Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha.
Author's Notes: If you remember from last chapter, Inu-Yasha made a big mistake. Which, since Kouga's there, is going to result in full blown arguing. Which means the boys will swear. Skip over it, ignore it, not care, whatever. Just know I warned you.
I live in the south of the United States, North Carolina. We get snow almost every year, but no one can make themselves believe it every time it happens ("It never snows!" psh..). We've even gotten out of school for flurries. What's this mean? SNOW DAY! Three or four inches and still going! ^^
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Gone.
Her scent was already dissipating as though Inu-Yasha really needed proof. An unnamed panic rose in his throat, bred from the pit of hopelessness brewing in his belly.
Kagome was really gone.
He had the urge to go after her, but so soon after his mistake would only lead to a bad argument and several subduing spells sure to throw out his back, judging from her quiet anger. Quiet anger was always the very worst..
He would have brooded over the matter in a stubborn silence for God knows how long if a sharp pain to the side of the head didn't knock him out of it. As peeved as he could be, he turned around with his claw still flexed and came in contact with the closest thing to him. Kouga.
"What the hell was that for, you stupid half breed!?" Kouga snarled, his voice alarmingly loud.
"Why do you think? You fucking hit me across the head, you jackass."
"I was only giving you what was coming to you! You were a jerk to her, as always."
"As always? I treat her FINE, considering she's just a bloody jewel shard detector. She's got protection, what else does the girl want!?" Of course he didn't mean this, but he required a front for the moment. If he was honest, now, the results... He shuddered.
"A jewel shard detector!? I've had it up to HERE with you, hanyou! She's not just a jewel shard detector and you KNOW IT!"
"That's why you want her, isn't it?" He glared daggers at his rival, still being excessivley irritating. It was -his- business, not that stupid wolf's..
"At first, perhaps. But she's loving and brave and strong and good natured. It's a fucking shame you're too much of a fool to see what you've got right before you! Someone like her deserves more than just protection. If nothing else, she deserves respect. And for someone so precious deserves it. More than you'll ever be able to comprehend. You fucking touch MY woman again, I swear to kami I'll tear your throat out and feed your frigid, lifeless corpse to my pack." Again, the quiet anger. Inu-Yasha denied the fear he felt. It was not much, but it was there.
"YOUR--!?" Inu-Yasha was furious. How dare Kouga insult him this way, in the end to simply claim Kagome when he had no right.
"Yes, MINE! You may want her, Inu-Yasha, but I will have her. One of these days, she'll see you for the dirty, worthless hanyou you really are. What does she have from you? Insults and betrayal and tears. I could give her the love and affection she deserves. You'll see.
"I promise this isn't the last you'll see of me." With this threat, a funnel of wind blew out of the hut, destroying the framing around the door.
"Inu-Yasha.." Miroku began carefully.
"Can it, asshole. I'm going for a walk!" Miroku let him go, for with his rage boiling so fiercely, all Miroku could manage was his own injury.
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"Kagome, sweetie, someone's here to see you!" The melodious voice of Kagome's mother drifted up the staircase and through Kagome's locked door. "A 'Hojo?'"
Kagome sighed. She lay motionless in her bed for a moment, head pressed against the pillow. It had been three days, and Inu-Yasha had not come to get her. She'd spent most of her time back laying in bed staring at her wall with a blank expression. Most of the time, she would not allow thought or feeling to disturb her peace and quiet.
The only thing that did was a single shower, school, and perhaps a few meals. But that was it. She'd even refused school her first full day back, content to spend a full twenty four hours in self pity. Gods, she hurt..
She was even too numb to refuse a date with Hojo on Saturday. A shame Saturday had come to soon.. Kagome desended down the stairs after checking her reflection. She wore no makeup, so there was no makeup to run after crying. She'd wiped down her face, and once through, a happy smile was written over her previous pout.
