I had to take a serious break after that last chapter…all the sugar made me bouncy. Anyway, will all these couples last into the new year? Will Kikyo decide to castrate Naraku so she can stop throwing herself at him? Will Kagura and Kouga realize they did a shit job of Kikyo guard duty? Will they start up a two person bodyguard company? Will they get Shippo to join and give him a little suit and little sunglasses? And what will become of Inuyasha and Kagome? Will either of them finally work up the nerve to tell each other how they really feel, or will they just dance around the kiss? What does Naraku have to say about all this? Has Ayame learned her lesson yet? And what about Kohaku? Watch the pieces fall into place as you puzzle over…
*****
Center Stage
Part 19
*****
"What's up with those two?" Sango leaned in to question Miroku as they all sat around the lunch table almost a week after the New Years party. "They've been perfect on the stage, but they won't even look at each other the second the curtain's drawn."
"Don't you think we've meddled enough, Sango dear?" Miroku kissed her cheek, taking advantage of her closeness to nuzzle against her shiny, fragrant hair. "Just let the two of them work their issues out. I suspect that happiness is nearby, if only they can remember to speak their wishes aloud."
"Um…yeah." Sango sighed, pulling back and taking a bite out of her sandwich.
"What's up with you two?" Kouga asked Sango and Miroku as he sat teasing Kagura by stealing bits of her lunch. Kagura, in return, was both blushing furiously and glaring dangerously at her boyfriend. He had thought to distract her from hitting him by resting a hand on her upper thigh, and Kagura was feeling rather confused. "I mean…I know you're not fighting, but it's not all…sick and mushy like before."
"The honeymoon's over, I suppose." Kagome spoke up while keeping her eyes fastidiously away from Inuyasha and Kikyo who were only separated from her by Rin. "I'm glad, though. You guys were starting to make me sick with all your sap."
"Kagome! We weren't sappy!" Sango blushed furiously. There really was nothing wrong between Miroku and her, but she had just remembered recently that she wasn't a fan of public affection, and so they had become far more bearable on a daily basis to spend time with. "I just…don't think public displays of affection are always very appropriate."
"Could have fooled me." Kagome sighed, reaching for her apple. "So, I guess you guys are all for the public displays, right?" she turned to ask Rin, but her eyes barely met Inuyasha's and she blushed before looking away. "I mean, you and Sesshoumaru."
"I don't know…we aren't really against them, but I wouldn't say that we're regularly found doing more than we should where everyone can see." Rin considered, looking up and tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I mean, we do share the occasional kiss in public, but sometimes we do get a bit carried away…"
"Ech, could you stop?" Inuyasha made a disgusted face to show just what his opinion on Rin and Sesshoumaru in public was. "Some of us are trying to eat."
"Calm down, Inuyasha." Kouga rolled his eyes at the other boy. "It's not like she's going into detail or anything."
"What's your take on this whole issue?" Sango asked the other boy, who was still squeezing Kagura's thigh under the table to see how long he could get away with it before she hit him.
"I don't know." Kouga shrugged, wincing slightly as Kagura reached over to pinch his hand until he let go. "I think that certain stuff is okay, but I'm not gonna just start going at it in the middle of the hallway or anything. I think that I'm a lot more lax about it than Kagura, though."
"I'm not uptight or anything." Kagura arched a dark eyebrow, her blush fading finally. "I just think that some things are better kept for private moments. But I think that the school is kinda harsh."
"Well, if the school had it's way, we'd do nothing but hold hands." Rin giggled. "But no one pays attention to that stupid rule."
"Really." Sango rolled her eyes. "Although I suspect that if Miroku were in charge, sex in the halls would be perfectly acceptable."
"That, dear heart." Miroku took her hand, placing a kiss on the back of it. "Is why I allow you to make such important decisions in our relationship. I would hate to be brought up on charges."
"Really, Miroku, at least you could sound a little ashamed of yourself." Sango was blushing, but she strived to sound as authoritative as possible. "Can you see what I have to put up with?" she addressed the other members of the table. Kagura smacked Kouga's hand as it wandered toward her carrots again.
"I have an idea." The crimson-eyed girl answered. Most of the people were laughing, and it suddenly occurred to Sango that this was the first time in a long time that every one of them seemed to be friends again, and even with the new members at the table, it seemed almost as though they all got along. It was nice to see everyone at peace once more, even though she could still detect some tension between a few of the group. Nothing to worry about.
