Ummmm heh heh heh.it's been like 2 months. I'm so sorry everyone!! I was
really enjoying my winter vacation, gomen! Anyway this is the last
chapter..God I started this story like a year ago..time sure flies. Anyway
there will be another chapter that is an epilogue, but here we go!
By the way the winners of the Who's at the door contest are: Kaye,
Sakura22, and jess (). Yay 3 winners!! Maybe I'll do something special
for ya :-p
Unseen Riches
Chapter 22: Coming Together
Kagome started in an awed struck kind of trance as Kikyo pushed the
door all the way open and walked in. The light from the hall shadowed
the girl's features but Kagome would know that figure anywhere. Kagome
opened her mouth and closed it again, lost for words. Kikyo stalked
toward the bed where Kagome lay prone and stopped and just stared down
at her. Kagome felt like her head was about to spin off.
"What...what are you doing here?" She stuttered scooting backwards
away from the silent girl. "When did you get out?"
"She's with me." Kagome spun to look back at the door and felt her
stomach drop to the floor. Leaning casually again the doorframe was
none other that Naraku. If things were bad before Kagome suddenly felt
it was leaning toward very, very bad.
"Ok." She said. "Then what are the two of you doing here?"
"Well Kikyo just got out of the institute last weekend and we thought
we'd stop by. Kikyo has something she wants to tell you." Naraku
stated as he flipped on the light next to the door. Slowly Kagome
turned back to the girl who looked so much like herself. But now
seeing her in the light she seemed kind of different, something Kagome
couldn't place.
"What is it that you want to tell me?"
Kikyo looked down at the floor, as if composing herself. She then
raised her head to meet Kagome's gaze. "Kagome I'm sorry for
everything I've done to you." Kagome gawked at the girl. With
everything that was running through her head that Kikyo would say to
her this was not one of them. She watched surprised as Kikyo turned
away with a blush. "I've had a lot of time to think and realize what a
selfish brat I was being. Naraku helped me learn that." Kikyo glanced
lovingly at the boy standing in the doorway. Kagome glanced back and
forth between the two, feeling the shock of the situation run through
her veins; her head began to spin with the information.
"You guys are going out!?" She practically shouted, confusion ruling.
The two glanced at each other again before Kikyo rose and walked
toward the boy and covered his lips with her own in a heated kiss.
Kagome sat stunned for the whole 3 minutes their kiss continued until
they came back for air.
"Naraku came to visit me a lot." Kikyo said with a blush, tracing her
boyfriends jaw with a finger. "We just kinda clicked and one thing led
to another."
"I'm very glad for you two." Kagome's head dropped, she felt the thin
tendrils of loneliness crawl through her stomach. She had no real
right to be jealous, in fact she should be happy for the couple but
she couldn't bring herself to be happy for them.
"We also heard about your situation." Kikyo came back to sit on the
bed. Kagome snorted sarcastically.
"What situation? There is no situation." She said bitterly. She let
her gaze stay on her dresser across the room, not wanting to hear
anymore sympathetic remarks from people who pretended to understand.
After she had gotten out of the hospital many friends, and people that
weren't stopped to console or try to make her feel better. But none of
them really understood the heart breaking thoughts Kagome had floating
through her head, or how she felt.
"Well if you're going to sit around and mope about how unfair things
are then I have nothing to say to you." Kikyo stood to rose, stopping
for a second to flick of a piece of imaginary dirt off of her skirt.
"But I thought you were different, that you wouldn't care about what
happened in the past. I thought you could make him happy. Maybe I was
wrong about you."
"How dare you say that!?" Kagome jumped to her feet, anger and
frustration visible on her face mingled with the tears that started to
slide down her cheeks. "You have no idea what's its like. To wake up
one day and suddenly the person you love doesn't love you anymore,
he's found someone else! Or how it feels to have him tear your heart
out as her tears apart your body physically and leaves you to die,
your blood seeping onto the floor and he just walks away and doesn't
look back! So don't you dare criticize me! You could never
understand!" Emotions mixed and stormed through her body, her head
started to ache under the stress and she slipped to the floor, tears
raining down her face as she cried.
Kikyo watched as the girl broke down, sympathy and concern showed on
her usually frigid face. She knelt down next to the girl and lightly
rested a hand on the shaking shoulder and watched as tear filled eyes
looked up at her. "But you still love him don't you?" Slowly Kagome
nodded and Kikyo drew her into a firm hug. The girl tensed up but then
slowly relaxed into the motherly embrace. "You know no one has to be
strong all the time. It's ok to lean on others every now and then."
"Kagome there is something you should know." Kagome started then
remembered Naraku was still there, she looked at him questioningly.
"Yash did not just leave you behind. The one who sent him away was you
mother." His mouth set in a grim line as he relayed the information
and watched the shocked look appear on her face.
"My mother.but why? She's the one that said he left without saying
anything."
"That's something you'll have to ask her yourself." Kikyo said as she
stood bring the other girl to stand with her. "But Kagome, if you love
him be strong. Go and find him before it's too late." She wiped the
tears off the crying girls face and smiled gently at her. Taking a
piece of thick paper out of her pocket she slipped it into Kagome's.
"I wish you luck." Quietly she backed up and grabbing Naraku by the
arm exited the room and shut the door with a soft click. Kagome stood
looking at the folded paper in her hand for a long time before
carefully unfolding it and reading the context. Her eyes widened then
set in a determined gaze. Her head whirled with emotions, thoughts,
and plans, first off she would have to see her mother and then. her
eyes drifted to the paper and read it again.
You are invited to the wedding of Inu Yasha and Keiko Shinyu
3pm Saturday at 1342 Richly Ave.
Guests are welcome
Her mind drifting back to when she and Yash had first met. When had
she gotten so weak? Back then she wouldn't take anything from anyone
and always went for what she wanted with 120%. So why was she sitting
around crying now? Where had the strong willed girl gone and when had
the depressive and weak one taken over? Resolve firming in her mind
she got dressed and stalked out of the room. She would clear up her
feelings, for better or for worse, not for Yash's happiness but for
hers. Because she wanted to be able to stand up for her friends and
not be afraid, she wanted to find the part of herself that she had
lost along the way and be able to be happy with no regrets.
