AN: Wow, it has been a long time since I last updated and I can't tell you all enough how sorry I am! It's been rough and I just got a part-time job and my manager is giving me full time hours . So please forgive me! Anyway, I still have yet to update Game of Submission because I feel like this story comes first since I started it first. From here on out I have no definite plans or ideas about the ending so I'm just winging it for now unless something comes to me. This chapter is another naughty language chapter so if you're offended by swears and such then just don't read or pretend fuck is frick and shit is poop…and so on. Anyway, there's an old lady in this chapter. Make her whoever you wish. I guess it could be Kaede, but I didn't plan on it being her or anything so she's too unlike Kaede then make it some weird passerby.
Take Me for Who I Am
Chapter 9: The Truth Revealed
"Oh fucking hell!" Inu yasha roared down the hallway after Kagome's retreating back. "And you fucking believe the shit these shit-holes are saying?!" Inu yasha took a few steps forward spitting as he yelled at the top of his lungs. Teachers started opening their doors to see what all the commotion was about and some of the male teachers even walked over to the enraged hanyou to calm him down.
When Kagome ignored Inu yasha's protest he let out a growl so loud it could have woken the dead. His eyes flashed red with anger and in a last attempt to get Kagome to come back (because he couldn't lose her after he finally got her) he took off his cap, threw it to the ground and started yelling again despite all the gasps and subtle yelps of surprise from his classmates and teachers.
"Kagome, do you fucking think I'm going to let you walk away because of some stupid rumors?! Do you honestly think I walk away every time people made rumors about me being what I am?!" Inu yasha got Kagome's attention immediately. She stopped and turned around all too aware of the many faces now directed towards her. All the eyes stared at her…unblinking. But she stared at Inu yasha, shocked to see his cap on the dirty floor and even more shocked to see his hands move his shades away from his eyes.
After just seconds of silence that felt like an eternity Kagome finally answered. "Just what do you think you're playing at, Inu yasha?" Her answer took Inu yasha by surprise leaving him speechless. He was expecting more anger, more yelling, possibly even out of sympathy for revealing his secret once and for all... but what he got was something different.
"These last few days, Inu yasha, has been the time of my life. I don't remember having so much fun with a person I've barely known let alone having so much fun with a guy after what happened in eighth grade." Kagome clenched her fists and began to grind her teeth trying to hold everything back. "Then all of a sudden it's completely ruined by some jerk-off who thinks it was all fun and games!" She yelled. "Once again I played the complete moronic and naive victim/fool because some guy wants my fucking body!" By now Kagome was screaming with all the hate, anger, despair and loathing she had kept in for years. Each word she spoke shook and stung Inu yasha. He winced at the pain that seemed to emanate from her.
"Damn you, Kagome! You think I thought it was a game? Oh fucking hell!" He roared once more. "If you think that then you really are a fool! I would never have showed you what I am if it was all some damn ploy to get you to fuck me!" He paused for a moment to let it sink in. "You're the only person beside my dead parents and Miroku who doesn't care if I'm a hanyou or not!"
A few more people let out sudden gasps of surprise and many people began to back away in fear. Neither Kagome nor Inu yasha noticed, however.
"DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT TELL EVERYONE WHAT HAPPENED TWO NIGHTS AGO?!" Kagome screamed above all the chatter that seemed to have started after Inu yasha's last outburst.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! Of course I didn't! Why else do you think I was about to beat the shit out of some freshman?! I'm just as fucking pissed and curious as you!" Inu yasha saw a vein begin to pulse at Kagome's temple. He saw her lower her head until her eyes saw the floor; her shoulders were tense and began to shake even more violently, but when she spoke she spoke with such forced calm it frightened Inu yasha even more than when she was consumed by anger.
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that? Only two people knew and I sure as hell know I didn't tell anyone!" It was a lie, she knew that, but practically the entire school knew by the time she told Sango that morning. Inu yasha said nothing in his defense. He was cornered; there was no way out of this one. He hadn't thought that she would say that. He knew she wouldn't tell anyone, and he knew for a fact that he sure didn't, but that means they weren't the only ones that knew. So the questioned remained unanswered as Kagome spun around again with Sango trailing behind her…who else knew what had transpired between them?
"Don't you dare leave me hanging here, bitch!" Inu yasha spat.
"You leave me alone, you bastard of a youkai! I should have listened to my parents and kept my distance from the conniving little filth such as you! I knew I shouldn't have trusted you!" Kagome raged on. Inu yasha's eyes opened wide in surprise then his ears flicked backwards in a rage that he had never felt before.
"I'm a hanyou, bitch!" He yelled. Inu yasha watched through angry eyes as Kagome continued to push her way through the hallway trying to get away.