"Inuyasha." Kikyo, who was probably the cause of a good amount of strife amongst the friends, spoke up. "I love you."
"Kikyo…" Inuyasha was blushing and looking absolutely mortified. Kagome's eyes went wide like she was choking, even though she had just swallowed the last of her apple.
"But you don't love me." Kikyo continued, apparently unaware of everyone else at the table staring at her with expressions of wide-eyed shock. She placed a hand over Inuyasha's, and he was too completely surprised at this sudden deep conversation that he didn't resist. "So I suppose that I have no choice but to end this before things get out of hand. We're over, Inuyasha. Goodbye." And with that, she gave him a quick kiss before picking up her stuff quickly and walking out of the cafeteria as though she were in no particular hurry.
"What…just happened?" Inuyasha was so confused, he forgot to be embarrassed when he looked around and his eyes met Kagome's.
"You were dumped." Kouga pointed toward the empty seat Kikyo had left. "That's pretty funny, man. In it's own way. I mean, fuck. 'Before things get out of hand?' Little late for that—ow!" Kouga looked in pained surprise from Sango to Kagura, who were on either side of him and who had both just attempted to shut him up with an elbow in the side, resulting in a painful double attack on his unsuspecting person. "What the hell, you guys?"
"Kouga, why don't you finish your lunch?" Kagura suggested, but her tone told him that it wasn't anything less than an order. She stared after Kikyo, chewing on her last carrot stick thoughtfully. What was she up to? Kagura was positive she had some idea, and as she had known Kikyo for so long, she felt that she was probably jumping to accurate conclusions when it came to the depressed girl.
"God, I was just…Kagura? Kagura, where are you going?" he looked very upset to see that his girlfriend had not only elbowed him for apparently no reason only moments ago, she was now leaving without even giving him the customary post-lunch walk to class and kiss goodbye. "Wait up!" he scrambled to get all his stuff together and rushed after her, but she was already at the door of the cafeteria when he caught up to her. "Kagura, what's up?"
"Kouga…I have to go talk to Kikyo." Kagura looked at Kouga, weighing her choices. Could she really tell Kouga what she thought was going on with the other girl? No. She had no secrets from Kouga, but this was different. This was Kikyo's secret, and she just couldn't tell people without knowing for sure or knowing whether she'd want others to know. And even though Kikyo and Kouga seemed to be getting along well enough, she doubted that her old friend would want Kouga to know just how deep her secrets ran. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Oh…well, okay." He knew that she was keeping something from him, and he plainly didn't like it, but he was respecting her secrecy for now. Kagura was smart enough to know when he should know things or not, and if this was something private between the two girls, he didn't need to interfere. Still…it hurt to be left out.
"I just…she's worrying me, okay? I'll talk to you about it later." It was half a promise. She would tell him what he needed to know, not every detail she could offer, and she was sure that he knew it. "Love you." She went on tiptoes, leaning forward to kiss him. It was only intended as a light peck, but he immediately wrapped his arms around her possessively, pulling her in and up, smashing her lips against his as he made it abundantly clear that even though he wasn't following her around and insisting that she tell him every secret she had, he still insisted on it being clear who was first. He let go after a while, and Kagura stepped back, blushing slightly.
"Was that appropriate?" he asked her, his hand going to her cheek.
"Totally." She winked at him before leaving. He was so cute when he worried about her, she had to admit. She'd never had something like she had with Kouga. He showed so much concern for her, even if it wasn't obvious to everyone else. She knew that he truly did love her. He worried about her, noticed whenever she had a problem, did anything he could to help. And he still won't push the relationship forward. Kagura blushed slightly at that thought. Kagura had never really had a serious boyfriend under normal circumstances, as she had decided that Naraku didn't count and poor Nobunaga…that had lasted barely more than a day. So this was something entirely new, and she was constantly amazed by the amount of effort that Kouga placed into making her happy. Before, she'd never seen him show anyone much concern or overwhelming kindness, but the way he bowed to her wishes every single time without her having to tell him what they were most of the time…it was a lesson for Kagura in what love could really be.
"Kikyo!" she finally found the quiet girl waiting outside of her next classroom, pretending not to be concerned with the rest of the world. "Kikyo, I need to talk to you."
"I have class soon." She answered, obviously uncomfortable. Does she know I've figured her out? Kagura wondered.
"So do I. This can't wait, though." Kagura pulled the girl along to the nearest bathroom and locked the door after checking to be sure that they were alone. "Kikyo…god, what was that all about? Did you think he'd chase after you?"