"Higurashi! It's so good to see you up and well!" Hojo exclaimed happily. In his hands were a beautiful boquet of roses. She smiled at them, graciously accepting them.
"They're gorgeous, Hojo, they really are. Let me go put them in water, and then we'll go." She flashed him a sweet, innocent smile. He melted all over. This was originally to be a "just friends" thing, but after a talk with Eri about her lousy, two-timing boyfriend dumping her, he thought he'd try to cheer her up. Unfortunatley, no medicine he could have at the shop would cure a broken heart. So he'd take her out, show her a good time, treat her like she truly deserved. Poor Kagome...
'Poor Hojo, he's sweet and so nice. But he'll never be my Inu-Yasha..wait, did I just think MY Inu-Yasha?' She blushed deeply in embarassment, but only for a moment. 'No. Not my Inu-Yasha. Kikyou's Inu-Yasha. Even in death, she'll always come first.'
'Maybe Hojo not being Inu-Yasha is a good thing. Yuka and Eri are right. He -wouldn't- ever hurt me or lead me on..' Reluctantly, she began to understand their motives. Maybe she would even have -fun- tonight..
"Ready to go?" Hojo merely nodded, pleasantly surprised when Kagome took his hand, leading him out the door. He grinned at Mrs. Higurashi as she shut the door, grinning back.
Outside it was simply enchanting. It was March, so there was still snow on the ground. A fresh coat had fallen, covering any track marks from earlier. It was light, however, and powdery. Their footprints left a distinct trail in unpacked fluff. Hojo let himself into the driver's seat of his car, but only after opening Kagome's door for her first. He needed everything to be done right, everything had to be just perfect for her.
Kagome noted it was a shame they didn't have snow in the feudal era right now. It was cold all right, but the snow had melted away.
'No, don't think ANYTHING about the feudal era. No more tears will be wasted there.' Kagome thought.
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"Inu-Yasha! For the last time, go to her!" It was growing dark. Miroku, Kaede and Shippou had been on his case all day, insisting he go immediatley to fetch her and make up for his mistake. Had it been a normal fight, they still would have pestered him. But not nearly to the extent.
Sango just refused to speak to him. It was as though he wasn't there?
It was not certain this time whether she'd come back. Well, she'd have to come back once to give the jewel shards. But after that? No one knew.
Inu-Yasha had attempted refuge in the top of a tree, stubbornly crossing his arms and refusing to reply or give in. Unfortunately, Miroku was being just as stubborn, plopping down against the most comfortable spot against the tree's trunk. Sango gladly brought him food to keep him from moving so he could be by Inu- Yasha's side. She, of course, only brought food for Miroku.
"Keh! We don't need that wench, we can beat Naraku by ourselves, without her tagging along and screwing everything up." With this, he leaped from the tree into an unknown destination. Miroku seethed with frustration.
'All that work...for nothing.'
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Snow. Inu-Yasha twitched with irritation. Hopping out of the well.
But there was a funny smell nearby he wasn't used to, though well aware of what it was. A car. He was about to dash out of the well house when he heard voices. It was an easy task figuring out the woman's was Kagome. But there was another, a man's. It certainly did not belong to Souta if he was older. Her grandfather? No, it did not contain the same roughness, on the contrary it was quite innocent and gentle. But..somehow..familiar..
"Thank's for a lovely time, Hojo," Kagome's voice drifted sweetly into the well house. It was a tone she reserved for no one with the exception of Kouga when she was thanking him for butting in their battles. He snorted, silently hopping into the God tree to get a better angle.
"It was nothing. I had a good time. Perhaps we can do it again sometime?" The boy from weeks ago, when Kikyou tried to kill Kagome. He didn't have time to remember anything else, though. He was thrown into shock by what happened next. Kagome stood on her toes to silently kiss the boy on the cheek. Even in the coming twilight, he could see the boy's face flush with happiness.
"I'll call you tomorrow." With a wave, he got in his car and drove away.
