A/N: Well, here it is. I didn't mean to leave you guys on a cliffie, I didn't really realize that's what it was until it was pointed out to me. The title isn't very good, either, but I got desperate. I couldn't find a good song to make the title after, and the one that I could find, was one that I had already used, so…(Reprise) was born.
Thanks: Wow! I had such an incredible response to this chapter! I am totally floored. I keep hoping that my next chapter doesn't disappoint all the wonderful people who took time out of their busy lives to hit that review button and drop me a line and encourage my humble attempts at writing! So, thank you all so very much…throws out Hershey's kisses to all her wonderful reviewers
Sunbeam1: Yeah, I know! Isn't it great! Inu's back on AdultSwim! Whippee! I've been doing the happy dance since I found out! Thanks for reviewing!
RinoaOHeartilly: blush all the way to the tops of my ears Fluff is on the way. I don't know *how* fluffy yet, but some realizations are in order…not in this chapter, but soon, I promise...::ducks behind her desk:: maybe even the chapter after this one? I actually haven't seen Trigun. I had it on the other night and I didn't understand it at all. I think if I wanted to get into it, I'd have to go to some sight and start reading up on it first. Cowboy Beebop I'd seen a few eps of and I liked it, but hadn't been able to get into it. I might get back into it, though cause I really love the feel of it…the music's great too. So, thanks for sticking it out with me and for being so understanding about the updating, too! It really means a lot to me! ^_~.
Trinity Kirara: Really? I'm only the second person to respond? Wow. That's hard to believe. Thanks for reviewing again and for thinking I'm doing a great job, too! ^_^ ;; I read your Rumpelstilskin story and…oh, wait, I didn't review it, did I? I think I read it while I was at school and got interrupted…sorry. I'll go do that now. But I'll just tell you and anyone who bothers to read this response that you rock! That was a great story. I love the humor in it. It's my type of humor.
Inuyashafan: heehee…I liked those lines, too. I have this weird notion of Mirouku as a good guy with a bad boy attitude…I don't know how to explain it, it's funny, but…well, that's all, I guess. They find the girls in this chapter…::cackles wickedly::
Eartha: Um…yeah? I think it was more like he just felt Kagome was in danger…I don't know how, exactly, but I hope they'll tell me soon cause I'm a little confused, too. ~_~;;
Aeyikie: ::giggles:: I'm glad you caught that! I was rather proud of my wickedness there. I thought it would be funny. I don't know that Kagome actually *called* to Inuyasha…I think it's more like he just sensed she was in trouble. Maybe we should both wait until it works itself out? I think my muse is a tad upset with me cause I won't let him give me any more ideas about other stories. He said something about being ungrateful or some such nonsense…~_~ I'd been meaning to ask you, by the way…what does your name mean?
Evil Irish Eyes: winces Sorry! I didn't mean to. I just figured it was a good place to end it, it didn't really occur to me that it would be a cliffie. I hope what I ended up doing next is as good as you hoped. I'm glad that my writing was good enough so that you could imagine Inuyasha's facial expressions without my having to describe them. My self-proclaimed writing flaw tends to be that I over-describe. I try to work on it and not do it, but I might under-describe. So I'm glad that although I didn't over-describe (at least I don't think I did) you could still envision the emotion in it.
evil laughter, wiggles fingers in a playful wave Hello people from AdultSwim! ::she says sweetly:: turns to Evil, bows You are hooked up to the max, Evil. Thank youthankyouthankyou!
My friend is doing okay. She wasn't hurt, but got some bad news. She's coping. My apartment is slowly coming along…I have a place to eat, sleep, and a place to put my computer, which is all I need right now. Eventually, I'll need couches and such, but right now, I'm not worrying about it! ^_^
Oh! And I figured out my muse's name, isn't that right, Puck? ::Puck grumbles incoherently, Emania smiles sweetly:: But I would never try to trick him again. ::Puck raises an eyebrow at her and then looks slowly at his hot chocolate. He giggles suddenly and puts a hand on his mouth, glaring at Emania before laughing again.::
Elventeen: Thanks for the support for the filler chapters! Do you have story ideas? If you do, then you're already creative! Just write them down! ^_^
eX Driver Liz: Oh, yeah! Hi, Sailor Universe! I could imagine that you would get tired with the 3 at the end of your name. I hope what I ended up doing doesn't disappoint you. I really wanted to do something with the two chicks from the beginning, but I couldn't fit it in here, maybe they'll come back later! Ooh…:: she rubs her hands as evil ideas start flitting through her mind. Puck, her muse, shakes his head.:: Uh-uh…we're going for the end in this one, sweetheart. ::Emania pouts.::
Angel Moon: Thanks! I'm really very proud and happy that I broke 100! I had originally omitted the waxing even though I had written it, but I had to put it in in the end. I just couldn't leave it out, I thought it was too amusing.
