AN: Kyaaaaa! It's been soo long since I updated! I'm sorry! I guess I kinda dropped the idea for this for a while. But hey, I'm back and better than ever! Not really...but that's beside the point...
Quickening: ...maybe you're right about the full youkai thing and the nose being more sensitive. But, personally, I like Inuyasha a lot better than Kouga so I made him cooler! Wheeee! Go Inu-chan! ::coughcough:: But, yeah, I guess you're right...anyway, about the whole Kagome being depressed thing. She hasn't exactly been depressed ALL three years. It's kind of an on and off thing. Like every once in a while.
SuzumiTenshi: ::blush:: thanxs for your support. It really made me feel lots better about myself and my writing. Unfortunately, I live in a house where my sister likes to downgrade my stuff. So, yea...it's not because of the lack of reviews that I'm not updating (although lots and lots of reviews would be nice) it's just my damn sister...
CheesieCake: Center things? I'm not sure what you're talking about. Gomen.
One Last Chance
by
Iris
"Hello?"
Kagome gulped nervously when she heard his voice, panicking, she squeaked out an answer, "Sorry! Right number!"
With that, she quickly slammed the phone down, effectively cutting off their connection. A few seconds passed before she realized what she had just done.
"Ah! Baka, baka, baka, Kagome!" she hissed under her breath as she hit herself on the forehead.
Taking a calming breath, she dialed the number again.
2 0 2 7 6 9 5 4 0 7
Again the phone rang three times before it was picked up again.
"Uh, hello?"
"Inuyasha?" Kagome questioned timidly.
"Yeah, that's me."
"Saotome Inuyasha?" Kagome questioned again, nervously, maybe it wasn't him...you could never be too sure, right? 'Yeah right, Kagome, keep making excuses for yourself.'
"Yeah, that's me too." now the voice sounded annoyed, "Are you just going to ask questions about who I am all day or are you going to tell me why you're calling me?"
Kagome glared at the phone, need he sound so intolerable? She was very tempted to just hang up the phone right now. Very tempted.
She sighed, Inuyasha had always had that effect on her hadn't he? No one else could make the normally calm and temperless girl want to strangle them like Inuyasha did. And no one else could make that same calm and temperless girl actually attempt to carry it out.
"Oi, wench, hurry it up, will ya?" Inuyasha growled from the other side, "I haven't got all day."
Kagome sucked in her breath sharply, "Inuyasha, this is KA.GO.ME."
"Kagome? Is that really you?"
"Yes, it's really me. Why did you contact me?"
"Yeah, um...about that..."
Kagome rolled her eyes, "Just spit it out, Inuyasha. And I had better have been your last option."
"Yeah, you were. Anyway, I...uh...need a place to stay for a while."
"Why is that? Isn't it custom for husband and wife to live under the same roof?" Kagome snapped bitterly, she couldn't help it...because of recent events, him choosing Kikyo still hurt. Badly.
"She kinda kicked me out when I filed for a divorce. And I really have no where to stay since none of my so called 'friends' want to get on the bad side of Kikyo."
Kagome clenched her teeth, "How do you know I'm not in another country?"
"I, uh, looked you up on the internet, you know, technology these days..."
"I see..." Kagome mused, damn her heart, she just couldn't turn him away..." Alright then, when should I be expecting you?"
"Oh two to three hours...I'm on my way there at the moment, actually..."
Two to three hours. He seriously couldn't find anyone to help him closer to his 'home'? No, what was she thinking? Of course he couldn't find anyone else, no one closer would dare risk the wrath of daddy's little girl Kikyo. But Sakira Kikyo wasn't just any daddy's girl after all. Her father was a very successful and influential business man. Of course no one would want to cross her. No one except Higurashi Kagome that is.
"Kagome, I'll see you in a few hours, okay?"
His voice jerked her out of her reverie and she blinked several times before it registered that he had spoken something, "What?"
"I said I'll see you in a few hours."
"Oh! Um, okay." Kagome blushed furiously, thankful he couldn't see her. God what was she? A high school girl discovering a crush for the first time? "Yeah, um, I'll see you then. Bye."
She barely heard his reply before she hung up. She stood in front of the kitchen counter for a few minutes before she freaked out.
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod..."
Kagome's mind ran around frantically in circles. What was she thinking? Him staying at her house for an undefined amount of time? Was she crazy? Why did she agree? She had to get over him and in order to do that she needed to continue hating his guts!
'No, I don't hate him.' Kagome thought miserably, 'In fact, it's just the opposite.'
