Chapter Seven
Inuyasha allowed himself to be shoved out the door by Sesshoumaru. After cracking up for nearly thirty minutes about the fact people thought his older brother was gay, he began the long trek home.
The snow littered the ground and it scrunched under his feet. He walked down the street, his hair blowing off to the side as the wind pushed his side. He passed many windows of Christmas decorations. Christmas was coming closer and closer and he didn't know what he was going to do, like he could afford to get Kagome a toaster or something. Not that she'd want a toaster…well maybe she would…
He turned the corner and something caught his eye. He stopped in his walking and turned to look at it.
He found a small smile spreading across his face as he opened the door to the store. The man behind the counter looked up as Inuyasha walked up to him. "May I help you sir?"
Inuyasha nodded, "Yeah, that one right there." He pointed to the object in the window, "How much is it?"
The man looked to where Inuyasha pointed and smiled with a look of satisfaction on his face, "That one is a beauty, its about nine hundred dollars, sir."
Inuyasha nodded, "Yeah, could you put it on hold for me?"
"Of course, sir," the man said and moved the desired item from the window display.
Inuyasha nodded his thanks and walked out the door. Now all he had to do was find a way to get that money. He sighed; he would never get that money. Besides, even if he could, Kagome would kill him for not using that money for their food or a better apartment. But somehow he knew that that would be the perfect thing for his Kagome.
But money makes the world go round.
And the world was dead still in his mind.
The next day dawned uneventful and Kagome stayed in bed for a long moment staring at the ceiling. She had had no luck when it came to sleeping last night, her mind kept drifting back to the person at their windowsill.
When Inuyasha had been out, Kagome had barfed, assuming it was anxiety, she took some pills and Rin comforted her. The storm being too great, she had called Sesshoumaru on his cell phone and told him that she would spend the night at Kagome's. Rin was currently sleeping on a futon in the middle of the room.
But it had been sometime during Inuyasha sleeping that Kagome had run to the bathroom and had stepped on Rin that they discovered how deep her anxiety lay.
Now she lay in bed, not sure what to do.
Inuyasha was outside that door, making her and Rin breakfast with a campfire stove (the kind you can carry in an overnight pack) and she wasn't sure how she was going to find the will to get up.
The door opened and Kagome looked up to see Inuyasha come in with a small smile on his face, "Rin went home and she said she'd mail the bills for us."
"Joy," Kagome said sarcastically. She didn't feel like getting up, she had nothing to get up for. Except maybe Inuyasha.
"Kagome?"
"What?"
"Are you ok?" Inuyasha asked as he felt her forehead for a fever. She glared at him and he hastily drew the hand away, "What?"
Kagome pasted on a smile, "Its nothing!" 'Important,' she added silently.
Inuyasha sighed silently and looked at Kagome sadly, "There's something wrong, and I've known you long enough to know that."
Kagome glanced at him and shook her head, "No, its nothing."
"Kagome," Inuyasha whispered and ran his fingers through her hair, "please tell me."
"Its laundry day," Kagome said suddenly and hopped out of bed, "get all your clothes into a giant garbage bag, Inuyasha."
Kagome marched out of the room and left a pathetic looking Inuyasha behind.
The door to the laundry mat opened and Kagome walked in with Inuyasha holding a garbage bag filled with dirty clothes. Kagome glanced at him, "Looks like we'll need two loads, Inu."
Inuyasha said nothing. He wasn't in the mood to talk after Kagome blew him off.
Placing the laundry into the washer, Kagome sat back and watched the tumbling of the clothes and felt her stomach start to quiver. She quickly looked away, her stomach was sensitive lately and she needed to be careful, especially after Rin's warning.
Sighing she sat back against Inuyasha and rested her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha responded by resting his chin on top of her head. She heard his breathing and was able to hear his heart beat. He was always so relaxing. She glanced at the clock; she had half an hour before she had to go to work. Her first day on the job, that is, unless Naraku fired her.
Glancing at the outside weather, she decided that she should leave now.
Standing up she made her way towards the door and looked at her future- husband's pathetically depressing face.
"You remember how to do the laundry, don' you?" he nodded his head. Kagome sighed, she hated the silent treatment, she decided that she would tell Inuyasha what Rin had told her tonight.
If she had the guts.
"It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Higurashi," Naraku said smiling, "I trust that you're feeling better and read to work?"
"Yes, sir," Kagome said quietly. The look on Inuyasha's face still haunted her.
Naraku smiled and inched a little closer to her, "Are you ok, Mrs. Higurashi?"
