A Tragic Love
Disclaimer: YAWN!! Who's getting tired of these disclaimers?? I know I am...like I said...I don't own Inuyasha...yawn...
--
+Ch. 14: It's Spring, Love is Blossoming (Well kind of) +
--
Sango was glowing with happiness when she departed with Inuyasha, who was still battling with his mind about uncovering the truth to Sango, a girl he didn't even know that well. But, Sango had known that if she partnered up with him the truth would come out someday. She was just so giddy that it didn't take him more than 10 minutes to admit he loved Kagome. She smiled and skipped out of the doors of library, completely missing Miroku, who was still shaken by what he had seen.
Little did Sango know her boyfriend was watching her, mistaking her hug for an embrace of passion and all the while repeating the conversation between himself and Kagura in his mind.
Sango laughed remembering how she had nearly broken her leg in an attempt to partner up with Inuyasha before that bitch Naru did. But bruising her leg and having to put up with Inuyasha's abuse was all worth it if it meant seeing her best friend happy again. The thought of Kagome made her frown.
She wasn't much to talk to anymore, not after Inuyasha had left her alone that night and definitely not after her family cornered her when she got home that afternoon. Sango realized that although she wasn't as rich as Kagome, she was thankful for her parents—who were kind and understanding people. The thought of them revived her feeling of contentment
Her mind flashbacked to the minutes right before her mom woke up
Rewind:
Dad, I'm going to the park to meet Miroku. I will be back before dinner. Do you want me to pick up anything?" Sango yelled from across the room. Her father stood motionless in the easy chair, looking down at his hands and smiling.
"Dad, are you okay? If you aren't, I can meet Miroku some other time. Dad-- "
"You two remind me of your mother and me when I was your age," he said, chuckling to him-self and twirling his thumbs in circles.
"Dad, are you okay?" Sango asked uneasily.
"Did I ever tell you how your mother and me met, Sango dear?" he asked, looking up now at his daughter, stars in his eyes. Sango shook her head and approached her father, sitting by his knees as he looked down at her, his mind in the past.
"It is quite an odd story. Your mother and I were in two different worlds then. She was the daughter of the mayor and I was the local pick-pocket," he said smiling.
"My parents didn't have much money then and I stole to get by—using the money to buy food and clothes. I didn't like what I was doing but I did it to survive. I was only seventeen then, too naïve. Anyways, one day a group of my friends and I decided to go to the annual parade downtown. It was always easy money. I expected to get at least enough to buy half a year's worth of food; I never expected to fall in love.
"My friends and I went there, dressed in our Sunday's best in order to blend in with the crowd. Most of these people were rich millionaires, their noses so high above the air, it was disgusting. It was easy to steal from them when they were too busy bragging about their accomplishments. It is sad, but I felt no guilt in taking what was theirs. Maybe if they learned to be generous, I would have never felt the need to hate them. But I did, with all my heart. I didn't quite understand why I had to live so poorly, when they could afford to buy anything they ever wanted. It wasn't fair," he paused then, staring at his daughter who watched him closely.
"It was then that I saw your mother. But it wasn't love at first sight. I saw her surrounded by her wealth and power and I despised her. She, I felt, was below me. I decided that I would steal the diamonds right off her neck and arms, to teach her a lesson. I watched her laugh and drink her wine and cursed her as I approached. She had no idea I was coming, it was all too easy. But as I neared her, I watched as her hair glistened in the sun, the way the back of her dress twirled when she made a move and right then I felt my heart beat. But, the hate was still inside me somewhere. And that hate reached over and slowly reached over to her. But at that instant, when my hate was at its climax, she tripped over her beautiful twirling gown and fell backwards into my arms. She did not let out a scream, she just sat in my arms, and her eyes closed, her heart beating with mine. She turned to me and that was when I knew I needed to be with her—that I loved her," Her father turned away and placed his hands on either side of the armchair. Sango moved closer to her beloved father and asked:
"Father, what happened?"
He turned to her, sadness entering into his eyes.
"She left her life for me and now I--" he paused and started to cry. Sango hugged her father's knee and told him she loved him, told him it was okay to cry.
"I've condemned her to death!" he yelled.
"Don't say that! You love her! Mother loves you!" "But love did not bring us the life I expected to provide for her. I thought with her love I could be able to do anything but it didn't happen. Instead, I brought her into my life, my death. She lies there now because of me. Because I don't have enough for her to live!" he cried.
Sango nestled inside her father's lap and cried, "Father, you have given mom more than anyone can ever give her. You loved her with all your heart."
Her father looked down at her, patted her head and was about to say that love was not enough when she heard his wife call for him. He thought it was in his head at first but it was when his daughter's head popped up and called, "Mommy?" that he knew it was real.
They raced into her room and watched as she shifted slightly and then turn to open her eyes, which were greatly blurry at first. In seconds her eyesight recovered and she lied there staring at her crying family. ---
Sango felt a tear slide down her cheek but it marked her happiness, not a symbol of sadness. She had wanted to stay by her mother's side, but her father insisted she go see Miroku while he had a moment with her mother. Sango remembered her father touch her shoulder before she walked out the door and say "Follow your own love."
But when she met Miroku, she instantly knew his mind was somewhere else, even as she cried about the good news. That day, he talked little, showed little affection, and hardly even yelled at her when she playfully hit him on his arm. That was always a bad sign. And even just a while ago, talking on the bench, she felt the same eerie sense that something wasn't right with her Miroku. She saw him as another person and it hurt her to see him this way. What was even more troubling was the fact that he never smiled anymore. She missed the way he smiled. It sent shivers down her back knowing he had something in his mind, something he didn't even want her to know.
'Miroku, what's wrong?' she thought. She tried to search for him but could not find him. She figured he went home, which was odd because he had always asked her first if she wanted to walk together. She shrugged and tried to search for Kagome instead. When Miroku was ready, he would come to her. But, sadly, Miroku, his mind confused and dazed, was battling with his own inner thoughts.
--
Inuyasha packed his stuff and headed out the door just minutes after Sango departed. He was still deeply confused about unveiling his true feelings. He was getting soft, he knew, but somehow acting tough no longer meant so much to him. Strolling across the school, he decided to first stop by his locker because he had forgotten his math book. He knew that it was happening again, he was slowly failing his classes. He bowed his head and sighed. He had worked so hard to make sure his grades didn't fall but it was no use. No matter how much he tried he just couldn't understand anything. Inuyasha remembered all of the sleepless nights just trying to finish his homework, homework that an average person would probably finish in minutes. But he was not an average person. He wished he had the brains of a genius then he wouldn't feel like he was letting down his family so much, the thought had always pained him inside.
His parents thought he wasn't putting enough effort in his school work, if only they knew how hard even the simplest problems of math are for him. But he knew no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pretend he was smart. He had never tried too hard to excel like he did here. And he knew that the main reason he didn't want to fail was because he didn't want to leave again because leaving meant leaving the one person he lo—
"Bakemono!" he heard someone yell behind him, causing his thoughts to be cut short. Inuyasha turned and saw the same brown eyes staring at him he did only three months ago.
The figure approached him, armed with his trusty sidekick, Bobo. They were smirking now, their hands in their pockets.
Inuyasha did not speak, he just watched them, keeping a ready arm by his side incase they decide to attack.
"Why the fuck you never talk? You go kick our asses and never once does your mouth move? Are you mute or just a little dumb?" Naraku asks, steadily approaching the fuming Inuyasha, his hands squeezed into a fist.
