OMG SOOO MANY REVIEWS 89!!
I Never thought this story would be sooo popular :: blows kisses to reviewers::
You all are AMAZING especially my loyal reviewers! Trust me I read all of them.
This is a SUPER LONG chapter in your Honor so I hope you like.
On with the Show! UGH TIRED!!!
Disclaimer :: Soooo not in the mood for this! Ugh! I never have and never will own Inuyasha & Co. There! So now u can't sue me!! Mwuhahahaha (did I mention I;ve been typing for a ridiculously long time I always do this last)
Tears and Rants
A few rebellious tears managed to trickle forth from Kagome's eyes, betraying the pain and sorrow she still felt at Inuyasha's betrayal. Impatiently she wiped them away with a pale hand, mentally scolding herself for her weakness.
'Come on, Kagome. Get it together, girl! You've spent enough tears over him already. You need to move on! Remember? You can't linger in the past.
You can't go back.
Inuyasha loves Kikyou, and there's nothing that you can do about it. You have to let it go.
You have to let him go.
You can't blame him for not loving you . . .'
She angrily brushed away the tears that had escaped with this new comment. Suddenly a realization hit her, making her feel as if she had suddenly been plunged into a tub of ice cold water
'God, I'm going to have to go back there and face him.
Not to mention Sesshoumaru and his family.'
She blushed as she remembered the position that they had found her and Sesshoumaru in, but the memory did make her smile. The few times that Sesshoumaru let down his cold façade enough to simply be himself around her were to be cherished.
Though he seemed to be doing so more and more often recently. . .
'Why didn't he tell me that Inuyasha was his brother? Then again he never talks about his family that much. And there is always that sad almost longing look in his eyes when I talk about mine.
I never did tell him about Inuyasha anyway. It hurt too much to talk about him, but I guess I have no choice now, and it can't hurt as much as seeing him again . . .
As much as remembering . . .
But I can't let this affect me. I've come too far to give it all up now. I promised Sesshou that I'd help him move in, and I will. I have to be strong. I'm a resilient girl, and I won't let this ruin me. I can't let my past control me. I have to move on, and let Inuyasha move on too. . .'
She set her face with her newfound determination and marched into the store, buying two more cans of paint for appearance's sake before turning back to Sesshoumaru's apartment to face her past again.. . .
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
A young man with piercing purple eyes and a carefree smile glanced over at the woman next to him as he drove down the street. The woman, who had her long coal black hair tied into a high ponytail, nervously smiled back twisting her hands in her lap.
"Relax, Sango. You have nothing to worry about. Calm down. What could go wrong?" Houshi Miroku said in his deep soothing voice as he watched Sango's nervous expression quickly change to one of anger.
"What could go wrong?!? Are you kidding me, Miroku? You mean besides the fact that Inuyasha is going to be at Sesshoumaru's apartment today?
The same Inuyasha that can't seem to stay in the same side of the GLOBE as Sesshoumaru without trying to kill him!
Not to mention the fact that Kagome is going to be there too. Kagome, who was CRUSHED when she found out that Inuyasha had cheated on her with that- that-that" at this point Sango's vocabulary apparently ran out of words to describe the other girl who had ruined things so badly for her friend. And she merely fumed at the calm face of her boyfriend, that carefree smile seriously grating on her nerves.
(A/N:: Yes, Sango and Miroku are dating)
"And they haven't seen each other in YEARS! Kagome went across Japan to get away from him, and now they're going to meet again. Not to mention that you would have to be blind not to see that Kagome and Sesshoumaru care for one another! Even if they are too stupid to see it themselves."
Miroku gazed upon Sango fury with an unbridled calm, enjoying the fiery spark that had entered her eyes during her rant. And the way that her chest seemed to heave up and down . . . (A/N:: Hey, he's a pervert remember? And I am trying to keep him in character)
Noticing where Miroku's gaze had strayed while she yelled, Sango brought her bag down on his head with a dull thud, shouting, "HENTAI!!!" as she took over the wheel of the car when the semi-conscious Miroku slumped in his chair. A casual observer would notice that they seemed to have WAAAAY too much experience with such behavior.
"And once that they find out that WE KNEW all this time and didn't say a thing. WE ARE DEAD!!!
