuyasha's plan but now that she thought about it, he was acting a bit differently and she had the distinct feeling that it had to do with Kagome.
"You seem to be awfully concerned about her. You like her don't you?" Kikyo remarked. She didn't say it accusingly, just stated it as a fact. That grated on Inuyasha's nerves.
"I don't like her." He snapped. "I just feel obligated to her. It's the least I could do after putting her through all that bullshit, which by the way was for your career."
He began to load up the dirty dishes in the dish washer.
Kikyo simply shrugged. "If you feel so obligated, then give them to her yourself. Although she could just wear that dress again...it won't kill her."
Inuyasha clenched his jaw. He couldn't believe her. Kagome had been put in the worst situation possible, just so Kikyo's career would benefit and she didn't even care. He knew she was just acting that way because she was still angry about him having another girl over but this was fucking ridiculous.
"You can be such a bitch sometimes." He growled and stalked out of the kitchen, making it to his room.
That was it, their dysfunctional love-hate relationship in all its glory. He rummaged through his drawers until he found an old t-shirt of his from college. It would still be pretty big on Kagome, but it would work. Next he looked around for some sweat pants he could loan her until he found one that had draw strings at the waist which she could tighten so they wouldn't fall right off.
He walked over to the bathroom door. He could still hear the shower on which meant Kagome wasn't done yet.
"Kagome, I've got some clothes you can change into when you're done." He called out after knocking on the door. "I'm leaving them outside the bathroom door okay?"
There was a pause then the muffled sound of Kagome's voice. "Yeah, thanks Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha left them in a neat pile outside the door and then headed back to the kitchen only to find Kikyo gone. He walked back to the front of his apartment to see her pulling on her coat and preparing to leave. She hobbled over to the coffee table to grab her purse and Inuyasha remembered the cast on her broken leg.
"You're leaving?" he asked and she turned to give him a dirty look.
"What does it look like?"
He ignored her. "How are you getting home? You want me to give you a lift?"
"I think I'll manage. I've got the nurses waiting downstairs."
"Okay." Inuyasha said, getting the door for her. He didn't have the energy to get into an argument with Kikyo right now and it wouldn't help either way. When she got like this it was pointless to try and talk to her let alone stop her and to be honest, right now he didn't even want to stop her. "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah," she said. "Tomorrow." And she walked out of the door. Inuyasha sighed heavily, noticing he had been doing that a lot lately, and closed the door behind him.
He was slurping down his second bowl of ramen as he sat on the couch when he heard Kagome step into the room. He looked over his shoulder to see her standing there tentatively.
Her hair was still damp and she was wearing the shirt and sweatpants he'd left out for her.
"Thanks for the clothes. I hadn't even realized I would need any till I was in the shower." Kagome said, a slight blush creeping up her neck as she looked down at herself.
She had to admit, she'd never worn another man's clothing- well Kouga had let her borrow his jacket a couple of times but it was just worn over her own clothes- but this…it seemed more intimate yet surprisingly she didn't feel uncomfortable. Maybe she was just over thinking it, but Inuyasha's clothes felt just right on her. It made her feel safe.
Inuyasha patted the couch next to him and she came over to sit next to him. "It's no big deal. I could uh, whip up some ramen for you if you changed your mind?" he asked trying not to stare.
Okay, when he'd given Kagome his clothes to wear it had been a complete offhanded thing, he hadn't really thought about it. But seeing her standing there in his clothes made his stomach flop awkwardly. It wasn't that she looked bad, damn she actually looked good. They were hanging off her in a way that made her look cute and her tangles wet hair was actually very attractive. He put a hand to his stomach and made a face. Maybe he should have checked the expiration date on that pack of ramen he'd opened.
"It's okay, I'm not that hungry." She remarked then she looked around expectantly. "So where's Kikyo?"
Inuyasha wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and pushed the unfinished bowl of noodles away. "She had some things to do so she left."
"I see. I um, didn't know you two were that close though. Does she come over often?"
Kagome cocked her heard and regarded him with an innocent look as Inuyasha fumbled for a response.
"What, no! We're not that close…I mean we are friends but she was just here to uh…discuss some things. I'm her agent so we usually meet to talk about her career… and stuff." He turned away and grimaced. Okay that was a lame cover up. Was it just him or was Kagome catching on?
Kagome though, was really just as oblivious as always. She smiled thoughtfully. "Well it's nice to know you can at least get along with some people."
He raised his eyebrows. "What's that supposed to mean? I get along with loads of people."
Kagome laughed. "Up until now I'd say you've been the world biggest jerk to me." She had only meant it as a joke. She was really over it now. She'd already forgiven him for what he'd said before, their whole argument. It seemed so long ago. But Inuyasha didn't know that. He looked uncomfortable as he leaned back into the couch and avoided her eyes.
"I already apologized." He said, looking at his hands dejectedly.
"Whoa, don't strain yourself." Kagome quipped, trying to hide her smile. Inuyasha turned his golden eyes on her and she could see a small smile grace his lips when he finally realized she was joking.
The moment their eyes met though, the atmosphere changed and Kagome found herself feeling like she had back when she was at her dance studio. Once again, she couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from him and it made her heart thump awkwardly in her chest. Inuyasha didn't seem that eager to look away either.
Once again he too was finding it hard to break eye contact. He could feel his body leaning unconsciously towards her. What was wrong with him? He had a girlfriend. He had a hot, albeit a little crazy model for a girlfriend. He wasn't supposed to be caught up staring into the eyes of a girl like Kagome. He knew where he stood with Kikyo. He could tell they were the same. They fought a lot but they were made of the same stuff. They were both alone, and that was what connected them. Kagome was the complete opposite. She was too darned happy and nice and forgiving and... and…she smelled really good. His eyes roamed her face and he could hear her heart beat speed up.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome's voice was barely a whisper. She was beyond confused. She could see that he was lost in his own thoughts but to be honest at the moment she was a little lost too.
