Chapter Eleven

Jilted Lover

Sango still held her tight as she practically forced her to her quarters. The room looked untouched, and Kagome began searching for any proof. Sango eyes her harshly.

"What are you doing?"

She didn't have a response other than the truth. "I'm looking… for Kikyo's things."

"What does that mean?"

Turning, she stopped her search. "I got taken, held for ransom, and when I return, she is here as if it's her home? Because it is her home, Lord Tashio had her return once I was gone…."

"That's not what happened!"

"How could you know? You were with me!"

Sango shifted uneasily on her feet. "You're tired. You should rest."

Deep down, she knew Sango was right. She was exhausted. But nothing could calm her head and her heart. That was false, Inuyasha appearing would comfort her, but he had yet to make an appearance. Dawn was stretching across the horizon, standing at the top of the villa to watch its rising. She had long ago given up on sleep and instead left her quarters. Searching for something without knowing what.

Sango had been relieved for the evening, as she should, but her new guard wasn't as able, finding him asleep next to her door. If anyone came looking for her in her bed, they would get a shock. But no one was looking for her, not tonight.

Bitter thoughts raged in her head, making her heart sour. She always knew Inuyasha didn't love her, that he was in love with another. Before it didn't matter, she was fine with it as she would never love him.

But now…

Now the thought of Inuyasha in the arms of Kikyo made her sick, swallowing her vomit just as she had to from Naraku's words only hours ago. As much as she wanted to believe Inuyasha wasn't with Lady Kikyo, it was hard to deny it. The sun was high in the morning sky, and no word from him.

And why would he come? The first time in who knew how long he was reunited with his love; they had missed each other the few times Kikyo had visited since her marriage.

She needed a distraction. Something to keep her thoughts from making her stomach turn. Taking a turn around her home, she finally allowed herself to survey the damage. There wasn't much to speak of. The house itself was left mostly untouched. So the only actual damage was the lives of those inside the home.

Maybe this was a bad idea as well, feeling ill with images of the people she had gotten close to losing their lives. She had turned to go back to her quarters when she heard a strange sound. When she heard it again, it sounded like someone in distress.

Fearing losing another, she raced, the sound getting louder as she got closer. Now it sounded more like a cat mewling for scraps. It was so loud; when she opened the door to the room it came from, those inside didn't notice.

Taking one look, she backed away, stumbling over herself. She tried to run but only made it around the corner and out of earshot. It had only been a heartbeat of a glance, but it was more than she ever wanted to see.

For all she saw was Kikyo pressed against the wall while Inuyasha, his hair wild and loose like he only wore for Kagome, bucked into her.

Crawling, she made it to the edge of the covered walk and vomited into a bush.

oOo

She received a sound tongue lashing from Sango for sneaking out. Out of all the people here, the one to miss her was her guard. Her only friend, it would seem.

That said, she didn't dare tell Sango what she saw. She couldn't get the words to leave her mouth, making her ill whenever she tried. It all had her wishing for things she shouldn't, like never agreeing to marry Inuyasha or staying with Naraku. She could no more change the past than she could change Inuyasha's unfaithful heart.

It had been a week since her kidnapping. Inuyasha had yet to see her, and now she knew for sure it was due to Kikyo as she was still in the house. Kagome caught sight of her from time to time as well as the back of Inuyasha as he walked away. She never saw his front, but that was more than enough, his hair down now as well. It was as if he cared nothing for Kagome now, not sparing her feelings in the slightest with his affair or breaking his promises to her.

She was surprised when it was announced she had a visitor.

Leaping to her feet at the sight of them, she nearly knocked her mother over and squeezed Souta to death. "Why are you here?"

Her mother was tense, glee clear on her face, but it was reverent of Kagome. Another person stepped around her family, a more shocking guest than her mother and brother as Koga presented himself. "We got word of your kidnapping, so I brought them here as fast as I could."

Without hesitation, she hugged Koga, wrapping her arms around him tight. "Thank you."

His arms wrapped around her in return and then lingered. Longer than she intended, she was still embracing Koga when other sounds reached her ears and attention. Mother bowed her head, as did Souta, while Koga refused to, his hands still on her hips.

Kagome knew who it was, but she still turned to see, finding a glowering Inuyasha a few short feet from them. He was making haste towards them, a few following as best they could. When he ignored her and went straight for her mother, she lacked any surprise.

Inuyasha only cared for Kikyo and his people, after all.

"Higurashi-san, I'm so glad you could make it." He purred, and it made Kagome's skin crawl.

"My Lord is too kind, sending for us as quickly as you did."

"Thank you, Lord Tashio, for getting my sister back safely."

Her family was enamored, and why not. No one knew what he had done to her. Only she and Inuyasha knew the truth, and as it were, he didn't think she had seen him with Kikyo. Inuyasha could still work her over if he tried; if she hadn't seen and he showed the care he used to for her, then she would be as blind as ever. But he wasn't even trying, continuing to act as if she was not there.

