Ch. 26- The Old Times
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
11:29 AM.
Inuyasha came home in a very foul mood. He threw his coat off on the floor without bothering to put it on the coat rack, threw his shoes off, and stomped his way up the stairs, where the door to his room was heard slamming loudly. A concerned Izayoi called after her son while Miyuki hid under the tea table, the little kitten frightened by her half-demon owner's change in demeanor.
Nevertheless, Izayoi soon headed into the kitchen. Toga wasn't home, so she knew that it was up to her to quell this beast the only way she knew how: through his stomach. She went about boiling a pot of water and got out some instant beef-flavored ramen. She even sliced up a few pieces of steak and added a soft-boiled egg and some green onions, just the way Inuyasha liked it. Once the noodles were done boiling, Izayoi soon prepared a bowl and set it down on the table.
She sat and she waited...and not a moment later, Inuyasha soon entered the kitchen, a solemn look on his features. His ears were drooping and his hands were shoved in his pockets. He looked at his mother, apologetically, and she could only smile at him as she gestured to the bowl of ramen on the table. Inuyasha smiled before he soon sat down, took a pair of chopsticks while muttering "Itadakimasu" and began to slurp the noodles with gusto.
It wasn't too long before he had polished off the bowl.
"Thanks, Mom," Inuyasha said.
"Of course, honey," Izayoi replied as she put a hand on his shoulder. "Now what got you in such a bad mood? You were so cheery this morning with Kagome."
"...Kikyo's back," Inuyasha replied, and almost instantly Izayoi's face paled.
"Oh, no," she muttered with dread.
"Yeah," Inuyasha said. "I...I ran into her at the mall, today."
"Did she say anything to you?" asked Izayoi.
"Just...hello," Inuyasha answered, "but I didn't say anything. I was so upset, I stormed off without even looking at her."
"I see," Izayoi said as she gently rubbed circles on her son's back. "I'm sorry, sweetie."
"I can't believe this," Inuyasha replied. "I confess my feelings to the girl I'm in love with, and suddenly, my two-timing ex-girlfriend decided to show up? I can't believe my fu- I mean...freaking luck."
Izayoi nodded her head in understanding. She knew that her son would still be upset over what happened between him and Kikyo. She could still remember the day they broke up. He came home, just like he did today, kicking his shoes off and storming up the stairs. When Izayoi and Toga attempted to ask what happened, he yelled at them to get out of his room and even threw his pillow at the door as they retreated. After that, they heard crashing noises and Inuyasha yelling every curse word he could think of and then some. After about an hour, there was silence and when they opened the door, they found him sitting on his knees while he had his head on his broken mattress, muffle sobs filling the air before he conveyed to them about Kikyo breaking up with him and confessing to sleeping with Sesshomaru.
At least this time, he didn't trash his room. It took them quite a hefty sum to replace everything he broke.
"I'm sorry Kikyo upset you, Inuyasha," Izayoi whispered.
"...I'm so confused," Inuyasha said.
"Why?" Izayoi asked.
"Because...part of me was happy to see her," Inuyasha answered. "I don't know why."
"...I think you might hold some lingering feelings for her," Izayoi said.
"...But I shouldn't be this way," Inuyasha said. "I'm not supposed to be happy about seeing her in any way. I've got Kagome, now...so why...?" He sniffled as he put his hand over his eyes, trying his hardest not to break down.
"...Love is hard when you're young, honey," Izayoi replied. "Believe me."
"...It sure as hell is..." Inuyasha muttered.
XXX
11:45 AM.
Kagome was sitting at her house with Sango. Atsuko was downstairs, making lunch, so they had some time to themselves for a bit. As Kagome lied on her bed, looking at her phone, Sango was sitting on the floor, leaning against the bedframe while looking at her phone.
"So how's Kohaku?" Kagome asked. "Have you been able to see him?"
"He's still in a coma," Sango answered, "but at least he doesn't have a tube down his throat, anymore."
"That's good news!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Turns out Miroku visited him again," Sango said. "He left some get-well charms for him."
Kagome didn't fail to notice the small blush on her best friend's cheeks, causing her to smirk.
"You know, if I didn't any," she said, "I'd almost say you like Miroku."
"Who, me?" Sango asked, her blush darkening. "Oh, don't be ridiculous Kagome! I mean...I barely know the guy. All I know is that he's a flirtatious priest-in-training who hangs out with Inuyasha...I don't think he's looking for a girlfriend."
"Well, maybe one of these days, you ought to get to know him better," Kagome suggested.
"Well...I guess," Sango shrugged. "By the way...that was weird, what happened earlier today with that girl at the cafe."
"Yeah, that was kind of weird," Kagome replied as she fingered her necklace.