Inu yasha shrugged off the two male teachers who had put their arms around Inu yasha's shoulders to keep him from doing anything irrational, not like it would have helped because of his strength. He was beyond pissed. He was beyond enraged. He needed a way to relieve all the anger that was eating away at him. He took it out on the next non-living thing he saw. The lockers. He threw a punch at the metal objects instantly turning them into an unrecognizable pile of metal on the floor. As he walked down the hall people parted for him, creating a path unobstructed by anything or anymore.
Inu yasha couldn't tell what hurt more. That Kagome didn't believe him or that he was once again cast out by society because of what he was.
Once outside and free of people's stares Kagome collapsed to the ground near a large tree and sobbed uncontrollably. She was ruined again. Her life was ruined again. All it took was a pair of pretty amber eyes, two cute silver ears and a trusting façade. She had been used and this time it was worse than the last. And what hurt the most was that it wasn't considered rape because she had wanted it! Kagome felt stupid. She had let the past repeat itself.
Sango wrapped her entire body around Kagome's and cried with her. The last time Kagome was alone, it was before they met, but Sango knew she wouldn't let Kagome go through the same pain she would have to endure alone.
After a long while of crying Kagome calmed down and just sat on the ground hugging her best friend for comfort. But as much as she appreciated Sango's obvious concern and comfort Kagome felt like being alone. Because that's what she was: alone. She hurt all over and it wasn't just emotional pain either, it was physical pain. Just knowing that she let herself feel for another guy and made a fool of again made her feel nauseous and queasy. All the pain, all the anger, the loathing…the uncontrollable pain washed over her again and she immediately vomited over the grass before her. Sango remained by her side rubbing her back in a comfortable and understanding silence that was only present where best friends were around.
After another half hour of silence Kagome sniffled once more then stood up and began to walk to the school gates with her head bowed. Sango followed suit and together they made their way across the deserted school grounds. When they reached the school gates Kagome stopped and looked at her best friend and with her voice quavering she spoke, "Sango? Thank you. Thank you for everything."
"Kagome?" Sango questioned.
"But I want to be alone for a while. Just to think, ya know?" Kagome's voice shook and squeaked a little towards the end of her sentence.
"I understand." Sango said almost sadly. She knew eventually that Kagome would want to be alone but she didn't want to leave the side of her best friend. Sango felt responsible for what had happened. 'If only I had said something the night before she left.' She thought in despair. Sango watched Kagome's turn and walk away slowly. "Kagome?" Sango suddenly said. Kagome stopped walking and turned around to face her friend. "You're not in this alone this time Kagome. I'm here for you…always." Kagome smiled at Sango's Kind sentiments before turning once more and continuing to walk down the street under the rising sun.
Sango waited until Kagome was out of sight to run back in school looking for Miroku… after all, he and Inu yasha were best of buds, right? She had to fix this. She had to find out what exactly had happened. Sango was sure she couldn't live while her best friend was wallowing around in misery.
Sango ran through all the halls checking all the rooms as she went. She checked the gym, the cafeteria, the science labs, the library…hell, she even went into the band room and the boys locker rooms (scaring the shit out of some and receiving hoots from others)! She checked the math wing, the literature wing, the second gym, the history wing….
Sango sighed in defeat and ended up sitting on the steps leading up to the second floor. The second period bell rang and a crowd of people started piling out of the rooms. She let out a small whimper as her chance to find Miroku shattered as hundreds of students filed passed her on the way to their next classes. Sango rested her head on the palms of her hands not knowing what to do next. "I guess I have to start all over then." She said to no one.
"Sango? Why weren't you in class?" A voice said above her. Sango raised her head and stared Ayame and Tea in the eyes. Instantly Sango felt the red hatred rising to her cheeks. She stood with as much defiance as she could muster before replying.
"It's because of you two and your stupid ass bet!" She said through clenched teeth. Sango walked straight passed the shocked duo and out the nearest exit into the blazing hot sun.
She was at a loss of what to do then. There was no way she could find Miroku in a school as large as theirs. But there was no way that she could talk to Inu yasha. And yet…there he was, avoiding the stares from his peers under the same large tree that Kagome and Sango were under no more than three hours ago. He stared at Sango's angry form from the corner of his eyes. Part of him was hoping she would come over to talk, another part of him was hoping to die at her hands. Either way, he got his wish. She started walking over in a slow, deadly trudge.
Stares followed her everywhere she went but she took no notice of them. She was too busy walking to nowhere to notice anything actually. Her mind was blank, too tired to think, too consumed by anger and sorrow to care. She had cried herself until she couldn't any more, and still the dry tears fell, leaving her face red and swollen.