I mean we've known Inuyasha for years! True, it wasn't until Kagome came along that we really became friends, but we still can't say that we didn't notice his brother around. I mean Sesshoumaru is pretty hard to miss. And when Inuyasha realizes that we've known where Kagome was all along and didn't tell him!!!" Sango continued as Miroku recovered from the jarring blow to his head. (A/N:: I know that Sango's a little out of character here *wards off flying tomatoes* but just bear with me. When you think about it how calm would U be in this situation)
"My dear, Sango, calm down," he replied as he wondered exactly what she kept in that bag of hers *bricks?*
"We had no choice, but to act the way we did given the situation. You know very well, that we could not have betrayed Kagome by telling Inuyasha where she was, when she so obviously wanted no more to do with him.
And every time his name was even mentioned around her, you could see the hurt in her eyes just as easily as I could. I do not know about you, but I was not about dredge up that part of her past," he concluded take back the wheel from Sango.
Sango sighed and leaned against the taller boy in defeat, hoping that he wouldn't take the opportunity to fondle her.
"I know."
'I remember too. . .'
* * * * * * * * * * * * Flash Back * * * * * * * * *
Working on a particularly stubborn advanced calculus problem, a young woman sat at one of the two cheap but sturdy desks that decorated the small dorm room that the administration in some fit of insanity had actually believed could house two growing college students.
A scraggly, thin light blue carpet that had seen FAR too many years covered the floor, itching her bare feet. Her slim form bent over the desk studying the textbook with deep brown eyes that were slightly tainted with old sorrow. Her head bent in concentration, as her presence spoke of great strength both mental and physical.
Without warning, a loud slam jolted her from her math-induced daze
Sango looked up as her roommate stormed in the room, liquid brown eyes (A/N:: the roommate's not Sango's) flashing with anger. Stomping over to throw her backpack onto the small twin-sized bed of their dorm, Kagome sat down and proceeded to furiously wrestle her books from over-stuffed bag.
"What's the matter, Kagome-chan?" Kagome's curious roommate inquired as she watched her friend apparently attempt to beat her book bag into submission and release her books.
"That pompous, self-important, unfeeling, arrogant BAKA!" responded Kagome, her expression dark with fury. Sango could almost feel the waves of anger that were radiating off of her friend's rigid form.
"I overslept and was late for my first Ancient Japanese History class, so the TA tried to HUMILIATE me in front of the entire class! And if that weren't bad enough, he assigned us all an IMPOSSIBLY long paper for MONDAY! AND the teacher even didn't show up for the entire class!" ranted Kagome her eyes, voice, and face more alive than they had been for a while.
Sango watched her friend's tirade with amusement.
'It's like she's finally woken up! She's been like a ghost for this past year, ever since the break up, wearing a smiling face for everyone but still never showing any of her true spirit. Her eyes always so tired and sad, but now she's just angry.
I never thought that I would be this happy just to see Kagome angry. I would choose the fury in her voice right now to the dead tone that it held so often before, any day. This guy must have really gotten under her skin to finally bring back our old Kagome,' she thought with a smile.
"Yeah, I hear that the professor for that class never even bothers to teach any of his classes if they aren't for graduate students, and that he has his TA's basically teach all of them for him.
Soooo, it might not be such a good idea to have gotten on his bad side. Especially since I hear that he's really hot(A/N:: The TA not the prof)," said Sango with a smirk.
Kagome stopped her battle with her obstinate book bag to look at Sango in disbelief. "Oh, Great," she groaned, "This is just not my day."
'Actually, Kagome-chan. Things seem to be looking up for you today,' thought Sango contently as she watched her friend seem to slowly come back to life, the beaten look in the eyes fading slightly, as she ranted on about the apparently despicable TA.
"So, What's his name?" she inquired, wanting to know the name of the man who had riled up her friend so much.
Kagome, paused, surprised to be interrupted in the midst of her rant, "I'm pretty sure he said his name was Kawamura Sesshoumaru," she replied after a moment's thought.
Sango paled visibly.
'OH SHIT!,' she thought, 'Why of all people did it have to be Sesshoumaru, who managed to wake up Kagome's spirit?
But then again, Inuyasha always did seem to have had a special skill when it came to angering Kagome, maybe it was hereditary. . . .
Should I tell her?
But she seems so alive right now! Back to the vivacious, passionate Kagome that was like a little sister to me. I can't let that jerk's memory ruin this second chance for her.
Every time anyone even mentions his name, she looks as broken as she did when it first happened. Like she has to start healing all over again.
I can't tell her. . . .' she concluded with grim determination.