"Check this out Bobo, we got ourselves a dumbass!" he says chuckling like a moron. He looks over at Bobo, pointing at Inuyasha. Bobo snorts and slowly approaches Inuyasha as well.
"Hey dumbass!" Naraku yells now just a few inches away from Inuyasha. He lowers his voice, leans towards Inuyasha and whispers, "Where's your little girlfriend, I wouldn't mind having a piece of that ass?"
Inuyasha, trying desperately hard to ignore the asshole, turns to his side but the remark sparked a trigger and he felt his arm rise and his fist fall onto Naraku, still madly chuckling.
Between punches to the face he yelled, "Bobo, get your fat ass over here!"
But instead of immediately running to the rescue of his friend, the asskisser turns towards the parking lot and runs.
Inuyasha laughs still punching the hell out of Naraku.
"Where's your little monkey now?" Naraku punches him on his left rib and with that Inuyasha falls to his side, cradling his bruised ribs. Naraku, finally finding an opportunity, jumps onto Inuyasha and begins punching him. Inuyasha covers his face from the blows but Naraku attacks at his side and Inuyasha is forced to bow his head in pain. All the while, Inuyasha saw flashes of his parents' face staring at him in disappointment.
Inuyasha frees himself from Naraku's punches and stands up. Naraku, quick on his feet too, jumps up and faces Inuyasha, blood smeared across his face. He takes a hand a wipes the drops of blood on his lips and then smiles.
"Why the fuck are you smiling?" Inuyasha asks as he punches him on his side. Naraku's top half immediately bows forward. He looks up at Inuyasha and continues to smile. Inuyasha hits him clear across the eyes out of sheer annoyance.
"You must really like the bitch. One little comment and your fists go on fire!" he says grinning from ear to ear.
"Would you stop calling her those names, you asshole!" Inuyasha steps forward, ready to continue punching the hell out of him when he sees from the corner of his eye his pet monkey Bobo.
"What the hell do you want? Can't you see I'm beating up your friend?" Inuyasha says.
Bobo stood there in silence as a one by one a group of about ten guys pile up behind him. Inuyasha froze as the gang approached him, their eyes fixed on his, their movements slow but hypnotic and beastlike.
Inuyasha stepped back one step but did not let his guard down. From behind him Naraku was laughing like a madman.
"Did you think we were going to let you get away with beating on us last time, Inuyasha? Did you think we were stupid enough to take you on our own?"
Inuyasha turned to him and smiled, "I don't expect much out of an asshole like you. Bring it on."
Slowly the gang approached him with Naraku. They circled him and Inuyasha stood watching them and knowing he might not get out alive. --
Kagome set the chalk on the board and sighed, she had gotten herself into detention again. It wasn't her fault she was late. She had slept little the night before. Who could blame her? Her sister was blackmailing her, her parents pretend she doesn't exist (I guess there's nothing new there), Sango and Miroku were too busy being adorable, and Inuyasha wasn't speaking to her. Even Shippo doesn't come around as often as he use to. Kagome sighed again and looked at her craftsmanship.
She had written I will not be late for school a hundred times. She turned to the teacher and asked, "May I go please?"
The detention monitor nodded his head and pointed to the door. Kagome picked up her things and lazily dragged her sorry ass out the door.
She turned from left to right as if she was facing traffic and headed out the doors of the high school sighing and talking to herself.
'My life sucks like balls. I think I need a hobby.'
'Homework. Math? No. History? No. Fuck! I have science. I hate science. That sucks like balls too.'
'I wish Inuyasha would speak to me. He is such a stubborn bastard!'
Kagome rushed towards her locker and quickly turned her combo. She opened it up and took out the science book, stuffing the bastard in her backpack. She turned towards the gates and yawned.
It was then that she heard someone whimpering. She turned, scared at first, but her fears quickly disappeared in her attempt to find where the sounds were coming from.
"Hello is anyone there?" she asked, calling out into the wind. The sounds ceased suddenly but as she was about to leave again it sounded again and Kagome followed them.
They lead her towards the back of the school. She followed the voice in caution, turning her head back every so often to make sure there was no one there. The paranoia heightened when she noticed the trail of blood just around the corner in the back parking lot. Kagome backed off at first unsure what to do.
She knew there was some one hurt, but she didn't know if that person was dangerous or not. 'Oh god, how about if it's some criminal, dragging blood across her school after he had been shot in his escape from the police? Or how about---no---if it's some psychopath killing someone as she's thinking right now?'
Kagome had seen blood (well except that of her own) only once when she was just ten years old.
-- Flashback:
Kagome was ten then. It occurred just after she had discovered the hidden passageway and her father's affair. She tried to act normal after she had seen her father with another woman but it was difficult. But considering the fact her family didn't pay much attention to her, she didn't have to explain her behavior. On the contrary they thought she was looking more cheerful. Dumbasses...
That night it was stormy—lighting, thunder, poring rain, the works. Kagome hid in her room listening to the thunder when she noticed outside her window a car drove into her driveway. It was her father's car. She was quite surprised he was there considering the fact he had said he was going to be on a business trip the day before. Kagome watched him struggle to park the car and then slowly open the door. Again he struggled to get out the car. He opened it with one hand, the other hand clutching his arm. Kagome saw the pain in his face and she was startled when he saw him fall to the ground. But he got up quickly, his body completely wet.
Kagome looked down at him and then she pried herself from the window. She headed out the door slowly and down the stairs. She saw from a distance her mother running towards him. She looked at him and slapped him clear across the face. The slap had so much rage and hatred in it that Kagome was thrown back from the shock. She steadily made her way down the stairs, praying to God they would not hear her.
She was thankful though that her sister was not there that night. She had snuck out of the house an hour ago to see her boyfriend. Kagome had never once told her parents what Kikyo was doing. Sure she wanted her to get into trouble. But if they knew what a bitch of a daughter Kikyo was, they would treat her as though she were going to turn evil also, which meant they would keep a closer eye on her.
Finally planting her feet on the marble floor, she tiptoed across the foyer and into the living room. Her parents were in the study, the room just across the living room. She did not peak out her head to see; she sat behind the couch and listened attentively as to what her parents we talking about:
"Meiwaku! Don't cry! Stop crying! I did it and it's done!" her father yelled, still clutching his arm.
"You bastard! If you hadn't--"
"But I did and it's over!"
"It will never be over! I loved you, I care--"
"Bullshit! You never loved me! You loved my money, you loved my name! You loved the power and wealth you would have if you married me!" he said, anger in his eyes.
Meiwaku sat there looking up at her husband. "So what if I did, that still didn't--"
"No it didn't, I know. But I think I--"
"You bastard! Don't even dare say it!" she pleaded, her body now off the chair and facing her husband.
"But I know I did. It doesn't matter now, even if I wasn't married to you, I could never have her. She's--"
"She's a little slut, that's what she is!" Her father stepped forward and slapped his wife across her face. She was thrown back from the pain and strength. She staggered to get up and face him, one hand on her cheek which was turning a slight shade of purple and blue.
"Sora....." she whimpered, calling out her husband's name.
"Meiwaku, you have no right to say that about her!" he roared.
"I wish I never fell in love with her either but what is done is done!" he continued.
Meiwaku sat on the floor cupping her cheek, "And what about..."
"It's finished. Now no one will ever know. Let us never remember this day and what has happened. I hear about it again and you get nothing when I die!"
With that her father left, clutching his arm. On the way out the door, Kagome pressed her body closed to the couch in attempt to hide from her father's view. But as he approached the couch, he turned a corner, turned to his wife still whimpering on the floor and sighed. Kagome saw from within his clutched arm, his hand was covered in blood and it dripped onto their marble floor. Kagome gasped but covered her mouth quickly, holding back tears.
