A Tragic Love
Disclaimer: you know the deal.I don't own Inuyasha, so please no suing.
+Ch.10: Inuyasha and Kouga Face Off+
--
Kagome could hear the door's handle tilt and then slowly open. She felt her heart skip and beat and then her mind began to swirl in different directions. Her brain was telling her to hide, but where? And although her mind was screaming, her feet refused to move. They remained fixed firmly on the floor as if she had been paralyzed.
Kikyo peered at the clock one last time and then at Sesshamoru, who seemed to be deep in thought at his decision, which could greatly ruin or save his life. Kikyo smiled at her future husband's torment and then slowly opened her father's wooden door which weighed like a ton of bricks. Kikyo, with a strong shove, was finally able to open the door. She came face to face with an empty study. Kikyo looked around curiously and then her mind crossed the room to the door that lead to the foyer. Kikyo could feel another person in the room but quickly brushed the feeling away and stomped towards the foyer.
In the foyer, she noticed her sister's book bag and shoes. Her mind quickly shifted its direction from her greedy intentions of getting her father's wealth through a fake marriage to wondering whether Kagome had heard her conversation with Sesshamoru. Her forehead wrinkled and her lips pursed. If she had heard, Kikyo thought, she needed to talk to her.
"Kagome, where are you?" Kikyo's voice was in a harsh whisper. She quickly looked around and then found her eyes fixated on the study door. Kikyo's feet did a quick change of direction, her toes pointing the direction to her path.
Kikyo tiptoed to the door and then stopped just short of the door. She reached out her hand to touch the frame of the wooden door and said, "Kagome, are you in here?"
The room remained silent but Kikyo was intent on finding her sister. "Kagome," she called out again before she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see her sister with a glass of water in her hand.
"Kagome."
"Kikyo, were you calling for me?"
The harshness evident on Kikyo's face softened and her lips turned into a smile that went from one ear to the other.
"Little sister, I was just wondering if you were home. I was getting worried. It is almost four."
Kagome was shocked at the way her sister could alter her personality so easily. The deviousness that lined her lips had transformed into understanding. The voice that sprayed poison at the distraught Sesshamoru when she uttered a word was now lingering with glee. The shock had astounded Kagome but she could not show any signs of discomfort. She forced herself to swallow the information she had just heard and smile.
"Kikyo, you don't have to look out for me. I am fifteen years old now."
Kagome turned from her sister's grinning face and then abruptly turned to the stairs.
"I'll be in my room, doing my homework if you need me."
Kagome's heart did a jump and then began to beat with twice the speed. She walked to the stairs with a hint of quickness in her steps but before she could lay a foot on the first step, she could Kikyo's voice.
"Kagome."
Kagome wanted to turn but could not face seeing her sister again and knowing what she is capable of doing. She had seen the real Kikyo in that room and heard her real voice and knew her real intentions. She is a conniving little bitch and Kagome felt shivers go down her spine remembering she was related to her.
"Yes Kikyo," Kagome managed to say with a hint of tension in her voice.
There was a moment of silence and with each passing second, Kagome could feel the tension building up. She could feel her face reddening and the hairs on her arms standing up on end. The water in her right hand did a slight jolt when her body shook from the fear.
She heard her sister's footsteps and then it abruptly stopped. Moments later, her sister was right behind her. Kagome had never imagined that she could be frozen in fear from her own sister. But here she was now, completely petrified, with a glass of water in one hand that was doing a tidal wave.
"Kagome." her sister said. She lifted up something from her hands and then slowly lifted it up to Kagome's face from behind. Kagome, from sheer reaction, as though she was being shot in the head, shut her eyes. When she opened them she found her bag at the side of her face.
"You forgot your bag. I don't think you can study properly without these, can you?"
Kagome giggled nervously and then grabbed the bag with her free hand.
"I'm such a dork. Yeah, of course. Well okay then, see you." She grabbed the bag with her free hand and ran up the stairs, skipping a few steps to get to the top sooner. Her heart was racing all the while
Finally in the safe confines of her room, she flung herself on the bed and set the glass of water on the bedside table. She exhaled deeply and then let her mind do a silent scream to release all of the feelings bottled up inside her, which were fuming from the concealment. Now that she was out of earshot of her sister, she began discussing the scenario between her sister and her future brother-in-law in her mind. If one would have peeked inside the young teen's room, one would see her talking to herself as though she were another person. As strange as it may sound, it helped to vent what she was feeling inside.
"She bribed him!" she yelled to herself. "I knew-I knew she was crazy but I didn't know she was-was like this!"
"She's so horrible! All this for some lousy piece of cash?!"
At one point Kagome did begin to settle down and when she did, she began to think about what life was when she and her sister were just children. She had always hated her sister but she had never known she was capable of bribery. Even though when she felt as though she could just easily take her two hands and wrap it around her neck. But in the end, Kagome knew she was still her sister and thus she loved her anyways. Even though she's a total bitch, Kagome thought.
On the positive side, Kagome realized, this had nothing to do with her. After all, it was Kikyo who was destroying her own life. And if her father found out, Kagome thought, her body shivering, he would beat her until she spat blood. Another positive.
Kagome pressed her head on her down pillow and smiled. She had just then recalled how she had slyly escaped being seen from Kikyo. Of course it wasn't by complete luck, it was actually from a discovery she made when she was only ten.