Sighing, she dragged herself out of the kitchen and into the living room where she plopped back down on the sofa and watched the fire burn down to bare embers as it ran out of fuel. She had been sitting there for almost half an hour before she realized that she needed to prepare the guest room...and clean it.
"Good gods, Kagome..." she muttered to herself, "When did you get so scatterbrained? Oh my god, I'm talking to myself. That's not good..."
Groaning, she climbed up the stairs and opened the door to her right. She grimly surveyed the dust covered room. It had been ages since she had had a guest over so she hadn't bothered to check out this room since the last guest had left. Who had it been again? Some girl or another, oh well, she couldn't be bothered to remember her name right now. Grimacing, she pushed her sleeves back to her elbows. It was time to get down and dirty.
o.O
Kagome sneezed one more time as she covered the bed neatly in an orange-green bedspread. Thank god she was done, she glanced at her watch. Damn, no time to take a shower before he arrived. Sighing, she walked to her own room, she would just have to settle for a quick change of clothes.
Carefully, she picked out an outfit that would seem casual but could still make an impression if need be. Kagome finally settled on a simple red turtleneck and long, black pants. Nervously, she ran a brush through her hair a few times and finally decided to put it in a ponytail. She hadn't realized that she was chewing her nails nervously until the doorbell rang.
Paling, she trotted down the stairs and stopped before the door. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and composed herself. Breathe in. Breathe out. Done, she snapped open her eyes and shakily unlocked the door. Slowly, she opened the dark door and ran a hand through her hair one last time.
She stared wide-eyed in shock as she discovered who exactly was standing outside in the rain.
"Hi, Inu-Kouga!"
The wolf youkai stood there, staring straight back at her.
"Kagome, you look surprised to see me." Kouga replied softly, "May I come in?"
"What?" Kagome's mind panicked. It was Kouga! Of all the people to stop by before Inuyasha arrived, it had to be Kouga. My god, the heavens hated her guts.
"May I come in?" Kouga repeated, icy blue eyes narrowing, "To talk."
"Can't we talk out here?" Kagome questioned nervously, eyes darting behind him, searching for car lights.
"If you haven't noticed, it's still raining. I'd like to talk out of the wet."
"Oh...of course, please, come in." Kagome attempted to play the part of a decent hostess as she closed the door behind him, "Would you like anything to drink?"
Kouga watched her hurry into the kitchen and followed her, "Whatever you have is fine, Kagome."
Kagome stuck her head in the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice. Heart pounding, she checked her watch discreetly as she poured Kouga a cup. Hastily, she set it down on the kitchen table where Kouga had already seated himself. Distressed, she slid into a seat across from him.
Kouga, meanwhile, had noticed Kagome's apparent lack of attention seeing how her eyes kept darting to the window.
"Expecting someone?"
"Ah, no. I mean, yes. It's a friend of mine. He needs a place to stay for a bit while he works a couple things out." Kagome stumbled over her words, realizing for the first time how truly unnerving Kouga's stare.
"He?" Kouga raised an eyebrow, "Doesn't Miroku have a place of his own?"
"Well, yes, but it's not Miroku. You wouldn't know him. We kinda lost contact a few years back." Kagome stuttered anxiously, "Did you want to talk about something?"
"I had a talk with Hojou an hour or so ago." Kouga stated calmly.
"Ho-Hojou?"
"Yes, your old boyfriend. He said that you broke up with him suddenly too. Out of the blue too. Mentioned another guy." Kouga said steadily, "But I didn't know you back then. Not very well and you barely knew me. So who's the guy? Your new friend?"
"I don't have to answer that." Kagome snapped defensively, realizing too late that she had just given herself away.
"I see, of course." Kouga leaned back and took a sip of orange juice, "I'd just like to know why you broke up with me all of a sudden. Because, Kagome, you're not a very impulsive girl. From what I gather anyway. And I've dated you for what, a year?"
"Kouga, I already told you. It's not your fault. I just have problems I need to work out in my life." Kagome murmured.
"You know, Kagome, you said the funniest thing today while you were breaking up with me." Kouga said softly, "You said, and I quote, 'I'm still in love with him'."
"You haven't kept in contact with Hojou so it can't be him." Kouga leaned forward again, "You never knew him well enough to begin with. And he says you never said you loved him."
"Who I like doesn't concern you anymore, Kouga." Kagome said quietly, standing up, "We've talked and I'm expecting a guest soon. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like you to leave."
Kouga smiled, "Alright, Kagome-chan, I'll leave. For now. But I don't give up easily. You and your new friend will be seeing me soon, I guarantee that. Send 'Inu' my best regards. He's going to need it."