Koga noticed her, wrapping an arm loosely about her shoulders and directing her towards the house. "Come, Kagome. You look tired. Are you ill?"

Inuyasha paused, stilling as if to listen to her answer. But she shrugged it off as his need to control her; it did show from time to time. "I'm fine. Only tired."

"Then let me take you to your quarters…."

"Koga! You may have known one another since childhood, but Kagome is a married woman now! It would be inappropriate!" Her mother screeched, taking her from the man's hold.

Inuyasha looked uninterested, her mother the only one to care. He had his mistress, so maybe he was fine with her taking a lover as well? As if she could do such a thing?! Kagome was nothing like Inuyasha; she cared about the vows she took and refused to break them even when he broke his.

Now it was her mother that led her away instead, glancing back for a moment as the three men gathered closer together. They said something to each other, but she couldn't hear, too busy showing her mother the way.

oOo

Three short weeks and she was saying goodbye to her family again. She desperately wanted to go with them, but it would break the agreement between her village and Tashio. Who knew if he would continue to honor it if she embarrassed him so.

Koga stood beside her as they watched the carriage disappear into the distance. Alone now, she turned to him. "Are you sure it is alright for you to stay? You have already been here nearly a full moon cycle."

"Of course. Ayumi is well taken care of, and I could not turn down the request of our Lord Tashio, now could I?"

"Yes, you could. He does not own you."

"Nor does he own you." She turned, not liking the tone of his voice as he spoke of things they should not. But he followed, Koga chasing her down and not giving her any space. "I see how he treats you. And that other woman he keeps? Shameful! You are worth a hundred of that bitch."

"Koga…"

He side-stepped her, getting between her and her path. "Come with me."

"I am…"

"No, I mean, come home with me. You are the real reason I stayed, and I'll wait until you are ready to leave. But you should leave with me. You need to leave with me, Kagome."

He moved out of her way, and she fumed back to her quarters, Sango waiting for her there. "What's wrong, Kagome?"

"I need some space!"

It was not Sango's fault, but suddenly she struggled to breathe. Doing her job, Sango ignored her wishes and grabbed her before she hit the floor. "Kagome? What's wrong?!"

For the first time since seeing her husband's infidelity, Kagome wept. And Sango held her, rubbing what she could reach in hopes of consoling her. But there was nothing her guard could do for her. Not about this.

Her heart was broken.

Pushing Sango away, Kagome got to her feet and entered her chambers, shutting the door gently in Sango's face.

oOo

No matter how much she wished things were different, she had no choice. Things were what they were.

She loved Inuyasha, but he loved Kikyo. It would be challenging, but she loved him enough to let him go. He deserved to be happy, and she needed to move on.

Kagome would never love another like she did Inuyasha, so she had to accept him and his lover or not at all.

It was late. Or early, depending on your ideals. Kagome had tricked Sango into guiding her to Inuyasha's room, knowing it would be empty. At least she had the solace of knowing Inuyasha wasn't making love to Kikyo in the same bed they had.

Sango left for her own time, and Kagome waited in the empty room. She stayed away from the bed, fearing she would fall into it and fall apart. When she was sure the house was asleep, she snuck out and into the dark halls. Going straight to the promised spot and meeting the shadowy figure without fear.

"Koga." He slipped from the shadows and into her view. "Thank you for meeting me here like this. It's the only way to get some privacy."

"Where are your things?" She remained silent, and he continued unphased. "It's fine. You don't need anything from Tashio. I'll take care of you…."

"Koga. I am not going."

He chewed his words, looking her over with a fire in his eyes. "Why the hell not?"

"Because I have a duty to my village and my husband."

"Your husband? He treats you like a thing. A steed that he has grown tired of and put out to pasture while he rides his new pony!"

Any doubts that Koga knew about Kikyo were dashed to nothing. She was mortified but still sure of her choice. "Regardless, I am not someone who goes against her word, and I have mine to stay here and be his wife."

Koga grabbed her, taking her hands hostage as he shook with a mixture of emotions. "I will treat you better. I will honor and respect you. Love you as you deserve. Tashio does not deserve you; he could live a hundred lives and never come close! I have always cared for you; have you not seen it?!"

"I…" she was overwhelmed. Never had she noticed or thought of Koga as anything more than a friend. A brother. "I never…."

Koga tugged her hard, pulling her behind him using the hands he held, and she spun fast on her own when he released her. She had never seen Inuyasha so angry before; his eyes looked like they glowed red.

"Get your hands off my wife and get the fuck out of my house."

She glanced up at Koga, who looked ready to fight. It all drained away when she put a hand on his shoulder and stepped around him, getting between the two men. Inuyasha didn't wait for anything more to be said or done, grabbing Kagome and flinging her over his shoulder. Then carried her off into the night.

AN: Bear with me and don't write this story off until after you read the next chapter!