Someone bumped into Kagome by accident. The sudden jolt broke her out of her blank daydream and quickly mumbled an apology for not looking where she was going. The person who bumped into Kagome said nothing but gave her a glare of deepest annoyance and irritation.
Kagome shrugged her shoulders in a 'who gives a flying rats ass, anyway' type of way and turned once more only to be startled by an old lady, in her late sixties at least, in front of her holding a small plastic bag. She looked up at Kagome in a pained way before beckoning Kagome to a nearby bench on one side of a walkway. On the other side of the walkway was a little boy with flaming red hair staring dreamily through a chocolate store window.
"My child, whatever is the matter? What is it that ails you so?" The look was so sincere, so caring, that Kagome's eyes blurred with tears that refused to fall earlier.
"Nothing that I would like to burden a kind lady such as yourself, ma'am." Kagome replied. She looked away hoping to hide her face.
"Nonsense, child." When Kagome said nothing in return she fumbled with the plastic bag in her arms and pulled out a box wrapped in gold paper. "Would you like a truffle, dear?" Kagome turned her held slowly to glance at the old lady. She was smiling sweetly and holding out a rather large box of chocolate truffles in front of her. Kagome smiled back and gratefully took one of the larger candies and popped it in her mouth.
"That's a good girl. Now tell granny what's wrong. I've been around the park more than once, dear, chances are I have a few good words of advice for you." The old lady chuckled to herself. Kagome hesitated, not sure whether to tell this stranger anything. Then she figured that she had been screwed over (literally and not literally) twice already, so if it happens again…well, put it this way…shit happens.
"I really don't wish to trouble you with my teenage problems-" Kagome began. The old lady cut her off by making a funny noise.
"Oh tish tosh! What rubbish I'm hearing! Don't worry about that, child! I'm here to help you! To listen to you!" Kagome smiled weakly and began her story that started years ago. She said what had happened to her because of Kouga, how she felt when he was cleared of all charges. Kagome talked about the long road to recovery, not trusting others well because of what happened. Then she got to Inu yasha and his kind hearted façade. She spoke of the night of intimacy they shared, and the disaster that soon followed. Kagome spoke until she could no more, and afterwards she felt a bit better.
The old lady kept quiet throughout the entire one-sided conversation, nodding in understanding, frowning and gasping in horror. It was only at the end that she spoke her mind.
"That, my child, is definitely something that would worry and concern anyone." Kagome remained silent, almost fearing a disgusted reprimand from her new friend. "There are people in this world, my dear, that are foul. There are creatures in this world, my dear, that are golden."
"What do you mean?" Kagome replied.
"If I told you that that gentleman over there," the old lady pointed to a rather sinister looking man with long dark hair and a creepy pelt, "was a youkai, what would you say?"
"I wouldn't doubt you. He's creepy." Kagome shivered at the odd stare the man with pelt gave her.
"How do you feel about him being a youkai?" the old lady said. Kagome didn't understand where the conversation was going but said nothing.
"I wouldn't go near him…not a chance. Youkai can't be trusted." Kagome said. "Especially ones that looks that creepy!" She shivered again. The old lady smiled then stood up and walked to the little boy across the walkway. He was still staring into the candy store window with drool hanging from his mouth. The old lady spoke to the young boy and soon they both came back to the bench.
"Kagome, this is Shippo. Shippo, this is Kagome." The old lady held out the box of truffles to the little boy. His face brightened immediately and with a huge smile he grabbed three truffles and shoved them into his mouth at once. Kagome smiled down warmly at Shippo.
"What if I told you, dear, that this young boy here was a young kitsune youkai?" Kagome's eyebrows furrowed with disbelief but said nothing. The lady continued. "Shippo dear, do you deny that you are a kitsune youkai?" Shippo shook his head vigorously and continued to scarf down the remaining truffles. "Now what do you think about him, Kagome?"
"I don't…know."
"My child, you know he's a youkai. What do you know about youkai?"
"I know that they're vicious, violent, power hungry creatures that would do anything to-" The lady snorted and Shippo jumped up and looked at Kagome in angry surprise.
"I'm not like that! That's what mommy and daddy say about humans!" Shippo said heatedly.
"Humans aren't like that!" Kagome retorted.
"Kagome, have you ever heard of the word 'prejudice'?" The lady said.
"Of course I have! It's a preconceived judgment or opinion on someone…oh!" Kagome said with sudden understanding and knowledge. "Oh…" she said again dispiritedly. The old lady handed Shippo some money and quickly said good-bye. She watched him bounce to the candy store.