"Hey," Sango said, "this is gonna sound random, but...she said her ex-boyfriend gave her a necklace just like that, didn't she?"
"Yeah, but I'm sure it's just a coincidence," Kagome answered. "Just because she had a necklace, it doesn't really mean it was hers, right?"
"Maybe not," Sango said. "I only ask because...well...didn't Inuyasha have a girlfriend?"
"Yeah, but that was a long time ago," Kagome replied. "The girl's name was Kikyo, but I honestly don't even know what she looked...like..." She trailed off as her eyes went wide. "...Wait..."
"What?" Sango asked.
"...You don't think...that was her, do you?" Kagome inquired. "The girl we ran into, earlier this morning?"
"You think it might have been?" Sango implied.
"...I kinda hope not," Kagome muttered as she put her hand on her necklace.
'Suddenly, I'm worried about Inuyasha...'
"Girls!" Atsuko called from downstairs. "Lunch!"
"Coming, Mom!" Kagome answered as she and Sango got up to go eat.
XXX
2:45 PM.
Inuyasha sighed as he lied on his bed, his hands behind his head while he had one leg arched. Miyuki was lying on his stomach, purring softly at his warm skin while he gently stroked her fur. Despite the blissful moment, he was still feeling utter confusion. He was still mad at Kikyo for her betrayal...but at the same time, a part of him was happy to see her. He didn't know why he felt this way.
Maybe...Izayoi was right. Maybe a part of him still loved her.
"Gah!" he cried as he gripped his head, causing Miyuki to yowl as she leapt off his stomach and jumped down on the floor. "I don't believe this shit...why would I still be in love with Kikyo?"
Suddenly, his phone buzzed, causing him to pick it up from the nightstand and unlock the screen.
NEW TEXT MESSAGE FROM KAGOME:
Hi. Just wanted 2 check in on U.
Inuyasha smiled before he texted her back.
INUYASHA:
Hey, bby. How R U?
KAGOME:
Pretty good. How R U doing?
INUYASHA:
... ... ...
KAGOME:
What's wrong? R U OK?
INUYASHA:
...I ran into my ex at the mall.
KAGOME:
What?!
INUYASHA:
Apparently, Miroku saw her at his favorite cafe.
KAGOME:
Wait...long black hair? Kinda mature-looking for her age?
INUYASHA:
How'd U know?
KAGOME:
...Sango and I saw her 2.
INUYASHA:
...Fuck...
KAGOME:
...Inuyasha? Can I ask U something?
INUYASHA:
What is it?
KAGOME:
The necklace U gave me...was it hers?
Inuyasha's eyes went wide.
KAGOME:
I'm not mad. I'm just wondering.
INUYASHA:
...Yes...the necklace was hers, but on the day she broke up with me, she gave it back.
KAGOME:
I see.
INUYASHA:
...U mad?
KAGOME:
I'm not mad, Inuyasha.
INUYASHA:
R U sure?
KAGOME:
Yes, Inuyasha, I'm sure.
INUYASHA:
R U really sure?
KAGOME:
I'M NOT MAD! STOP ASKING ME!
INUYASHA:
All right! I believe U!
KAGOME:
Thank U.
INUYASHA:
...U sure seemed mad though.
KAGOME:
...R U doing this on purpose?
INUYASHA:
No, I was just asking.
KAGOME:
Forget it. I gotta go.
INUYASHA:
Wait! I'm sorry!
KAGOME:
... ... ...
INUYASHA:
I was pushy. Can I make it up to U? Maybe dinner tonight?
KAGOME:
...I'll ask my Mom and I'll let U know what she says.
INUYASHA:
I'm sorry, Kagome. I've been a little out of sorts since I saw Kikyo again.
KAGOME:
I understand. I'm not mad. For real. ^^
INUYASHA:
I believe U.
KAGOME:
OK, gotta go now. TTYL?
INUYASHA:
Sure, babe. Bye.
KAGOME:
Luv U~!
INUYASHA:
Luv U 2.
Inuyasha chuckled before he ran his hands through his hair...but even then, he still felt unsure.
XXX
6:13 PM.
It was almost sundown that day. It was still pretty gloomy outside, but at least didn't rain. That was the last thing Inuyasha needed, right now.
Kagome had gotten permission from her mother to have dinner with him, that night. He figured that this time, he'd take her someplace she'd like to go instead of his. There was a nice tempura restaurant that wasn't too far from where he was. Now he just had to wait for her to show up.
As Inuyasha stood waiting for Kagome...he sighed as he realized something: he was standing in the park at the exact spot Kikyo broke up with him, last year.
"Dammit..." Inuyasha cursed. "Of all places, why did I ask Kagome to meet me here?" He scratched at his head, puzzled and irritated...when suddenly, his ears twitched at the sound of footsteps.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked as he turned around...but he saw that it was not Kagome, but Kikyo.