Watching Sango's face change from playfully curious to shocked to serious, set off Kagome's subliminal alarm indicating that something was wrong with her friend.
"Sango, are you ok?" Kagome asked, the anger that had previously dominated her face replaced by concern as she surveyed her friend, but the light from her fury still not leaving her eyes.
"I'm fine, Kagome-chan," Sango swiftly replied, before noticing Kagome's incredulous face.
"Shouldn't you get started on that paper? You'll never finish it by Monday if you don't start now," she said quickly, effectively distracting Kagome.
"Oh my god! I still have to go to the library to do research before it closes!" she shouted as she sprinted out of the dorm at a dead run, only to come to a skidding halt a the end of the hall.
Groaning, she turned to sprint back and retrieve her forgotten book bag off her bed and dash off towards the library again. (A/N:: I've done it. So you guys can't say that nobody is stupid enough to do that. . .)
* * * * * * * * End Flash Back * * * * * * * * *
Shaking her head at the memory, Sango thought, 'At least, I didn't have to lie to her face. I don't think that I could betray someone as trusting as Kagome.
Sesshoumaru didn't even remember Miroku, or me, but then again he always went out of his way to ignore or antagonize and fight Inuyasha. Not exactly the best conditions to make friends under and we didn't even become close with Inuyasha until after Kagome transferred here and by then Sesshoumaru was off at college.'
Slowly she realized that the car had come to a halt and looked up at Miroku's gentle face.
The face that had won her over, and betrayed the kindness that lay behind his perverted actions.
Sango slipped out of the car and stood beside Miroku as they climbed the steps to Sesshoumaru's apartment, their hands instinctively slipping into one another, fingers laced, as if bracing themselves for the storm that they knew was coming. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze and a carefree smile that was now calming in its own way, Miroku knocked on the door.
(A/N:: I actually have up to here written, proofread, and ready to post and it is 11-56 PM Sat. but I know that you guys would kill me if I left u hanging like that so..)
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Inside of the brightly-lit apartment, Sesshoumaru handed Inutaisho a can of paint after he had insisted upon helping his son paint his apartment. Meanwhile Sakura wandered around the apartment creating a mental list of things that her stepson would need and silently marveling at how he could afford this place.
When she had been in college she lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment with a slob of a roommate.
Inuyasha glared at his brother desperately attempting to discern exactly what his intentions were with Kagome and how the HELL they knew each other.
He couldn't help but notice some of the changes that were apparent in his brother. He might be blind when angry, but he wasn't a complete idiot.
With Kagome Sesshoumaru's manner had been softer . . . Kind, almost gentle, in a way that he had never seen in his brother before. Sesshoumaru hadn't even insulted him yet, well at least not the biting, cruel comments that he usually made, just the few casual barbs and his normal insulting manner.
It confused the hell out of him. . .
And what was Kagome doing here!?! And with his brother no less! Nothing about this situation made any sense.
'I haven't seen her in years what the fuck is she doing here all of a sudden!!
And with that bastard Sesshoumaru of all people! What the hell were they doing on top of each other like that and what the hell is with Sesshoumaru!
God, none of this makes any sense!!' he thought with a groan.
'Is Kagome still mad at me?' he thought as his face softened
'She looked so hurt. . . She ran out of here as soon as Sesshoumaru gave her the chance. It was like she was trying to run away or escape.
Trying to escape me. . .
I'm sorry Kagome. I never meant to make you leave. I never meant to betray you.
I never meant to break your heart. . .'
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Sesshoumaru looked up as he heard two swift, sure knocks on his door, soft, almost luminescent white bangs sliding across the pale skin of his forehead as he lifted his head. The paint that had marred his face seemed almost sacrilegious now, and had been washed off at the first opportunity with grace.
(A/N:: I don't know about you but I always look stupid and red-faced after I wash my face, so I just thought to mention that Sesshoumaru still looked cool, of course)
Glancing over, he saw that his troublesome half-brother was still leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest glaring at him, and did not seem to be making any move to help or answer the door.
Typical. . .
He walked over to the door with his characteristic smooth grace, and opened it to find Kagome's friends standing there looking as though they were about to face their doom in the form of a very bloody death, but were determined to do so with courage.
Fuck. . .
He had completely forgotten that Kagome had asked them to help him move in, completely without his knowledge of course. He couldn't help but feel that he was slowly, subtly, but surely, being pushed into a friendship with the two, and the last thing he need today was more incompetent fools to deal with.