For the first time in what seemed like years Kagome smiled fully as
she locked her door behind her. First she would have to talk to her
mother and after that.well it was something she wouldn't worry about
right now, when the time comes it will come.
**********
"Ma'am. Miss Kagome is her to see you." The middle aged woman smiled
as he butler bowed. Her red nails tapped on the chairs armrest happily
and she glanced at the young man sitting next to her. Her rebellious
daughter couldn't have picked a better time to come.
"Show her in Jenkins and please shut the door after her."
"Of course, Madam." The butler noiselessly shut the door and Kagome's
mom yet again glanced at the boy. "She couldn't have picked a better
time could she have Koga?"
"Her timings perfect." His smile turned to a feral snarl, fangs
showing and eyes narrowing. In his mind he was laughing, all his
planning had come together perfectly, and in the end Kagome would be
his bride, whether she like it or not.
Kagome had no idea of the deathtrap she was about to walk into. She
stopped outside the door and took a deep breath to reassure herself
before closing her eyes and stepping through the door and closing it
behind her. Opening her eyes she gasped at the scene in front of her.
**********
"Are you ready?" Yash glanced at Miroku in the mirror and shrugged. It
was 1pm and he was dressed and ready to go for the moment that would
change his life forever. Not that he cared about the future anymore.
Depressing thoughts drifted through his head, most seemed to be
accompanied by warm brown eyes and his ears drooped.
"Yash you don't have to go through with this." Miroku saw that his
best friend was in pain but was unsure how to help. Every time he had
tried to bring up the subject of Kagome, Yash would either get
defensive or shrug it off. And now on his wedding day it seemed more
like a funeral due to the atmosphere. "Even your father says you don't
have to get married. "
"I made a promise to Keiko." His voice was devoid of all emotion.
"But you love Kagome!" Frustration finally broke through and made
Miroku's words harsh. "What's the point of marrying someone if not for
love? You're the one that taught me that and gave me the courage to be
with Sango, don't act like this now!"
"Yes! Ok, I love her; I love her more than life itself!" Yash turned
and snarled at the surprised boy who took a startled step back. "I
love her enough not to fuck up her life anymore! I love her enough to
realize that it could never work. I almost killed her Miroku, what if
that happens again? What would I do then? I couldn't stand it; I won't
give myself the chance to hurt her again!" Yash turned back to the
mirror giving Miroku a good reflection of his tear stained face.
"Oh Yash." He couldn't find the words to say, comforting or not.
Neither of the boys noticed at a figure slipped past the room, hearing
the whole conversation.
"Where are Sesshomaru and Rin?" Yash asked finally.
"He said he had to pick something up on the way here, he also said we
should wait until he gets here or he will be very unhappy." Miroku
said with a sigh, Yash's brother had been very forceful in his warning
not to start without him.
*********
"What the hell is he doing here!?" Kagome practically screeched as she
backed up till her back hit the door. There in her living room sat her
mother and Koga. And Koga, the thought seemed to spin over and over
under it made her dizzy.
"Don't be silly child, as your future husband he has every right to be
here." Her mother stated as calmly as if she was telling the weather
forecast. She lifted her cup of tea and took a long sip of it before
letting her eyes rest on her youngest daughter. "Did you really think
I would allow you to stay with that animal after he hurt you?"
Kagome stood there in shock. It was true, her mother had deceived her.
She stayed motionless even as Koga rose and walked forward to embrace
her. As his arms swung around her she reacted and pushed him off
roughly, off balance he fell down on to the plush carpet. Koga looked
up to see the icy glare Kagome was pinning him down with and grimaced.
"Mother, if Yash has ever hurt me than this man has done 100 times
worse." She clenched her fist and glared at her manipulative mother.
"This man tried to rape me more than once; I will have nothing to do
with him. And also I am her to tell you that I will have nothing to do
with you either. I am done with your split personalities and you're
meddling. Stay out of my life or I swear to god I will kill you
myself." The last part Kagome snarled out between clenched teeth.
Feeling she had said all she needed to she turned to leave.
"Not just yet Kagome." At her mothers words she stopped and glanced
back coolly over her shoulder at the now standing woman.
"What?"
"You think you can desert your responsibilities to this family and to
me so easily?" Her mother clenched her hands, red nails sinking into
tender flesh. "You are bound to this family by blood as well as name.
And it is my job to choose a husband for you as I have for your
sisters. You can ditch this family as much as you ditch all that you
believe in, for they are the same, don't make me laugh, you can't
escape. Your body, as well as your life and future belong to me."
She turned, enraged and ready to strike the woman down when suddenly
Koga was there grabbing her from behind and pinning her to his chest.
She struggled but his grip only tightened and she started to panic.
"I will not marry this monster! I love Yash and Yash alone, and I only
belong to him!" She freed a hand and pulled the neck of her shirt down
to show the still present bite marks that he had given her. "This mark
shows that I am his, not this rapist and woman abusers! I'd rather
kill myself than belong to him or you. I belong to no one but myself!"
Koga grinned and lowered his head so that his mouth was right next to
her ear. He spoke and she involuntarily shivered. "Dear Kagome I have
put to much effort into getting you to give you up to some half-breed
puppy. After all," He said with a gruff laugh. "Who do you think put
Kikyo up to ruining your relationship, and the relationship of Miroku
and that peasant girl? Do you think she could have done it on her own?
Of course not, she had the reasons but I gave her the supplies and
power. Even when that plan failed don't you think it was very
coincidental that Yash's old girlfriend appeared out of nowhere? She
had a nice boyfriend back where she lived and hadn't even remembered
the promise, but with a little persuasion from me, in the way of
threatening the life of her dear boyfriend, she came here to marry
Yash. Very self sacrificing and all don't you think?"
Kagome was frozen in shock through his whole speech as everything came
together in her mind. It was like a puzzle coming together so you
could see the whole picture, all their problems, all the things that
kept on getting in the way of her and Yash's relationship; it was all
Koga's fault. Anger swelled in her and she stomped hard down on his
foot making him momentarily lose his grip on her in shock. She spun
and kneed him hard in the groin and jumped toward the door. To her
dismay it was locked, she turned back to her mother enraged.
