Chapter 21: I told you so/ Not so bad

I sat on my sister's couch, angrily shoving food in my face and she just watched as I did it. This wasn't the first time I've been on this couch. Oh, this couch was all too familiar. I spent many of my days in high school crying on this couch. I continued to eat, grumbling incoherently. I could hear Kikyo sighed to the side of me. She was probably tired of playing my therapist, but hey; what is family for?

"So, what was it this time?" she asked.

I swallowed the food in my mouth.

"Sango."

She groaned rolling her eyes. "Her again? Kagome when are you going to realize that she is not your friend?"

"Apparently today."

She seemed slightly shocked.

"Really? What was it? What the last straw? What finally opened your eyes?"

She was practically glowing. I could tell it was taking everything she had not to blurt out I told you so.

"Well, she sort of blew up on me... but I guess I should start from when she put me on a sex website. That's really what set everything in motion I guess."

Her eyeballs looked like they'd pop out of her head. "She did what!?"

I sighed. "It's a long story, because of what she did I have like four men on my tail and ugh. I don't even want to talk about it."

She shook her head. "No, no. You don't bring up something like that and then not tell me the story. I don't care how long of a story it is. We have nothing but time." She said sipping her wine.

I spent the next hour explaining to her the soap opera that was my life. On her second bottle of wine, she just sat there, taking in all of what I had told her.

"Wow." she breathed.

I took a sip of my soda. "I know."

"Do you know which one you're going to pick?" She asked smiling.

"Kikyo come on. I just poured out my heart to you about ending a friendship, and that's what you're worried about?"

"Yes. A so-called friendship that needed to be over a very long time ago. Besides, the men were the best part of this story. Who knew you were so promiscuous, little sister."

I laughed. "You are such a jerk."

"If only mom could see you now. You thought that you weren't going to be like us."

"Like you and mom? You're insane. Mom was a Model, and so are you and then there's me. The only time I can find my sex appeal is with the help of someone else. Besides, I'm still a virgin."

"Not for looongg." She sang. "There's nothing wrong with being confident sexually. It's in your blood. The Higurashi women are a modern-day Helen of Troy. We could launch a billion wars if we wanted to."

"Ha, you think very highly of yourself I see. Whatever succubus genes you and mom had skipped me. It's obvious that I take from dad."

She wiggled her brows. "Not by the story that you just told me. You'll be fine. You have many men interested in you, and you can make new friends. it's not the end of the world." she told me.

"So then why does it feel like it?"

She kissed my forehead. "Because you're a little overdramatic." She whispered, half smiling.

"Oh shut up." I stood up. "Well, that's enough sulking on your couch for today. If I am going to be miserable, it's going to be in the comfort of my own home."

She hiccupped. "Oh come on, stay the night. You barely visit me. What kind of sister are you?"

I grabbed my things, heading for the door. "The smart kind. Your ways would rub off on me." I said closing the door behind me.

I looked up at the night sky. I didn't realize that I had stayed so long. Knowing Kikyo she would've been knocked out in bed by now. I had no interest in babysitting my drunk sister.

"Well, it's a nice night for a walk." I said to myself.

So I started walking. Not to anywhere in particular. Just a walk to clear my head, enjoy the night air. It was nice; peaceful even. I had been strolling for about thirty minutes, lost in my thoughts. Until I had realized that I was lost. Maybe if I visited more often I would know the area better.

I sighed. "Just my luck."

I looked at the cross streets trying to figure it out, but no luck. I pulled out my phone hoping to call a cab, but unfortunately, my phone was dead. I doubt there were cabs this late anyway. I groaned why didn't I just drive here? Scanning the street for someone so I could ask for directions. It was late, so I wasn't expecting to see anyone. I peered down the street finally spotting someone. I jogged over to them, with the hope that they could help.

"Hello, could you tell me where I am? I'm a bit lost."