His patience was already being stretched to its limits with Inuyasha and his family here, ruining what had started out as a peaceful and actually pleasant day. Though surprisingly enough he did not feel the normal intense burning anger and resentment towards the brat and mindless desire to inflict pain that Inuyasha's presence would normally illicit from him, merely deep annoyance with the boy.
Was it her? Did Kagome's soothing presence somehow manage to calm his anger and hatred for his family, specifically his little brother?
Sesshoumaru gave them a cool glance, barely acknowledging their presence, as he stepped aside to let them into the apartment.
"Come in," he said in his normal commanding, emotionless voice.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Inuyasha clenched his fists as he saw his brother start to walk towards him, only to head past him to open the door. What he saw when the door opened made his eyes go as round as grapefruits.
'WHAT THE FUCK ARE MIROKU AND SANGO DOING HERE!?!?!
What the hell is this a bloody conspiracy?!?!' Inuyasha mentally screamed fed up with the multiple blasts from his past that seemed to be determined to ruin his day, and all seemed to know his brother.
Vaguely he noticed that Miroku and Sango were holding hands, as he pushed past his brother and dragged his two friends outside. Slamming the door behind him, he whirled around to face them before shouting,
"Somebody explain to me what the HELL is going on here!"
(A/N:: Sigh I wouldn't be that cruel. On with the show!)
Noticing Sango's distress, Miroku stepped forward and placed a hand in the middle of Inuyasha's chest effectively pushing him back a step.
"Calm down, Inuyasha," he said, his voice characteristically level and calm, "Yelling will get you nowhere."
"The hell it won't," Inuyasha replied, his face turning red from anger, "What the fuck is going on here, Miroku. What is with Sesshoumaru, and why the hell does he know Kagome!?! And why didn't any of you morons tell me she was here?!?!"
"It is quite obvious that Kagome-sama (A/N:: yes, he still calls her this. Why will be revealed later on!) did not wish to see you, or she would have let you know where she was. We were not about to go against those wishes and reveal her location.
As to the rest, Kagome goes to Tokyo University (A/N:: Sorry, it's the only Japanese college I know, woah 2 A/N in one quote), just as Sesshoumaru does. They are close friends," Miroku concluded, emphasizing the last word in hopes of calming his impulsive friend.
Inuyasha stood frozen attempting to process all of the information that he had just been given. 'Friends?!?! They didn't exactly look like friends when he had walked in on them!'
"Besides," Sango continued, stepping out from behind Miroku after having regained her normal strength, "YOU have no right to intrude on Kagome's life anymore! Or question any relationship she has with your brother!"
Sango advanced on the now vaguely frightened boy with all the eminence of a mother bear protecting her fallen cub. Poking her finger angrily into Inuyasha chest and pushing him back towards the railing of the staircase, she continued, "You have done nothing but hurt her! You gave up all claims you ever had to, even her friendship, when you betrayed with Kikyou like that! You broke her heart, and didn't even have to do it honestly!"
Pinned against the railing, Inuyasha was now shrinking slightly in terror of the infuriated girl that stood before him, searching around for an escape route as each cutting word filled him with guilt.
Still fuming, Sango said in a dangerously quiet voice, "Inuyasha, you have finally made your choice. Live with it, and leave Kagome alone, you unbelievably, selfish jerk."
She spun around and stormed back into the apartment, leaving two very surprised boys in her wake.
'Wow! What a woman!' thought Miroku, as he watched how her eyes shone with fight when she had quickly managed to change Inuyasha's demeanor from challenging and angry to frightened and guilty.
A/N:: There finally done! This is the LONGEST ch. I've EVER written so I hope you guys like it!
I don't know how the longer ch. Will turn out b/c I tend to get sorta impatient if I have to sit and work at my comp for tooo long. SO REVIEW and tell me what you think!
I prob won't update till Weds. Cuz I HAVTA improve my grades, and unfortunatly studying and working my ass off is the only way to go.
Now must study for evil chem test!
Phoenix ~ Ugh, Shoot me!
Sess ~ Do you honestly believe that I, Sesshoumaru, would lower myself to the orders of a mere human.
Phoenix ~ HEY! I am the omnipotent fan-fic author! I control u! Mwuahaha!
Sess ~ :: mutters:: Insane human.
I kno Sango is sorta OOC and I was sorta hard in Inu but tell me what you guys thought.