About five years ago, when she was only ten, she had come home early from school one afternoon and was excited because she knew her father was going to be there when she arrived. After not seeing him for about two years, Kagome could think of nothing all day at school except to be with him. She arrived home that day and ran straight to his office, which she noticed was unlocked, so she decided to surprise him and slowly tiptoed inside. To her utter shock, she realized he was not alone. There in her loving father's arms was a woman, dressed completely in red. She had a skin tight dress that resembled more light another layer of skin because it clung so tight on her body. On top of her head was a large red hat, which served to match her dress and to conceal her face. Kagome watched them for a brief two seconds before the tears began to burn in her eyes and finally streamed down her cheeks. She backed away from the door and pressed herself firmly to the bookcase. Kagome closed her eyes from the sight and before she knew it the bookcase began to slowly move. She could feel the bookcase detach from the wall and then slowly turn, but she kept her eyes closed in fear of seeing her father again. When she did finally open them, she was face to face with the same white walls as her house. Fear filled her mind and she turned to see that the bookcase was no longer there. In its place was again another white wall. Kagome, not knowing what to do, threw up her hands and began banging at the white wall. Little did she know that the passageway was soundproof. So, she remained pounding at the wall for a couple minutes before she grew tired and fell to the floor. Intent on finding her way out, she turned again to peer at the passageway which was lit up, making it less scary that it might have been if there were no lights. Kagome decided to follow where it would lead. She stood up and pressed her hands on the wall, following it until she ended up in another dead end. She gasped in horror, realizing that she could very well be here forever.
She would die of starvation first and slowly her body would decay until only her bones were left. The thought made the 10 year old Kagome cry again. She sat on the floor and awaited her fate. For some odd reason, the feeling of fear and anxiety passed and she just stared at the white dead end for some time, hoping that if she concentrated hard enough, it would magically open. For some time, Kagome realized this was impossible and it was then that she noticed a small indention on the wall. Kagome walked towards it and just touched it slightly, which confirmed it was a button, colored in white so that it blended with the wall at first glance. She touched it again but this time she pressed it until slowly the white door detached and Kagome reached out to hold onto the wall. She watched it slowly turn until the kitchen was visible. Kagome hopped off and watched it again turn until the pantry was visible. It stopped and reattached itself once again. In shock, Kagome walked up to the wall and tried to make out the lines of separation between this wall and the one on the other side. But, it was impossible. It was as if it was never there. What it was for, Kagome never found out. In fact, she had forgotten about the wall until that day.
Kikyo's slight pause at the door provided her a perfect window of opportunity. She quickly pried her feet from the floor and ran to the bookshelf she had seen when she was only ten and pressed herself against it the same way she had when she was a child. But, nothing was happening at first. She didn't know exactly what she had touched that caused it to move. Time was running out and Kagome could hear the door widening. With her last breath, she just hit the bookshelf with all her might and hoped for the best. It was then that she noticed it detach and slowly turn to the mysterious passageway.
--
"Kouga?" Kagome asked shocked at Shippo.
"Yeah don't you remember him, master Kagome?"
Kagome looked down at Shippo, who was walking by her side on their way to school. Honestly, she had forgotten about Kouga. She now remembered how he had promised he would confront Inuyasha. But, he had said that nearly a month ago, the last time she had seen him, and now he was no where to be seen. Maybe he had moved on, Kagome thought. After all, he seemed like a guy who didn't stay in love with someone for longer than a month or two. Her time was up, Kagome realized. She shrugged and waved his image away from her mind.
"Shippo lets not think about him. Let's talk about something else."
"Okay, what you say."
--
"What's your malfunction little girl, can't you see I'm wallowing in my pits of despair?" snapped the senior dressed in the only color she knew how to accessorize-black.
Kagome swallowed and then let out a whisper, "Can I talk to you?"
"When hell freezes over," she snapped.
Kagome bit her lip and then repeated what she had said, backing away slightly in case she wanted to hit her over the head.
"Do I have to tell you again in sign language? I don't have the time and energy to--"
"It's about Sango!" Kagome blurted.
Kagura thought about that for a second and then shrugged, "Why would I care about her?"
"Kagura, she's your cousin!"
"So?"
Kagome sighed and then said, "Well, we had a fight and I need to talk to her about something. Since we aren't on speaking terms, I just thought that--"
"You thought I'd be the peacemaker? Do I look like a peacemaker? Besides, like I said, I don't care."
"But maybe if you talked to her, she would listen."
Kagura stared at Kagome and then laughed, "She hasn't listened to me since she was nine and even then she thought I was a flaming bitch."
"Well you are." Kagome muttered under her breath in annoyance.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. So you won't help me?"
"I've never been really helpful. Excuse me I need to take my depression pills." Kagura rummaged through her backpack for her trusty Prozac.
But Kagome just kept talking, hoping something would spark her attention, ".and then Miroku isn't talking to me.."
"Miroku?"
"Yeah you know your cousin's boyfriend."
She made a fist and then continued searching in her bag, more annoyed than ever. She started mumbling about how her cousin was a little slut and didn't deserve him.
Kagome backed away and turned. She was at a dead end.
She had tried several times that week to talk to Sango, but ever time she mustered up enough courage, she was shot down with Sango's cold shoulder. Kagome just needed someone to talk to about what happened with Kikyo. Now, there was no one there. Well, except Inuyasha.
--
Sango turned a corner and approached the bus stop. She had tried desperately to avoid Kagome today. She knew she had wanted to talk to her by the way she looked at her, with apologetic eyes. But, Sango was not ready to talk just yet. She needed to think things through some more, about the way she had deceived her own friend and how she was going to have to face what she did wrong.
Seeing Kagome's reaction when she had told her the truth about her life, Sango had wished she had told her long before. But, she was too ashamed of herself to look Kagome in the face and tell her all the problems she has ever had. She was so stupid, she kept repeating to herself. How could have underestimated her friendship with Kagome? How could she have created such a large wall between them? Were they ever true friends to begin with? These were thoughts that just kept popping into her head. But she knew one thing for sure-they were friends, true friends.
Sango deeply hoped that this was just another obstacle in life that they would successfully over come.
It was then that another memory abruptly shot through her mind. In her mind was the same piercing eyes which had threatened her to leave because she wasn't worthy of their company. She could feel his hands tighten the grip on her shirt and then ripping it. But it was the voice that drove her mad; it was cold, harsh, and merciless. Sango shivered and then recalled that afternoon.