However, Kagome never really understood what corresponded between her mother and father. She only knew her father had loved another woman which she had seen, which denied the effect of shock. But what had happened to her father? Why had he been bleeding? These were questions that knocked at her unconscious since she was little but throughout the five years since, she had never recalled the memory until now. -- Kagome turned around prepared to go home when she heard the whimpering again. Even if someone were being attacked right now, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight knowing she let it happen. And she already had enough trouble sleeping. Kagome gulped, took a step forward and continued on; following the blood as if grew darker and heavier.
The trail stopped suddenly and lead her to a group of dumpsters (the same dumpsters Miroku jumped in a few weeks ago). Kagome approached the dumpsters carefully and searched for a victim covered in blood.
"Is someone there? I'm not here to hurt you, just to help you."
The whimpering ceased and slowly a figure emerged from behind one if the dumpsters. Kagome stepped back at first as the shadowy figure stood there looking at her in pain. He emerged from the shadows and Kagome saw the blood dripping from his lips, his arms, and chest. She saw the bruises across his face and body and immediately ran to him. She did not hug him in fear of hurting him; she just stood there and looked into his eyes and then slowly rested her head on his shoulders and cried.
"Inuyasha....."
--
Kagome dug deeper into his chest and sighed. She felt safe there, next to him, enveloped in his arms. He did not resist her like he always did, instead he rose his hands in the air and then wrapped them around her, slightly dropping his head in relief.
Kagome did not know it but she suddenly felt her tears slide down her cheek and onto her love's white shirt, which was smeared with his own blood. She slowly but reluctantly tore herself from his arms and then looked up at him, placing one hand on his cheek. Again, he did not resist.
They looked deep into each other's eyes. "Inuyasha, what...."
"Kagome, I wish you hadn't seen me like this." He tore his head away from her soft comforting hands and then backed off slightly, his eyes no longer fixed on Kagome.
Kagome, her hand still in mid-air, pressed her fingers into a fist and then drew it towards her side.
"Don't do this Inuyasha! Don't pull away from me again! I won't let you anymore!" she yelled, anger imprinted deep within her throat which was harsh and coarse.
Inuyasha, still refusing to look at her, turned his head farther towards the shadows so that his features were no longer distinguishable.
Kagome looked at him, pain on her face. But she lowered her voice in desperation. "Inuyasha, I know you feel you have to ignore me, but I don't care what my family says, what your family says, what anyone says because..." she cut herself short, turning her head away.
Inuyasha gradually turned his head away from the shadows and drew his gaze curiously towards Kagome, "Kagome, I don't know why I'm doing this, I don't really understand what I am feeling inside. I feel so happy in a sad kind of way...I know it sounds crazy but whenever I see you I get this feeling inside that feels good but not."
"Inuyasha, I get that same feeling with you. But I think I already know why I'm feeling it."
Inuyasha stepped forward, completely leaving the shadow world now. He continued to walk towards Kagome until he was beside her. With her face still turned, she said, "Inuyasha, I feel this way because I..."
It was then that Inuyasha lifted her head with his bleeding hands and then turned her gaze towards his. He leaned in slowly still staring into her tearing eyes and then planted a soft kiss on her delicate lips, which tasted a little like strawberries. Surprised at first, she leaped back. Inuyasha let go of his hold on her chin and cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
Kagome shook her head and then wrapped her arms around his neck, which slowly brought his head towards hers. She kissed him then, delicately at first but then gradually pressing deeper into his lips until they were one. Kagome tasted the dripping blood from his lips but she did not care.
Inuyasha let go of the passionate kiss and stared at her, "I love you."
--
Miroku went through the gates of the school in a fierce run as though he were being chased, as though slowing down meant he'd die. Sango's rosy face was plastered across his mind, blinking the words betrayal across her cheery face. He did not want to accept it but he knew, after seeing her in Inuyasha's arms, that she no longer loved him as much as he loved her. But what had he done to make her go after a jerk like him? He tried to be the perfect boyfriend, the perfect friend, but it made no difference because in the end he had pushed away into the arms of that bastard!
Miroku continued to run, hitting and shoving anyone and anything that got in his way. He didn't want to face anyone, and for once in his life he couldn't bear to see Sango. He sped home in a fast rush, sweat forming and glistening on his forehead. The gates parted upon punching the code on the key pad and he dashed up the steps and threw open the door, his mind focusing on the stairs. He needed to be alone and cry his little eyes out.
(A/N: Ahhh! This is so hard to write, I LOVE MIROKU!)
On the way up, he bumped his knee and fell to the ground. He was emotionally drained, mentally anguished and now his big toe had a boo-boo. He sprawled into a small ball and wept. He cried for his broken heart, the absence of his mother and father, and for his pitiful self.
Upon hearing his son crying in pain, his mother darted out her room and was confronted by his broken hearted son who looked up at her and called to her upon seeing her figure over the doorframe. She ran to him and held him in her arms.
"What happened, Miroku? Why are you crying? You never cry," was all she said, in an effort to calm down her sobbing only child.
"She doesn't love me mommy, she doesn't love me anymore."
Upon hearing her son cry out, she immediately understood it had to do with Sango. Although it pained her to see her son in such agony, she was a little happy inside to know they might be over. She had always thought that Sango was never good enough for his son. It was cruel but true.
"Miroku, its okay, you just have to calm down and--" she was interrupted by her scowling son.
"Don't you understand, she doesn't love me anymore. She'll go away and I'll have no one!"
"You'll have me!"
"Oh cut the bullshit, mother! You are never there for me. You are always working. You don't care about me!" he screamed, throwing himself up and looking down at his mom with dangerously angry eyes.
"Don't talk like that! What happened to you?" she screamed, fearing the rage in her son. She knew then that this was an even bigger problem, one that may have stemmed from the lost of his father and of course her absence during most of his life.
"I opened my eyes mother. I see everything so clearly now. I don't need anyone. I can love my life alone." Miroku turned and headed for his room, his face streaked with tears.
"Miroku!" cried out his mother still planted on the ground.
"I'll be in my room. Don't disturb me," was all he said and then closed his room, turned on the lights and slept. This was the last time Miroku would ever be the same again.
--
"Kagome, I can't go here, how about if your parents are home?" he asked, looking from one direction to the next.
"Inuyasha, you are hurt and I'm not going to let you go home in pain..."
"Trust me I don't feel pain anymore," he said grinning, remembering the kiss they shared just a few minutes ago.
"Inuyasha, cut it out, you're bleeding for heavens sake. Besides, my parents aren't home, its Wednesday, they'd be at the local country club or whatever place those snobby rich folk go."
"How come you don't go?" he asked.
"I hate those things. Besides I'd see Kouga there."
Inuyasha felt onto her shoulder tighter and then paused, "Do you still see him?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked remembering the last time she did see him.
"You know, does he hang around you all the time?"
"Please, I think he got the message that I'd rather shoot myself in the head than go out with him. Why, you jealous?" she asked, holding him closer as she helped him up the street to her house.
"Me? No! I was just curious, that's all," he said, turning his beat red face. Kagome pulled his arms around her shoulders and continued to help him up the street until they made a complete stop in front of her house. She hesitated in pushing the command button. She knew the moment she stepped into the house, the monitors would be on her like Whitney Houston on coke.
"Inuyasha, see those monitors over there?" she said pointing to the cameras on either side of the opening gates.
"Yeah."
"If they videotape you, my parents see them."
