Chapter 14

Past

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A day filled with endless tests about fucks you knew nothing about pales in comparison to the day Kagome was subjected to. Who knew that living in a small town, one high school and gossip hungry shit-faces could be this bad?! From the moment she stepped out of her friend's ride, the looks…the whispers, the fucking bold-faced questions were thrown her way like an evil dodge ball match out for blood!

Kagome honestly thought she could go through the day as usual, but apparently, finding out the most popular guy in town had feelings for you, but didn't act on them all in the name of friendship was the next big thing. She had to ward off bitches and sluts from every direction, pissed at her because of a kiss she supposedly forced on Inuyasha! Kagome chuckled at the memory, wondering if their chemically filled hair would do damage if their head flipping came in contact with her.

Let's not forget the best rumor where she was 'the home wrecker', messing up things for Kikyou – the past head cheerleader, who was sure to be sporting a ring sometime in the near future.

"I guess the hooking up got more serious," Kagome grumbled darkly, her eyes cutting sharply at a girl who hissed – no joke; she fucking hissed – at her as she made her way to Eriko and the others.

Eriko was the first to step forward, her mouth already opened to release more gossip.

"I swear to God, if it's something about last night, I'm going to go fucking ape shit on you." Kagome threatened, her headache turning her into a raging bitch.

Eriko raised her hands in surrender, clamming her lips sealed as she fell back in line with her other friends. She was clearly not in a position to receive any hateful words from Kagome, much like what she has been throwing out when the stress got too much. Kagome didn't general say mean things or lash out at people – she was the goody two shoe of the town, the princess to her rakish brother. No one would expect the word shit from her sugary mouth. Unless… she was pissed off beyond explanation.

The fact that she wasn't at the stupid beach last night made her feel alienated alone. Her stupid brother saying those mean things to Inuyasha – knowing he is nothing like that! – pissed her off like no other. Her Yashie does not deserve the treatment from Souta, a guy who should have his fucking back…be understanding…through the thick and thin. She wanted to beat her brother to a damn pulp for the way he acted towards her Yashie.

And then there was the guilt.

She was a selfish bitch. Refusing to make sense of why Yashie didn't want to act on his feelings. Like a sick sucker punch, she felt the sudden lashes of memories where she argued with him, beg him to give in and stop acting like a pussy. She didn't really think about how it would affect her brother and Yashie's relationship – so sure that her and him together was like the sun setting in the west. But remembering the video, the way her brother looked, the frustration of Yashie's pleas – they all made her angry with herself.

"He was right," She whispered softly, hopping in the back seat with her brows dipped lower.

Even though he actually did have feelings, she couldn't bring herself to gush about it – knowing that her hunches were right – given that everything going on right now overshadowed what should be wonderful.

"You shouldn't beat yourself over this, Kags," Rin whispered, her attention glued to her friend the moment they all settled in the ride, with Eriko driving. "Everything will work out eventually."

"Eventually…" Kagome echoed on a snort. "I just wished…" Shaking her head, she sighed softly, her eyes skidding out the window.

Rin reached over, toughing her lightly on the leg. Even with the bitchy Kagome taking over, Rin could still see the fragile Kaggie on the surface, and she knew she was hurting beyond explanation. Just knowing that the guy you love and the brother you love had a fight as big as last night, and not to mention with her being the root of it all? Of course Rin could understand her feelings.

Torn.

Painfully so, that could either have a person depressed and moody, or right out bitchy…but moody all the same.

"It will." Rin smiled when Kagome glanced her way. "You just have to follow your heart –…"

"That got two best friends in a fight," She choked on a dry laugh. "Gosh!" Sagging more in the seat, she pursed her lips. "If only Souta had been more –… Or If Yashie didn't –…" She shook her head, at a loss of coherent thoughts. "It's just hard you know?"

"Well then it just means it's worth fighting for." Eriko chipped in, glancing in the mirror with a toothy grin.

"Besides, I don't recall having a friend who accepts shit with a defeated wave of surrender." Ayame shifted her body shifting until she was half kneeling in the chair. "And if you're letting the mill clog your mind, then you are definitely not Kaggie!"