Inuyasha sucked in a breath. He had cancelled the deal, and there was nothing to keep Kagome coming back to the agency. In the recesses of his mind it occurred to him that this was probably the last time they'd see each other.
Kagome's lips parted unconsciously and he felt himself move further in until his face was only a few inches away from hers.
The spell was broken however, when the shrill noise of a ringing phone interrupted them. They both jumped as the noise was so startling after the comfortable silence they'd been sitting in only moments before.
Kagome turned away quickly, trying to hide her obvious blush and suddenly finding the coffee stain on Inuyasha's table to be very interesting to look at.
"Was he…was Inuyasha about to kiss me?" The thought alone made her flush again.
The two sat there, the telephone wailing in the background, as they tried to gather their wits. Inuyasha sat with his mouth hanging open and his mind racing. Holy shit, what the hell was he thinking? He would have kissed her if it wasn't for that phone call. Realizing the phone was still ringing, he turned and grabbed the receiver. If anything it was a good distraction from what could have gone down just seconds ago.
"Hello?" he asked and frowned when he noticed his voice sounded a little hoarse. He cleared his throat lightly.
There was a pause on the other end then a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Inuyasha, I believe we need to talk."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes fighting the urge to slam the phone down. Mike Claire had some nerve calling him.
The sky was a lovely blend of pink and orange hues as the sun set behind the Higurashi family shrine and Kagome looked up at her home with a small smile. Sometimes during her hectic life she forgot to stop and take in the beauty of this place. It was serene and peaceful and it was home. She'd grown up in their little house, she'd scraped her knees once when she'd tripped up the shrine steps while racing Souta, she'd cried under the Sacred Tree when her father had left… there were just so many memories entwined with this place and it made the shrine house seem even more special. She stood gazing up at it from the bottom of the steps with Inuyasha.
"This whole place belongs to your family?" Inuyasha asked and Kagome turned her gaze away from her home and nodded.
"Grandpa inherited it from his father who inherited it from his father who inherited it form-"
"Okay, I get it." Inuyasha said. "But why doesn't your family sell it or renovate the place and build a larger house?" When he saw Kagome's appalled face he smirked. "I saw the way you looked at Mike's mansion."
"Yeah I mean I'd love a bigger house, but tearing down the whole shrine? I would never want that." Kagome looked up at the shrine fondly. "Besides, this place is hundreds of years old, it's got history."
He shrugged. "Who cares about the past anyway? It's all a bunch of wars, battles, epidemics. I don't see a point in preserving it."
"History is more than just wars and battles." Kagome said taking on a wise tone of voice. "Did you ever hear about the Shikon jewel that could grant any wish? Or how demons became a rare species? Or even about the priestesses who protected their villages by using their spiritual powers and all sorts of …" Kagome caught the bored look on Inuyasha's face and was reminded of her own expression as she was forced to listen to her Grandpa go on and on about the history of the shrine.
"Okay sorry… I'm rambling. I guess Grandpa's just rubbed off on me." Kagome then grinned excitedly. "Hey, are you sure you don't want to come up and stay for dinner? You could meet him, and I'm sure he'd love to meet an actual demon."
"Half-demon actually," Inuyasha corrected her. "And no thanks, I think I'll go home and crash. It's been a long day. He turned to leave but Kagome's voice stopped him.
"I…I never got a chance to thank you." She said as she looked down at her feet, suddenly feeling shy. After that almost-kiss in his apartment, things had changed. She couldn't tell what exactly, but suddenly just talking to Inuyasha made her heart beat faster.
Inuyasha turned and gave her a quizzical look. "For what?"
She turned her warm eyes up to look at him and smiled. "For saving me, for caring about me… thank you. You're a good friend Inuyasha." She leaned towards him and before he could object or she could change her mind, she gave him a hug. Inuyasha looked down at the top of her head. He had been taken off guard but then he slowly brought his arms around her too and held her close.
"Feh, who said I wanted to be your friend?" he asked with a smirk. Kagome pulled back a bit to look up at him and he saw her smiling face.
"Oh Inuyasha, just accept the fact that you've grown fond of me."
"Keep dreaming kid." Inuyasha said and ruffled her hair for good measure, ignoring Kagome's half glare as he did so.
"I'm not a kid!" she called out as he climbed into his car. He started the engine and rolled down his window to face her.
"So…I'll see you tomorrow?"
Kagome grinned. "Yeah, tomorrow." He gave a quick nod and sped off, and Kagome waited until she saw his car disappear around the corner to start her hike up the shrine steps.
He might be a pathetic excuse for a man, but Mike Claire made the right call.
AN: Okay, everyone's probably like huh? What just happened there? I know there's a lot of confusing parts right now, but it will all be explained in the next chapter. So how did everyone like it? I couldn't find a good place to end, but I chose to end it here because I've got some other stuff planned for next time plus now you'll all be left wondering *insert villainous laughter here* Oh and now Kikyo finally comes into the picture! Who was expecting that huh? I didn't even expect it… I didn't plan on having her in there but half the time I don't know what I'm writing till I'm done. Hopefully you guys like how I made her character, I'm going to try and aim for a less out of character Kikyo but I honestly have never liked her so she might be a little bitchier in my story than she was in the show. Anyway, leave a review please and let me know what you think!