"I'm fine, thank you, sir," Kagome said softly.
"Well, that's always good to hear," Naraku drawled, placing a 'comforting' hand on Kagome's shoulder. Kagome backed away from it.
"Mr. Naraku, please," Kagome said, shaking.
"Please what, Mrs. Higurashi?" Naraku said and stepped forward, "You know I haven't been with a woman for a long time."
"I could get you arrested for this!"
"And risk losing your last job?" Naraku said, pinning Kagome to the wall and staring at her. "Besides I'll be much better than that wannabe-boyfriend of yours."
"Inuyasha is five times the man you'll ever be!"
"And you're happy with him?" Naraku sneered.
Kagome paused and stared. Was she happy? She had an awful apartment, barely any food, too many bills, not enough jobs, two cats to take care of, barely enough clothes, she was getting sick, had horrible neighbors, a stalker coming to her window, she rarely got to see her family, and so many other things...
Kagome didn't answer; she couldn't find a way to get out of this.
"Your silence says all," Naraku said softly, dangerously soft, "why waste your time with someone who doesn't make you happy? I can give you what you want."
Naraku flashed a smile with perfectly white teeth.
"I'm happy with Inuyasha," Kagome said lamely.
"Oh? Does he provide for you like I can? Does he know all there is to know about you? Does he support you?"
"I…"
"I bet he doesn't even know about your little discovery," Naraku said with a flash of knowing in his eyes.
Kagome gasped, "How did you know about that?"
Naraku motioned to Kagome's purse, "You should learn to zip that up, and I can see it in there."
Kagome lowered her head.
"So, Inuyasha doesn't even know why you've been sick?" Naraku smiled sinisterly, "He doesn't know that his cats won't be the only thing he'll need to take care of?"
Kagome was silent.
Naraku lifted her head by placing his fingers under her chin. "I can take care of you, Kagome."
Kagome glared at him, "As much as I'd love to stay here and chat about your social life, I have to return to my boyfriend who's a black belt in three kinds of martial arts, a heavy weight champion of the world and...knows how to do tai chi! Thank you very much." That was all a lie.
Naraku smirked and leaned down and captured Kagome's lips before she could resist. Kagome gasped loudly and tried to shove him away, but he was far stronger than her tiny body.
The door swung open and Inuyasha walked in, "Hey, Kagome, you forgot your jacket…oh..."
Naraku smiled inwardly and released Kagome, who looked like a dear caught in the headlights of a car. Inuyasha stood in shock, his body slack and his violet eyes opened in shock and horror. He turned away and hung the coat on the hook attached to the wall. He looked at Kagome with the saddest eyes that could make the strongest man in the world cry and walked out.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called after him and turned angrily to Naraku. "You bastard!" she screamed before slapping him across the cheek, and then ran after Inuyasha.
He had thought a lot at the laundry mat, thought of how unfair he was being to Kagome when he noticed her jacket lying there. Cursing her stupidity he happily picked it up: he'd have an excuse to see her and apologize for being an ass.
When he'd stepped into the restaurant he'd asked an employee if she'd seen Kagome. She had pointed to Naraku's door, and without bothering to knock, he had busted in. What he saw shocked him, Kagome had been kissing Naraku, her hands resting on his shoulders and his hands wrapped around her waist. He suddenly felt like the biggest fool in the world. She had often complained about how freaky Naraku was, but that was obviously a cover up for the real thing that was going on.
It also explained why she was so distant lately.
He felt like crying. For the first time since his parent's death, he felt like crying. He now knew what Kagome felt like when she thought that it was he kissing Kikyou so long ago. But...this was Kagome; he saw her guilty look when she'd realized that he was there.
He walked outside into the cold air and started walking in a random direction. Half of him told him to go back to Kagome, but the other half told him to get out of there.
He sat himself on a bench in the middle of a park he'd wandered in. Small children were running with their parents as they built snowmen and slightly older children were having snow ball fights.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out something's wrong, my friend," a voice said from in front of him. Inuyasha stared at the feet of the person. He knew who it was. "Care to share?"
"Whatever, Miroku, weren't you on a honeymoon or something?" Inuyasha asked as he placed his head in his hands and stared at his snow-covered shoes.
"Yes, we were, but...we ran out of money so we were chased out," Miroku said chuckling, but Inuyasha did not join in. "Care to share what's wrong?"
Inuyasha sighed and told him what he'd just saw. Miroku, being the best friend he is, nodded his head and listened silently.
"What did I do wrong, Miroku?" Inuyasha asked as he sat up and stared at the gray-clouded sky. "Wasn't I good enough?"