It was unlike her to just look at them pitifully, but it was then that she had given up. It was then that she knew no matter what she did, her true life would be exposed. She was an outsider and she had tried to hide it for so long. She pretended since the age of five that she was one of them. She had pretended she had a rich father with all the money to burn, when in reality she had nothing. She was tired now, tired of lying, deceiving, and pretending.
When she felt his hands on her shirt and his breathe on her face, she had told herself that this was it. She no longer wanted to hide, let them say what they wanted to say because it was all true. She had given up. And as his threats increased, she let her mind go outside her body and her thoughts landed on her mother and her condition. The thought had weakened her even more and as they bullied her, her thoughts had remained on her mother and how much she loved her and how she didn't want to lose her.
When they had left, she cried in search of some sort of salvation and it came in the form of Miroku.
-- The next day:
Miroku was late for gym again. He sighed and headed for the cafeteria. Oh well, he thought, no sense going late to class on an empty stomach. He opened his locker and then shoved his books inside. He reached over to close the locker when a hand grazed his own.
He smiled and said, "Sango, my love, you ditched class to--"
The hand tightened its grip. "Ouch! What'd you do that for?" Miroku closed the locker and was surprised to see that it wasn't Sango after all.
"Kagura?"
"Yes, Miroku. You bad boy you, you're late for gym again," she said, her voice had altered since her talk with Kagome. The harshness had cleared and her voice was now giddy and a little ditsy.
Miroku pried his hand away from her grasp and ran it through his hair. "How did you know that?"
"I know everything about you. Like how right now, you're going to go to the cafeteria."
A little creeped out, Miroku gently closed the locker and slyly moved from her sight. But she was too fast for him. Within seconds she had her one arm on either side of him, pinning him onto his locker. She smiled and looked him in the eye.
"Miroku dear, maybe we can go out on Friday? You and me in the car."
Miroku was stunned and for the first time ever, he shook his head. "I can't Kagura, I have a girlfriend, you know your cousin."
Kagura didn't like that; she pressed her arms deeper into the locker and then placed her face just inches away from his.
"If I give you a kiss would that take your mind away from her?"
Miroku turned to the left in an attempt to dodge her kiss. He shook his head, biting his lips. She turned her head to the left and as she was about to kiss him again, he dodged to the right.
"Kagura please! When a man says no he means no!" cried out while swishing his head from left to right in an attempt to avoid her determined lips.
"I think you mean yes."
Miroku didn't know how to get to her. He had tried to conceal his face but her arms had locked his arms, so that he could not move from his spot. The only thing he could do was turn his face from right to left. She continued to try and kiss him and he continued to twist his head from left to right until he felt an uncomfortable spasm come up from his neck. Now he was done for.
Miroku looked up and thought about what Sango would do to him if she had found out her cousin had kissed him. Miroku shivered from the thought of her biology book against his face. If only he wasn't so damn hot, he thought, and then maybe all these girls would keep their hands off him. It's just a crime he was too beautiful. He shook his head in despair.
Kagura's lips were colored a dark black which matched her outfit just perfectly. Miroku had watched those lips repeatedly lunge for his face a dozen times before he screamed:
"Okay I'll kiss you. But can you let go off me, you're cutting off the circulation in my arms."
Kagura let go of his arms in triumph and looked at him. She straightened her black laced dress and tidied up her pitch black hair until it neatly sat on her shoulders.
"I'm ready for my kiss now, Miroku, my love."
"Okay, um, close your eyes. I want it to be a surprise." Just as the gothic princess closed her eyes, Miroku ran with all his might, trying not to look back. He turned a corner and then jumped head first into the dumpster. Although he was covered in garbage, he was still smiling.
It was then that he heard her voice shrieking in disbelief. "Miroku, where are you!!!???"
He heard her boots stomp on the floor and circle him several times but never once looking inside.
"It's no use hiding from me, Miroku. When I find you, I will have you."
It took Miroku a whole ten minutes before jumping out in fear she would be standing there ready to pounce despite the fact he smelled like old cheese. He peeked out at first and then gradually his whole body emerged from inside the dumpster.
Great, he thought, he'd have to smell like this all day. He drudged onward towards the cafeteria, a banana still clinging onto his butt. Oh well, he shrugged, might as well eat something.
--
"Miroku you smell nasty!" Sango shrieked, "and oh my god, you have food in your hair."
Miroku shrugged, "I fell into the dumpster."
"Well, go and wash yourself in the locker room. I refuse to be seen with someone who smells like crap!"
Miroku set down his sandwich and lifted a leg to get off the bench. Sango sat down and smiled.
"Don't forget to clean under your arms."
Miroku smirked and grabbed his book bag. "You could join me and clean my underarms for me?"
Sango glared at him, "In your dreams."
He jumped off the bench but before he ran off to the locker room, he noticed someone very familiar.
"Sango, look, that's Kouga!"
Sango's attention immediately shifted towards the direction of a guy wearing a leather jacket and dark sunglasses. Sango gulped, "what is he doing here?"
Miroku shrugged and sat down.
"I thought you were going to take a shower?"
"Nah, I don't want to miss this!" It was then that a couple girls strolled past him only to be chased away from his bad odor. Sango sighed, this is my boyfriend, she thought.
Kouga strolled down the cafeteria and then stopped just midway from the door and turned. A set of girls giggled around him and some even approached him.
"Hi, my name is--" one of them began.
"Excuse me, but I have a woman thank you every much," he retorted.
They backed off in a huff and headed out the cafeteria.
"What's going on?" Sango whispered.
It was then that Kagome walked through the door and was stunned to see Kouga looking at her.
"Ko-Kouga?" she stuttered in shock.