Kagome chuckled, realizing for the first time that although her sharp tongue cut every asshole with a forward question or look, she did in some way feel like shit about what they had to say. It was ironic seeing that rumors are a norm, and she always brushed them off. But the magnitude of this one, and the magnifying glass above her heated it to a degree not even she could comprehend.

"How did I get such awesome friends?" She cooed, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"There was a mix up," Eriko groaned. "But we were non-refundable so blah."

Kagome rolled her eyes, though a smile ghosted across her lips. "Aren't you the lamest ever?" She cooed once more, a comfortable laughter bubbling from all of them.

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"If you're coming her to give me shit," Inuyasha started, gazing up at the ceiling while he laid carelessly on his bed. "Then get the fuck out."

"Hello to you too," Miroku sang, closing the door behind him before heading over to the couch. "Dude I swear your mom has that whole cougar thing going on!" He whispered, throwing himself on the couch closest to the bed.

Inuyasha eased up to gawk at his man whoring friend. "Are you kidding me?" His twitching eye pinned Miroku with a glare.

"Hey, she's the one who keeps greeting me with a hug and a kiss," He touched his cheek, a dreamy looking coating his features. "She definitely wants me."

In response, Inuyasha threw his pillow at Miroku, his ire growing as Miroku's laughter grew. "I swear, you're the sickest!"

"I can tell you're not going to be happy," Miroku started, placing the pillow against the couch's arm before resting his head back in place. "I know it could be hard – having me as a step-dad and all…" He started, swinging his foot carelessly with a pensive look on his face. "But you know…I'll be glad to take you to the park…coach you on stuff."

Despite his confused anger, Inuyasha chuckled. "You're so fucked up, it's not even funny."

"I suppose all of us really have a little fucked up symptom in us."

The whisper of Miroku's words floated against him, and Inuyasha was sure it was something more of a suffocation cloak. Registering what the enigmatic friend of his meant, he was sure his heart was currently shriveling up in pain.

"Maybe."

Miroku clucked his tongue. "You know if you wanted to talk about anything, I'm here."

Inuyasha snorted. "You're doctor fucking Phil now?"

The last thing Inuyasha wanted to do was to talk about his thoughts and feelings from last night. As far as he was concern that was a closed book. If the fucking bitch didn't want to listen to him, rather accuse him of shit he knew was far from the truth? Then fuck it. And fuck him. He didn't have to deal with assholes like that who felt the need to act like something or someone on the spur.

"No," Shifting on his side, Miroku braced his arms under his head, his attention looking off into the distant. "But I'm your friend." He shrugged. "I just hope you didn't forget that after last night."

A loud sigh echoed in the room. Thoughts of last night made Inuyasha cringed. The fact that his phone had been blaring since last night, until it finally died earlier that day made him wish he could crawl into a whole and hide forever. If he knew Souta would confront him and allow things to escalate so quickly, he'd have begged him to wait until they were alone. There were so much things he wanted to do over, so much things he wanted to stop himself from saying. But what's done is done right? The past cannot be undone – words cannot be unsaid…And actions? He lightly touched his jaw, the slight pain pulsing as a sick reminder.

"Did he say anything?" He whispered, a small part of him still hoping for an understanding between him and Souta.

"Not really." Miroku confessed. "He's still pretty pissed."

Inuyasha groaned. "Who can blame him? I can't believe I allowed that kiss!"

"That doesn't give him the right to say and do what he did last night, Yasha." Miroku's calm voice was like a soothing balm on Inuyasha's wounds. "He knows you…He knows you would never do shit like that to The Bane."

The mention of Kagome brought worried lines above his gaze. He could only imagine what she must be going through – positive that the news had already hit her. Inuyasha was tempted to call her last night, but didn't want to fuck up the situation more than necessary. But then when his worries threatened to drown him, he'd made it his business to contact her numerous of times today, but thankfully the dying of his phone gave him an excuse. It was a chicken shit act of cowardice, but he didn't really care. He didn't want to make it worst for her than necessary, to give her false hope just because he called her. Sure he liked her, the whole fucking town knows by now – but that doesn't mean he'll act on it. It'll only prove to Souta how right he was.

"Have you spoken to her?" He whispered, his eyes shifting to Miroku briefly before skidding away from the intense look his friend aimed at him.