I Never thought this story would be sooo popular :: blows kisses to reviewers::
You all are AMAZING especially my loyal reviewers! Trust me I read all of them.
This is a SUPER LONG chapter in your Honor so I hope you like.
On with the Show! UGH TIRED!!!
Disclaimer :: Soooo not in the mood for this! Ugh! I never have and never will own Inuyasha & Co. There! So now u can't sue me!! Mwuhahahaha (did I mention I;ve been typing for a ridiculously long time I always do this last)
Tears and Rants
A few rebellious tears managed to trickle forth from Kagome's eyes, betraying the pain and sorrow she still felt at Inuyasha's betrayal. Impatiently she wiped them away with a pale hand, mentally scolding herself for her weakness.
'Come on, Kagome. Get it together, girl! You've spent enough tears over him already. You need to move on! Remember? You can't linger in the past.
You can't go back.
Inuyasha loves Kikyou, and there's nothing that you can do about it. You have to let it go.
You have to let him go.
You can't blame him for not loving you . . .'
She angrily brushed away the tears that had escaped with this new comment. Suddenly a realization hit her, making her feel as if she had suddenly been plunged into a tub of ice cold water
'God, I'm going to have to go back there and face him.
Not to mention Sesshoumaru and his family.'
She blushed as she remembered the position that they had found her and Sesshoumaru in, but the memory did make her smile. The few times that Sesshoumaru let down his cold façade enough to simply be himself around her were to be cherished.
Though he seemed to be doing so more and more often recently. . .
'Why didn't he tell me that Inuyasha was his brother? Then again he never talks about his family that much. And there is always that sad almost longing look in his eyes when I talk about mine.
I never did tell him about Inuyasha anyway. It hurt too much to talk about him, but I guess I have no choice now, and it can't hurt as much as seeing him again . . .
As much as remembering . . .
But I can't let this affect me. I've come too far to give it all up now. I promised Sesshou that I'd help him move in, and I will. I have to be strong. I'm a resilient girl, and I won't let this ruin me. I can't let my past control me. I have to move on, and let Inuyasha move on too. . .'
She set her face with her newfound determination and marched into the store, buying two more cans of paint for appearance's sake before turning back to Sesshoumaru's apartment to face her past again.. . .
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
A young man with piercing purple eyes and a carefree smile glanced over at the woman next to him as he drove down the street. The woman, who had her long coal black hair tied into a high ponytail, nervously smiled back twisting her hands in her lap.
"Relax, Sango. You have nothing to worry about. Calm down. What could go wrong?" Houshi Miroku said in his deep soothing voice as he watched Sango's nervous expression quickly change to one of anger.
"What could go wrong?!? Are you kidding me, Miroku? You mean besides the fact that Inuyasha is going to be at Sesshoumaru's apartment today?
The same Inuyasha that can't seem to stay in the same side of the GLOBE as Sesshoumaru without trying to kill him!
Not to mention the fact that Kagome is going to be there too. Kagome, who was CRUSHED when she found out that Inuyasha had cheated on her with that- that-that" at this point Sango's vocabulary apparently ran out of words to describe the other girl who had ruined things so badly for her friend. And she merely fumed at the calm face of her boyfriend, that carefree smile seriously grating on her nerves.
(A/N:: Yes, Sango and Miroku are dating)
"And they haven't seen each other in YEARS! Kagome went across Japan to get away from him, and now they're going to meet again. Not to mention that you would have to be blind not to see that Kagome and Sesshoumaru care for one another! Even if they are too stupid to see it themselves."
Miroku gazed upon Sango fury with an unbridled calm, enjoying the fiery spark that had entered her eyes during her rant. And the way that her chest seemed to heave up and down . . . (A/N:: Hey, he's a pervert remember? And I am trying to keep him in character)
Noticing where Miroku's gaze had strayed while she yelled, Sango brought her bag down on his head with a dull thud, shouting, "HENTAI!!!" as she took over the wheel of the car when the semi-conscious Miroku slumped in his chair. A casual observer would notice that they seemed to have WAAAAY too much experience with such behavior.
"And once that they find out that WE KNEW all this time and didn't say a thing. WE ARE DEAD!!!
