CHAPTER 3
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi
Kagome sighed as she eyed a dozen red roses on her desk. He'd been sending flowers all week, not to mention calling every day. Inuyasha wanted to see her again. She kept using work as an excuse not to see him. She was afraid of being hurt again. And now that Kikyo was dead, she suspected Inuyasha was using her as a replacement. She wouldn't be a fool again.
Her phone rang.
''Examiner. Kagome Higurashi speaking.''
''Hey, you want to see a movie tomorrow? Do you like the flowers?''
''Uh..um. Hi Inuyasha. Yes they're very lovely. I can't go tomorrow. I'm tied up with work.''
''Kagome. Are you avoiding me?''
''I really can't talk right now, Inuyasha. I'm on deadline on a story. I'll call you.''
Inuyasha looked hurt as he put the phone down. Why was she avoiding him? He couldn't figure out women. He was going to make sure she couldn't avoid him tomorrow.
The next day as Kagome arrived for work, she was met in the parking lot by an anxious receptionist.
''Kagome! Thank God you're here!''
''Why? What happened?''
''A man barged in here first thing this morning and insisted on seeing you. When I told him you weren't in yet, he said he wouldn't leave the building until he saw you. He was shouting at me too.''
''Geez. Who is it?''
''He wouldn't give his name. Security is with him right now.''
Kagome ran to the lobby to see a mad Inuyasha surrounded by three security guards. She sighed.
''It's OK. He's an old friend of mine from Japan,'' she told the guards who reluctantly left.
''What are you doing here Inuyasha?''
''I came to get you. Let's go.''
''But I have work to do...''
''You've been avoiding me all week.''
She sighed again. She forgot how stubborn he could be.
''You're right Inuyasha. I have been avoiding you.''
''But why?''
"Look, I'll tell you later. I get off work at 6 p.m. today. Why don't we meet then and talk, OK?''
He didn't want to leave the building and insisted on waiting for her until her shift ended. She finally persuaded him to leave and return at six o'clock. Honestly, he could be such a stubborn jerk.
They couldn't talk at the office and she didn't feel comfortable bringing him to her apartment, so they ended up at a park. He refused to sit on a bench and paced in front of her.
''Why are you avoiding me? What did I do?''
She looked at him and could feel her chest tighten. It hurt to even get the words out.
''Inuyasha. You don't know how much you hurt me before. It took me years to get over you. I just don't want to get hurt again. Why do you turn to me now? Is it because Kikyo is gone and I look like her? Am I to be a replacement again?''
He stood still, his face in shadow.
All those years fooling herself that she was over him. The feelings were still there after all. Kagome fought to keep her composure but the tears came. Inuyasha touched her tear-streaked face.
''I've learned something from my mistakes, Kagome. I would never hurt you like that again. Please believe me.''
He closed the distance between them and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and lost herself in the kiss.
A dark-haired man spying on the couple put down his binoculars angrily. That Inuyasha again! He would not get in the way. Kikyo belonged to him! He'd make sure of it.