Moon Fairy: Oh, I'm sorry you feel sick! I had that summer cold a while ago (remember? I couldn't help but moan about it all over my a/n!) So I understand. I am so flattered that you bothered to read, let alone review my story while you feel sick! ::shakes head, blushing:: wonderful creator…really! So many compliments are going to go straight to my head!
AgentScully: Lemme guess? You're normally a Phile? The last time I wrote fanfiction, it was in the world of Chris Carter and Mulder and Scully. Unfortunately, I lost interest after Season 6. So, anyway, the purpose of that observation was to say that I am very flattered that you liked my fic. It's no problem about not having reviewed earlier, I'm just glad to know you're there and reading my fic. And I'm really happy to see you think I'm keeping them in character, it was one of my principle worries when I started writing this. Thanks so much again for reviewing and I hope to hear from you again! (hint, hint!) ^_~.
Lady Jade: blushing furiously Oh, wow…I haven't been the author of anyone's favorite Inuyasha fic, before! I am so honored and incredibly flattered that I will say with an incredible amount of serenity that it is completely alright if you haven't reviewed for awhile, even though I did miss your reviews and wondered if I had lost you somewhere along the way. I thought Mirouku loosing his cool would be kinda cute. Oh, and yeah, Inu's line was kinda fun and impromptu on my part. It was another one of those lines that just came out and as I was reviewing I thought about altering it, adding some thought to it to describe it or explain it, but in the end I just left it as it was. I'm glad that it went over well cause it was one of my favorites as I wrote it! Thanks so much for the wonderful review!
Chapter 18: Don't Stay (Reprise)
"Sometimes I, need to remember just to breathe / Sometimes I, need you to stay away from me / Sometimes I'm in disbelief I didn't know / Somehow I need you to go / Don't stay"
-Don't Stay, Linkin Park
She hadn't realized she was at the edge of the pool until she heard the slamming of the double doors echo in the otherwise silent room. She had exactly enough time to blink and realize where she was before she felt something warm and strong slam into her, pushing her back. She saw the baby blue tile that ran along the edge of the pool rush up to meet her as she fell and despite trying desperately to reach out to stop her fall, she seemed to be caught up in something that prevented her from moving. She closed her eyes and prepared for the pain of the fall. With a grunted 'umph' her fall came to a stop and she slowly realized she felt no pain.
'Maybe I'm dead?' she thought, eyes still closed. 'It would be just my luck to die of something stupid like a fall instead of some demon or Death itself.' Her thoughts trailed off as she heard the unmistakable sound of a rapid heartbeat reverberating in her head. 'Well, my heart's beating so I can't be…'
The sound of the second beat, seemingly echoing the first stopped her thought before she could complete it. 'Two heartbeats? Wha…?'
She had started to open her eyes in confusion when she felt, more than heard the vibration of the growl travel from the ground she was lying on and through her own body. Her eyes squeezed shut purely on instinct.
'Shit,' she cursed silently. She was lying on top of Inuyasha…again.
She thought about pretending to have been knocked out cold but thought better of it. She knew it was too late. He had surely already heard the change in her heartbeat. He knew she was conscious.
"What the hell did you think you were doing, woman?!" Inuyasha exclaimed, too angry to even consider moving her…still too afraid of what had nearly happened to wait for her to open her eyes again.
He had felt the magic crawling like ice water along the base of his spine and the back of his neck even before he had reached the door. When he had walked in and found her almost in the water, he hadn't thought…just reacted. The result was their present situation.
She scrambled off him and he stood fluidly. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, ignoring his previous question.