I mean we've known Inuyasha for years! True, it wasn't until Kagome came along that we really became friends, but we still can't say that we didn't notice his brother around. I mean Sesshoumaru is pretty hard to miss. And when Inuyasha realizes that we've known where Kagome was all along and didn't tell him!!!" Sango continued as Miroku recovered from the jarring blow to his head. (A/N:: I know that Sango's a little out of character here *wards off flying tomatoes* but just bear with me. When you think about it how calm would U be in this situation)
"My dear, Sango, calm down," he replied as he wondered exactly what she kept in that bag of hers *bricks?*
"We had no choice, but to act the way we did given the situation. You know very well, that we could not have betrayed Kagome by telling Inuyasha where she was, when she so obviously wanted no more to do with him.
And every time his name was even mentioned around her, you could see the hurt in her eyes just as easily as I could. I do not know about you, but I was not about dredge up that part of her past," he concluded take back the wheel from Sango.
Sango sighed and leaned against the taller boy in defeat, hoping that he wouldn't take the opportunity to fondle her.
"I know."
'I remember too. . .'
* * * * * * * * * * * * Flash Back * * * * * * * * *
Working on a particularly stubborn advanced calculus problem, a young woman sat at one of the two cheap but sturdy desks that decorated the small dorm room that the administration in some fit of insanity had actually believed could house two growing college students.
A scraggly, thin light blue carpet that had seen FAR too many years covered the floor, itching her bare feet. Her slim form bent over the desk studying the textbook with deep brown eyes that were slightly tainted with old sorrow. Her head bent in concentration, as her presence spoke of great strength both mental and physical.
Without warning, a loud slam jolted her from her math-induced daze
Sango looked up as her roommate stormed in the room, liquid brown eyes (A/N:: the roommate's not Sango's) flashing with anger. Stomping over to throw her backpack onto the small twin-sized bed of their dorm, Kagome sat down and proceeded to furiously wrestle her books from over-stuffed bag.
"What's the matter, Kagome-chan?" Kagome's curious roommate inquired as she watched her friend apparently attempt to beat her book bag into submission and release her books.
"That pompous, self-important, unfeeling, arrogant BAKA!" responded Kagome, her expression dark with fury. Sango could almost feel the waves of anger that were radiating off of her friend's rigid form.
"I overslept and was late for my first Ancient Japanese History class, so the TA tried to HUMILIATE me in front of the entire class! And if that weren't bad enough, he assigned us all an IMPOSSIBLY long paper for MONDAY! AND the teacher even didn't show up for the entire class!" ranted Kagome her eyes, voice, and face more alive than they had been for a while.
Sango watched her friend's tirade with amusement.
'It's like she's finally woken up! She's been like a ghost for this past year, ever since the break up, wearing a smiling face for everyone but still never showing any of her true spirit. Her eyes always so tired and sad, but now she's just angry.
I never thought that I would be this happy just to see Kagome angry. I would choose the fury in her voice right now to the dead tone that it held so often before, any day. This guy must have really gotten under her skin to finally bring back our old Kagome,' she thought with a smile.
"Yeah, I hear that the professor for that class never even bothers to teach any of his classes if they aren't for graduate students, and that he has his TA's basically teach all of them for him.
Soooo, it might not be such a good idea to have gotten on his bad side. Especially since I hear that he's really hot(A/N:: The TA not the prof)," said Sango with a smirk.
Kagome stopped her battle with her obstinate book bag to look at Sango in disbelief. "Oh, Great," she groaned, "This is just not my day."
'Actually, Kagome-chan. Things seem to be looking up for you today,' thought Sango contently as she watched her friend seem to slowly come back to life, the beaten look in the eyes fading slightly, as she ranted on about the apparently despicable TA.
"So, What's his name?" she inquired, wanting to know the name of the man who had riled up her friend so much.
Kagome, paused, surprised to be interrupted in the midst of her rant, "I'm pretty sure he said his name was Kawamura Sesshoumaru," she replied after a moment's thought.
Sango paled visibly.
'OH SHIT!,' she thought, 'Why of all people did it have to be Sesshoumaru, who managed to wake up Kagome's spirit?
But then again, Inuyasha always did seem to have had a special skill when it came to angering Kagome, maybe it was hereditary. . . .
Should I tell her?
But she seems so alive right now! Back to the vivacious, passionate Kagome that was like a little sister to me. I can't let that jerk's memory ruin this second chance for her.
Every time anyone even mentions his name, she looks as broken as she did when it first happened. Like she has to start healing all over again.
I can't tell her. . . .' she concluded with grim determination.