"I see. Then, I better be going," he said, pulling his arm from around the comfort of her shoulders.
"No you can't. I won't let you. We just have to dodge them."
Inuyasha looked at Kagome and shook his head, "Kagome, they're too fast. It's impossible."
"If my sister can do it I can do it too," Kagome said, pushing the button and stating her name.
"I've already opened the gates, we have to do this now. Okay, they both simultaneously record the same area. So, when they both turn their heads towards the back of the gates, we run for it, make a stop at the side of the gate and then continue after they turn their heads again. That will give us enough time to run towards the steps. Are you going to be okay?"
Inuyasha nodded his head impressed by Kagome's plan. He felt so good inside, knowing someone cared about his so much they would risk getting caught by their parents. "Okay then, one...two...three...."
They dashed in hyper speed towards the gate, stopping just short of the inner fence and then waited in nervousness for the cameras to turn their backs and then ran towards the front of the house. Noticing Kagome was lagging behind, Inuyasha grabbed her hand and then pulled her forward. Kagome felt her heart race unevenly. She looked down at her hand in his and felt a little flustered. She thought she was behind these feelings now. 'I mean we have kissed already!' But yet, here she was still blushing from his touch.
Kagome leaped onto the last step and took out her key. Reaching over to unlock the door, Inuyasha touched her hand and pulled her away from the door.
"I hear something," he pushed over to the side of the house and then they gradually made their way behind the towering rose bushes. Kagome took a couple scrapes from the thorns but she did not say a word. She stared out from between thorns onto her sister and another girl. They proceeded to walk out the door but then Kikyo made an abrupt stop on the last step. The unknown girl, taken by surprise, flew backward but was miraculously saved by Kikyo by a single grab to the elbow. The girl looked up at her and tried to regain her balance.
Kagome immediately knew there was something wrong—there was always something wrong when it involved her sister. She listened carefully to their conversation.
"I don't want you dying on me—I need you too much for you to die now."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't care if I died tomorrow."
"You're right, I wouldn't care—however, you're much too important," her sister folded her hands and grinned.
"How do you sleep at night?" the girl asked, looking at her sister with fear in her eyes.
"Quite well actually."
"I've never met anyone like you before."
"Thank you."
"Someone so heartless like you," the girl said, her voice cracking.
"OH Rin, you're hurting my feelings and here I thought we were becoming close friends," Kikyo said, completing the comment with her twisted signature grin.
"I could never be friends with someone would ruin someone's life just because of money."
"Now see you wouldn't understand because let's see, you never had any money."
Rin backed off and continued to stare into Kikyo's eyes in bewilderment of her cruelty. Indeed she had never met someone like Kikyo, actually she never knew someone so horrible existed.
Kikyo stepped down from the final step and then stepped to the side, a signal she wanted Rin out of there. Rin got the hint and proceeded out the door. But before leaving, she turned to Kikyo a final time and said, "I will find out a way to bring you down."
Kikyo did not say a word. She was intrigued by her statement and to show it she just began to laugh. Rin walked out the gates in despair.
Kikyo stared at the gates and then quickly jumped into her car and then made a sharp reverse and a quick drive out the door, burning rubber on the way out
Kagome and Inuyasha emerged from the rose bushes and then slowly made their way into the house.
"Inuyasha..."
"You don't have to explain, I don't need to bother you with what's happening in your family."
"Okay. Just know my sister is one messed up freak."
"Yeah I can tell."
Kagome smiled and helped him to the family couch. He bent down slowly and sighed.
"I feel like my whole body is aching."
"I thought you would be use to it by now," Kagome joked.
Inuyasha glanced over at her and smiled.
"Yeah I guess so. But I've never been beat up by like ten guys at the same time."
"Ten?" Kagome gasped.
"Yeah, it was a little unexpected. I mean if it was only Naraku--"
"So Naraku did this to you?" Kagome asked, her hands on her hips, her body towering over Inuyasha.
"Yeah, I mean I could--" "Take off your shirt," Kagome demanded. Inuyasha turned to her and smiled.
"Kagome, it's a little soon, don't you think?"
"Don't be a perv, I need to make sure you don't bleed to death." Kagome turned to the kitchen, "I'm going to get a wash cloth."
Inuyasha watched her walk out the door and began to slowly unbutton his shirt, placing it slowly on the arm of the couch. He was glad the couch was of black leather, otherwise it would have been stained of his blood by now.
Kagome walked in, stopped short of seeing Inuyasha without his shirt on, and proceeded towards him nonchalantly.
She knelt down beside him and dipped the cloth in the bucket of warm water and then slowly rose her hands up to touch his wounds. He watched her nervously, never having been so close to a girl before.
Although Inuyasha was known for his fierce character, he was really so innocent inside. He wanted people to think he was tough, hard-core, and of course experienced. But here he was now, the closest he has been to a girl before—a girl he actually had feeling for.
Kagome tabbed the cloth on his wounds carefully. At the same time, Inuyasha was careful not to show how much it burned.
Kagome continued to clean his scrapes and bruises until the bucket transformed from a clear blue to a stark red.
"Inuyasha, can I ask you a question?" Kagome asked, now wiping the blood from his face.
"Yeah."
"What do your parents think of our situation?"
"You mean the feud?"
Kagome nodded.
"I don't even know if they think much about it. I mean I think they've met the Chikara's. They don't seem to talk about it much not after my uncle died a couple years ago."
"Your uncle died?" Kagome asked.
"Yeah, my dad believes it had something to do with the feud, so we moved away, five years ago, to try and get away from all the chaos. Or I think that's what happened, I was only twelve at the time. I hardly knew what was happening."
"I can't believe this. How do you know it was the feud that killed your uncle?"
"I don't but I saw it. I saw this guy, I can't remember what he looked like. He was so far into the darkness, his whole body was covered in shadows. But I heard the gun explode out the bullet which cut threw my uncle's heart and killed him instantly."
"I see."
"They were arguing about something. It had something to do with boundaries. I don't know, they just kept saying 'boundaries' over and over again. It's all a blur."
"Why were you there?"
"I was in the car with my uncle when this car just started following us. My uncle told me stay in the car until he found out what's going on. Of course he never came back. It sucks because he was the only one I could turn to, the only one that really did understand me."
"I'm sorry Inuyasha," Kagome said, planting her hand on his knee. It was then that she thought of a frightening thought.
"Inuyasha, does that mean it is someone I'm related to?"
"I don't think so. I mean its all about allies. The guy who shot my uncle could have been anyone connected to your side, someone you probably don't even know. It could be Kouga's father."
"Ha, that's impossible. His dad doesn't look like he'd even have the strength to hold a gun."
Inuyasha laughed, "Don't worry about it."
"Inuyasha, could it have been my father?" she asked nervously.
"I highly doubt it. As far as I know, our families, of this generation, have actually never met. They know of each other and the history but have never seen each other. I think if my dad and your dad passed by each other tomorrow they would have never looked twice, they'd be complete strangers."
Kagome smiled and placed the cloth on the floor.
"I'm just glad my uncle nailed the guy before he died."
Kagome opened her mouth and said, "What do you mean?"
"Well, I was watching from the backseat and I saw that after my uncle recognized the guy, he quickly shot the guy. Of course it didn't kill him. But still I had to admit he was a fast shooter."
Kagome's thoughts were flying in all directions. "Shot?"
"Yeah, I think on the arm."
Kagome turned away, shielding her face from the tears that were forming. 'No, it can't be true. It's a mistake, a misunderstanding.'