"Her phone is off."

Probably couldn't stand the ringing noise of gossip. Inuyasha snorted. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I thought I had it under control. Sweet pea…" He sighed heavily, covering his face with his palms. "Gosh, she's so fucking stubborn." With a small smile, he couldn't deny the ache that followed in his chest. A painfully sweet ache that shredded him.

"That's one of the things that makes her so amazing," Miroku shifted in his seat, running a hand through his untamed hair.

"I just wanted to hang with her." He realize now, the excuses he made to simply be with her went far beyond the brotherly love he claimed to have for her. Her presence had become something of a norm for him and the only way to keep his sanity was to be close to her. Even if he didn't act on his feelings, he was content with knowing she was in his life. "One thing led to another and the next thing I know – she's kissing me…." Pushing himself into a sitting position he buried his fingers in his hair, grasping them tightly. "Then I was kissing back…and fuck!"

Miroku watched as his friend battled with himself, his heart aching for him in a way he didn't know was possible. Sure Miroku might not be familiar with love, but he knew how it felt to want something but force yourself not to go for it. For years Miroku watched as Kagome's crush grew into something more solid, and at the same time how much she ignored it – resigned at the futility of it all. But the more she tried to move on, the more he noticed Inuyasha started to notice. With Kouga as his wingman, the both of them enjoyed teasing him, dogging him about his obsession and blindness to anything involving 'his sweet pea'. Soon the protectiveness grew, and they'd watch as Inuyasha and Souta fight off guys interested in Kagome – all ingredients to feed their teasing. But remembering last night, the way Inuyasha jumped at Souta for insulting Kagome, his near confession….his fucking frustration. Miroku was amazed that he'd grew to have such strong feelings for her. So strong for him to act on it.

And it took a lot for Inuyasha to act on something.

"How long?" Miroku inquired, his brows relaxing into sadness. "How long have you been denying yourself?"

With a quirked brow, Inuyasha stifled a laugh – though it came out sounding more like a snort. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" He shook his head, pushing to his feet and heading towards his closet in search of fresh clothing. He needed a shower.

"It's not healthy to push things aside and act like they don't exist." Shrugging, Miroku propped his foot higher on the chair. "Shit like that can send you crazy."

"Yea, well I don't have a choice."

"There's always a choice Inuyasha."

"Fuck off."

"If you go around ignoring something that can be the best damn thing in your life, simply because a brother throws a punch here and there or tells you how wrong you are…then –…"

"Are you telling me I should explore this non-existent thing between me and sweet pea?" Stalling with his hands shifting through some shirts on a hanging, he looked behind him at his friend with an incredulous look.

Shrugging, Miroku threw him a lopsided grin. "It wouldn't hurt."

"Souta already hates me, no need to send the guy into a rage and try to fucking kill me!"

Miroku shook his head, a snort bubbling from within him. "Souta can't do shit…and honestly? Fuck him." He pushed up into a sitting position once more, his hands raised in surrender. "I'm not trying to sound like a dick or anything and I'm not taking sides because somewhere in his head – he thinks he's done the right thing. But…damn – Fuck. Him!"

Inuyasha's only reply was a shock expression.

"Souta was out of line with the way he acted. The things he said? Dude – you trusted him with your insecurities and he knows how much Kaggie feels for you!" Shaking his head, he was still shocked at the way Souta handled things, ashamed for his friend for the asshole stunt he pulled. "I'd have thought he'd be happy that something could happen between her and someone he knows so well."

"That's still his sister. I give him clearance for acting that way, all in the name of protection." Turning back to his closet, he threw a white shirt on his bed, focusing now on finding a pair of pants. "I don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to ladies. I mostly deal with the three Fs." Shrugging, he grinned slightly. "Find 'em. Fuck 'em… then Forget them." It was shitty, but the truth nevertheless.

"Except Kikyou."

"She knows her place." The only reason he kept her around was because she knew for a fact they can never be nothing more than fuck friends. The other girls he's been with would say they accept that, but after a while they'd start to get clingy, whiny and possessive – asking for his time outside of the bedroom as if that was in his description. By then, he'd end things with them, siting his reason and leaving with ease, knowing that not once did he lie to any of the girls he'd bedded.