"You've done nothing wrong," Miroku said softly, not sure what was going on, but knowing that it had to do with Kagome.
"Then why would she seek love in another," Inuyasha cried out to the heavens, "is it because I'm poor? Because I couldn't give her everything that she needed? Did I not love her enough?"
"What do you think she needed?" Miroku asked.
Inuyasha pulled a small box from his pocket and fiddled with the opening. Slipping it to Miroku he showed him the sapphire ring he'd purchased for Kagome. "I was going to give it to her on Christmas. I had to dig deep and bride Sesshoumaru a lifetime of favors, but he leant me the money to get it. I know it was stupid...but I get stupid around her."
"It's very beautiful, Inuyasha," Miroku agreed as he examined the ring, "It would certainly compliment her eyes."
Inuyasha closed the lid and slipped it back into his pocket, "I thought so too, and I know how much she hates diamonds. She always said that they were bloodstones. She says that diamond mining is the most dangerous occupation in the world, just so some sluttish little woman can wear a rock."
"Hey, Sango has a diamond ring."
"Sorry." Inuyasha looked utterly depressed and alone. He scrunched up his face and rested it in his hands again.
Miroku stared at him before patting his back, "Let it out my friend."
Inuyasha was confused until he felt the salty liquid running down his cheeks. He was...crying? It was no wonder, he was hurt again.
First his mother, then Kikyou, and now the woman he was to marry. His Kagome.
"I'm so pathetic and weak," Inuyasha whispered as tears fell silently down his cheeks.
Miroku said nothing for a long moment, "It takes a strong man to cry."
"Whoever came up with that saying has no brain," Inuyasha said, "If I was strong I would go back there and kick Naraku's ass."
"And why won't you?"
"Because I want Kagome to be happy," Inuyasha sighed. "God damn it, Miroku, I thought that I wouldn't ever have to go through this again! It's already happened once before!"
"Inuyasha, the road is never smooth," Miroku stood and backed a few steps away, reluctantly, "Sango will be waiting, will you be ok?"
"No, but thanks any ways, Miroku," Inuyasha stood as well and turned away, "I guess I should go back and face the music."
"It will be fine," Miroku gave his friend a quick 'I'm-not-gay' hug (admit it, guys always do that with each other. The kind of hugs you try and not touch but still get a hug in at the same time.) and walked away.
Inuyasha walked towards the apartment.
When the door opened, Kagome sprung up from the floor and stood expectantly.
Inuyasha opened the door completely and made eye contact. He froze and stared at her sadly. Kagome saw the redness of his eyes and how they were slightly puffy.
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha snapped out of his daze and looked to the ground, but said nothing.
He shut the door curtly behind him. He might as well confront her now. "Yes?"
"I...I'm sorry," Kagome said as she took a step towards him, and then stopped.
Inuyasha looked at her sadly and looked around the room, noticing that what little furniture they had was missing, "I guess you're leaving then, huh?"
"What?" Kagome asked, "I'm...do you want me to leave?"
Inuyasha said nothing, just took off his jacket and walked towards the window with the scratch. Sighing he opened the window and looked out, inhaling the winter air.
"Inuyasha?"
"I guess that...I wasn't good enough for you?" Inuyasha said softly.
"It wasn't what it looked like, I swear!" Kagome said as she walked up behind him.
Inuyasha sighed deeply and looked out over the wintry Tokyo.
"He molested me, Inuyasha," Kagome whispered. Inuyasha tensed up and he saw red. He clutched the windowsill and willed himself not to go out there and kill the living shit out of Naraku.
Inuyasha turned towards her; she was looking at her hands, fidgeting under his gaze. "There's something on your mind." His voice was hoarse and sad.
"Huh?" Kagome asked, looking up.
"You always fiddle with your hands when you want to say something. Say it, I'm listening," Inuyasha stated as he sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall to show her he was comfortable and was indeed, listening.
"Well...I..."
Inuyasha sighed, "You don't have to tell me."
Kagome glared at him, "How can you be so calm about this!? You saw me being kissed by Naraku and you're sitting here like we're discussing the weather!"
Inuyasha glared as well, "Do you have any idea how hard this is for me? I'm trying to be calm for your sake!"
"Why?"
"Because it's my job," Inuyasha said crossly as he stood, "I have to take care of you and make you happy." Kagome's eyes widened. "You're everything to me, and all I want is for you to be happy!"