Watching Sango's face change from playfully curious to shocked to serious, set off Kagome's subliminal alarm indicating that something was wrong with her friend.
"Sango, are you ok?" Kagome asked, the anger that had previously dominated her face replaced by concern as she surveyed her friend, but the light from her fury still not leaving her eyes.
"I'm fine, Kagome-chan," Sango swiftly replied, before noticing Kagome's incredulous face.
"Shouldn't you get started on that paper? You'll never finish it by Monday if you don't start now," she said quickly, effectively distracting Kagome.
"Oh my god! I still have to go to the library to do research before it closes!" she shouted as she sprinted out of the dorm at a dead run, only to come to a skidding halt a the end of the hall.
Groaning, she turned to sprint back and retrieve her forgotten book bag off her bed and dash off towards the library again. (A/N:: I've done it. So you guys can't say that nobody is stupid enough to do that. . .)
* * * * * * * * End Flash Back * * * * * * * * *
Shaking her head at the memory, Sango thought, 'At least, I didn't have to lie to her face. I don't think that I could betray someone as trusting as Kagome.
Sesshoumaru didn't even remember Miroku, or me, but then again he always went out of his way to ignore or antagonize and fight Inuyasha. Not exactly the best conditions to make friends under and we didn't even become close with Inuyasha until after Kagome transferred here and by then Sesshoumaru was off at college.'
Slowly she realized that the car had come to a halt and looked up at Miroku's gentle face.
The face that had won her over, and betrayed the kindness that lay behind his perverted actions.
Sango slipped out of the car and stood beside Miroku as they climbed the steps to Sesshoumaru's apartment, their hands instinctively slipping into one another, fingers laced, as if bracing themselves for the storm that they knew was coming. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze and a carefree smile that was now calming in its own way, Miroku knocked on the door.
(A/N:: I actually have up to here written, proofread, and ready to post and it is 11-56 PM Sat. but I know that you guys would kill me if I left u hanging like that so..)
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Inside of the brightly-lit apartment, Sesshoumaru handed Inutaisho a can of paint after he had insisted upon helping his son paint his apartment. Meanwhile Sakura wandered around the apartment creating a mental list of things that her stepson would need and silently marveling at how he could afford this place.
When she had been in college she lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment with a slob of a roommate.
Inuyasha glared at his brother desperately attempting to discern exactly what his intentions were with Kagome and how the HELL they knew each other.
He couldn't help but notice some of the changes that were apparent in his brother. He might be blind when angry, but he wasn't a complete idiot.
With Kagome Sesshoumaru's manner had been softer . . . Kind, almost gentle, in a way that he had never seen in his brother before. Sesshoumaru hadn't even insulted him yet, well at least not the biting, cruel comments that he usually made, just the few casual barbs and his normal insulting manner.
It confused the hell out of him. . .
And what was Kagome doing here!?! And with his brother no less! Nothing about this situation made any sense.
'I haven't seen her in years what the fuck is she doing here all of a sudden!!
And with that bastard Sesshoumaru of all people! What the hell were they doing on top of each other like that and what the hell is with Sesshoumaru!
God, none of this makes any sense!!' he thought with a groan.
'Is Kagome still mad at me?' he thought as his face softened
'She looked so hurt. . . She ran out of here as soon as Sesshoumaru gave her the chance. It was like she was trying to run away or escape.
Trying to escape me. . .
I'm sorry Kagome. I never meant to make you leave. I never meant to betray you.
I never meant to break your heart. . .'
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Sesshoumaru looked up as he heard two swift, sure knocks on his door, soft, almost luminescent white bangs sliding across the pale skin of his forehead as he lifted his head. The paint that had marred his face seemed almost sacrilegious now, and had been washed off at the first opportunity with grace.
(A/N:: I don't know about you but I always look stupid and red-faced after I wash my face, so I just thought to mention that Sesshoumaru still looked cool, of course)
Glancing over, he saw that his troublesome half-brother was still leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest glaring at him, and did not seem to be making any move to help or answer the door.
Typical. . .
He walked over to the door with his characteristic smooth grace, and opened it to find Kagome's friends standing there looking as though they were about to face their doom in the form of a very bloody death, but were determined to do so with courage.
Fuck. . .
He had completely forgotten that Kagome had asked them to help him move in, completely without his knowledge of course. He couldn't help but feel that he was slowly, subtly, but surely, being pushed into a friendship with the two, and the last thing he need today was more incompetent fools to deal with.