"My Kagome. How are you doing?" he smirked and took off his glasses.
Kagome just peered at him in disbelief, wiping her eyes in hope it was only an illusion caused from too much stress and not enough sleep. But, to her horror, it was not a dream but a reality.
"Sorry I haven't seen you in a while but you know how Paris is. Anyways."
"Kouga, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you and that Inuyasha of yours."
Kagome looked at him motionless. She had a knot in her throat that refused to vanish. There was nowhere to hide. The sound of Inuyasha's name from Kouga's lips sent sharp shivers down her spine and caused her heart to beat two times its normal speed. Sweat formed from her forehead and nose.
"Inuyasha."
"Yes, I told you I was going to talk to him about you."
"Oh yeah that, well, you know hes sick today. Sorry, I guess you'll have to come another time and--"
It was then that the infamous raven haired boy walked into the room, unaware of Kouga. He strolled inside and then turned to greet Kagome at the door.
"Hey Kagome."
Kagome turned to him and smiled, "Hi there..friend."
Inuyasha, a little confused, just smiled at her.
"Who is this?" Kouga asked.
"My friend," Kagome said.
"I know, but what's his name?"
Inuyasha turned him, now conscious of the stranger before him.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Kouga and you?"
"I'm Inu--"
"Okay enough talk. Let's go eat my friend."
Kagome pried her hands away from Kouga's grasp. Inuyasha noticed the way he looked at her and was immediately annoyed. Kagome turned to him and grinned.
"Thank you for coming here, but I have to eat now so--"
"Inuyasha, you forgot your science book on the bench outside!" Shippo bellowed.
"Shippo what are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well, I only get out at 12 today. But I have to go to cram school in an hour. I just saw this outside and recognized the labels."
"So, you are Inuyasha!" Kouga said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Yeah, so what's it to you?"
"I am here to fight you for Kagome!"
Taken a back, Inuyasha laughed, "Fight for Kagome!" he managed to say between snorts.
Kagome felt her ears burning and slowly let go of Inuyasha's arm. Oh no, she gasped, she was done for.
"Why would I fight for Kagome? And with you?" Inuyasha immediately turned around to get lunch when he heard.
"Hey don't walk away, coward!"
Kouga had punctured his weak spot, there was no turning back. Kagome had separated herself from the two, her face still a dark shade of beat red. She was secretly praying for a miracle. She thought about how embarrassing this situation was, not only were they fighting over her or at least Kouga was, but now Kouga was going to tell Inuyasha that she had said he was her boyfriend. The thought made her cringe.
"I don't know who you are but--"
"My name is Kouga."
"Okay um Kouga, I don't want to fight you. I'm just here for lunch. You can do what you want with Kagome.
Hey, Kagome thought, no he can't.
"You don't care?"
"No I don't, why would I?"
"Well because you are her boy--"
"LUNCH! Its time for lunch! Let's stop this chatter and go to lunch!" Kagome blurted trying to save herself from further embarrassment.
The two turned to her confused.
"Kagome, I'm not hungry anymore, I want to know what's going on!" Inuyasha glared at her and Kagome felt as though she was shrinking from the stare.
"I.um.I just.." Kagome murmured, trying to find sense in her mumbling.
"Kagome, didn't you say he was your boyfriend?" Kouga finally let out.
"Boy-boyfriend?" Inuyasha yelled. He turned a dark shade of red and then put two hands in the air. "What the hell is going on?"
"Inuyasha, I.." Kagome said and then looked at Kouga, "Kouga.I."
"Inuyasha, don't deny it. You know you and Kagome are going out!" said a voice.
In mid tear, Kagome looked up to see Sango by Inuyasha's side. She hit him on the side and he was shoved to the side.
"What, me and her?"
"Yeah Inuyasha, you and her!" Sango said.
"It seems as though Inuyasha has a memory problem," Kouga butted in.
Kagome turned to him and he smiled, "If you were with me, I would always remember you were my girlfriend."
Thanks, Kagome thought. But her thoughts quickly turned from him to Sango, who was still eyeing and shoving the confused Inuyasha. After some time, he nodded in defeat.
"Yes, I'm her.umm.you know."
"Boyfriend!" Sango yelled.
"Yes, yes, that..her boyfriend."
Kouga sighed and turned to Kagome, "well then, that's it. That means we will have to duel."
Kagome gasped, "No, you can't!"
"Are you ready to duel?"
Inuyasha just stared at him, still a little confused.
"Bakemono, you can do it!!" yelled the crowd.
Kouga froze and stepped forward just a foot from Inuyasha. "What is your name?"
"Inuyasha."
"No, what is your last name?"
"Bakemono."
Kouga froze and then sucker punched him, a punch that came out of no where. Before the crowd knew it, Inuyasha was on the ground, stunned from the blow.
"What did you do that for?"
He quickly turned to Kagome. "What are you doing with him, Kagome?!" he yelled with an intense hatred in his eye.
"What do you mean?"
"Kagome, he is a Bakemono! You have just deceived your whole family."
Confused, Kagome shifted her eyes from Inuyasha to Kouga. She did not know what Kouga was talking about and why Inuyasha's last name had to do with anything.
"I don't understand.." Kagome said.
"Chikara! I should have known. I could smell an asshole from over here!" Inuyasha blurted. Inuyasha looked at him and her confusion increased. What was going on?!
"Stay away from her Bakemono or else!" Kouga demanded.
Kagome was petrified from fear. What in the flaming shit was going on, she wondered.
A/N: Hey guys, so watcha think??? The end was fun to write..anyhoo, just wanted to say I might not be updating for a while bc of skewl so blame skewl not me.but I'll try my best.
+What to expect in the other chapters+
*Kagome and Inuyasha finally hooking up?!
*The story behind the family feuds
*The mystery lady in Kagome's father's office, the one she saw when she was 10
okie then, im out.