"I…"
Kagome silenced herself. After what Naraku had said to her about how she couldn't be happy with Inuyasha, here he was admitting that his whole purpose was to make her happy. She looked at his face, etched with pain and worry. These past few months had been taking a toll on him. He had been working hard just to keep her happy. She bowed her head in shame. She had doubted the one man who cared for her more than his own needs and wants. His life.
And she'd been a bitch about it.
"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered as a tear fell from her eye, "I've been such a bitch to you."
Inuyasha allowed a shadow of a smile, "Yeah well, I haven't exactly been prince charming."
"Yes you have!" Kagome cried, "You've done everything in your power to make me happy!"
"And I haven't been doing a good job I see," Inuyasha whispered as he leaned forward and kissed Kagome's tears away, "Damn it, I love you."
"I love you too!" Kagome sobbed as she flung herself into Inuyasha's arms.
Inuyasha smiled warmly at Kagome before unwrapping himself from her arms and opening the window. Taking a deep breath he looked at the world around him. "I love Kagome Higurashi!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, blushing.
"I love her, I love her, I love her!" Inuyasha cried at the top of his lungs. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her! I want to be with her for the rest of my days! I want to have a family with her!" he silenced somewhat and turned to her, "I want to be with her always, grow old with her, watch our children grow and our children's children. I want to get a small house somewhere in the countryside away from the city, I want to have a beautiful wedding with her as my wife. I want to be with Kagome Higurashi." He ignored the yells outside and the birds flying away in fear.
Inuyasha walked up to her and held her hand, "I know that I may not be the greatest husband in the world, and that I'm not very good at most things. But I'll do everything in my power to make sure that you're happy and that you'll never be sad. I love you and I want you to be happy. I know that my proposal to you wasn't that wonderful and romantic, I didn't have a ring." Inuyasha smiled and pulled out the small velvet box, "But can I make it up to you?"
Kagome gasped and put her hands to cover her mouth. She looked as Inuyasha got down on one knee and looked up at her with the deepest love and admiration shinning through his eyes. His hand trembled as he held the sapphire ring out to her.
She looked at it for a long time before dropping to her knee, "I can't…"
If Inuyasha had dog-ears they would have been flat against his skull.
She smiled and finished her sentence, "…I can't put it on alone."
Inuyasha's eyes shimmered with passion as he slipped the sapphire ring onto her finger and kissed the palm softly. "I love you."
Kagome smiled and hugged her Inuyasha. "I love you…I love you so much."
After sitting together, holding each other, Inuyasha realized something, "Hey wait...where's our furniture?"
"Gone."
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked, shocked.
Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's arm and led him to their bedroom where the window was smashed. Inuyasha's eyes widened at the sight of broken glass. He groaned loudly at the realization they didn't have insurance.
Kagome mournfully shifted through the broken glass and looked around the empty room. "They left nothing."
"What do we do?" Inuyasha asked.
"My mom's coming."
Inuyasha groaned again.
"Hey, my mother isn't that bad," Kagome said crossly and crossed her arms over her chest. She smiled warmly at him and he returned the smile. The furniture didn't matter, as long as they had each other. Love was all they needed.
Well, not really, money would be nice, but that's not the point here.
The snow had piled up and Kagome's mother still hadn't arrived. The apartment was cold and lonely with no heat or furniture. They sat together huddled up with Inuyasha trailing little kisses down her neck and causing her to shiver.
"Inuyasha," Kagome said suddenly, "marry me."
Inuyasha nearly fell over, "We're going to soon, my love."
"No. I mean...maybe...I've been thinking about it, and maybe we should elope? Like Sango and Miroku?" Kagome asked softly.
Inuyasha was silent for a moment. "But think of all those people who will be disappointed. Your mom, Sango, Souta, Rin, Miroku, Sesshoumaru, your granddad, Buyo, Kagome-Neko, and all your friends."
Silence.
Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, "Though the idea does seem nice, remember the way you felt when you found out Sango got married without you being able to help? Without you being there? How did you feel?"
"Sad and betrayed, I guess," Kagome said quietly as Inuyasha nodded.
"But how longs it going to be?" Kagome cried, "Soon? I don't want to get fat by the time it comes around and I don't want it after the…"
Inuyasha stopped his kissing of her neck. "What?"
"Nothing!"
"No, what were you going to say?"
"It's nothing important," Kagome said quickly.
"Kagome..."
Kagome was silent.
"What were you going to say? You don't want the wedding after the what?" Inuyasha asked, a small part of him already knowing the answer.
"Inuyasha..." Kagome took a deep breath, and looked at him, "I'm pregnant."