"I had Jenkins go to the effort of locking it from the outside
darling." Her mother stared at her over the rim of the tea she was
again drinking, her eyes cold and icy. "What will you do now?" Without
responding Kagome made for one of the many windows that encased the
room. Suddenly Koga shot a hand out and grabbed her leg, making her
trip and fall on the floor. She rolled over but he was onto of her,
pinning her hands above her head and grinning down at her maniacally.
She tried to struggle away but he was to strong, with his legs lying
across hers she couldn't kick him. The feeling off helplessness and
fear began to rise in her throat. No, she thought fiercely, I will not
be afraid of him, I'm going to fight, and I'm not giving up!
"And about that mark Kagome," Koga said, his grin growing wider as his
head descended toward her exposed shoulder. "I'll cover that right
now." Ice ran through Kagome's veins at his words. He was going to
cover the mark Yash gave her! She struggled harder; praying to all the
gods she could think of that someone would save her. She felt Koga's
hot breath on her skin and screamed the first thing that came to mind.
"Yash!!!"
**********
In a house about 10 miles away from Kagome, Yash's ears perked and he
raised his head. Miroku looked over to see what Yash was reacting to,
for he had heard nothing.
"What's wrong Yash?"
"I don't know." The silver haired boy said, a confused and anxious
look on his face. "I thought I heard something."
" Maybe it's just jitters." Miroku said looking at the clock. "We only
have 45 minutes left after all. Yash only grunted in reply and went
pack to looking at the floor. Miroku sighed and went back to coming
his hair.
********
Kagome thought it was her imagination when she heard I crash and the
splintering off wood followed by her mothers screaming. Everything was
kinda hazy. had Koga marked her yet? She wasn't. After she yelled time
seemed to have slowed, maybe she fainted. Suddenly the heavy weight
that was pressing her down was removed and she heard another crash.
What's going on? She thought and cracked her eyes open slowly, almost
afraid to look. The first thing she saw through blurry tears was
silver. Her heart soared at the thought of Yash rescuing her. Her
vision cleared and she saw it was not standing protectively over her,
it was Sesshoumaru.
Suddenly Rin was there next to her, asking her if she was ok and
pulling her to her feet. Kagome felt lightheaded as she observed the
mess that was one her living room. The door was a mess of splinters
and falling wood. Vases and flowers covered the floor and the once
elegant tables and chairs where smashed. And sitting in the corner,
crying over a limp Koga was her mother. Cold rage swept through her,
her mother cared more about some boy being hurt than her own
daughter's life? Shrugging herself out of Rins hold she stalked past
the silent Silver haired man and up to the shaking form of her mother.
She raised her hand to strike the woman.
"Are you going to hit me now?" Her mother's words stopped her swing
half way. Kagome stopped and stared at the woman she once looked up to
and loved.
"Do you think I shouldn't?" Kagome said slowly and carefully. "Do you
think I have a reason not too? You have betrayed me mother and for
that I'll never forgive you. Goodbye mother, I think this is the last
time you'll ever see me. I wish you well and if you want Koga in this
family so bad, marry him yourself." With that she turned and walked
away. Sesshoumaru and Rin fell in step behind her as she walked out of
the destroyed room. Only with his superior hearing could the dog man
hear the goodbye she again whispered as she walked through the door.
And if he saw the tears streaking down her face it wasn't his place to
comfort her or say anything about it.
Outside the house Kagome let out a sigh she hadn't realized she was
holding. She promptly turned to stare at the couple following her and
raised an eyebrow.
"First I would like to thank you for saving me, second I would like to
know how you knew I was here and what you're doing here." She stated
calmly.
Rin bounced forward, happy to see Kagome was back to normal. "I and
Sessy-chan wanted you to come to Yash's wedding with us so you could
stop it. We went to the dorm but you weren't there so we called that
Naraku guy and he said you were probably on your way to your mothers
so we came here. We heard the whole conversation! I wanted to stop it
sooner but Sessy said to wait." Rin glared mockingly at her lover as
he blushed. Kagome raised her eyebrow higher each time Rin repeated
the silly nickname and almost laughed when Sesshoumaru let out a soft
growl.
"God woman how many time show I told you not to call me that!" He
barked out, his face slightly red. Rin gave him a look and he looked
away. "At least not in front of people. Anyway we only have 25 minutes
we need to get going or we're not going to make it in time." He
stalked toward his car that as waiting in the driveway and motioned
the girls to follow him.
"What if I said I'm not going?" Sesshoumaru stopped and stared at
Kagome as if she had grown two heads.
"What!?"
"I don't know." Kagome looked down and traced a design with the toe of
her sneakers. "I still love him but even if I understand what's going
on now what if he doesn't love me anymore?" Sesshoumaru almost growled
in frustration, they were wasting time.
"Listen wench." He growled. "That mark on your shoulder means you're
his chosen one, no one else. If he didn't still love you than that
mark would have disappeared by now, it is the way of our family."
"Really?"
"Rin, show her." At his words Rin pulled the neck of her sweater down
to reveal a familiar looking mark on her shoulder. "Hasn't faded in 3
years!" She stated proudly.
"Trust me girl, he loved you. You need more confidence in your own
charm." He jumped in the car and Rin slid into the seat beside him.
"So you coming or not?" Kagome looked at them and wondered if Yash and
she could be that happy one day. Her heart warmed at the thought and
she smiled, filled with happiness and joy.
"Let's go get my man back!" She yelled before jumping in the car with
them.
*******
Yash was only half paying attention as the music blared and Keiko
started walking down the aisle. He knew all the peoples eyes were on
him but he didn't care, he felt a heavy lead like feeling surround his
heart. If it wasn't Kagome walking down the aisle than he didn't seem
to care. But he also couldn't break his promise; he was not one to lie
and wouldn't start now even if it hurt him this much.
Then Keiko was beside him, they didn't look at each other while the
minister spoke, Keiko's gaze lingered on the ground while Yash's gazed
through the crowd. He saw Miroku and Sango sitting together in his
side, Sango was crying and his heart tore at the sight but there was
nothing he could do now. His gaze drifted to Keiko's side to see who
she said were her closes friends, Kaye, Sakur22, and jess() (AN: heh
heh heh) weird names but he wasn't really someone to criticize. What
struck him as odd was they were crying too, not the happy yay it's a
wedding crying, but sad depressed crying. And beside them was a
handsome young man who he had not been introduced to that would not
meet his gaze.