"Are you crazy?" he offered, also ignoring her question.
She fixed the way the robe fell so that it was more decent even though she had the bathing suit on underneath. Before she could even think of what else to say to him, Mirouku burst through the doors.
Kagome looked at him, then sighed. "Great!" she exclaimed, raising her arms and letting them fall as a sign of her frustration. "Both of you are here." She glared at Inuyasha. "What'd you do? Sneak in or beat up the receptionist?"
The tone of her voice clearly told him that both of these things were bad things, and since he had in one form or another pretty much done both in the time he had been here, he decided not to answer.
Mirouku, however, didn't come to the same conclusion. Instead, he smiled, despite the tension he felt in the room. "Actually…" he trailed off as he noticed Inuyasha glaring at him. Guessing it had been a rhetorical question, he shrugged and turned around only to come face to face with a very angry looking Sango. He opened his mouth to greet her but was stopped by the sharp pain to the side of his cheek brought by Sango's slap.
"Lady Sango!" he exclaimed, clearly in pain. "What was that for? I have done nothing!"
Sango was unmoved by his protestations of innocence. "Nothing except sneak into a woman's only spa and wreak all sorts of havoc."
"How do you…uh…" he rubbed the mark on his cheek. Why did they always seem to get the same one? He needed to consider hitting on some left handed women…maybe then his other cheek would relieve some of the strain. "We have done no such thing."
Sango's hand itched to smack him again, but she refrained. "Just save it, Mirouku, the fact that you're dressed like workers here speaks louder than anything you could say."
Mirouku looked down at his clothes and cursed silently. "But it was in order to…"
Sango raised a hand and glared. "I don't want to hear it."
"But really," Mirouku tried to explain.
Sango narrowed her eyes. "Mirouku," she said warningly.
Mirouku intended to continue arguing when Kagome's frustrated sigh stopped him.
"Just go, Inuyasha," Kagome said. "Before they catch you here and throw us all out."
"You really are a spoiled wench," Inuyasha spoke, crossing his arms. "After all I did and I don't get so much as a thank you?"
Kagome's eyes widened in disbelief. "All you did?" she echoed. "All you did was tackle me to the ground like some football player…"
Inuyasha frowned. He didn't know the word but guessed by her tone it couldn't be good.
"…show you thank you," Kagome finished her tirade.
"All I did was only save your stupid ass from giving yourself up to Death," he interrupted.
Kagome somehow managed to avoid sitting him. Instead, she exclaimed wordlessly, causing Inuyasha's ears to fold back against his head to muffle the sound. When she felt she could once again speak without screaming, she looked at him. "Did you bother to think that I knew what I was doing?" she asked, her words tight and clipped as if she were only just stopping herself from yelling.
Inuyasha feh-ed. "Oh, please, you were under his magic…"
Mirouku winced as he felt Kagome's magic rise in her anger. Her aura always rose when she was in battle, but her magic only rode the surface of her aura when she was really angry…like with Naraku when she nearly managed to kill him. He thought maybe he should warn Inuyasha…
Kagome, for her part, was tired. Tired of feeling like she was a burden, tired of being treated like a burden, tired of always having to push her anger back whenever Inuyasha saved her…tired of having Inuyasha save her. "I…have…magic…of…my…own," she bit out through clenched teeth.
"Yeah?" Inuyasha mocked. "And that means what?" He smiled sardonically at her. "Do you see a jewel that needs purifying?"
Kagome fumed. "Why you arrogant, mulish, dim-witted, half demon!" Her voice had been getting louder by the word so that her last words rang out in the cavernous pool room, echoing around them.
Inuyasha heard the words repeating over and over in the sudden silence of the room. Half demon…half demon…half demon…
Kagome had never said the words like that before. She actually said half demon the way his brother did…like it was something vile, like it was something you stepped on. He felt a pain like something had been ripped away from him. He growled to hide the pain. "You think you're going about this the right way?" he ground out. "You're not—if you would be in my time long enough to let Kaede teach you instead of here gallivanting to parties and getting drunk like some sailor then you'd know that."
Kagome felt as if he had slapped her with his words. Didn't he understand, yet? "Well, I'm not," she answered simply. "This is my life, Inuyasha and this is how I have to live it." She calmed herself enough so that her voice was neutral. "I'm sorry that my choice has made your life miserable up to now with having to look out for me, but that's what I'm working on preventing."