She betrayed him, too. His temper boiled, but instead of saying anything, he silently contemplated the situation. Like a cat about to pounce on his prey.
"'Thanks for a lovely time Hojo.'" Kagome's head jerked up into the sky, confused. Her own words, being thrown back, mocking her in a malicious way. The sound of something landing on the ground. She was momentarily confused until she saw the tall figure of a man in loose robes. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, wench."
"Inu-Yasha? You're here?"
"You're damn well right I'm here. What the hell was THAT!?"
"What was what?" she stammered, her blood still cold from the sight of him before her.
"You fucking kissed him, that's what." He stepped closer. She didn't want to admit it, but she was a little afraid. He went off when Kouga so much as held her hand against her will. This was her own doing, and far more than flirting.
"So what? What do you care if I kissed him!?" she demanded, though slightly afraid, outraged that he would be so blatant about his hypocrisy.
"I--"
She wasn't going to hear it. This was when he'd start rationalizing what shouldn't be rationalized. "So you're allowed to leave me time and time again for -Kikyou-, you're allowed to treat me as if I'm simply some tool to be used, you're allowed to forget that I'm my own person but I can't go on one lousy date with a boy!?" Her face was red from yelling. "I won't HAVE IT! You can have her all you want, because I'm through. I want to be treated with respect, Inu-Yasha! And until you can learn how to, I don't want to so much as look at you!"
Inu-Yasha sighed heavily. She was right, and he ought to have expected this. She still wasn't going to believe him. He hopped silently up in the God tree to sleep, in her era. He'd speak to her tomorrow.
He was not comforted by the idea, though. Everyone was mad at him..not that he cared what any of them thought, mind you..
'Where I first saw her, here, pinned against this tree. So much has happened--' A worn Inu-Yasha was fast asleep.
Without knowing he was there, she took a last look at the tree herself before she entered the house, crying.
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Author's Note: To everyone's liking? *crosses fingers* Until next time!
Author's Notes: If you remember from last chapter, Inu-Yasha made a big mistake. Which, since Kouga's there, is going to result in full blown arguing. Which means the boys will swear. Skip over it, ignore it, not care, whatever. Just know I warned you.
I live in the south of the United States, North Carolina. We get snow almost every year, but no one can make themselves believe it every time it happens ("It never snows!" psh..). We've even gotten out of school for flurries. What's this mean? SNOW DAY! Three or four inches and still going! ^^
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Gone.
Her scent was already dissipating as though Inu-Yasha really needed proof. An unnamed panic rose in his throat, bred from the pit of hopelessness brewing in his belly.
Kagome was really gone.
He had the urge to go after her, but so soon after his mistake would only lead to a bad argument and several subduing spells sure to throw out his back, judging from her quiet anger. Quiet anger was always the very worst..
He would have brooded over the matter in a stubborn silence for God knows how long if a sharp pain to the side of the head didn't knock him out of it. As peeved as he could be, he turned around with his claw still flexed and came in contact with the closest thing to him. Kouga.
"What the hell was that for, you stupid half breed!?" Kouga snarled, his voice alarmingly loud.
"Why do you think? You fucking hit me across the head, you jackass."
"I was only giving you what was coming to you! You were a jerk to her, as always."
"As always? I treat her FINE, considering she's just a bloody jewel shard detector. She's got protection, what else does the girl want!?" Of course he didn't mean this, but he required a front for the moment. If he was honest, now, the results... He shuddered.
"A jewel shard detector!? I've had it up to HERE with you, hanyou! She's not just a jewel shard detector and you KNOW IT!"
"That's why you want her, isn't it?" He glared daggers at his rival, still being excessivley irritating. It was -his- business, not that stupid wolf's..