---co Tsukino
Disclaimer: you know the deal.I don't own Inuyasha, so please no suing.
+Ch.10: Inuyasha and Kouga Face Off+
--
Kagome could hear the door's handle tilt and then slowly open. She felt her heart skip and beat and then her mind began to swirl in different directions. Her brain was telling her to hide, but where? And although her mind was screaming, her feet refused to move. They remained fixed firmly on the floor as if she had been paralyzed.
Kikyo peered at the clock one last time and then at Sesshamoru, who seemed to be deep in thought at his decision, which could greatly ruin or save his life. Kikyo smiled at her future husband's torment and then slowly opened her father's wooden door which weighed like a ton of bricks. Kikyo, with a strong shove, was finally able to open the door. She came face to face with an empty study. Kikyo looked around curiously and then her mind crossed the room to the door that lead to the foyer. Kikyo could feel another person in the room but quickly brushed the feeling away and stomped towards the foyer.
In the foyer, she noticed her sister's book bag and shoes. Her mind quickly shifted its direction from her greedy intentions of getting her father's wealth through a fake marriage to wondering whether Kagome had heard her conversation with Sesshamoru. Her forehead wrinkled and her lips pursed. If she had heard, Kikyo thought, she needed to talk to her.
"Kagome, where are you?" Kikyo's voice was in a harsh whisper. She quickly looked around and then found her eyes fixated on the study door. Kikyo's feet did a quick change of direction, her toes pointing the direction to her path.
Kikyo tiptoed to the door and then stopped just short of the door. She reached out her hand to touch the frame of the wooden door and said, "Kagome, are you in here?"
The room remained silent but Kikyo was intent on finding her sister. "Kagome," she called out again before she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see her sister with a glass of water in her hand.
"Kagome."
"Kikyo, were you calling for me?"
The harshness evident on Kikyo's face softened and her lips turned into a smile that went from one ear to the other.
"Little sister, I was just wondering if you were home. I was getting worried. It is almost four."
Kagome was shocked at the way her sister could alter her personality so easily. The deviousness that lined her lips had transformed into understanding. The voice that sprayed poison at the distraught Sesshamoru when she uttered a word was now lingering with glee. The shock had astounded Kagome but she could not show any signs of discomfort. She forced herself to swallow the information she had just heard and smile.
"Kikyo, you don't have to look out for me. I am fifteen years old now."
Kagome turned from her sister's grinning face and then abruptly turned to the stairs.
"I'll be in my room, doing my homework if you need me."
Kagome's heart did a jump and then began to beat with twice the speed. She walked to the stairs with a hint of quickness in her steps but before she could lay a foot on the first step, she could Kikyo's voice.
"Kagome."
Kagome wanted to turn but could not face seeing her sister again and knowing what she is capable of doing. She had seen the real Kikyo in that room and heard her real voice and knew her real intentions. She is a conniving little bitch and Kagome felt shivers go down her spine remembering she was related to her.
"Yes Kikyo," Kagome managed to say with a hint of tension in her voice.
There was a moment of silence and with each passing second, Kagome could feel the tension building up. She could feel her face reddening and the hairs on her arms standing up on end. The water in her right hand did a slight jolt when her body shook from the fear.
She heard her sister's footsteps and then it abruptly stopped. Moments later, her sister was right behind her. Kagome had never imagined that she could be frozen in fear from her own sister. But here she was now, completely petrified, with a glass of water in one hand that was doing a tidal wave.
"Kagome." her sister said. She lifted up something from her hands and then slowly lifted it up to Kagome's face from behind. Kagome, from sheer reaction, as though she was being shot in the head, shut her eyes. When she opened them she found her bag at the side of her face.
"You forgot your bag. I don't think you can study properly without these, can you?"
Kagome giggled nervously and then grabbed the bag with her free hand.
"I'm such a dork. Yeah, of course. Well okay then, see you." She grabbed the bag with her free hand and ran up the stairs, skipping a few steps to get to the top sooner. Her heart was racing all the while
Finally in the safe confines of her room, she flung herself on the bed and set the glass of water on the bedside table. She exhaled deeply and then let her mind do a silent scream to release all of the feelings bottled up inside her, which were fuming from the concealment. Now that she was out of earshot of her sister, she began discussing the scenario between her sister and her future brother-in-law in her mind. If one would have peeked inside the young teen's room, one would see her talking to herself as though she were another person. As strange as it may sound, it helped to vent what she was feeling inside.
"She bribed him!" she yelled to herself. "I knew-I knew she was crazy but I didn't know she was-was like this!"
"She's so horrible! All this for some lousy piece of cash?!"
At one point Kagome did begin to settle down and when she did, she began to think about what life was when she and her sister were just children. She had always hated her sister but she had never known she was capable of bribery. Even though when she felt as though she could just easily take her two hands and wrap it around her neck. But in the end, Kagome knew she was still her sister and thus she loved her anyways. Even though she's a total bitch, Kagome thought.
On the positive side, Kagome realized, this had nothing to do with her. After all, it was Kikyo who was destroying her own life. And if her father found out, Kagome thought, her body shivering, he would beat her until she spat blood. Another positive.
Kagome pressed her head on her down pillow and smiled. She had just then recalled how she had slyly escaped being seen from Kikyo. Of course it wasn't by complete luck, it was actually from a discovery she made when she was only ten.