"Kagome?" Kikyo repeated. "Who's that?"
"...None of your business who," Inuyasha grumbled as he looked away from her. However, Kikyo walked up to him and attempted to put her hand on his shoulder, but he only pulled away with a growl.
"Inuyasha-" Kikyo started.
"I don't wanna hear whatever you have to say, you timing whore!" Inuyasha barked, and that's when his phone vibrated, causing him to take it out of his pocket.
NEW TEXT MESSAGE FROM KAGOME:
I'm almost there. I should be there in a few minutes.
"Great..." Inuyasha muttered before he glared at Kikyo. "Listen, I have someone I have to meet up with." He then turned to leave. "So, sayonara."
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha!" Kikyo called after him, causing him to freeze in his tracks.
"...What did you say?" he asked as he glanced back at her.
"...I'm sorry, Inuyasha," Kikyo said, sadly. "I truly, truly am...that's why I came back. I wanted to apologize." She looked down at her hands, clenching them tightly together. "I...I had a moment of weakness. I never should have done what I did and...I truly regret it."
"...You came here to give me an apology?" Inuyasha questioned. "Keh! Bitch, it's gonna take more than that!"
"I know," Kikyo replied. "Inuyasha...I don't know what I could do to earn your forgiveness back...but I'm willing to try." She walked up to him while putting her hand on the sleeve of his coat. "Please...I just want you to know that I really am sorry."
Inuyasha looked away from her, his ears pinned against his head.
"...Do you remember how it used to be, between us?" Kikyo asked. "We used to be so happy."
"...Yeah...we were happy," Inuyasha began, "until you fucked that up."
"I know," Kikyo replied as she got closer to him. "Inuyasha...I know what I did was wrong. I want you to know how sorry I really am...I...I miss you...I miss us." She gripped his sleeve a little tighter. "Don't you miss us, too?"
"...I don't know," Inuyasha replied. "...Maybe..."
Not too far away, Kagome hummed as she walked up the path, and as she drew closer, she could see Inuyasha.
"Inu..." she started...but then she trailed off as she got closer and saw Kikyo standing with him. "...Is that...?"
"...Inuyasha," Kikyo replied. "Remember the old times...don't you want those back, again?"
"...Maybe..." Inuyasha muttered, but then Kikyo reached up and gently moved his head her way. She smiled up at him, standing up on the tips of her toes as she closed her eyes and puckered her lips. Inuyasha blinked before he leaned in to do the same...and all the while, Kagome stared, a heavy feeling suddenly forming in her heart. Her lip quivered...and she sighed before she turned and walked away...but then...
"...I can't."
Kagome froze upon hearing Inuyasha's voice before she turned around, slightly, seeing the half-demon put a finger against Kikyo's lips while wearing a bitter expression on his visage.
"You...you can't what?" Kikyo asked in confusion.
"I can't do this!" Inuyasha argued. "I can't kiss you like this! Especially after what you did! But more importantly...I can't do this because...because I love Kagome!"
Kikyo gasped silently while Kagome turned around completely.
"She's beautiful and funny and smart and kind," Inuyasha began, "and she's cute as hell! And I'd be damned if I ever disrespected her, especially like this!"
"...Inuyasha...!" Kikyo whispered.
"At first, I thought I was happy to see you," Inuyasha began, "but now I realize I was wrong! Kagome loves me for who I am and she's willing to stay with me, no matter what! Sure, she can be stubborn and has a bit of a temper issue, but I love her in spite of that! At least we have one thing in common: there's only one thing we have in this world...and that's each other."
Kikyo just blinked at Inuyasha while Kagome stood with her hand over her chest. She sniffled quietly, her eyes beginning to well up with tears...unaware that a shadow was creeping up on her.
"I love her, Kikyo," Inuyasha said, "and only her! And if you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine!"
A pause...but then Kikyo sighed...and then she smiled at him. It was a small, sad smile...and yet, he could see something that looked like...acceptance.
"Then...I hope she makes you very happy," she said.
"...Wait...really?" Inuyasha asked in slight disbelief. "You're not upset?"
"While I am a bit sad," Kikyo began, "it's clear that you've moved on...and I accept that." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Make sure to keep her happy, too."
"...Kikyo, you-" Inuyasha started, only for a shrill scream to pierce the air. "What the fuck?!"
"HELP! INUYASHA!"
"Kagome?!" Inuyasha questioned before he ran off. "Kagome!"
Kikyo gasped before she ran after him. The two ran down the cobblestone path in the park until they both braked to a stop, and as they looked down, they saw large hoof prints in the ground...and Kagome's purse, the contents scattered all over.
*GASP*
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