A/N: I've just read back on previous chapters and couldn't help noticing how evil I've been. Almost every chapter has ended up a cliff hanger! *cackles evilly*
Finally had the time to type and review this chapter. I see many of you *hate* Kikyou… my my, what a cruel lot you are! But I don't blame you, I mean she wants to bring Inuyasha down to hell with her? What kind of common sense does she possess? *mutters*
Better get on with the fic or you all won't liking me either. Once again thanks for the reviews! ^_^
Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha so don't sue me!
CHAPTER NINE: TO UNDERSTAND
^_^
And in my heart I seeWhat you're doing to me
And in my heart I see
Just how you wanted it to be
Sweet misery…
^_^
"And you took off after seeing them together?"
Kagome shook her head, "No, I waited until… until…"
"They kissed?" She flinched a little at the thought of Inuyasha kissing Kikyou but shook her head. What was the point of denying what she had seen? The image had haunted her since that night and continued to haunt her at times during her sleep.
"W-When he embraced her."
"You took off when he 'hugged' her?" he stated disbelievingly, "Kagome-sama it was just –"
"How could you understand."
The flat tone she imposed on each word had him still to glance at her. He almost wanted to reach out to comfort her when he saw the vacant look in her eyes. It was as if she were millions of miles away, her blue eyes staring lifelessly at the fountain standing a few meters from where they were sitting.
"I was just so suspicious of him and it kept building up." She lowered her eyes, "And then I saw them together and everything fell apart. He couldn't even…" Kagome bit her lip, "recognise me…"
Miroku nodded and sighed. "Do you still… trust him?"
She continued to bit her lip thoughtfully and finally shrugged. "I don't know…"
"Do you still love him?"
She glanced at the youth to regard him for a moment before turning away.
"Kagome-sama…" he began
"No and don't you try to change my mind!" she jerked up and turned on him, "You have no idea do you?" she accused shakily, "How much he hurt me!"
"I thought I had it all but how so wrong I was!" she admitted, "I was so naïve that I took everything at face value but now," she laughed bitterly, "I've learnt my lesson."
Miroku could only stare at the girl he thought he knew. This has really taught her something… he mused
"Do you know how it feels to see someone you care so deeply for, turn around and abuse the trust that you had for them?"
When Miroku didn't answer, she continued her outburst
"Why should I care and love him when he's got Kikyou? Kami-sama, why should he even care for me?"
"He still loves you."
"Nani?" she stuttered, totally unexpected of the admission
"Did you even ask him for an explanation?"
She bit her lip and averted her eyes. Could she have…?
"Surely there were questions going through your mind?"
"Oh of course there were!" she remembered how Kikyou had knew about her dinner with Inuyasha, how she had seem to know everything about her, and how he could not even tell them apart and how… how…
She felt the rising anger and sadness come to its point and burst into free flowing tears. She slumped back down and shook uncontrollably as the intensity of her feelings took over her. Miroku bowed his head and put his arm around her small form, hoping that he was comforting her in anyway he could. He dare not do anything 'else' as he knew Kagome would definitely berate him for not taking the situation seriously.
Kagome on the other hand was feeling something else, something that she had not felt in a long time. Instead of the constriction she had felt, the tears fell in pure relief as if she were truly crying for the occurred events. Somehow it was slowly releasing that tight band around her heart.
Miroku lowered his eyes and shook his head sadly, realising just how much the poor girl must have went through to get to this stage. She had been walking around; head high, ignoring the constant nagging of betrayal and heartache.
How she did it, he would never know.
As her crying turned into sniffles, he pulled away and forced her to meet his eyes.
"Gomen Kagome-sama…" he closed his eyes briefly at the sad picture she made but continued, "you must have went through a lot during this past month, but I hope this news will not agitate you."
He waited until she was listening attentively before continuing, "Inuyasha… will be here tomorrow morning to… see you."
She tensed a little at the declaration but nodded. She couldn't run now, not after she felt… what? She was definitely no longer angry or feeling betrayed in any way, she felt… different.
What did she think of Inuyasha now? Could she ever forgive him?
"At least listen to what he has to say." He noted the way she tensed at his name, "He's a broken man too and deserves to know why…"
Why? Wasn't it obvious why she had run away?