"Kagome, what's wrong?" Inuyasha asked, taking his hand and cupping it on her chin. He turned her face to face his.
"Nothing, I was just—just think I need to get you another shirt. I'll go do that." She pulled her self up but before she could escape from his grasp, he pulled her down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Kagome..." he said. She smiled and was about to tell him she was so grateful she had him when she heard her name being called from a distance. The two froze and then slowly both their eyes were fixed on the figure standing by the door.
Kagome immediately recognized him as Kouga.
--
A/N: hey guys, another chapter finished! Phew! That took awhile but it's done. So this chapter was a little serious but I had to start getting into the main stuff. If you're worried about Miroku, sorry you guys but he's going to go through some drama. I love him though! It sucks to do this to him...
So tune in and please REVIEW! THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE!
--co Tsukino
Disclaimer: YAWN!! Who's getting tired of these disclaimers?? I know I am...like I said...I don't own Inuyasha...yawn...
--
+Ch. 14: It's Spring, Love is Blossoming (Well kind of) +
--
Sango was glowing with happiness when she departed with Inuyasha, who was still battling with his mind about uncovering the truth to Sango, a girl he didn't even know that well. But, Sango had known that if she partnered up with him the truth would come out someday. She was just so giddy that it didn't take him more than 10 minutes to admit he loved Kagome. She smiled and skipped out of the doors of library, completely missing Miroku, who was still shaken by what he had seen.
Little did Sango know her boyfriend was watching her, mistaking her hug for an embrace of passion and all the while repeating the conversation between himself and Kagura in his mind.
Sango laughed remembering how she had nearly broken her leg in an attempt to partner up with Inuyasha before that bitch Naru did. But bruising her leg and having to put up with Inuyasha's abuse was all worth it if it meant seeing her best friend happy again. The thought of Kagome made her frown.
She wasn't much to talk to anymore, not after Inuyasha had left her alone that night and definitely not after her family cornered her when she got home that afternoon. Sango realized that although she wasn't as rich as Kagome, she was thankful for her parents—who were kind and understanding people. The thought of them revived her feeling of contentment
Her mind flashbacked to the minutes right before her mom woke up
Rewind:
Dad, I'm going to the park to meet Miroku. I will be back before dinner. Do you want me to pick up anything?" Sango yelled from across the room. Her father stood motionless in the easy chair, looking down at his hands and smiling.
"Dad, are you okay? If you aren't, I can meet Miroku some other time. Dad-- "
"You two remind me of your mother and me when I was your age," he said, chuckling to him-self and twirling his thumbs in circles.
"Dad, are you okay?" Sango asked uneasily.
"Did I ever tell you how your mother and me met, Sango dear?" he asked, looking up now at his daughter, stars in his eyes. Sango shook her head and approached her father, sitting by his knees as he looked down at her, his mind in the past.
"It is quite an odd story. Your mother and I were in two different worlds then. She was the daughter of the mayor and I was the local pick-pocket," he said smiling.
"My parents didn't have much money then and I stole to get by—using the money to buy food and clothes. I didn't like what I was doing but I did it to survive. I was only seventeen then, too naïve. Anyways, one day a group of my friends and I decided to go to the annual parade downtown. It was always easy money. I expected to get at least enough to buy half a year's worth of food; I never expected to fall in love.
"My friends and I went there, dressed in our Sunday's best in order to blend in with the crowd. Most of these people were rich millionaires, their noses so high above the air, it was disgusting. It was easy to steal from them when they were too busy bragging about their accomplishments. It is sad, but I felt no guilt in taking what was theirs. Maybe if they learned to be generous, I would have never felt the need to hate them. But I did, with all my heart. I didn't quite understand why I had to live so poorly, when they could afford to buy anything they ever wanted. It wasn't fair," he paused then, staring at his daughter who watched him closely.
"It was then that I saw your mother. But it wasn't love at first sight. I saw her surrounded by her wealth and power and I despised her. She, I felt, was below me. I decided that I would steal the diamonds right off her neck and arms, to teach her a lesson. I watched her laugh and drink her wine and cursed her as I approached. She had no idea I was coming, it was all too easy. But as I neared her, I watched as her hair glistened in the sun, the way the back of her dress twirled when she made a move and right then I felt my heart beat. But, the hate was still inside me somewhere. And that hate reached over and slowly reached over to her. But at that instant, when my hate was at its climax, she tripped over her beautiful twirling gown and fell backwards into my arms. She did not let out a scream, she just sat in my arms, and her eyes closed, her heart beating with mine. She turned to me and that was when I knew I needed to be with her—that I loved her," Her father turned away and placed his hands on either side of the armchair. Sango moved closer to her beloved father and asked:
"Father, what happened?"
He turned to her, sadness entering into his eyes.
"She left her life for me and now I--" he paused and started to cry. Sango hugged her father's knee and told him she loved him, told him it was okay to cry.
"I've condemned her to death!" he yelled.
"Don't say that! You love her! Mother loves you!" "But love did not bring us the life I expected to provide for her. I thought with her love I could be able to do anything but it didn't happen. Instead, I brought her into my life, my death. She lies there now because of me. Because I don't have enough for her to live!" he cried.
Sango nestled inside her father's lap and cried, "Father, you have given mom more than anyone can ever give her. You loved her with all your heart."
Her father looked down at her, patted her head and was about to say that love was not enough when she heard his wife call for him. He thought it was in his head at first but it was when his daughter's head popped up and called, "Mommy?" that he knew it was real.
They raced into her room and watched as she shifted slightly and then turn to open her eyes, which were greatly blurry at first. In seconds her eyesight recovered and she lied there staring at her crying family. ---
Sango felt a tear slide down her cheek but it marked her happiness, not a symbol of sadness. She had wanted to stay by her mother's side, but her father insisted she go see Miroku while he had a moment with her mother. Sango remembered her father touch her shoulder before she walked out the door and say "Follow your own love."
But when she met Miroku, she instantly knew his mind was somewhere else, even as she cried about the good news. That day, he talked little, showed little affection, and hardly even yelled at her when she playfully hit him on his arm. That was always a bad sign. And even just a while ago, talking on the bench, she felt the same eerie sense that something wasn't right with her Miroku. She saw him as another person and it hurt her to see him this way. What was even more troubling was the fact that he never smiled anymore. She missed the way he smiled. It sent shivers down her back knowing he had something in his mind, something he didn't even want her to know.
'Miroku, what's wrong?' she thought. She tried to search for him but could not find him. She figured he went home, which was odd because he had always asked her first if she wanted to walk together. She shrugged and tried to search for Kagome instead. When Miroku was ready, he would come to her. But, sadly, Miroku, his mind confused and dazed, was battling with his own inner thoughts.
--
Inuyasha packed his stuff and headed out the door just minutes after Sango departed. He was still deeply confused about unveiling his true feelings. He was getting soft, he knew, but somehow acting tough no longer meant so much to him. Strolling across the school, he decided to first stop by his locker because he had forgotten his math book. He knew that it was happening again, he was slowly failing his classes. He bowed his head and sighed. He had worked so hard to make sure his grades didn't fall but it was no use. No matter how much he tried he just couldn't understand anything. Inuyasha remembered all of the sleepless nights just trying to finish his homework, homework that an average person would probably finish in minutes. But he was not an average person. He wished he had the brains of a genius then he wouldn't feel like he was letting down his family so much, the thought had always pained him inside.