"Do you Yash take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The
minister's words brought him back to the task at hand. With an
internal sigh he nodded his head.
"I do."
"And do you Keiko take this man to be your husband?"
*********
"We're not going to make it in time!" Kagome gripped the back of Rins
chair hard and almost growled. The wedding had started 15 minutes ago
and they were stuck in traffic due to an accident! They were only
about a mile away, so close, and yet so far. With a feral snarl Kagome
jumped out of the car and started running.
"I'll meet you guys there!" She cried over her shoulder as she
sprinted down the street. Rin and Sesshoumaru watched her guy,
matching looks of amusement on their faces.
"Hey would you run like that for me Rin?" Is reply said girl smirked
before catching her boyfriend's lips in her own and kissing him
deeply.
"You even have to ask?" She said with a smirk.
********
Kagome ran on and on, even though her lungs felt like fire and her
legs threatened to give out. Where was that damn church? She thought
annoyed and anxious. She ran around a corner, dodging people and
random street vendors. Ever the small buildings she spotted a church
steeple. Her mind jumped for joy as she somehow sped up and reached
the church. Without even stopping to care that she was sweating and
her hair and clothes were messed up she crashed through the front
entrance.
"Stop the wedding!" She yelled and fell to the floor, exhausted and
panting. Her eyes were clothes and suddenly she was afraid to open
them, what if she had caught them mid kiss? What if she was too late?
Feeling courageous she peeked her eyes open. Just as she had feared
everyone was staring at her. She smiled sheepishly, blushing bright
red.
"Kagome!" She thought her heart would stop. Slowly and fearfully she
turned where Yash had called her from. First she noticed the pure
white suit he was wearing, after a second of thinking about how
handsome he looked she let her gaze move to Keiko. Standing next to
Yash in a creamy lace wedding dress she looked beautiful. Nothing like
her who sat on the floor in torn jeans and a t-shirt, she probably
looked like a whore. This is not a time to be putting yourself down!
She thought fiercely. Slowly she rose, keeping her gazed locked with
Yash's startled golden eyes, eyes she loved.
"I love you." First it was a whisper, but with growing confidence she
said it louder. "I love you Yash. I love you more than anyone in the
world. I would give up everything just to be with you. I don't care
who you marry are what happens in the future, I just want to be with
you. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I'm sorry for your pain, I'm sorry for
so many things." She bowed her head, not wanting to meet his gaze
anymore. "I'm not afraid anymore, and for all the things I'm sorry for
the one thing I'm not sorry for is meeting you. And loving you."
The hall fell quiet. Kagome was unsure what to do now; she had placed
her bid, and hoped he accepted it. Her heart clenched and she felt so
many eyes upon her. I'm so stupid what am I doing? Obviously he didn't
want her if he hadn't said anything by now. Slowly she turned as her
heart broke for what seemed the millionth time. No! I will be strong
about this. Kagome forced a smile to her faced and looked back over
her shoulder, but she couldn't stop the tears from coming as she
spoke.
"Well I said what I wanted to, I'm sorry for disturbing you, goodbye."
She turned and walked toward the door she had crashed through just
minutes before.
"Where do you think your going?" She froze. Slowly she turned to see
Yash walking slowly toward her, his face unreadable. "You think you
can say all those things and then just leave? Make me look like the
bad guy here?"
Her eyes widened as he reached her. "No I just.just wanted you to
know, I need you to know."
"There's only one thing I learned through your whole display." His
hand reached for her and she flinched back expecting a slap. Suddenly
his hand slid behind her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. She was
so stunned she didn't even feel his tongue enter her mouth until it
was already in. Reflexively she tilted her head, giving him better
access and groaned deep in her throat when he made full use of that
access. Finally they parted and Kagome found herself staring up into
amused eyes.
"What, what about the wedding?" She stuttered out, confused and
disoriented. Suddenly all she saw was smiling faces around her,
including Miroku's and Sango's.
"I and Keiko just called it off." His voice was a whisper in her ear,
sending shivers down her spine, oh yeah, she missed that voice.
"How?"
"Well...."
*Flashback*
"And do you, Keiko take this man as your husband?"
"..... No." Silence answered the girl's response. Followed by an
uproar. Keiko turned to the started crowd of people behind her. She
bowed deeply. "I'm very sorry everyone but I can not marry Yash,
because I love another." She ran and jumped into the arms of the man
Yash had not recognized earlier. "I was threatened by a man to marry
Yash or he would kill my boyfriend. But I don't want to be afraid
anymore, I just want to be with him." She hugged the boy closer.
*End Flashback*
"It was Koga."
"What?" Yash was so happy Kagome was there he thought he had misheard
her.
"Koga is the one that threatened Keiko." Kagome almost sighed it out,
burrowing deeper against him and breathing in his scent. It was almost
like no one else was there. She felt when he stiffened and looked up
into his furious eyes. "It's ok Yash. Your brother already beat him up
for it."
"Sesshoumaru?"
"Yeah."
"So that's where that bastard went. Going to pick something up huh?
Jeez."
"That's not all." Kagome and Yash looked toward the door as Rin and
Sesshoumaru stepped through the door. "Let's not forget that I also
kept that bastard from raping you again Kagome."
" What!?" Yash's eyes snapped back to Kagome, as if seeing her outfit
for the first time. He started checking her over from head to foot,
stopping for a second to sigh in relief that the mark he made was
still there.
"It's ok Yash, its ok." Kagome said, brimming with happiness.
"Everything's ok now that I'm with you." She let her head fall against
his chest and let out a sigh. Yash encircled her in his arms and
rested his chin on the top of her head.
"Yeah." He said closing his eyes and breathing in her unique scent.
"Everything is perfect. I love you."
////////////////////////////////////
Sniff sniff it's almost over!!! Just the epilogue to go. So what did
you all think? Good, bad, or what?! Man I wrote this loving on kool-
aid I swear! It was like 1 page = 2 glasses of kool-aid and this was
12 pages!! Heh heh heh. Anyway I want reviews!!! This is like the
length of 3 chapters!!!! Please come back for the epilogue!!