"Ever since the dawn of life began, child, there has been prejudice against one another. And over many years the unknown hatred between youkai and humans has only increased. Children are brought up to believe what their parents do. For humans it's the foul creatures known as youkai. For youkai it's the unforgiving and overpowering humans. You, my dear, were brought up the same way. You were told not to trust youkai. You were told they were violent and uncaring, but did it look like that little boy was violent?" Kagome shook her head no. "So of course it was easy for you to blame this Inu yasha for being the conniving and sneaky hanyou he was."
"I still can't say I understand." Kagome said.
"I'll put it bluntly, dear. You heard these rumors and immediately came to conclusion that Inu yasha was bragging to everyone that he managed to do the impossible. It was obvious that he was at fault because you knew what he was and that made him untrustworthy once the rumors were out! You may not want to hear this, child, but you didn't even give him a chance to explain he did nothing wrong. You didn't even let him tell his side of the story. You were the untrusting one. You were the one judging him for what he was, not who he was." Kagome's expression changed quickly from sorrow to horror.
"Guilty as charged I guess…" Kagome said weakly.
"Now child, what did you say he was doing before you confronted him this morning?"
"He was going to beat up some kid because of something he had heard." Kagome blushed with further understanding. "Some rumors that he had heard."
"Bingo! And now what are you going to go do about it!" The old lady said like a general.
"I'm going to be more open and apologize and talk to him!"
"You bet your young little ass you are!" Kagome giggled at the woman's attitude. "Now get out of here! Off with ya! I don't ever want to see your face again until things have been patched between you two!" Kagome stood up and hugged the woman kindly before breaking into a run towards school. Hopefully, she thought, he'll still be there.
For ten minutes straight she ran. The stitch in her side grew and burned with pain. The muscles in her legs had begun to cramp long ago. But she knew she couldn't stop. She had to set things right. She had to find out what happened.
Kagome stopped running and rested against a lamp post for a moment to catch her breath. She closed her eyes letting the sweat drip over her forehead and on to her nose before wiping it away with the back of her uniform sleeve.
In the distance she heard footsteps steadily coming closer. She opened her eyes to look at who was coming. It was Hojo. The kind but very slow boy that had a crush on Kagome for years. Kagome groaned then noticed the worried expression on his face. "Why, god? Why me! What did I ever do to you?"
"Kagome," Hojo began. He stopped in front of her and started speaking again. "I've been looking all over for you. Miroku and I both have actually. Didn't you get my calls?"
"What calls, Hojo?" Kagome asked fully aware that he had called at least twenty times while she was away at the shore.
"I've been calling you all weekend. I needed to tell you something important before something happened." He paused. "But I guess I was too late."
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked.
"Your friends, Ayame, Miroku, and Tea…they - well you see – they made a bet, Kagome. Well, Ayame and Tea made a bet, actually…Miroku just joined in so he could play matchmaker…"
"What bet, Hojo?" Kagome began to get a little nervous.
"You can't blame, Miroku, Kagome. He just wanted to set you and Inu yasha up, you see…"
"What bet?" Kagome asked again. Hojo started cracking his knuckles, a habit he usually did when he was under extreme pressure.
"It's like this, Kagome…" Hojo started.
Sango walked over to Inu yasha with a deep frown on her face. Her facial muscles ached from frowning so much, but she just didn't care. She also knew that Inu yasha had noticed her by now. It was impossible for him to be a hanyou and have super acute senses and not know she was coming. He simply just didn't acknowledge her presence. This made Sango even more pissed.
Inu yasha shifted his position so that his legs were spread apart and his knees were bent. His elbows were resting on his knees and his silver hair blew over his face with the wind. He too wore a frown as he watched, with his amber eyes, Sango slowly make her way across the school grounds to the large tree he sat under.
When Sango finally got within ten feet Inu yasha rose to his feet, placed his hands in the pockets of his fatigue pants, and continued to stare at her unblinkingly. Neither of them spoke for what seemed like an eternity but when they did they spoke curtly and in hurtful and blameful tones.
"You were part of that stupid bet, weren't you Inu yasha?" Sango accused.
"Of course I was. The money was too good to pass by. Getting into her pants was just an added bonus." He said sarcastically while rolling his eyes.
"You broke her heart." Sango said. The word 'heart' squeaked out of her mouth. She swallowed a lump in her throat forcing herself not to cry. Inu yasha instantly smelled something salty.
"Don't be a fool, bitch." Inu yasha hastily said. If he had a weakness it was seeing girls cry. "I'm not that shallow and desperate."
"What the hell are you saying?! You just had sex with her and now you're dumping her like she was some revolting prostitute!"