About five years ago, when she was only ten, she had come home early from school one afternoon and was excited because she knew her father was going to be there when she arrived. After not seeing him for about two years, Kagome could think of nothing all day at school except to be with him. She arrived home that day and ran straight to his office, which she noticed was unlocked, so she decided to surprise him and slowly tiptoed inside. To her utter shock, she realized he was not alone. There in her loving father's arms was a woman, dressed completely in red. She had a skin tight dress that resembled more light another layer of skin because it clung so tight on her body. On top of her head was a large red hat, which served to match her dress and to conceal her face. Kagome watched them for a brief two seconds before the tears began to burn in her eyes and finally streamed down her cheeks. She backed away from the door and pressed herself firmly to the bookcase. Kagome closed her eyes from the sight and before she knew it the bookcase began to slowly move. She could feel the bookcase detach from the wall and then slowly turn, but she kept her eyes closed in fear of seeing her father again. When she did finally open them, she was face to face with the same white walls as her house. Fear filled her mind and she turned to see that the bookcase was no longer there. In its place was again another white wall. Kagome, not knowing what to do, threw up her hands and began banging at the white wall. Little did she know that the passageway was soundproof. So, she remained pounding at the wall for a couple minutes before she grew tired and fell to the floor. Intent on finding her way out, she turned again to peer at the passageway which was lit up, making it less scary that it might have been if there were no lights. Kagome decided to follow where it would lead. She stood up and pressed her hands on the wall, following it until she ended up in another dead end. She gasped in horror, realizing that she could very well be here forever.
She would die of starvation first and slowly her body would decay until only her bones were left. The thought made the 10 year old Kagome cry again. She sat on the floor and awaited her fate. For some odd reason, the feeling of fear and anxiety passed and she just stared at the white dead end for some time, hoping that if she concentrated hard enough, it would magically open. For some time, Kagome realized this was impossible and it was then that she noticed a small indention on the wall. Kagome walked towards it and just touched it slightly, which confirmed it was a button, colored in white so that it blended with the wall at first glance. She touched it again but this time she pressed it until slowly the white door detached and Kagome reached out to hold onto the wall. She watched it slowly turn until the kitchen was visible. Kagome hopped off and watched it again turn until the pantry was visible. It stopped and reattached itself once again. In shock, Kagome walked up to the wall and tried to make out the lines of separation between this wall and the one on the other side. But, it was impossible. It was as if it was never there. What it was for, Kagome never found out. In fact, she had forgotten about the wall until that day.
Kikyo's slight pause at the door provided her a perfect window of opportunity. She quickly pried her feet from the floor and ran to the bookshelf she had seen when she was only ten and pressed herself against it the same way she had when she was a child. But, nothing was happening at first. She didn't know exactly what she had touched that caused it to move. Time was running out and Kagome could hear the door widening. With her last breath, she just hit the bookshelf with all her might and hoped for the best. It was then that she noticed it detach and slowly turn to the mysterious passageway.
--
"Kouga?" Kagome asked shocked at Shippo.
"Yeah don't you remember him, master Kagome?"
Kagome looked down at Shippo, who was walking by her side on their way to school. Honestly, she had forgotten about Kouga. She now remembered how he had promised he would confront Inuyasha. But, he had said that nearly a month ago, the last time she had seen him, and now he was no where to be seen. Maybe he had moved on, Kagome thought. After all, he seemed like a guy who didn't stay in love with someone for longer than a month or two. Her time was up, Kagome realized. She shrugged and waved his image away from her mind.
"Shippo lets not think about him. Let's talk about something else."
"Okay, what you say."
--
"What's your malfunction little girl, can't you see I'm wallowing in my pits of despair?" snapped the senior dressed in the only color she knew how to accessorize-black.
Kagome swallowed and then let out a whisper, "Can I talk to you?"
"When hell freezes over," she snapped.
Kagome bit her lip and then repeated what she had said, backing away slightly in case she wanted to hit her over the head.
"Do I have to tell you again in sign language? I don't have the time and energy to--"
"It's about Sango!" Kagome blurted.
Kagura thought about that for a second and then shrugged, "Why would I care about her?"
"Kagura, she's your cousin!"
"So?"
Kagome sighed and then said, "Well, we had a fight and I need to talk to her about something. Since we aren't on speaking terms, I just thought that--"
"You thought I'd be the peacemaker? Do I look like a peacemaker? Besides, like I said, I don't care."
"But maybe if you talked to her, she would listen."
Kagura stared at Kagome and then laughed, "She hasn't listened to me since she was nine and even then she thought I was a flaming bitch."
"Well you are." Kagome muttered under her breath in annoyance.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. So you won't help me?"
"I've never been really helpful. Excuse me I need to take my depression pills." Kagura rummaged through her backpack for her trusty Prozac.
But Kagome just kept talking, hoping something would spark her attention, ".and then Miroku isn't talking to me.."
"Miroku?"
"Yeah you know your cousin's boyfriend."
She made a fist and then continued searching in her bag, more annoyed than ever. She started mumbling about how her cousin was a little slut and didn't deserve him.
Kagome backed away and turned. She was at a dead end.
She had tried several times that week to talk to Sango, but ever time she mustered up enough courage, she was shot down with Sango's cold shoulder. Kagome just needed someone to talk to about what happened with Kikyo. Now, there was no one there. Well, except Inuyasha.
--
Sango turned a corner and approached the bus stop. She had tried desperately to avoid Kagome today. She knew she had wanted to talk to her by the way she looked at her, with apologetic eyes. But, Sango was not ready to talk just yet. She needed to think things through some more, about the way she had deceived her own friend and how she was going to have to face what she did wrong.
Seeing Kagome's reaction when she had told her the truth about her life, Sango had wished she had told her long before. But, she was too ashamed of herself to look Kagome in the face and tell her all the problems she has ever had. She was so stupid, she kept repeating to herself. How could have underestimated her friendship with Kagome? How could she have created such a large wall between them? Were they ever true friends to begin with? These were thoughts that just kept popping into her head. But she knew one thing for sure-they were friends, true friends.
Sango deeply hoped that this was just another obstacle in life that they would successfully over come.
It was then that another memory abruptly shot through her mind. In her mind was the same piercing eyes which had threatened her to leave because she wasn't worthy of their company. She could feel his hands tighten the grip on her shirt and then ripping it. But it was the voice that drove her mad; it was cold, harsh, and merciless. Sango shivered and then recalled that afternoon.