His parents thought he wasn't putting enough effort in his school work, if only they knew how hard even the simplest problems of math are for him. But he knew no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pretend he was smart. He had never tried too hard to excel like he did here. And he knew that the main reason he didn't want to fail was because he didn't want to leave again because leaving meant leaving the one person he lo—
"Bakemono!" he heard someone yell behind him, causing his thoughts to be cut short. Inuyasha turned and saw the same brown eyes staring at him he did only three months ago.
The figure approached him, armed with his trusty sidekick, Bobo. They were smirking now, their hands in their pockets.
Inuyasha did not speak, he just watched them, keeping a ready arm by his side incase they decide to attack.
"Why the fuck you never talk? You go kick our asses and never once does your mouth move? Are you mute or just a little dumb?" Naraku asks, steadily approaching the fuming Inuyasha, his hands squeezed into a fist.
"Check this out Bobo, we got ourselves a dumbass!" he says chuckling like a moron. He looks over at Bobo, pointing at Inuyasha. Bobo snorts and slowly approaches Inuyasha as well.
"Hey dumbass!" Naraku yells now just a few inches away from Inuyasha. He lowers his voice, leans towards Inuyasha and whispers, "Where's your little girlfriend, I wouldn't mind having a piece of that ass?"
Inuyasha, trying desperately hard to ignore the asshole, turns to his side but the remark sparked a trigger and he felt his arm rise and his fist fall onto Naraku, still madly chuckling.
Between punches to the face he yelled, "Bobo, get your fat ass over here!"
But instead of immediately running to the rescue of his friend, the asskisser turns towards the parking lot and runs.
Inuyasha laughs still punching the hell out of Naraku.
"Where's your little monkey now?" Naraku punches him on his left rib and with that Inuyasha falls to his side, cradling his bruised ribs. Naraku, finally finding an opportunity, jumps onto Inuyasha and begins punching him. Inuyasha covers his face from the blows but Naraku attacks at his side and Inuyasha is forced to bow his head in pain. All the while, Inuyasha saw flashes of his parents' face staring at him in disappointment.
Inuyasha frees himself from Naraku's punches and stands up. Naraku, quick on his feet too, jumps up and faces Inuyasha, blood smeared across his face. He takes a hand a wipes the drops of blood on his lips and then smiles.
"Why the fuck are you smiling?" Inuyasha asks as he punches him on his side. Naraku's top half immediately bows forward. He looks up at Inuyasha and continues to smile. Inuyasha hits him clear across the eyes out of sheer annoyance.
"You must really like the bitch. One little comment and your fists go on fire!" he says grinning from ear to ear.
"Would you stop calling her those names, you asshole!" Inuyasha steps forward, ready to continue punching the hell out of him when he sees from the corner of his eye his pet monkey Bobo.
"What the hell do you want? Can't you see I'm beating up your friend?" Inuyasha says.
Bobo stood there in silence as a one by one a group of about ten guys pile up behind him. Inuyasha froze as the gang approached him, their eyes fixed on his, their movements slow but hypnotic and beastlike.
Inuyasha stepped back one step but did not let his guard down. From behind him Naraku was laughing like a madman.
"Did you think we were going to let you get away with beating on us last time, Inuyasha? Did you think we were stupid enough to take you on our own?"
Inuyasha turned to him and smiled, "I don't expect much out of an asshole like you. Bring it on."
Slowly the gang approached him with Naraku. They circled him and Inuyasha stood watching them and knowing he might not get out alive. --
Kagome set the chalk on the board and sighed, she had gotten herself into detention again. It wasn't her fault she was late. She had slept little the night before. Who could blame her? Her sister was blackmailing her, her parents pretend she doesn't exist (I guess there's nothing new there), Sango and Miroku were too busy being adorable, and Inuyasha wasn't speaking to her. Even Shippo doesn't come around as often as he use to. Kagome sighed again and looked at her craftsmanship.
She had written I will not be late for school a hundred times. She turned to the teacher and asked, "May I go please?"
The detention monitor nodded his head and pointed to the door. Kagome picked up her things and lazily dragged her sorry ass out the door.
She turned from left to right as if she was facing traffic and headed out the doors of the high school sighing and talking to herself.
'My life sucks like balls. I think I need a hobby.'
'Homework. Math? No. History? No. Fuck! I have science. I hate science. That sucks like balls too.'
'I wish Inuyasha would speak to me. He is such a stubborn bastard!'
Kagome rushed towards her locker and quickly turned her combo. She opened it up and took out the science book, stuffing the bastard in her backpack. She turned towards the gates and yawned.
It was then that she heard someone whimpering. She turned, scared at first, but her fears quickly disappeared in her attempt to find where the sounds were coming from.
"Hello is anyone there?" she asked, calling out into the wind. The sounds ceased suddenly but as she was about to leave again it sounded again and Kagome followed them.
They lead her towards the back of the school. She followed the voice in caution, turning her head back every so often to make sure there was no one there. The paranoia heightened when she noticed the trail of blood just around the corner in the back parking lot. Kagome backed off at first unsure what to do.
She knew there was some one hurt, but she didn't know if that person was dangerous or not. 'Oh god, how about if it's some criminal, dragging blood across her school after he had been shot in his escape from the police? Or how about---no---if it's some psychopath killing someone as she's thinking right now?'
Kagome had seen blood (well except that of her own) only once when she was just ten years old.
-- Flashback:
Kagome was ten then. It occurred just after she had discovered the hidden passageway and her father's affair. She tried to act normal after she had seen her father with another woman but it was difficult. But considering the fact her family didn't pay much attention to her, she didn't have to explain her behavior. On the contrary they thought she was looking more cheerful. Dumbasses...
That night it was stormy—lighting, thunder, poring rain, the works. Kagome hid in her room listening to the thunder when she noticed outside her window a car drove into her driveway. It was her father's car. She was quite surprised he was there considering the fact he had said he was going to be on a business trip the day before. Kagome watched him struggle to park the car and then slowly open the door. Again he struggled to get out the car. He opened it with one hand, the other hand clutching his arm. Kagome saw the pain in his face and she was startled when he saw him fall to the ground. But he got up quickly, his body completely wet.
Kagome looked down at him and then she pried herself from the window. She headed out the door slowly and down the stairs. She saw from a distance her mother running towards him. She looked at him and slapped him clear across the face. The slap had so much rage and hatred in it that Kagome was thrown back from the shock. She steadily made her way down the stairs, praying to God they would not hear her.
She was thankful though that her sister was not there that night. She had snuck out of the house an hour ago to see her boyfriend. Kagome had never once told her parents what Kikyo was doing. Sure she wanted her to get into trouble. But if they knew what a bitch of a daughter Kikyo was, they would treat her as though she were going to turn evil also, which meant they would keep a closer eye on her.
Finally planting her feet on the marble floor, she tiptoed across the foyer and into the living room. Her parents were in the study, the room just across the living room. She did not peak out her head to see; she sat behind the couch and listened attentively as to what her parents we talking about:
"Meiwaku! Don't cry! Stop crying! I did it and it's done!" her father yelled, still clutching his arm.
"You bastard! If you hadn't--"
"But I did and it's over!"
"It will never be over! I loved you, I care--"
"Bullshit! You never loved me! You loved my money, you loved my name! You loved the power and wealth you would have if you married me!" he said, anger in his eyes.
Meiwaku sat there looking up at her husband. "So what if I did, that still didn't--"
"No it didn't, I know. But I think I--"
"You bastard! Don't even dare say it!" she pleaded, her body now off the chair and facing her husband.
"But I know I did. It doesn't matter now, even if I wasn't married to you, I could never have her. She's--"
"She's a little slut, that's what she is!" Her father stepped forward and slapped his wife across her face. She was thrown back from the pain and strength. She staggered to get up and face him, one hand on her cheek which was turning a slight shade of purple and blue.