"Is that the only reason?"

Again with the imploring eyes. Miroku was definitely asking for a black eye if he kept on that smart, observant hat of him. The gleam in his eyes, a smirk accompanying him was enough to make Inuyasha's jaw tick in warning.

"I'm going to go take a shower."

"Carbon copy never beats the blue prints."

"Fuck off!" Was his reply as he disappeared into his adjoining bathroom.

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With his body feeling like lead, and his head pulsing painfully, thanks to the angry voice of his mother in front of him, Souta wished he'd stayed out all day instead of gracing the house with his mother. His eyes were closed tightly, his head laying back on the couch with his body slouched lazily across the chair. Right now he could hear his mom, talking to their father on the phone about gangs, irresponsibility and rebellion. Souta would have snorted if the simple act wouldn't have sent a painful wave to his head.

"I had to hear from a co-worker that he had a fight with Inuyasha over Kags!" He heard her saying, opening one eye when she went silent her face morphing into a dark scowl as the seconds ticked by.

"It's pointless calling dad don't you think?" He grumbled, cocking his head at the ludicrous thought. "Far be it for dad to drop his responsibility to his job and come running for something as dumb as this." Like he and Inuyasha never had a falling out before. What was the big deal! This whole fucking town needed to mind their goddamn business and done with the whispering and murmurs.

"Your father works to keep food on the table!" She hissed, her hand covering the mouth piece. "Enough with the ungratefulness for a second will you?"

His only response was a roll of his eye. He couldn't understand why she even bother calling their absent father. He's barely home, always out of town on some supposed job he had to do. If Souta could call bullshit without hurting his mother and sister, he'd gladly shout it for all to hear. Their dad is a good father, he couldn't lie about that – but as a husband? He's fucked in that department.

"I don't need this shit," He grumbled, pushing himself up off the couch. A nice hot shower, food and music would do him good.

He felt like shit for what he did last night. For what he said actually. The flash of hurt on Inuyasha's face only registered to him after he left the beach, since he was too angry with the thought of his best friend and sister going at it. Shaking his head, he huffed loudly, ignoring his mother's angry calls and shout as he made his way out of the front room.

The slamming of the front door, followed by a loud "I'm home," halted him just as his hand rested against the wall with a foot on the first step upstairs.

Souta turned in time to see the smile dropping from his sister, turning into an angry scowl.

"You." She seethed, and he found himself rolling his eyes at the way she folded her arms, her eyes turning to steels of blue.

"I don't want to hear this shit from you either."

Kagome threw her hands up in the air, a loud exaggerated huff coming from her. "What shit exactly Sou?" She screamed, anger already shaking her to the core. "The part where you start a fight with Yashie? Or how about the fucked up things you said to him?!"

"Hey!" He swirled around to face her, his chocolate gaze blazing with anger. "You need to cut that cussing out and stay the fuck out of grownups business!"

"Aren't you the finest hypocrite?" She chuckled, appalled that her brother would stoop so low, as if he acting like an asshole gives him the right to throw orders her way. "And by the way – jumping on a guy for kissing someone is by no means mature…or the grownup thing to do," She said, making air quotations at the 'grownup' part.

"If you stopped acting like a whore maybe I wouldn't have to do shit like that!"

Kagome's gasp echoed loudly, her eyes instantly filling with tears. How dare he call her a whore – especially knowing her lack of experience in basically everything! The hurt pulsing through her felt like someone was punching her over and over in her chest, while laughing mockingly at her. As that pain surged through her and her tears tumbled down her rosy cheeks, she fisted her hands, her anger making way through the pain. "Fuck you!" She screamed, rushing towards Souta, punching him widely.

She didn't care where she hit, as long as her fist connected with some part of him, she was content. Who the fuck gave him the right to throw insults her way. Especially knowing how she felt for Yashie! The feeling that she holds for him isn't something that grew overnight! The unspoken was never taken lightly, so for him to see it as something mundane, or to spit on it through means of hated words? Fuck. Him!

"Hey, what's going on here?" Their mother rushed in the room, reaching for her two children, struggling to part them while trying to evade her daughter's swings. "Cut it out! The both of you!" She screamed, gripping Kagome's arm and hauling her away from her brother.