His patience was already being stretched to its limits with Inuyasha and his family here, ruining what had started out as a peaceful and actually pleasant day. Though surprisingly enough he did not feel the normal intense burning anger and resentment towards the brat and mindless desire to inflict pain that Inuyasha's presence would normally illicit from him, merely deep annoyance with the boy.
Was it her? Did Kagome's soothing presence somehow manage to calm his anger and hatred for his family, specifically his little brother?
Sesshoumaru gave them a cool glance, barely acknowledging their presence, as he stepped aside to let them into the apartment.
"Come in," he said in his normal commanding, emotionless voice.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Inuyasha clenched his fists as he saw his brother start to walk towards him, only to head past him to open the door. What he saw when the door opened made his eyes go as round as grapefruits.
'WHAT THE FUCK ARE MIROKU AND SANGO DOING HERE!?!?!
What the hell is this a bloody conspiracy?!?!' Inuyasha mentally screamed fed up with the multiple blasts from his past that seemed to be determined to ruin his day, and all seemed to know his brother.
Vaguely he noticed that Miroku and Sango were holding hands, as he pushed past his brother and dragged his two friends outside. Slamming the door behind him, he whirled around to face them before shouting,
"Somebody explain to me what the HELL is going on here!"
(A/N:: Sigh I wouldn't be that cruel. On with the show!)
Noticing Sango's distress, Miroku stepped forward and placed a hand in the middle of Inuyasha's chest effectively pushing him back a step.
"Calm down, Inuyasha," he said, his voice characteristically level and calm, "Yelling will get you nowhere."
"The hell it won't," Inuyasha replied, his face turning red from anger, "What the fuck is going on here, Miroku. What is with Sesshoumaru, and why the hell does he know Kagome!?! And why didn't any of you morons tell me she was here?!?!"
"It is quite obvious that Kagome-sama (A/N:: yes, he still calls her this. Why will be revealed later on!) did not wish to see you, or she would have let you know where she was. We were not about to go against those wishes and reveal her location.
As to the rest, Kagome goes to Tokyo University (A/N:: Sorry, it's the only Japanese college I know, woah 2 A/N in one quote), just as Sesshoumaru does. They are close friends," Miroku concluded, emphasizing the last word in hopes of calming his impulsive friend.
Inuyasha stood frozen attempting to process all of the information that he had just been given. 'Friends?!?! They didn't exactly look like friends when he had walked in on them!'
"Besides," Sango continued, stepping out from behind Miroku after having regained her normal strength, "YOU have no right to intrude on Kagome's life anymore! Or question any relationship she has with your brother!"
Sango advanced on the now vaguely frightened boy with all the eminence of a mother bear protecting her fallen cub. Poking her finger angrily into Inuyasha chest and pushing him back towards the railing of the staircase, she continued, "You have done nothing but hurt her! You gave up all claims you ever had to, even her friendship, when you betrayed with Kikyou like that! You broke her heart, and didn't even have to do it honestly!"
Pinned against the railing, Inuyasha was now shrinking slightly in terror of the infuriated girl that stood before him, searching around for an escape route as each cutting word filled him with guilt.
Still fuming, Sango said in a dangerously quiet voice, "Inuyasha, you have finally made your choice. Live with it, and leave Kagome alone, you unbelievably, selfish jerk."
She spun around and stormed back into the apartment, leaving two very surprised boys in her wake.
'Wow! What a woman!' thought Miroku, as he watched how her eyes shone with fight when she had quickly managed to change Inuyasha's demeanor from challenging and angry to frightened and guilty.
A/N:: There finally done! This is the LONGEST ch. I've EVER written so I hope you guys like it!
I don't know how the longer ch. Will turn out b/c I tend to get sorta impatient if I have to sit and work at my comp for tooo long. SO REVIEW and tell me what you think!
I prob won't update till Weds. Cuz I HAVTA improve my grades, and unfortunatly studying and working my ass off is the only way to go.
Now must study for evil chem test!
Phoenix ~ Ugh, Shoot me!
Sess ~ Do you honestly believe that I, Sesshoumaru, would lower myself to the orders of a mere human.
Phoenix ~ HEY! I am the omnipotent fan-fic author! I control u! Mwuahaha!
Sess ~ :: mutters:: Insane human.
I kno Sango is sorta OOC and I was sorta hard in Inu but tell me what you guys thought.