"Sora....." she whimpered, calling out her husband's name.
"Meiwaku, you have no right to say that about her!" he roared.
"I wish I never fell in love with her either but what is done is done!" he continued.
Meiwaku sat on the floor cupping her cheek, "And what about..."
"It's finished. Now no one will ever know. Let us never remember this day and what has happened. I hear about it again and you get nothing when I die!"
With that her father left, clutching his arm. On the way out the door, Kagome pressed her body closed to the couch in attempt to hide from her father's view. But as he approached the couch, he turned a corner, turned to his wife still whimpering on the floor and sighed. Kagome saw from within his clutched arm, his hand was covered in blood and it dripped onto their marble floor. Kagome gasped but covered her mouth quickly, holding back tears.
However, Kagome never really understood what corresponded between her mother and father. She only knew her father had loved another woman which she had seen, which denied the effect of shock. But what had happened to her father? Why had he been bleeding? These were questions that knocked at her unconscious since she was little but throughout the five years since, she had never recalled the memory until now. -- Kagome turned around prepared to go home when she heard the whimpering again. Even if someone were being attacked right now, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight knowing she let it happen. And she already had enough trouble sleeping. Kagome gulped, took a step forward and continued on; following the blood as if grew darker and heavier.
The trail stopped suddenly and lead her to a group of dumpsters (the same dumpsters Miroku jumped in a few weeks ago). Kagome approached the dumpsters carefully and searched for a victim covered in blood.
"Is someone there? I'm not here to hurt you, just to help you."
The whimpering ceased and slowly a figure emerged from behind one if the dumpsters. Kagome stepped back at first as the shadowy figure stood there looking at her in pain. He emerged from the shadows and Kagome saw the blood dripping from his lips, his arms, and chest. She saw the bruises across his face and body and immediately ran to him. She did not hug him in fear of hurting him; she just stood there and looked into his eyes and then slowly rested her head on his shoulders and cried.
"Inuyasha....."
--
Kagome dug deeper into his chest and sighed. She felt safe there, next to him, enveloped in his arms. He did not resist her like he always did, instead he rose his hands in the air and then wrapped them around her, slightly dropping his head in relief.
Kagome did not know it but she suddenly felt her tears slide down her cheek and onto her love's white shirt, which was smeared with his own blood. She slowly but reluctantly tore herself from his arms and then looked up at him, placing one hand on his cheek. Again, he did not resist.
They looked deep into each other's eyes. "Inuyasha, what...."
"Kagome, I wish you hadn't seen me like this." He tore his head away from her soft comforting hands and then backed off slightly, his eyes no longer fixed on Kagome.
Kagome, her hand still in mid-air, pressed her fingers into a fist and then drew it towards her side.
"Don't do this Inuyasha! Don't pull away from me again! I won't let you anymore!" she yelled, anger imprinted deep within her throat which was harsh and coarse.
Inuyasha, still refusing to look at her, turned his head farther towards the shadows so that his features were no longer distinguishable.
Kagome looked at him, pain on her face. But she lowered her voice in desperation. "Inuyasha, I know you feel you have to ignore me, but I don't care what my family says, what your family says, what anyone says because..." she cut herself short, turning her head away.
Inuyasha gradually turned his head away from the shadows and drew his gaze curiously towards Kagome, "Kagome, I don't know why I'm doing this, I don't really understand what I am feeling inside. I feel so happy in a sad kind of way...I know it sounds crazy but whenever I see you I get this feeling inside that feels good but not."
"Inuyasha, I get that same feeling with you. But I think I already know why I'm feeling it."
Inuyasha stepped forward, completely leaving the shadow world now. He continued to walk towards Kagome until he was beside her. With her face still turned, she said, "Inuyasha, I feel this way because I..."
It was then that Inuyasha lifted her head with his bleeding hands and then turned her gaze towards his. He leaned in slowly still staring into her tearing eyes and then planted a soft kiss on her delicate lips, which tasted a little like strawberries. Surprised at first, she leaped back. Inuyasha let go of his hold on her chin and cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
Kagome shook her head and then wrapped her arms around his neck, which slowly brought his head towards hers. She kissed him then, delicately at first but then gradually pressing deeper into his lips until they were one. Kagome tasted the dripping blood from his lips but she did not care.
Inuyasha let go of the passionate kiss and stared at her, "I love you."
--
Miroku went through the gates of the school in a fierce run as though he were being chased, as though slowing down meant he'd die. Sango's rosy face was plastered across his mind, blinking the words betrayal across her cheery face. He did not want to accept it but he knew, after seeing her in Inuyasha's arms, that she no longer loved him as much as he loved her. But what had he done to make her go after a jerk like him? He tried to be the perfect boyfriend, the perfect friend, but it made no difference because in the end he had pushed away into the arms of that bastard!
Miroku continued to run, hitting and shoving anyone and anything that got in his way. He didn't want to face anyone, and for once in his life he couldn't bear to see Sango. He sped home in a fast rush, sweat forming and glistening on his forehead. The gates parted upon punching the code on the key pad and he dashed up the steps and threw open the door, his mind focusing on the stairs. He needed to be alone and cry his little eyes out.
(A/N: Ahhh! This is so hard to write, I LOVE MIROKU!)
On the way up, he bumped his knee and fell to the ground. He was emotionally drained, mentally anguished and now his big toe had a boo-boo. He sprawled into a small ball and wept. He cried for his broken heart, the absence of his mother and father, and for his pitiful self.
Upon hearing his son crying in pain, his mother darted out her room and was confronted by his broken hearted son who looked up at her and called to her upon seeing her figure over the doorframe. She ran to him and held him in her arms.
"What happened, Miroku? Why are you crying? You never cry," was all she said, in an effort to calm down her sobbing only child.
"She doesn't love me mommy, she doesn't love me anymore."
Upon hearing her son cry out, she immediately understood it had to do with Sango. Although it pained her to see her son in such agony, she was a little happy inside to know they might be over. She had always thought that Sango was never good enough for his son. It was cruel but true.
"Miroku, its okay, you just have to calm down and--" she was interrupted by her scowling son.
"Don't you understand, she doesn't love me anymore. She'll go away and I'll have no one!"
"You'll have me!"
"Oh cut the bullshit, mother! You are never there for me. You are always working. You don't care about me!" he screamed, throwing himself up and looking down at his mom with dangerously angry eyes.
"Don't talk like that! What happened to you?" she screamed, fearing the rage in her son. She knew then that this was an even bigger problem, one that may have stemmed from the lost of his father and of course her absence during most of his life.
"I opened my eyes mother. I see everything so clearly now. I don't need anyone. I can love my life alone." Miroku turned and headed for his room, his face streaked with tears.
"Miroku!" cried out his mother still planted on the ground.
"I'll be in my room. Don't disturb me," was all he said and then closed his room, turned on the lights and slept. This was the last time Miroku would ever be the same again.
--
"Kagome, I can't go here, how about if your parents are home?" he asked, looking from one direction to the next.
"Inuyasha, you are hurt and I'm not going to let you go home in pain..."
"Trust me I don't feel pain anymore," he said grinning, remembering the kiss they shared just a few minutes ago.
"Inuyasha, cut it out, you're bleeding for heavens sake. Besides, my parents aren't home, its Wednesday, they'd be at the local country club or whatever place those snobby rich folk go."
"How come you don't go?" he asked.
"I hate those things. Besides I'd see Kouga there."