'Preventing?' he thought. 'Miserable?' Although he would die before admitting it, he didn't let himself consider a day without Kagome. Aloud, he scoffed. "You think you're ready just because you can purify arrows?" He folded his arms defiantly. "You can't even shoot straight yet." Not even Kikyo would have been able to face this threat alone. Granted, Kikyo didn't have Kagome's heart…she never had, and somehow, Kagome always managed to get them out of problems more than Kikyo ever had…
Kagome must have seen something in his eyes because she neared him, the pain and anger intensified by what she guessed was the subject of his thoughts.
"Say it." Her voice, her very tone turned the otherwise innocuous words into a challenge.
Inuyasha fought from cringing at the pain in her voice. She had somehow done that thing she did and managed to read his face and had seen he had been thinking about Kikyo, but…but not in the way she thought. How could he tell her?
Should he tell her?
Maybe this was better? Maybe like this he'd purge himself of her once and for all…maybe if she was mad enough at him, if she didn't look at him with such kindness…
"Say what?" he asked, his voice hard but his tone barely above a whisper. "That not even Kikyo could've done it alone?"
He saw pain in her eyes for a brief second before they glossed over with cold. "Don't stop there, Inuyasha," she said, her voice dripping sarcasm. "Finish it."
He should have. It would make it all so much easier…but he couldn't, and he didn't want to analyze why, but all he wanted was to wipe the pain from her eyes, despite the pain she had caused him he just wanted to hold her until this awful void in him went away. When did she become so important to him? But he couldn't find the words.
"Feh," he replied instead, turning his back and walking away. "Next time you try to kill yourself, make sure I'm not around."
"So what's keeping you?"
Her voice was so soft, Inuyasha had trouble hearing her. But hear her, he did. He stopped. "You know…"
"No, Inuyasha," she interrupted, anger raising her voice once more. "I don't. Why are you here?" she asked. She started walking up to him and he turned around to face her. "I'm not your responsibility; you can't save me from this." She stopped as she stood directly in front of him once more.
Inuyasha growled, opening his mouth to tell her exactly what he thought of that stupid comment, when Kagome put a none too gentle hand on his mouth to stop him. He was so surprised by the contact, that he actually swallowed his words.
"No," Kagome spoke forcefully. "You listen to me," she said. "You're here because you want to be," she poked him in the chest to emphasize her words. "I may need you in the Feudal Era to help me but I certainly don't need you here." She shook her head and met his eyes.
Inuyasha was so shocked to see the fire swirling in the brown depths, he was actually at a loss for words. 'She doesn't need me?'
"Things work differently here and not everything is resolved with fists," Kagome continued, too angry to notice Inuyasha's uncharacteristic silence. "I have protected myself for years here and I can keep doing it," she met his eyes again. "Do you think you can get that through your thick skull?" she asked, once again poking him. She finally paused to take a breath. When it looked like Inuyasha was going to speak, she once again put her hand on his mouth to stop him. "I don't need you," she enunciated clearly into his shocked face.
She let her hand drop from the contact with his skin and walked around him, exiting the room in a cloud of self-righteous ire.
Sango looked at the silent and shocked hanyou and then to the equally shocked monk and back again. Finally tired of waiting for Inuyasha to go after Kagome, she shook her head and walked out after her friend herself. She finally caught her in the women's locker room.
Sango carefully walked up to Kagome where she was leaning her head against the closed wood door where their things were kept and put a hand on her back. Kagome jumped slightly at the contact, but didn't look up.
"What do you say we call it a day?" Sango asked sympathetically.
Kagome was silent and immobile for so long, Sango was about to try to raise her head when suddenly, she lifted her head on her own and smiled brilliantly at Sango. "A day?" she asked brightly. "Are you kidding?" Sango blinked dumbly at the sudden change in mood. "I want to go shopping."
+~+~+~
A/N: Okay, so here you all go! Most of you were ready for some more Inu/Kag interaction and I think this covers it. I also promised you getting back to the angst and here it is, too. I think the next chapter will have some more fluff…or maybe that's angst? Well, in my mind, they get kinda confused.