A/N: *hangs head in shame* Gotta give it to you all for being so patient with this next chapter. I've been pretty sick lately and the work just kept piling up. Gomen ne mina-san! Oh don't I love you all? You guys must be sooo pissed about all these cliff hangers that I've even been proclaimed "Queen of Cliff hangers". LOL. This one's not so bad though…it's kind of one but not…

*sigh* I don't even make sense! Thanks for the reviews guys…I'm hoping to hit 100 this time round so…*thoughtful* I won't post the next chapter if you don't keep reviewing!!! You've probably noticed that the story's winding down (if not then I'm honestly sorry!) and I'm estimating another one or two chapters before the BIG finale! Yay! Anyone have any ideas on the ending? And don't you guys worry; they will get back together again…or will they? ^_~

Arigatou Gozaimashita mina! 

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha so don't sue

CHAPTER TEN: TRUTH & TRUST

^_^

Shame on you

You could fool me once

Shame on me

You could fool me twice…

^_^

Kagome paced the room in an attempt to settle her whirling mind of the thoughts and questions that surrounded her. Kikyou had always been an unexpected person in every way. She had thought that little invite to go shopping over a month ago was a sign of a friendship but knew now it was no way near that.

"And they say you lose and win some…" she murmured distantly, glancing out the window to the beautiful blue sky. Inuyasha had always said her eyes resembled the sky on a cloudless day.

"It's like so clear and blue that you almost feel drawn into it."

"Honto ni?" she had replied back then, "me or the sky?"

He laughed. "Both, you baka!"

She smiled a little at those happy memories and now realised what he meant. Her eyes were so wide and blue that he could read every single emotion that flickered pass. She had been so naïve then, taking everything for granted. She now realised that this had taught her something valuable.

"For once I can thank Kikyou for something!" she mocked and turned away from the window to sit on the chair in the corner. She sighed and for the hundredth time that morning, wondered yet again why she was here…

Flashback…

"Konbanwa Kagome, but may I come in?"

"Kikyou…" she couldn't stop the tone of surprise escaping her lips. Since when did Kikyou 'knew' she stayed here?

She shook her head a little in an attempt to regain her composure, "Gomen for my rudeness Kikyou-sama," she replied formerly, in which she consequently received a raise of a brow, "Onegai, come in."

Kikyou walked past her, her stilettos clinking against the small tiled hallway before they faded into the carpet. Her very professional attire consisting of a tailor-made skirt with matching padded jacket did not surprise Kagome at all. It was Kikyou's way of conveying a sense of power to her. It wouldn't surprise her if she had taken a whole hour to think of what to wear on approaching her.

"You seem well Kagome," she stated with a hint of approval, "I suppose you must be over Inuyasha?"

Again, she was not surprised by the blunt tone she employed on her last comment. Months ago she would have gaped at Kikyou's audacity to ask such a question but now Kagome felt comfortable to eye her warily before shrugging off the comment.

"I don't know…" she admitted truthfully and sighed. Nowadays nothing seemed to make sense in her life.

"But you look so well and," she gazed around the apartment, "seem to be enjoying your life." She watched as Kikyou admired the view outside her small balcony before she returned her attention to the girl.

"I must admit this is a beautiful place. I can understand why you want to put yourself down here."

Oh you have no idea… Kagome regarded her carefully, wondering what on earth she was doing here. This woman could not be trusted and didn't think she could ever be. It was as if lying and manipulating was her hobby or something.

Kikyou smiled and for once she almost thought it genuine until she read those grey eyes, mystery and amusement twinkling brightly. They said you could read a person through their eyes and what she saw in there made her uneasy.

Unlike her previous encounters with the woman, Kagome could almost feel the bleak coldness that radiated from her form and she unintentionally shivered. Kikyou was going to manipulate her again.

"Well I suppose you know Inuyasha is on his way here. Unlike you, he is obviously not entirely over the affair."

"Affair, Kikyou-sama?" she questioned levelly raising her brow at her interpretation.

"Hai. You know what I mean," she drawled lazily, "that business he did 'that night'"

"You're telling me he does 'that' every night?" Kagome lowered her head to regard Kikyou through her lashes.

She laughed. The sound sent a chill down her spine, making her curl inwardly. This woman was cold right down to the heart, full stop. It made her wonder what she had done in her life to become so…'cold'.

"Oh no!" the remnants of her laughter subsiding, "Gomen ne," she apologised, "maybe I didn't phrase myself properly." She placed a delicate hand on her chest and swallowed deeply.

"Well maybe I should ask you this," she pulled back a strand of hair behind her ear, "How do you feel about Inuyasha coming to see you?"

A damn lot of things… she wanted to confide but knew better to admit it. She remembered the last time she had warmed to the woman. She landed right back at square one.

"Well I suppose it is quite a surprise that he would want to see me…" she asserted carefully, "I thought he had –" she stopped purposefully, "'better' things to do."

She watched Kikyou smile a little too brightly for her liking. That's it then, she realised, she's going to manipulate me but why? she wondered

"Why do you bother with a jerk like him?" Kikyou questioned with a dismissive wave of her hand, "He's obviously not committed or whatever you want to call it."

The comment hurt but Kagome kept her face neutral. She couldn't afford to lose face against this girl; it was as if both were battling to see who would give in. It would be the last thing she would want to do in front of the girl, break down or lose her cool.  

"He's probably going to say how sorry he is about lying to you." Kikyou shook her head, a small frown appearing upon her delicate features, "Why you would listen to him I will never know."