"I said don't be a fool!" Inu yasha suddenly roared. "I have been completely infatuated with Kagome since I first met her! I would never take money to try to get her in bed with me!" He continued.
"You fucking LIAR!" Sango screamed. Several birds in the tree above them squawked and flew away in fright. Inu yasha balled his hands into fists.
"Miroku would never choose anyone who wanted her just for the money and perhaps for a something little extra!" He continued. "He knew all along that I've practically been on love with the girl but was too fucking afraid she would turn away because of what I am! Going along with this bet was a perfect cover-up story so I could finally ask her out!"
"Your perfect cover-up story wasn't so perfect, Inu yasha." Sango said calmly. "In the end you crushed her more than Kouga could ever crush her."
"You think I don't realize my mistake?" He too was calming down now. "You don't think I don't regret not telling her right away? I was too caught up in my own selfish and hopeful ambitions that I didn't think about the consequences! You don't think what I wouldn't give to turn back the clock and start all over?" He said almost pleadingly.
"I don't know if I can believe you, Inu yasha."
"Then go fucking ask Miroku!" Inu yasha said growing angry again. He felt heat rise to his cheeks despite all efforts to calm down.
"I've been trying to, moron. I haven't found him yet." Sango remained calm. She didn't feel the necessity to get all worked up again.
"He wasn't at school. He went looking for Kagome to tell her the truth since I highly doubt she would listen to me." Inu yasha leaned against the tree crossing his arms. "But he's here now. Look behind you." Sango spun around and came face to face with none other than Miroku. His expression was grave and apologetic.
"What he says is true, Sango. I never wanted to be a part of the bet. I just wanted to help my best friend out, just as much as you want to help yours." Miroku stated truthfully. Sango instantly felt herself soften and full of guilt.
"Why didn't you say so?" She asked. Miroku shrugged.
"Stupidity, I guess. I don't expect you or Kagome to forgive what I've done but you should at least forgive Inu yasha. After all, it wasn't him who started the whole mess." Sango smiled weakly at Miroku but said nothing.
"Did you find Kagome?" Miroku's frown deepened.
"Yeah, I found her alright. Hojo found her first, though. She didn't look too pleased."
HA! Bet you guys didn't think it would be Hojo to tell Kagome about the bet! BUA HAHAHAHAHA! Okay, yes yes yes…I know that was an unbelievably short chapter. Please don't murder me, and I'm sorry about the whole old lady thing. I wasn't sure if it would be too boring or whatever so if it was I'm sorry. L Anyway, I do believe the next chapter shall be the last. *everyone cries* Gomen ne! Here are a few review responses, but since there were so many since the last real update I won't respond to all of them. So if I don't respond to yours then please don't be offended! I'm sorry!
LtlSwimmerGurl: $10 is ridiculous! There is a phone jack, but unfortunately we get charged for any out-going calls (including internet calls) we make from the hotel room. That whole currency thing…I have NO clue what-so-ever. I found one thing on the internet, then someone e-mails me and tells me something different. Sorry I can't help you
Kitty: That was a kinda scary review, Kitty. *backs away* hehe…hehe…he…he
Miko Youkai: I'm not sure who said it yet, lol. I still have yet to figure that one out. To be completely honest I hate Kikyou more than any other character in the whole series. Haha, I like Naraku more than I do her! Now that's just scary…
Kagome-Sama: Thanks J I appreciate it. The thing is…no one knew he had asthma, so once he had an attack he didn't have anything to help him out. He was alone in the shower when he passed away. I miss him lots. *sigh*
Pinky-Cat: *cringes* ooh, ouchy! That must have REALLY hurt! I hope those guys got caught in the end! I hope your brother is okay too! That's a really cute idea, making him wear the same clothes every day to make up for what happened. But you know…something like this just can't be forgiven just like that *snaps fingers* It takes a long time. His clothes would get nice and smelly ^^;
MoodSightEyes: Sorry if you found the lemon to be a little disappointing. Read my other story, Game of Submission. It's nothing but lemon and I can tell you one thing…I'm not holding back like I did on this story! *cackles evilly*
silverstarlight: I could never make my perverted houshi the bad guy! I love him way too much to do that! I had to come up with a way that he wouldn't get into as much trouble when Kagome found out about the bet. I hope it worked out all right.
Strawberry shortcake: *Thinks hard* Kikyou, Naraku, or Kouga? I dunno…Naraku is just a sinister looking passerby in the story and Kikyou is non-existent. That would leave Kouga, but that's too obvious! I don't know what I am going to do yet.
WinterSakura: lol! Alright! You got your update! You can stop begging now, haha!