By the way the winners of the Who's at the door contest are: Kaye,
Sakura22, and jess (). Yay 3 winners!! Maybe I'll do something special
for ya :-p
Unseen Riches
Chapter 22: Coming Together
Kagome started in an awed struck kind of trance as Kikyo pushed the
door all the way open and walked in. The light from the hall shadowed
the girl's features but Kagome would know that figure anywhere. Kagome
opened her mouth and closed it again, lost for words. Kikyo stalked
toward the bed where Kagome lay prone and stopped and just stared down
at her. Kagome felt like her head was about to spin off.
"What...what are you doing here?" She stuttered scooting backwards
away from the silent girl. "When did you get out?"
"She's with me." Kagome spun to look back at the door and felt her
stomach drop to the floor. Leaning casually again the doorframe was
none other that Naraku. If things were bad before Kagome suddenly felt
it was leaning toward very, very bad.
"Ok." She said. "Then what are the two of you doing here?"
"Well Kikyo just got out of the institute last weekend and we thought
we'd stop by. Kikyo has something she wants to tell you." Naraku
stated as he flipped on the light next to the door. Slowly Kagome
turned back to the girl who looked so much like herself. But now
seeing her in the light she seemed kind of different, something Kagome
couldn't place.
"What is it that you want to tell me?"
Kikyo looked down at the floor, as if composing herself. She then
raised her head to meet Kagome's gaze. "Kagome I'm sorry for
everything I've done to you." Kagome gawked at the girl. With
everything that was running through her head that Kikyo would say to
her this was not one of them. She watched surprised as Kikyo turned
away with a blush. "I've had a lot of time to think and realize what a
selfish brat I was being. Naraku helped me learn that." Kikyo glanced
lovingly at the boy standing in the doorway. Kagome glanced back and
forth between the two, feeling the shock of the situation run through
her veins; her head began to spin with the information.
"You guys are going out!?" She practically shouted, confusion ruling.
The two glanced at each other again before Kikyo rose and walked
toward the boy and covered his lips with her own in a heated kiss.
Kagome sat stunned for the whole 3 minutes their kiss continued until
they came back for air.
"Naraku came to visit me a lot." Kikyo said with a blush, tracing her
boyfriends jaw with a finger. "We just kinda clicked and one thing led
to another."
"I'm very glad for you two." Kagome's head dropped, she felt the thin
tendrils of loneliness crawl through her stomach. She had no real
right to be jealous, in fact she should be happy for the couple but
she couldn't bring herself to be happy for them.
"We also heard about your situation." Kikyo came back to sit on the
bed. Kagome snorted sarcastically.
"What situation? There is no situation." She said bitterly. She let
her gaze stay on her dresser across the room, not wanting to hear
anymore sympathetic remarks from people who pretended to understand.
After she had gotten out of the hospital many friends, and people that
weren't stopped to console or try to make her feel better. But none of
them really understood the heart breaking thoughts Kagome had floating
through her head, or how she felt.
"Well if you're going to sit around and mope about how unfair things
are then I have nothing to say to you." Kikyo stood to rose, stopping
for a second to flick of a piece of imaginary dirt off of her skirt.
"But I thought you were different, that you wouldn't care about what
happened in the past. I thought you could make him happy. Maybe I was
wrong about you."
"How dare you say that!?" Kagome jumped to her feet, anger and
frustration visible on her face mingled with the tears that started to
slide down her cheeks. "You have no idea what's its like. To wake up
one day and suddenly the person you love doesn't love you anymore,
he's found someone else! Or how it feels to have him tear your heart
out as her tears apart your body physically and leaves you to die,
your blood seeping onto the floor and he just walks away and doesn't
look back! So don't you dare criticize me! You could never
understand!" Emotions mixed and stormed through her body, her head
started to ache under the stress and she slipped to the floor, tears
raining down her face as she cried.
Kikyo watched as the girl broke down, sympathy and concern showed on
her usually frigid face. She knelt down next to the girl and lightly
rested a hand on the shaking shoulder and watched as tear filled eyes
looked up at her. "But you still love him don't you?" Slowly Kagome
nodded and Kikyo drew her into a firm hug. The girl tensed up but then
slowly relaxed into the motherly embrace. "You know no one has to be
strong all the time. It's ok to lean on others every now and then."
"Kagome there is something you should know." Kagome started then
remembered Naraku was still there, she looked at him questioningly.
"Yash did not just leave you behind. The one who sent him away was you
mother." His mouth set in a grim line as he relayed the information
and watched the shocked look appear on her face.
"My mother.but why? She's the one that said he left without saying
anything."
"That's something you'll have to ask her yourself." Kikyo said as she
stood bring the other girl to stand with her. "But Kagome, if you love
him be strong. Go and find him before it's too late." She wiped the
tears off the crying girls face and smiled gently at her. Taking a
piece of thick paper out of her pocket she slipped it into Kagome's.
"I wish you luck." Quietly she backed up and grabbing Naraku by the
arm exited the room and shut the door with a soft click. Kagome stood
looking at the folded paper in her hand for a long time before
carefully unfolding it and reading the context. Her eyes widened then
set in a determined gaze. Her head whirled with emotions, thoughts,
and plans, first off she would have to see her mother and then. her
eyes drifted to the paper and read it again.
You are invited to the wedding of Inu Yasha and Keiko Shinyu
3pm Saturday at 1342 Richly Ave.
Guests are welcome
Her mind drifting back to when she and Yash had first met. When had
she gotten so weak? Back then she wouldn't take anything from anyone
and always went for what she wanted with 120%. So why was she sitting
around crying now? Where had the strong willed girl gone and when had
the depressive and weak one taken over? Resolve firming in her mind
she got dressed and stalked out of the room. She would clear up her
feelings, for better or for worse, not for Yash's happiness but for
hers. Because she wanted to be able to stand up for her friends and
not be afraid, she wanted to find the part of herself that she had
lost along the way and be able to be happy with no regrets.
For the first time in what seemed like years Kagome smiled fully as
she locked her door behind her. First she would have to talk to her
mother and after that.well it was something she wouldn't worry about
right now, when the time comes it will come.