"No." Kikyo shrugged, looking away. "It was time to end things."
"You're planning something, aren't you? I remember what you said to me…that time at your house." Kagura didn't mean to sound like she was accusing Kikyo of wrongdoing, but she felt hurt that the plan had gotten this far without her stopping it. Of course, before, she'd only had suspicions, but now… "I know it has to do with Naraku. You're going to hurt him, aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?" Kikyo managed to sound considerably aloof, but Kagura caught the slight tremble in her tone.
"You are! I knew it." Kagura leaned in closer, speaking carefully. "Kikyo, you have to promise me that you aren't going to kill anyone." Silence greeted her, but the look in Kikyo's eyes answered better than words could have. So, she had guessed right. "I know it seems like the only way to stop him, but you can't just throw your life away like that. And Kikyo?"
"Yes?" the girl sounded severely chastised.
"Don't kill yourself either. I'm serious. If you think I can't tell what sort of thing you were planning, you're insane. If you want to keep Naraku away from Kagome, then we're right here to help you. Kouga and I will do anything we can." Kagura assured the other girl. "It doesn't have to end so…so painfully for everyone. Please. You're still my friend, and I wouldn't ever forgive you if you did that to me."
"You're a good friend." Kikyo told her after a moment of silence. "But I can't make any promises. It's the only way."
"It's not the only way, and you know it!" Kagura was near tears, she was so desperate for the other girl to understand. "Promise you won't hurt anyone. Please."
"I…I can't. I have to go." Kikyo used the suddenly blaring bell as an escape, dodging past Kagura and nearly running to her class. Kagura felt wrung out. How had things gotten so bad? She'd been off with Kouga, thinking life was grand, and Kikyo was all the while sinking deeper and deeper into this psychological isolation that she'd been forming for herself since Naraku first laid his hands on her. She should have watched closer…she would have to guard Kikyo day and night if she couldn't get the girl to promise. Kikyo never went back on her word. The problem was, getting her to make the promise.
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"Hey Kagura, Rin." Kouga's head poked in the costume closet where the two girls were working on the last two costumes that they had to make for the play, taking their time now that they knew they'd be done in plenty of time. "What's going on?"
"Oh, I've got Souta's little outfit over here, and Rin's working on your brother's. They're only simple children's clothes, so it's no big deal. Nice to have a break after all that complicated armor and shit." Kagura set down the hem she was pinning while Rin worked on the sewing machine. "Is there a break?"
"Oh, it's that one long ass scene where they don't need me at all." Kouga rolled his eyes. "I thought…maybe you'd want a pop or something? I'm going to the machine, if you wanna come." Kagura sighed. She knew that he was hoping she'd tell him whatever it was that had been bothering her earlier that day, but the fact of the matter was that it wasn't settled yet. Not by a long shot.
"Excuse me." Kikyo's voice startled her, and she almost pricked herself with a pin. The actress walked past Kouga as he opened the door more fully for him, and Kagura looked at her questioningly. "I wanted to tell you that I promise. It's okay."
"You found another way?" Kagura's eyes lit up, but she had to be cautious. Rin and Kouga had no idea what they were talking about. "Do you need any help?"
"No. I only needed time to consider what you'd said." Kikyo assured her. Somehow, her voice was still so cold, so distant. But then…she had promised. "I need to get back before I'm missed." She rushed off, her ponytail whipping after her as Kouga looked from the retreating figure to Kagura and back in confusion.
"Let's go get that pop." Kagura stood, setting down the clothing. "I'll be right back, Rin."
"Take your time." Rin seemed to be off in her own little world, humming to herself blissfully as if she understood everything perfectly. Kagura wouldn't have been terribly surprised if that were the case.
"So then. Kikyo seems to be…um…yeah." Kouga stopped, at an utter loss.
"She was having a problem, but we took care of it." Kagura beamed at him. "I don't think there's anything to worry about now. There was an issue with Naraku. You could understand why she wouldn't be eager for me to tell you all about that. It is Kikyo's private business, after all. I have no place to tell you about it, to tell the truth."
"Oh…okay then." Kouga wasn't disappointed to be left out of the details, he just seemed pleased that everything had been taken care of. "As long as everything's okay."
"Everything's okay, I know." Kagura assured him, kissing him on the cheek. "I'm with you."
And for once, Kouga blushed and stammered instead of it being the other way around. Kagura felt that it was all in a good day's work for her.
*****
The End (Of Part 19, That Is)