"At first, perhaps. But she's loving and brave and strong and good natured. It's a fucking shame you're too much of a fool to see what you've got right before you! Someone like her deserves more than just protection. If nothing else, she deserves respect. And for someone so precious deserves it. More than you'll ever be able to comprehend. You fucking touch MY woman again, I swear to kami I'll tear your throat out and feed your frigid, lifeless corpse to my pack." Again, the quiet anger. Inu-Yasha denied the fear he felt. It was not much, but it was there.
"YOUR--!?" Inu-Yasha was furious. How dare Kouga insult him this way, in the end to simply claim Kagome when he had no right.
"Yes, MINE! You may want her, Inu-Yasha, but I will have her. One of these days, she'll see you for the dirty, worthless hanyou you really are. What does she have from you? Insults and betrayal and tears. I could give her the love and affection she deserves. You'll see.
"I promise this isn't the last you'll see of me." With this threat, a funnel of wind blew out of the hut, destroying the framing around the door.
"Inu-Yasha.." Miroku began carefully.
"Can it, asshole. I'm going for a walk!" Miroku let him go, for with his rage boiling so fiercely, all Miroku could manage was his own injury.
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"Kagome, sweetie, someone's here to see you!" The melodious voice of Kagome's mother drifted up the staircase and through Kagome's locked door. "A 'Hojo?'"
Kagome sighed. She lay motionless in her bed for a moment, head pressed against the pillow. It had been three days, and Inu-Yasha had not come to get her. She'd spent most of her time back laying in bed staring at her wall with a blank expression. Most of the time, she would not allow thought or feeling to disturb her peace and quiet.
The only thing that did was a single shower, school, and perhaps a few meals. But that was it. She'd even refused school her first full day back, content to spend a full twenty four hours in self pity. Gods, she hurt..
She was even too numb to refuse a date with Hojo on Saturday. A shame Saturday had come to soon.. Kagome desended down the stairs after checking her reflection. She wore no makeup, so there was no makeup to run after crying. She'd wiped down her face, and once through, a happy smile was written over her previous pout.
"Higurashi! It's so good to see you up and well!" Hojo exclaimed happily. In his hands were a beautiful boquet of roses. She smiled at them, graciously accepting them.
"They're gorgeous, Hojo, they really are. Let me go put them in water, and then we'll go." She flashed him a sweet, innocent smile. He melted all over. This was originally to be a "just friends" thing, but after a talk with Eri about her lousy, two-timing boyfriend dumping her, he thought he'd try to cheer her up. Unfortunatley, no medicine he could have at the shop would cure a broken heart. So he'd take her out, show her a good time, treat her like she truly deserved. Poor Kagome...
'Poor Hojo, he's sweet and so nice. But he'll never be my Inu-Yasha..wait, did I just think MY Inu-Yasha?' She blushed deeply in embarassment, but only for a moment. 'No. Not my Inu-Yasha. Kikyou's Inu-Yasha. Even in death, she'll always come first.'
'Maybe Hojo not being Inu-Yasha is a good thing. Yuka and Eri are right. He -wouldn't- ever hurt me or lead me on..' Reluctantly, she began to understand their motives. Maybe she would even have -fun- tonight..
"Ready to go?" Hojo merely nodded, pleasantly surprised when Kagome took his hand, leading him out the door. He grinned at Mrs. Higurashi as she shut the door, grinning back.
Outside it was simply enchanting. It was March, so there was still snow on the ground. A fresh coat had fallen, covering any track marks from earlier. It was light, however, and powdery. Their footprints left a distinct trail in unpacked fluff. Hojo let himself into the driver's seat of his car, but only after opening Kagome's door for her first. He needed everything to be done right, everything had to be just perfect for her.
Kagome noted it was a shame they didn't have snow in the feudal era right now. It was cold all right, but the snow had melted away.
'No, don't think ANYTHING about the feudal era. No more tears will be wasted there.' Kagome thought.