**********
"Ma'am. Miss Kagome is her to see you." The middle aged woman smiled
as he butler bowed. Her red nails tapped on the chairs armrest happily
and she glanced at the young man sitting next to her. Her rebellious
daughter couldn't have picked a better time to come.
"Show her in Jenkins and please shut the door after her."
"Of course, Madam." The butler noiselessly shut the door and Kagome's
mom yet again glanced at the boy. "She couldn't have picked a better
time could she have Koga?"
"Her timings perfect." His smile turned to a feral snarl, fangs
showing and eyes narrowing. In his mind he was laughing, all his
planning had come together perfectly, and in the end Kagome would be
his bride, whether she like it or not.
Kagome had no idea of the deathtrap she was about to walk into. She
stopped outside the door and took a deep breath to reassure herself
before closing her eyes and stepping through the door and closing it
behind her. Opening her eyes she gasped at the scene in front of her.
**********
"Are you ready?" Yash glanced at Miroku in the mirror and shrugged. It
was 1pm and he was dressed and ready to go for the moment that would
change his life forever. Not that he cared about the future anymore.
Depressing thoughts drifted through his head, most seemed to be
accompanied by warm brown eyes and his ears drooped.
"Yash you don't have to go through with this." Miroku saw that his
best friend was in pain but was unsure how to help. Every time he had
tried to bring up the subject of Kagome, Yash would either get
defensive or shrug it off. And now on his wedding day it seemed more
like a funeral due to the atmosphere. "Even your father says you don't
have to get married. "
"I made a promise to Keiko." His voice was devoid of all emotion.
"But you love Kagome!" Frustration finally broke through and made
Miroku's words harsh. "What's the point of marrying someone if not for
love? You're the one that taught me that and gave me the courage to be
with Sango, don't act like this now!"
"Yes! Ok, I love her; I love her more than life itself!" Yash turned
and snarled at the surprised boy who took a startled step back. "I
love her enough not to fuck up her life anymore! I love her enough to
realize that it could never work. I almost killed her Miroku, what if
that happens again? What would I do then? I couldn't stand it; I won't
give myself the chance to hurt her again!" Yash turned back to the
mirror giving Miroku a good reflection of his tear stained face.
"Oh Yash." He couldn't find the words to say, comforting or not.
Neither of the boys noticed at a figure slipped past the room, hearing
the whole conversation.
"Where are Sesshomaru and Rin?" Yash asked finally.
"He said he had to pick something up on the way here, he also said we
should wait until he gets here or he will be very unhappy." Miroku
said with a sigh, Yash's brother had been very forceful in his warning
not to start without him.
*********
"What the hell is he doing here!?" Kagome practically screeched as she
backed up till her back hit the door. There in her living room sat her
mother and Koga. And Koga, the thought seemed to spin over and over
under it made her dizzy.
"Don't be silly child, as your future husband he has every right to be
here." Her mother stated as calmly as if she was telling the weather
forecast. She lifted her cup of tea and took a long sip of it before
letting her eyes rest on her youngest daughter. "Did you really think
I would allow you to stay with that animal after he hurt you?"
Kagome stood there in shock. It was true, her mother had deceived her.
She stayed motionless even as Koga rose and walked forward to embrace
her. As his arms swung around her she reacted and pushed him off
roughly, off balance he fell down on to the plush carpet. Koga looked
up to see the icy glare Kagome was pinning him down with and grimaced.
"Mother, if Yash has ever hurt me than this man has done 100 times
worse." She clenched her fist and glared at her manipulative mother.
"This man tried to rape me more than once; I will have nothing to do
with him. And also I am her to tell you that I will have nothing to do
with you either. I am done with your split personalities and you're
meddling. Stay out of my life or I swear to god I will kill you
myself." The last part Kagome snarled out between clenched teeth.
Feeling she had said all she needed to she turned to leave.
"Not just yet Kagome." At her mothers words she stopped and glanced
back coolly over her shoulder at the now standing woman.
"What?"
"You think you can desert your responsibilities to this family and to
me so easily?" Her mother clenched her hands, red nails sinking into
tender flesh. "You are bound to this family by blood as well as name.
And it is my job to choose a husband for you as I have for your
sisters. You can ditch this family as much as you ditch all that you
believe in, for they are the same, don't make me laugh, you can't
escape. Your body, as well as your life and future belong to me."
She turned, enraged and ready to strike the woman down when suddenly
Koga was there grabbing her from behind and pinning her to his chest.
She struggled but his grip only tightened and she started to panic.
"I will not marry this monster! I love Yash and Yash alone, and I only
belong to him!" She freed a hand and pulled the neck of her shirt down
to show the still present bite marks that he had given her. "This mark
shows that I am his, not this rapist and woman abusers! I'd rather
kill myself than belong to him or you. I belong to no one but myself!"
Koga grinned and lowered his head so that his mouth was right next to
her ear. He spoke and she involuntarily shivered. "Dear Kagome I have
put to much effort into getting you to give you up to some half-breed
puppy. After all," He said with a gruff laugh. "Who do you think put
Kikyo up to ruining your relationship, and the relationship of Miroku
and that peasant girl? Do you think she could have done it on her own?
Of course not, she had the reasons but I gave her the supplies and
power. Even when that plan failed don't you think it was very
coincidental that Yash's old girlfriend appeared out of nowhere? She
had a nice boyfriend back where she lived and hadn't even remembered
the promise, but with a little persuasion from me, in the way of
threatening the life of her dear boyfriend, she came here to marry
Yash. Very self sacrificing and all don't you think?"
Kagome was frozen in shock through his whole speech as everything came
together in her mind. It was like a puzzle coming together so you
could see the whole picture, all their problems, all the things that
kept on getting in the way of her and Yash's relationship; it was all
Koga's fault. Anger swelled in her and she stomped hard down on his
foot making him momentarily lose his grip on her in shock. She spun
and kneed him hard in the groin and jumped toward the door. To her
dismay it was locked, she turned back to her mother enraged.