Kagome had an urge to glare rather lethally at the girl who remained oblivious of her blunt comments. 'And you are the one who 'happened' to turn up' she wanted to stand up and slap the girl clean across the face. Something she had always wanted to do after that incident. She was getting a feeling that the incident was not entirely Inuyasha's fault and Kagome felt somewhat relieved.    

But she couldn't act without proof, something she needed to confirm her suspicions. It was then she had an idea. Kikyou was smart but maybe she could somehow turn the tables to her advantage. She just had to convince her…

She sighed and regarded her despairingly. "What do you think I should do?"

Kikyou immediately brightened at the query, "In my opinion, I think you should run and make sure he doesn't find you again."

"I could give you accommodation anywhere, just name the place and we can start planning tonight."

Oh this is too easy… Kagome nodded in enthusiastic anticipation. Whoever thought Kikyou could be convinced so easily?

"I was never really good with my Geography," she admitted meekly, "maybe you could –?"

"What about South America? Or even Europe?" her face brightened at another thought, "You're into a lot of History aren't you? Europe would be the perfect place to expand your interests!"

She made a show of being thoughtful, "I think you may be right!" Kagome agreed with much excitement.

Kikyou left later that evening with a genuine smile flitting across her features. She really is beautiful… Kagome realised with admiration, only her heart was a different case. How could people be beautiful with evil intentions? She was only smiling because everything was going her way.

We'll have to change that… Kagome waved with a promise she would be out of her apartment by six the next morning. This girl was good. She must have known the time of Inuyasha's flight to coincide with her leaving.

"And I will be gone by six so…" she trudged toward her room to begin packing, "he would no doubt break down that door and…" she smiled mischievously as she took her clothes off the hangers. "Oh aren't you going to hate me Kikyou?" she said triumphantly before proceeding to collect the rest of her belongings.

End Flashback…

"Kikyou."

Miroku shivered at the flat and deadly tone that Inuyasha employed on the two syllables. There was nothing in his voice that could mistake the hatred he filed for the woman.

He didn't blame him.

"Well isn't this a pleasant surprise?" She leaned against the glass door and regarded the pair through her lashes. "You are one baka of a hanyou aren't you?"

"Where is she?"

"Who?"

"Don't you play games with me bitch, where is she?" Miroku gulped as he caught a red glint in his eyes. This was not good. If he lost it now, God help both of them.

"Inuyasha you had –" he began but was cut off by the glare that the hanyou gave him. He could see a tinge of red circulating those violet orbs and wondered if he could unintentionally turn into his demon form in his current situation.

He hoped not.

"Oh you mean Kagome?" she rolled her eyes, "Don't ask me questions I can't answer."

"Kikyou, if you don't –"

"She no longer loves you."

That assertion made him stop altogether. Miroku caught the obvious pain that flashed in those eyes before he glared threateningly at the woman. Kikyou was skating on very thin ice.

"You're such a fool Inuyasha. Do you think she could ever forgive you for what you did?"

Miroku noted the way he tensed at the comment and immediately wanted to strangle the woman. It was she who had planned to break them apart and now she was blaming him?

"It's no wonder she left Japan to expand her –"

"JUST SHUT YOUR FUCKING TRAP!"

Miroku silently whooped for his friend before placing a palm against his left ear.

Kikyou just smiled before refolding her arms again. "Well it's the truth isn't it? Can't face the truth Inuyasha?"

"I walked into that restaurant and you thought I was her. Doesn't that explain something?"

When he didn't reply she continued her assault.

"You stared right into my eyes and called me her name. You danced with me and yet you couldn't tell us apart."

"Why?" Inuyasha gritted his teeth to prevent strangling her in one move.

"Because both of you don't belong together." She smiled wanly, "Because you…"

Miroku frowned when he caught movement in the hall behind Kikyou. There was someone else in the apartment? He caught a receding shadow before averting his eyes toward the mirror that hung above a small table.

What he saw made him step back in shock. If he was not mistaken… 

He cleared his throat. It was worth a try and he was counting his lucky stars that it was who he thought was hovering behind that wall.

"So you went to all this trouble to take Kagome's place that night so you could break them up?"

Kikyou frowned at the absurdity of the question but nodded all the same. "I wouldn't exactly phrase it like that but yes, that was my intention."

"Miroku you stay out of this." Inuyasha stated coldly and returned his attention to the woman. "What in your right mind enforced you to do what you did?"

"Like I said Inuyasha, both of you don't –"

"HOW MANY FUCKING TIMES DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF BITCH?" Both Miroku and Kikyou had to step back at the intensity of Inuyasha's voice. Kikyou cringing and covering her ears in an attempt to prevent her eardrums from bursting.

"WE. ARE. OVER. Full stop. Do I have to spell it out for that empty pot head of yours?"

"But Inuyasha," she began again, "you don't understand –"

"Understand what?" he interrupted

"Good question." Piped a voice, "Care to elaborate your reasons Kikyou-sama?"

All three occupants froze as Kagome entered the room, eyes containing a hint of mock curiosity and arms folded neatly before her. She tilted her head to regard Kikyou with an air of confidence. Her lips quirked into a rather triumphant smile as the woman had turned to stare in horror.

"K-Kagome…" Inuyasha whispered almost fearfully at the girl he had fallen so deeply in love with. Her hair was trimmed and layered shorter than he could remember. Blue eyes were no longer so clear but more determined than the last time he had seen her.

It was then when he realised how much his little angel had changed. She was so much mature than before, standing tall and confidently before the older woman who continued to stand and gape.

"You…" Kikyou managed to say, "W-What are you doing here?"

"Another good question." Kagome smiled sweetly, "But might I ask the same of you Kikyou-sama?"