Why she had backed out of a love she thought was eternity? Why…?
She widened her eyes as realisation finally hit her hard. She had been so stupid!
It was then when she realised just what she had to do and Miroku was right.
She had to hear Inuyasha's story.
Kagome stumbled lethargically into her apartment and dropped her shoulder bag in the hall. It had been a long day since she met up with Miroku again. They had caught up on their daily routines for the past month and dined at the restaurant down the main road.
She noticed how Miroku seem to placate himself in front of her. Instead of the usual cheeky wink and lustful gaze she would receive from the youth, he had remained calm and even much more polite than before.
It's the engagement she had realised after a few minutes of surveying his actions, he's committed to stay true to Sango for the rest of his life
Unlike Inuyasha.
The thought had made her flinch inwardly but she maintained her composure. What was done was done and she could do nothing about it.
Except think of how much he had hurt her…
But what hurt her and probably Inuyasha the most was the fact that she had taken Kikyou's word over Inuyasha's. She had naively believed the woman and dumped all the blame upon the person that had her heart.
Did she even consider hearing him out?
She sighed and opened the fridge only to hear the bell near the front door go off. Muttering something about privacy, Kagome swung open her door and was about to yell rudely when she stopped impulsively to stare at someone she clearly had not expected.
Her familiar straight hair was tied back into a simple knot at the nape of her slender neck. Her eyes were as grey as the dark clouds before a downfall of rain…
"Konbanwa Kagome," Kikyou smiled sweetly, "but may I come in?"
Inuyasha checked through Melbourne Airport receiving a few nods from those who recognised him or wide-eyed stares from onlookers.
He had never been to Melbourne let alone Australia and the area was a new place to him. People here were so friendly and open that he had to stop bowing unconsciously before he broke his back.
However, he wasn't at all concerned about people around him except for the one girl that had taken and broken his heart.
He had never been so nervous in his life. Did she know that he was coming?
How would she react when she saw him? Would she spit in distaste and glare at the sight of him?
Or would she… he gulped, not want to see him ever again?
He passed through the sliding doors and was immediately greeted by a crowd, each searching for their arrivals.
Pushing his trolley he picked out the familiar face of his friend and instinctively looked around him for the person he had wanted to see for what seemed like forever.
Frowning he greeted Miroku and was about to query him when he put up his hand to stop any words from making their way out.
"I tried to get her over the phone this morning but she didn't pick up."
Inuyasha tensed but continued to wait for Miroku to say more.
"I think something's wrong."
"Drive faster you moron!"
"As much as I want to drive fast, I cannot shoot through every single red light for your sake." Miroku waited for the light to turn green before stepping on the pedal.
The drive from the airport was tense. Inuyasha yelling and threatening every single driver who was in the way and Miroku pretending that he was anywhere but driving beside Inuyasha who looked as if someone had just knocked him over the head with a club.
He knew the way to Kagome's apartment as he had dropped her off the previous evening, remembering the small smile she had given him and the promise she had made to accompany him to the airport to meet Inuyasha.
If there was one thing he definitely knew about Kagome it was the fact that she always kept her promises.
They pulled up before the building before Inuyasha scrambled out of the car and up the stairs in top speed. Even though he was in his human form, he still possessed much agility.
He locked the car and raced after his friend calling him to slow down and wait. Miroku climbed the stairs and slumped against the respective door, breathing and coughing as Inuyasha kicked down the door with little effort.
Both stumbled into the room and stiffened at the sight of an apartment, cleaned out thoroughly; tables bare, carpet cleaned, bed made up and every other little thing in order.
Miroku watched as Inuyasha walked further into the room, surveying it for any clues to Kagome's whereabouts when he noted the stiffening of his form and the grunt of disapproval that came out like a growl.
"Inuyasha?" he questioned with a frown before coming to stand beside his friend, "What is –?"
This time it was his turn to stiffen.
Standing before the glass sliding door, arms crossed and head high was the person who had bought upon all this mess.
Her big grey eyes were calculative as she tilted her head in consideration, smiling at both before regarding Inuyasha with a steady gaze.
"It's nice to see you again, Inuyasha…"