"I had Jenkins go to the effort of locking it from the outside
darling." Her mother stared at her over the rim of the tea she was
again drinking, her eyes cold and icy. "What will you do now?" Without
responding Kagome made for one of the many windows that encased the
room. Suddenly Koga shot a hand out and grabbed her leg, making her
trip and fall on the floor. She rolled over but he was onto of her,
pinning her hands above her head and grinning down at her maniacally.
She tried to struggle away but he was to strong, with his legs lying
across hers she couldn't kick him. The feeling off helplessness and
fear began to rise in her throat. No, she thought fiercely, I will not
be afraid of him, I'm going to fight, and I'm not giving up!
"And about that mark Kagome," Koga said, his grin growing wider as his
head descended toward her exposed shoulder. "I'll cover that right
now." Ice ran through Kagome's veins at his words. He was going to
cover the mark Yash gave her! She struggled harder; praying to all the
gods she could think of that someone would save her. She felt Koga's
hot breath on her skin and screamed the first thing that came to mind.
"Yash!!!"
**********
In a house about 10 miles away from Kagome, Yash's ears perked and he
raised his head. Miroku looked over to see what Yash was reacting to,
for he had heard nothing.
"What's wrong Yash?"
"I don't know." The silver haired boy said, a confused and anxious
look on his face. "I thought I heard something."
" Maybe it's just jitters." Miroku said looking at the clock. "We only
have 45 minutes left after all. Yash only grunted in reply and went
pack to looking at the floor. Miroku sighed and went back to coming
his hair.
********
Kagome thought it was her imagination when she heard I crash and the
splintering off wood followed by her mothers screaming. Everything was
kinda hazy. had Koga marked her yet? She wasn't. After she yelled time
seemed to have slowed, maybe she fainted. Suddenly the heavy weight
that was pressing her down was removed and she heard another crash.
What's going on? She thought and cracked her eyes open slowly, almost
afraid to look. The first thing she saw through blurry tears was
silver. Her heart soared at the thought of Yash rescuing her. Her
vision cleared and she saw it was not standing protectively over her,
it was Sesshoumaru.
Suddenly Rin was there next to her, asking her if she was ok and
pulling her to her feet. Kagome felt lightheaded as she observed the
mess that was one her living room. The door was a mess of splinters
and falling wood. Vases and flowers covered the floor and the once
elegant tables and chairs where smashed. And sitting in the corner,
crying over a limp Koga was her mother. Cold rage swept through her,
her mother cared more about some boy being hurt than her own
daughter's life? Shrugging herself out of Rins hold she stalked past
the silent Silver haired man and up to the shaking form of her mother.
She raised her hand to strike the woman.
"Are you going to hit me now?" Her mother's words stopped her swing
half way. Kagome stopped and stared at the woman she once looked up to
and loved.
"Do you think I shouldn't?" Kagome said slowly and carefully. "Do you
think I have a reason not too? You have betrayed me mother and for
that I'll never forgive you. Goodbye mother, I think this is the last
time you'll ever see me. I wish you well and if you want Koga in this
family so bad, marry him yourself." With that she turned and walked
away. Sesshoumaru and Rin fell in step behind her as she walked out of
the destroyed room. Only with his superior hearing could the dog man
hear the goodbye she again whispered as she walked through the door.
And if he saw the tears streaking down her face it wasn't his place to
comfort her or say anything about it.
Outside the house Kagome let out a sigh she hadn't realized she was
holding. She promptly turned to stare at the couple following her and
raised an eyebrow.
"First I would like to thank you for saving me, second I would like to
know how you knew I was here and what you're doing here." She stated
calmly.
Rin bounced forward, happy to see Kagome was back to normal. "I and
Sessy-chan wanted you to come to Yash's wedding with us so you could
stop it. We went to the dorm but you weren't there so we called that
Naraku guy and he said you were probably on your way to your mothers
so we came here. We heard the whole conversation! I wanted to stop it
sooner but Sessy said to wait." Rin glared mockingly at her lover as
he blushed. Kagome raised her eyebrow higher each time Rin repeated
the silly nickname and almost laughed when Sesshoumaru let out a soft
growl.
"God woman how many time show I told you not to call me that!" He
barked out, his face slightly red. Rin gave him a look and he looked
away. "At least not in front of people. Anyway we only have 25 minutes
we need to get going or we're not going to make it in time." He
stalked toward his car that as waiting in the driveway and motioned
the girls to follow him.
"What if I said I'm not going?" Sesshoumaru stopped and stared at
Kagome as if she had grown two heads.
"What!?"
"I don't know." Kagome looked down and traced a design with the toe of
her sneakers. "I still love him but even if I understand what's going
on now what if he doesn't love me anymore?" Sesshoumaru almost growled
in frustration, they were wasting time.
"Listen wench." He growled. "That mark on your shoulder means you're
his chosen one, no one else. If he didn't still love you than that
mark would have disappeared by now, it is the way of our family."
"Really?"
"Rin, show her." At his words Rin pulled the neck of her sweater down
to reveal a familiar looking mark on her shoulder. "Hasn't faded in 3
years!" She stated proudly.
"Trust me girl, he loved you. You need more confidence in your own
charm." He jumped in the car and Rin slid into the seat beside him.
"So you coming or not?" Kagome looked at them and wondered if Yash and
she could be that happy one day. Her heart warmed at the thought and
she smiled, filled with happiness and joy.
"Let's go get my man back!" She yelled before jumping in the car with
them.
*******
Yash was only half paying attention as the music blared and Keiko
started walking down the aisle. He knew all the peoples eyes were on
him but he didn't care, he felt a heavy lead like feeling surround his
heart. If it wasn't Kagome walking down the aisle than he didn't seem
to care. But he also couldn't break his promise; he was not one to lie
and wouldn't start now even if it hurt him this much.
Then Keiko was beside him, they didn't look at each other while the
minister spoke, Keiko's gaze lingered on the ground while Yash's gazed
through the crowd. He saw Miroku and Sango sitting together in his
side, Sango was crying and his heart tore at the sight but there was
nothing he could do now. His gaze drifted to Keiko's side to see who
she said were her closes friends, Kaye, Sakur22, and jess() (AN: heh
heh heh) weird names but he wasn't really someone to criticize. What
struck him as odd was they were crying too, not the happy yay it's a
wedding crying, but sad depressed crying. And beside them was a
handsome young man who he had not been introduced to that would not
meet his gaze.