"She's fucking crazy!" Souta shouted, his busted lip bleeding fresh blood. "I try to do the brotherly thing; protecting her from someone like Inuyasha and this is the thanks I get?!"

"Someone like Inuyasha?" She echoed on a gasp. "The guy who actually listens to what I have to say? Who doesn't throw me to the side when a new pussy comes along?" She felt her inside boiling, her emotions taking on a high for Yashie who had Souta – selfish, idiot as his best friend. "You know damn well that Yashie isn't just someone!" She screamed, her hands diving in her hair where she gripped them in frustration. "So for once, take that stick from out your ass, step back and look at the situation with your fucking mouth shut!"

"Please…enough with the foul language!"

Ignoring his mother, Souta took an ominous step towards is baby sister. "Whatever feelings you think you have for Yasha – it'll only hurt you." His voice was dark and low, his gaze narrowing at her. "You think just because that stupid little crush of yours is there, that he'll miraculously change?" Inuyasha was a player – no doubt about it. Souta was well aware of his best friend's trait, he was also knowledgeable in the fact of him liking his sister. But that doesn't excuse Yasha's extra curriculum activities. A drunkie doesn't become sober and stay that way over night. So why should a player be any different.

"Yashie isn't like that." She whispered, her tears falling freely. "He respects me… and you!" Her brother snorted, so she turned her attention to her mother. "He does mom! He's been fighting his feelings all because of that idiot –…"

"Guess that kiss was a good example huh?"

She glared at him hotly. "I was ready to have sex with him. I was ready to give him everything." She confessed before pressing her lips together and exhaling loudly. A lick of satisfaction flicked her way with the fast inhaled hiss of breath from her brother, his eyes narrowing while his mouth turned down in an angry scowl. "But you know who stopped it?" Smiling softly, she wiped at her pathetic tears. "He did. He stopped because he couldn't do that to you." She walked closer to Souta, shoving him roughly in the chest. "He valued your friendship over his happiness and refused to act on his feelings!" She shoved him once more, making him stumble on a step. "Because of you, I was rejected. Humiliated!" She was about to push him once more, but stopped, her fists in midair just as she bowed her head. Tears rushed forth like an endless dam and she choked on a sob. "I was so ashamed – I couldn't stand being around him. I mean... He rejected me! Was that some code to say I'm not good enough? Was putting you – his best friend – first an excuse to downplay the lack of feelings he has for me?" Before the video and Yashie's near confession, Kagome was fighting with the possibility of her reading him wrong. Hell, maybe he liked her but not in the way she thought he did. Mix feelings happens all the time, so why should she have been special?

Hearing it from his tearful sister, Souta found himself speechless. Deep down, there was this sense of knowing that didn't caused for much shock. Although he would be lying if he said he wasn't, simply at the mere fact of Inuyasha denying himself just because he mightn't agree to it. Then flashes of his sister, depressed and moody flashed before him, and with a pained realization, he now understood that it wasn't really Inuyasha's fault. He was to blame for his sister's change. He was that dick that broke his sister's heart through Inuyasha. The asshole who thought no one was ever good for his sister. It was all on him. A failure of a brother who thought starting a fight with the one guy who took Kagome's best interest above all was the brightest thing ever.

Kagome's sniffling brought him out of his stupor.

"Inuyasha refused to give us a chance because his friendship with Souta was more important to him."

Their mother sniffled softly, opening her arms to Kagome as she broke down in tears, her body shaking from its force. "Don't say that honey."

"It's true." She bawled. "I'm not important enough…I'm not good enough!"

"It's because you're important –…"

Kagome's frantic shake of the head halted her lie of an excuse. Even though she knew her daughter's feelings were hurt, and that her heart was basically breaking a slow painful shatter – she still had to commend Inuyasha for his decision. His mere act of selflessness.

Souta felt the burning in his throat and nose. His vision blurred as he swallowed thickly. He watched silently as the two most important women in his life crumbled to the ground. One trying her damnest to comfort his little angel whose crying grew as her body trembled in pain. He was an ass – he knew that. But hurting his sister when his main goal was to protect her? He was a fucking idiot.

A fucking idiot with a sister who probably hate him, and a best friend who probably wanted nothing to do with him.