Kagome stared wide-eyed as she watched Kouga leave. She had never seen this side of Kouga before. This darker, more vengeful side. As she stood in the doorway, she saw two headlights cut across her driveway as a car pulled up. Kouga pulled his car door open roughly and climbed in. With a roar, his car started and he backed out of her driveway haphazardly. Almost hitting the second car on his way out.
The driver of the second car got out and shook his fist and Kouga's departing car. He climbed into the backseat of his car and lugged out a large suitcase and moved towards her. She stepped aside to let him enter before closing the door after him.
"Hey, Yash." Kagome smiled weakly as he turned to look at her.
"Long time no see, Kagome." Inuyasha answered, "Who was that?"
"An ex. I broke up with him recently." Kagome said shortly, "Let me show you your room."
As he followed her up the stairs, her heart sank. So it was going to be like this? Friendliness that was just a notch above straight politeness. She could deal with that. She could deal with that really well.
Inuyasha set down his things in the guest room and eyes Kagome who seemed to be deep in thought. Frowning, he waved a hand in front of her face.
"Oi, wench, you okay in there?" Inuyasha questioned.
Kagome glared at him, "My name is Ka-go-me! Use it, blockhead!" she spat angrily.
Inuyasha grinned, that was more like it. This was the Kagome he knew, not the brooding one just a few moments ago. However, he still felt nervous, he wasn't quite sure what to do. One wrong move or word and he could ruin any chance of salvaging their relationship.
'And who ruined that relationship?' the cryptic little voice in the back of his head questioned.
Inuyasha winced, Kagome had been right all along about Kikyo. Just a few months into the marriage, Kikyo had made a turn for the worse. He had come home and found things like cigarette packs and broken beer bottles. He had shrugged it off then, thinking that Kikyo would get over it. Except she didn't. And things worsened in the second year. She had started disappearing at night and when he tried to contact her, she never picked up her cell. Finally, he had filed for divorce in the third year when he found her in a bar giving another man a lap dance. And she had kicked him out.
"So, uh, why don't we go out for dinner? Since it's your first night here and all, you should get to know the area a bit. It's really lovely even if it's raining." Kagome said quickly.
"Actually, it's pretty much stopped. Just a light drizzle now."
Kagome smiled nervously as she headed downstairs, "I'll just grab my keys then. My car's in the garage."
"Nah, that's okay. Let's take mine. I'll drive." Inuyasha cut her off and steered her towards the front door, "Why don't you grab a jacket?"
Uncertainly, Kagome slipped on a light blue, hooded jacket. Inuyasha opened the door for her and watched her step out into the misty rain. He firmly shut the door behind him and unlocked his car. It was a silvery blue color that seemed to glow ethereally in the half-dark.
Kagome slid into the passenger seat and watched Inuyasha slid into the driver's. He slammed the door, amber eyes glinting in the dark car as he started the engine. The radio flickered to life and a thready melody filled the otherwise silent car.
One-handedly, Inuyasha backed out of the driveway and was near the entrance of the neighborhood before he turned to Kagome.
"Where are we going?"
"Oh! Um, make a right here." Kagome rushed out, "I'm thinking of going to a small restaurant a few blocks away. It's really lovely, you don't mind Italian do you?"
"Nah, Italian's fine." Inuyasha replied, following her directions and turning onto a well-lit street.
The rest of the ride passed in relative silence only interrupted by Kagome giving instructions. Ten minutes later, Inuyasha pulled up in front of a quaint little restaurant.
"How many please?" a petite waitress asked upon their entrance.
"Two." Kagome said swiftly, "And we would like a corner booth if that's not too much trouble."
"No, of course not. Follow me, dearies."
They fell in line behind the cheerful waitress and were led to a secluded booth near the kitchens. Still barely speaking to each other, they placed their orders.
"Kagome-"
"Inuyasha-"
They both spoke at the same time but Inuyasha gave way, "You first."
"I, uh, wanted to know where we stand. Are we friends or what?" Kagome asked nervously, playing with a lock of hair.
"I was hoping we were at least friends." Inuyasha murmured quietly, meeting her eyes.
'At least friends?' Kagome's mind panicked and apparently the panic showed on her face because Inuyasha spoke up abruptly.
"Or we could just be acquaintances that happen to be living under the same roof for a while." Inuyasha said quickly.
"No, no, that's alright." Kagome said softly, smiling nervously at him, "Friends is nice."
Inuyasha nodded and didn't get the chance to speak since their orders just arrived.
'Friends. Friends was a start.'
Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha.
Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship-never.
-Charles C. Colton-