It was unlike her to just look at them pitifully, but it was then that she had given up. It was then that she knew no matter what she did, her true life would be exposed. She was an outsider and she had tried to hide it for so long. She pretended since the age of five that she was one of them. She had pretended she had a rich father with all the money to burn, when in reality she had nothing. She was tired now, tired of lying, deceiving, and pretending.
When she felt his hands on her shirt and his breathe on her face, she had told herself that this was it. She no longer wanted to hide, let them say what they wanted to say because it was all true. She had given up. And as his threats increased, she let her mind go outside her body and her thoughts landed on her mother and her condition. The thought had weakened her even more and as they bullied her, her thoughts had remained on her mother and how much she loved her and how she didn't want to lose her.
When they had left, she cried in search of some sort of salvation and it came in the form of Miroku.
-- The next day:
Miroku was late for gym again. He sighed and headed for the cafeteria. Oh well, he thought, no sense going late to class on an empty stomach. He opened his locker and then shoved his books inside. He reached over to close the locker when a hand grazed his own.
He smiled and said, "Sango, my love, you ditched class to--"
The hand tightened its grip. "Ouch! What'd you do that for?" Miroku closed the locker and was surprised to see that it wasn't Sango after all.
"Kagura?"
"Yes, Miroku. You bad boy you, you're late for gym again," she said, her voice had altered since her talk with Kagome. The harshness had cleared and her voice was now giddy and a little ditsy.
Miroku pried his hand away from her grasp and ran it through his hair. "How did you know that?"
"I know everything about you. Like how right now, you're going to go to the cafeteria."
A little creeped out, Miroku gently closed the locker and slyly moved from her sight. But she was too fast for him. Within seconds she had her one arm on either side of him, pinning him onto his locker. She smiled and looked him in the eye.
"Miroku dear, maybe we can go out on Friday? You and me in the car."
Miroku was stunned and for the first time ever, he shook his head. "I can't Kagura, I have a girlfriend, you know your cousin."
Kagura didn't like that; she pressed her arms deeper into the locker and then placed her face just inches away from his.
"If I give you a kiss would that take your mind away from her?"
Miroku turned to the left in an attempt to dodge her kiss. He shook his head, biting his lips. She turned her head to the left and as she was about to kiss him again, he dodged to the right.
"Kagura please! When a man says no he means no!" cried out while swishing his head from left to right in an attempt to avoid her determined lips.
"I think you mean yes."
Miroku didn't know how to get to her. He had tried to conceal his face but her arms had locked his arms, so that he could not move from his spot. The only thing he could do was turn his face from right to left. She continued to try and kiss him and he continued to twist his head from left to right until he felt an uncomfortable spasm come up from his neck. Now he was done for.
Miroku looked up and thought about what Sango would do to him if she had found out her cousin had kissed him. Miroku shivered from the thought of her biology book against his face. If only he wasn't so damn hot, he thought, and then maybe all these girls would keep their hands off him. It's just a crime he was too beautiful. He shook his head in despair.
Kagura's lips were colored a dark black which matched her outfit just perfectly. Miroku had watched those lips repeatedly lunge for his face a dozen times before he screamed:
"Okay I'll kiss you. But can you let go off me, you're cutting off the circulation in my arms."
Kagura let go of his arms in triumph and looked at him. She straightened her black laced dress and tidied up her pitch black hair until it neatly sat on her shoulders.
"I'm ready for my kiss now, Miroku, my love."
"Okay, um, close your eyes. I want it to be a surprise." Just as the gothic princess closed her eyes, Miroku ran with all his might, trying not to look back. He turned a corner and then jumped head first into the dumpster. Although he was covered in garbage, he was still smiling.
It was then that he heard her voice shrieking in disbelief. "Miroku, where are you!!!???"
He heard her boots stomp on the floor and circle him several times but never once looking inside.
"It's no use hiding from me, Miroku. When I find you, I will have you."
It took Miroku a whole ten minutes before jumping out in fear she would be standing there ready to pounce despite the fact he smelled like old cheese. He peeked out at first and then gradually his whole body emerged from inside the dumpster.
Great, he thought, he'd have to smell like this all day. He drudged onward towards the cafeteria, a banana still clinging onto his butt. Oh well, he shrugged, might as well eat something.
--
"Miroku you smell nasty!" Sango shrieked, "and oh my god, you have food in your hair."
Miroku shrugged, "I fell into the dumpster."
"Well, go and wash yourself in the locker room. I refuse to be seen with someone who smells like crap!"
Miroku set down his sandwich and lifted a leg to get off the bench. Sango sat down and smiled.
"Don't forget to clean under your arms."
Miroku smirked and grabbed his book bag. "You could join me and clean my underarms for me?"
Sango glared at him, "In your dreams."
He jumped off the bench but before he ran off to the locker room, he noticed someone very familiar.
"Sango, look, that's Kouga!"
Sango's attention immediately shifted towards the direction of a guy wearing a leather jacket and dark sunglasses. Sango gulped, "what is he doing here?"
Miroku shrugged and sat down.
"I thought you were going to take a shower?"
"Nah, I don't want to miss this!" It was then that a couple girls strolled past him only to be chased away from his bad odor. Sango sighed, this is my boyfriend, she thought.
Kouga strolled down the cafeteria and then stopped just midway from the door and turned. A set of girls giggled around him and some even approached him.
"Hi, my name is--" one of them began.
"Excuse me, but I have a woman thank you every much," he retorted.
They backed off in a huff and headed out the cafeteria.
"What's going on?" Sango whispered.
It was then that Kagome walked through the door and was stunned to see Kouga looking at her.
"Ko-Kouga?" she stuttered in shock.
"My Kagome. How are you doing?" he smirked and took off his glasses.