The moment he'd turned around, I regretted asking him anything. His eyes were bloodshot, deep dark circles sat under his eyes. The clothes he wore were a mess and unkempt. He then smiled at me showing his gold teeth. I could smell the heavy alcohol on his breath.

I put my hands up. "Nevermind."

I turned to walk away, but he'd grabbed my wrist and I could have sworn at that moment my heart almost stopped.

"A pretty girl like you shouldn't be out here alone at this time of night."

His voice was raspy, and it only creeped me out more. I tried to pull my arm away, but he held on tight.

"Let go of me!"

He smiled. "What? You don't want my help anymore?" he teased.

"Listen, you better let me go or-"

"You'll scream?" he laughed. "Look around you sweetheart it's just you and me."

He grabbed both of my wrists, pulling me into the hallway; pinning me to the wall. I could feel his hands caressing my thigh. I could feel tears pricking at my eyes. I shut them tight and screamed at the top of my lungs. I heard a loud thud and I fell to the floor, quickly pulling my arms to my chest. My chest rose and fell quickly and I couldn't make it stop. Was I hyperventilating? It felt like everything was closing in on me. I felt a strong pair of hands on my shoulders; they shook me.

"Kagome!? Look at me! Are you okay!?"

I rubbed the tears out of my eyes.

"It's okay. I'm here now." the voice said.

I blinked a few more times. "N-Naraku?"

I looked behind him, laid there was the man who had attacked me.

"Don't worry. He's out cold and I called the police. C'mon, let wait over there."

I nodded, shakily standing to my feet. I had never been so grateful to see him in my life.

Almost two hours had passed since we'd been at the police station. Both Naraku and I had already given our statements. I was ready to get out of here. I was tired and my wrists hurt. I knew they were going to bruise. I looked up, hearing a door open; it was Naraku.

He set his hand on my shoulder. "Hey, are you ready to go?"

I stood nodding my head. We headed out of the station, stepping foot on the sidewalk. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I could feel my lips quivering as my hot tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. I buried my face in my hands. My small body shook with each sob. I felt s strong pair of arms wrap around me. He rubbed my back while I just cried. I wonder how crazy we must have looked stooping down on the sidewalk like that. I wasn't sure how much time had passed but my legs were starting to fall asleep, but I'd finally gotten a hold of myself. I wiped my eyes and sniffled for the last time.

"Thank you." I'd said.

He brushed the hair from my face. "Don't mention it. It's late, I should get you home. Where's your car?"

I sighed. "I didn't drive here," I told him. "And I don't think there are any cabs running at this time of night."

"I'd offer to drive you if I had a car... I don't live too far from here... you could just spend the night at my place; if you want to. No pressure or anything." he said, putting his hands up.

I weighed my options. Go back to my sisters and have her interrogate me about what happened. Then scold me for not carrying some sort of protection. I didn't need that, not tonight.

"I'll take you up on that offer."

A shower and a cup of tea later I was sitting on his couch. He lived in a loft. It was covered with artwork, they were all beautiful. They'd caught my eye the moment I'd stepped foot in here.

"See something you like?" he asked.

"The artwork is beautiful. Where did you buy them?"

"Buy them? I painted them. I told you that office job was just a side hustle. My nine to five funds my true passion." he said with a smile.

"I see."

The silence was awkward. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk. It's just that I couldn't really find the words right now. All I could think about was being in that stupid alley. My head snapped up when I felt his hand on top of mine.

"Kagome, you're okay," he said softly.

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying my best not to cry again.

"Yeah, I know," I whispered.

He stood. "I made the bed up for you. I'll take the couch."

"Naraku, could you maybe... sleep next to the bed?"

He gave me a small smile. "Sure thing."

I slid into bed and watched him spread a blanket on the floor right next to me.

He made sure to keep the light on, on the nightstand. He held his hand out to me. I gave him a small smile, holding his hand. He used to hold my hand like this in high school whenever I was feeling down, and he wasn't sure what to say. I stared at his hand until my eyelids became heavy.

Maybe him being around wasn't so bad after all.