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"Inu-Yasha! For the last time, go to her!" It was growing dark. Miroku, Kaede and Shippou had been on his case all day, insisting he go immediatley to fetch her and make up for his mistake. Had it been a normal fight, they still would have pestered him. But not nearly to the extent.
Sango just refused to speak to him. It was as though he wasn't there?
It was not certain this time whether she'd come back. Well, she'd have to come back once to give the jewel shards. But after that? No one knew.
Inu-Yasha had attempted refuge in the top of a tree, stubbornly crossing his arms and refusing to reply or give in. Unfortunately, Miroku was being just as stubborn, plopping down against the most comfortable spot against the tree's trunk. Sango gladly brought him food to keep him from moving so he could be by Inu- Yasha's side. She, of course, only brought food for Miroku.
"Keh! We don't need that wench, we can beat Naraku by ourselves, without her tagging along and screwing everything up." With this, he leaped from the tree into an unknown destination. Miroku seethed with frustration.
'All that work...for nothing.'
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Snow. Inu-Yasha twitched with irritation. Hopping out of the well.
But there was a funny smell nearby he wasn't used to, though well aware of what it was. A car. He was about to dash out of the well house when he heard voices. It was an easy task figuring out the woman's was Kagome. But there was another, a man's. It certainly did not belong to Souta if he was older. Her grandfather? No, it did not contain the same roughness, on the contrary it was quite innocent and gentle. But..somehow..familiar..
"Thank's for a lovely time, Hojo," Kagome's voice drifted sweetly into the well house. It was a tone she reserved for no one with the exception of Kouga when she was thanking him for butting in their battles. He snorted, silently hopping into the God tree to get a better angle.
"It was nothing. I had a good time. Perhaps we can do it again sometime?" The boy from weeks ago, when Kikyou tried to kill Kagome. He didn't have time to remember anything else, though. He was thrown into shock by what happened next. Kagome stood on her toes to silently kiss the boy on the cheek. Even in the coming twilight, he could see the boy's face flush with happiness.
"I'll call you tomorrow." With a wave, he got in his car and drove away.
She betrayed him, too. His temper boiled, but instead of saying anything, he silently contemplated the situation. Like a cat about to pounce on his prey.
"'Thanks for a lovely time Hojo.'" Kagome's head jerked up into the sky, confused. Her own words, being thrown back, mocking her in a malicious way. The sound of something landing on the ground. She was momentarily confused until she saw the tall figure of a man in loose robes. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, wench."
"Inu-Yasha? You're here?"
"You're damn well right I'm here. What the hell was THAT!?"
"What was what?" she stammered, her blood still cold from the sight of him before her.
"You fucking kissed him, that's what." He stepped closer. She didn't want to admit it, but she was a little afraid. He went off when Kouga so much as held her hand against her will. This was her own doing, and far more than flirting.
"So what? What do you care if I kissed him!?" she demanded, though slightly afraid, outraged that he would be so blatant about his hypocrisy.
"I--"
She wasn't going to hear it. This was when he'd start rationalizing what shouldn't be rationalized. "So you're allowed to leave me time and time again for -Kikyou-, you're allowed to treat me as if I'm simply some tool to be used, you're allowed to forget that I'm my own person but I can't go on one lousy date with a boy!?" Her face was red from yelling. "I won't HAVE IT! You can have her all you want, because I'm through. I want to be treated with respect, Inu-Yasha! And until you can learn how to, I don't want to so much as look at you!"
Inu-Yasha sighed heavily. She was right, and he ought to have expected this. She still wasn't going to believe him. He hopped silently up in the God tree to sleep, in her era. He'd speak to her tomorrow.
He was not comforted by the idea, though. Everyone was mad at him..not that he cared what any of them thought, mind you..
'Where I first saw her, here, pinned against this tree. So much has happened--' A worn Inu-Yasha was fast asleep.
Without knowing he was there, she took a last look at the tree herself before she entered the house, crying.
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Author's Note: To everyone's liking? *crosses fingers* Until next time!