Kagome just peered at him in disbelief, wiping her eyes in hope it was only an illusion caused from too much stress and not enough sleep. But, to her horror, it was not a dream but a reality.
"Sorry I haven't seen you in a while but you know how Paris is. Anyways."
"Kouga, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you and that Inuyasha of yours."
Kagome looked at him motionless. She had a knot in her throat that refused to vanish. There was nowhere to hide. The sound of Inuyasha's name from Kouga's lips sent sharp shivers down her spine and caused her heart to beat two times its normal speed. Sweat formed from her forehead and nose.
"Inuyasha."
"Yes, I told you I was going to talk to him about you."
"Oh yeah that, well, you know hes sick today. Sorry, I guess you'll have to come another time and--"
It was then that the infamous raven haired boy walked into the room, unaware of Kouga. He strolled inside and then turned to greet Kagome at the door.
"Hey Kagome."
Kagome turned to him and smiled, "Hi there..friend."
Inuyasha, a little confused, just smiled at her.
"Who is this?" Kouga asked.
"My friend," Kagome said.
"I know, but what's his name?"
Inuyasha turned him, now conscious of the stranger before him.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Kouga and you?"
"I'm Inu--"
"Okay enough talk. Let's go eat my friend."
Kagome pried her hands away from Kouga's grasp. Inuyasha noticed the way he looked at her and was immediately annoyed. Kagome turned to him and grinned.
"Thank you for coming here, but I have to eat now so--"
"Inuyasha, you forgot your science book on the bench outside!" Shippo bellowed.
"Shippo what are you doing here?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well, I only get out at 12 today. But I have to go to cram school in an hour. I just saw this outside and recognized the labels."
"So, you are Inuyasha!" Kouga said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Yeah, so what's it to you?"
"I am here to fight you for Kagome!"
Taken a back, Inuyasha laughed, "Fight for Kagome!" he managed to say between snorts.
Kagome felt her ears burning and slowly let go of Inuyasha's arm. Oh no, she gasped, she was done for.
"Why would I fight for Kagome? And with you?" Inuyasha immediately turned around to get lunch when he heard.
"Hey don't walk away, coward!"
Kouga had punctured his weak spot, there was no turning back. Kagome had separated herself from the two, her face still a dark shade of beat red. She was secretly praying for a miracle. She thought about how embarrassing this situation was, not only were they fighting over her or at least Kouga was, but now Kouga was going to tell Inuyasha that she had said he was her boyfriend. The thought made her cringe.
"I don't know who you are but--"
"My name is Kouga."
"Okay um Kouga, I don't want to fight you. I'm just here for lunch. You can do what you want with Kagome.
Hey, Kagome thought, no he can't.
"You don't care?"
"No I don't, why would I?"
"Well because you are her boy--"
"LUNCH! Its time for lunch! Let's stop this chatter and go to lunch!" Kagome blurted trying to save herself from further embarrassment.
The two turned to her confused.
"Kagome, I'm not hungry anymore, I want to know what's going on!" Inuyasha glared at her and Kagome felt as though she was shrinking from the stare.
"I.um.I just.." Kagome murmured, trying to find sense in her mumbling.
"Kagome, didn't you say he was your boyfriend?" Kouga finally let out.
"Boy-boyfriend?" Inuyasha yelled. He turned a dark shade of red and then put two hands in the air. "What the hell is going on?"
"Inuyasha, I.." Kagome said and then looked at Kouga, "Kouga.I."
"Inuyasha, don't deny it. You know you and Kagome are going out!" said a voice.
In mid tear, Kagome looked up to see Sango by Inuyasha's side. She hit him on the side and he was shoved to the side.
"What, me and her?"
"Yeah Inuyasha, you and her!" Sango said.
"It seems as though Inuyasha has a memory problem," Kouga butted in.
Kagome turned to him and he smiled, "If you were with me, I would always remember you were my girlfriend."
Thanks, Kagome thought. But her thoughts quickly turned from him to Sango, who was still eyeing and shoving the confused Inuyasha. After some time, he nodded in defeat.
"Yes, I'm her.umm.you know."
"Boyfriend!" Sango yelled.
"Yes, yes, that..her boyfriend."
Kouga sighed and turned to Kagome, "well then, that's it. That means we will have to duel."
Kagome gasped, "No, you can't!"
"Are you ready to duel?"
Inuyasha just stared at him, still a little confused.
"Bakemono, you can do it!!" yelled the crowd.
Kouga froze and stepped forward just a foot from Inuyasha. "What is your name?"
"Inuyasha."
"No, what is your last name?"
"Bakemono."
Kouga froze and then sucker punched him, a punch that came out of no where. Before the crowd knew it, Inuyasha was on the ground, stunned from the blow.
"What did you do that for?"
He quickly turned to Kagome. "What are you doing with him, Kagome?!" he yelled with an intense hatred in his eye.
"What do you mean?"
"Kagome, he is a Bakemono! You have just deceived your whole family."
Confused, Kagome shifted her eyes from Inuyasha to Kouga. She did not know what Kouga was talking about and why Inuyasha's last name had to do with anything.
"I don't understand.." Kagome said.
"Chikara! I should have known. I could smell an asshole from over here!" Inuyasha blurted. Inuyasha looked at him and her confusion increased. What was going on?!
"Stay away from her Bakemono or else!" Kouga demanded.
Kagome was petrified from fear. What in the flaming shit was going on, she wondered.
A/N: Hey guys, so watcha think??? The end was fun to write..anyhoo, just wanted to say I might not be updating for a while bc of skewl so blame skewl not me.but I'll try my best.
+What to expect in the other chapters+
*Kagome and Inuyasha finally hooking up?!
*The story behind the family feuds
*The mystery lady in Kagome's father's office, the one she saw when she was 10
okie then, im out.
---co Tsukino