"Do you Yash take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The
minister's words brought him back to the task at hand. With an
internal sigh he nodded his head.
"I do."
"And do you Keiko take this man to be your husband?"
*********
"We're not going to make it in time!" Kagome gripped the back of Rins
chair hard and almost growled. The wedding had started 15 minutes ago
and they were stuck in traffic due to an accident! They were only
about a mile away, so close, and yet so far. With a feral snarl Kagome
jumped out of the car and started running.
"I'll meet you guys there!" She cried over her shoulder as she
sprinted down the street. Rin and Sesshoumaru watched her guy,
matching looks of amusement on their faces.
"Hey would you run like that for me Rin?" Is reply said girl smirked
before catching her boyfriend's lips in her own and kissing him
deeply.
"You even have to ask?" She said with a smirk.
********
Kagome ran on and on, even though her lungs felt like fire and her
legs threatened to give out. Where was that damn church? She thought
annoyed and anxious. She ran around a corner, dodging people and
random street vendors. Ever the small buildings she spotted a church
steeple. Her mind jumped for joy as she somehow sped up and reached
the church. Without even stopping to care that she was sweating and
her hair and clothes were messed up she crashed through the front
entrance.
"Stop the wedding!" She yelled and fell to the floor, exhausted and
panting. Her eyes were clothes and suddenly she was afraid to open
them, what if she had caught them mid kiss? What if she was too late?
Feeling courageous she peeked her eyes open. Just as she had feared
everyone was staring at her. She smiled sheepishly, blushing bright
red.
"Kagome!" She thought her heart would stop. Slowly and fearfully she
turned where Yash had called her from. First she noticed the pure
white suit he was wearing, after a second of thinking about how
handsome he looked she let her gaze move to Keiko. Standing next to
Yash in a creamy lace wedding dress she looked beautiful. Nothing like
her who sat on the floor in torn jeans and a t-shirt, she probably
looked like a whore. This is not a time to be putting yourself down!
She thought fiercely. Slowly she rose, keeping her gazed locked with
Yash's startled golden eyes, eyes she loved.
"I love you." First it was a whisper, but with growing confidence she
said it louder. "I love you Yash. I love you more than anyone in the
world. I would give up everything just to be with you. I don't care
who you marry are what happens in the future, I just want to be with
you. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I'm sorry for your pain, I'm sorry for
so many things." She bowed her head, not wanting to meet his gaze
anymore. "I'm not afraid anymore, and for all the things I'm sorry for
the one thing I'm not sorry for is meeting you. And loving you."
The hall fell quiet. Kagome was unsure what to do now; she had placed
her bid, and hoped he accepted it. Her heart clenched and she felt so
many eyes upon her. I'm so stupid what am I doing? Obviously he didn't
want her if he hadn't said anything by now. Slowly she turned as her
heart broke for what seemed the millionth time. No! I will be strong
about this. Kagome forced a smile to her faced and looked back over
her shoulder, but she couldn't stop the tears from coming as she
spoke.
"Well I said what I wanted to, I'm sorry for disturbing you, goodbye."
She turned and walked toward the door she had crashed through just
minutes before.
"Where do you think your going?" She froze. Slowly she turned to see
Yash walking slowly toward her, his face unreadable. "You think you
can say all those things and then just leave? Make me look like the
bad guy here?"
Her eyes widened as he reached her. "No I just.just wanted you to
know, I need you to know."
"There's only one thing I learned through your whole display." His
hand reached for her and she flinched back expecting a slap. Suddenly
his hand slid behind her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. She was
so stunned she didn't even feel his tongue enter her mouth until it
was already in. Reflexively she tilted her head, giving him better
access and groaned deep in her throat when he made full use of that
access. Finally they parted and Kagome found herself staring up into
amused eyes.
"What, what about the wedding?" She stuttered out, confused and
disoriented. Suddenly all she saw was smiling faces around her,
including Miroku's and Sango's.
"I and Keiko just called it off." His voice was a whisper in her ear,
sending shivers down her spine, oh yeah, she missed that voice.
"How?"
"Well...."
*Flashback*
"And do you, Keiko take this man as your husband?"
"..... No." Silence answered the girl's response. Followed by an
uproar. Keiko turned to the started crowd of people behind her. She
bowed deeply. "I'm very sorry everyone but I can not marry Yash,
because I love another." She ran and jumped into the arms of the man
Yash had not recognized earlier. "I was threatened by a man to marry
Yash or he would kill my boyfriend. But I don't want to be afraid
anymore, I just want to be with him." She hugged the boy closer.
*End Flashback*
"It was Koga."
"What?" Yash was so happy Kagome was there he thought he had misheard
her.
"Koga is the one that threatened Keiko." Kagome almost sighed it out,
burrowing deeper against him and breathing in his scent. It was almost
like no one else was there. She felt when he stiffened and looked up
into his furious eyes. "It's ok Yash. Your brother already beat him up
for it."
"Sesshoumaru?"
"Yeah."
"So that's where that bastard went. Going to pick something up huh?
Jeez."
"That's not all." Kagome and Yash looked toward the door as Rin and
Sesshoumaru stepped through the door. "Let's not forget that I also
kept that bastard from raping you again Kagome."
" What!?" Yash's eyes snapped back to Kagome, as if seeing her outfit
for the first time. He started checking her over from head to foot,
stopping for a second to sigh in relief that the mark he made was
still there.
"It's ok Yash, its ok." Kagome said, brimming with happiness.
"Everything's ok now that I'm with you." She let her head fall against
his chest and let out a sigh. Yash encircled her in his arms and
rested his chin on the top of her head.
"Yeah." He said closing his eyes and breathing in her unique scent.
"Everything is perfect. I love you."
////////////////////////////////////
Sniff sniff it's almost over!!! Just the epilogue to go. So what did
you all think? Good, bad, or what?! Man I wrote this loving on kool-
aid I swear! It was like 1 page = 2 glasses of kool-aid and this was
12 pages!! Heh heh heh. Anyway I want reviews!!! This is like the
length of 3 chapters!!!! Please come back for the epilogue!!