Inuyasha felt onto her shoulder tighter and then paused, "Do you still see him?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" she asked remembering the last time she did see him.
"You know, does he hang around you all the time?"
"Please, I think he got the message that I'd rather shoot myself in the head than go out with him. Why, you jealous?" she asked, holding him closer as she helped him up the street to her house.
"Me? No! I was just curious, that's all," he said, turning his beat red face. Kagome pulled his arms around her shoulders and continued to help him up the street until they made a complete stop in front of her house. She hesitated in pushing the command button. She knew the moment she stepped into the house, the monitors would be on her like Whitney Houston on coke.
"Inuyasha, see those monitors over there?" she said pointing to the cameras on either side of the opening gates.
"Yeah."
"If they videotape you, my parents see them."
"I see. Then, I better be going," he said, pulling his arm from around the comfort of her shoulders.
"No you can't. I won't let you. We just have to dodge them."
Inuyasha looked at Kagome and shook his head, "Kagome, they're too fast. It's impossible."
"If my sister can do it I can do it too," Kagome said, pushing the button and stating her name.
"I've already opened the gates, we have to do this now. Okay, they both simultaneously record the same area. So, when they both turn their heads towards the back of the gates, we run for it, make a stop at the side of the gate and then continue after they turn their heads again. That will give us enough time to run towards the steps. Are you going to be okay?"
Inuyasha nodded his head impressed by Kagome's plan. He felt so good inside, knowing someone cared about his so much they would risk getting caught by their parents. "Okay then, one...two...three...."
They dashed in hyper speed towards the gate, stopping just short of the inner fence and then waited in nervousness for the cameras to turn their backs and then ran towards the front of the house. Noticing Kagome was lagging behind, Inuyasha grabbed her hand and then pulled her forward. Kagome felt her heart race unevenly. She looked down at her hand in his and felt a little flustered. She thought she was behind these feelings now. 'I mean we have kissed already!' But yet, here she was still blushing from his touch.
Kagome leaped onto the last step and took out her key. Reaching over to unlock the door, Inuyasha touched her hand and pulled her away from the door.
"I hear something," he pushed over to the side of the house and then they gradually made their way behind the towering rose bushes. Kagome took a couple scrapes from the thorns but she did not say a word. She stared out from between thorns onto her sister and another girl. They proceeded to walk out the door but then Kikyo made an abrupt stop on the last step. The unknown girl, taken by surprise, flew backward but was miraculously saved by Kikyo by a single grab to the elbow. The girl looked up at her and tried to regain her balance.
Kagome immediately knew there was something wrong—there was always something wrong when it involved her sister. She listened carefully to their conversation.
"I don't want you dying on me—I need you too much for you to die now."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't care if I died tomorrow."
"You're right, I wouldn't care—however, you're much too important," her sister folded her hands and grinned.
"How do you sleep at night?" the girl asked, looking at her sister with fear in her eyes.
"Quite well actually."
"I've never met anyone like you before."
"Thank you."
"Someone so heartless like you," the girl said, her voice cracking.
"OH Rin, you're hurting my feelings and here I thought we were becoming close friends," Kikyo said, completing the comment with her twisted signature grin.
"I could never be friends with someone would ruin someone's life just because of money."
"Now see you wouldn't understand because let's see, you never had any money."
Rin backed off and continued to stare into Kikyo's eyes in bewilderment of her cruelty. Indeed she had never met someone like Kikyo, actually she never knew someone so horrible existed.
Kikyo stepped down from the final step and then stepped to the side, a signal she wanted Rin out of there. Rin got the hint and proceeded out the door. But before leaving, she turned to Kikyo a final time and said, "I will find out a way to bring you down."
Kikyo did not say a word. She was intrigued by her statement and to show it she just began to laugh. Rin walked out the gates in despair.
Kikyo stared at the gates and then quickly jumped into her car and then made a sharp reverse and a quick drive out the door, burning rubber on the way out
Kagome and Inuyasha emerged from the rose bushes and then slowly made their way into the house.
"Inuyasha..."
"You don't have to explain, I don't need to bother you with what's happening in your family."
"Okay. Just know my sister is one messed up freak."
"Yeah I can tell."
Kagome smiled and helped him to the family couch. He bent down slowly and sighed.
"I feel like my whole body is aching."
"I thought you would be use to it by now," Kagome joked.
Inuyasha glanced over at her and smiled.
"Yeah I guess so. But I've never been beat up by like ten guys at the same time."
"Ten?" Kagome gasped.
"Yeah, it was a little unexpected. I mean if it was only Naraku--"
"So Naraku did this to you?" Kagome asked, her hands on her hips, her body towering over Inuyasha.
"Yeah, I mean I could--" "Take off your shirt," Kagome demanded. Inuyasha turned to her and smiled.
"Kagome, it's a little soon, don't you think?"
"Don't be a perv, I need to make sure you don't bleed to death." Kagome turned to the kitchen, "I'm going to get a wash cloth."
Inuyasha watched her walk out the door and began to slowly unbutton his shirt, placing it slowly on the arm of the couch. He was glad the couch was of black leather, otherwise it would have been stained of his blood by now.
Kagome walked in, stopped short of seeing Inuyasha without his shirt on, and proceeded towards him nonchalantly.
She knelt down beside him and dipped the cloth in the bucket of warm water and then slowly rose her hands up to touch his wounds. He watched her nervously, never having been so close to a girl before.
Although Inuyasha was known for his fierce character, he was really so innocent inside. He wanted people to think he was tough, hard-core, and of course experienced. But here he was now, the closest he has been to a girl before—a girl he actually had feeling for.
Kagome tabbed the cloth on his wounds carefully. At the same time, Inuyasha was careful not to show how much it burned.
Kagome continued to clean his scrapes and bruises until the bucket transformed from a clear blue to a stark red.
"Inuyasha, can I ask you a question?" Kagome asked, now wiping the blood from his face.
"Yeah."
"What do your parents think of our situation?"
"You mean the feud?"
Kagome nodded.
"I don't even know if they think much about it. I mean I think they've met the Chikara's. They don't seem to talk about it much not after my uncle died a couple years ago."
"Your uncle died?" Kagome asked.
"Yeah, my dad believes it had something to do with the feud, so we moved away, five years ago, to try and get away from all the chaos. Or I think that's what happened, I was only twelve at the time. I hardly knew what was happening."
"I can't believe this. How do you know it was the feud that killed your uncle?"
"I don't but I saw it. I saw this guy, I can't remember what he looked like. He was so far into the darkness, his whole body was covered in shadows. But I heard the gun explode out the bullet which cut threw my uncle's heart and killed him instantly."
"I see."
"They were arguing about something. It had something to do with boundaries. I don't know, they just kept saying 'boundaries' over and over again. It's all a blur."
"Why were you there?"
"I was in the car with my uncle when this car just started following us. My uncle told me stay in the car until he found out what's going on. Of course he never came back. It sucks because he was the only one I could turn to, the only one that really did understand me."
"I'm sorry Inuyasha," Kagome said, planting her hand on his knee. It was then that she thought of a frightening thought.
"Inuyasha, does that mean it is someone I'm related to?"
"I don't think so. I mean its all about allies. The guy who shot my uncle could have been anyone connected to your side, someone you probably don't even know. It could be Kouga's father."
"Ha, that's impossible. His dad doesn't look like he'd even have the strength to hold a gun."
Inuyasha laughed, "Don't worry about it."
"Inuyasha, could it have been my father?" she asked nervously.
"I highly doubt it. As far as I know, our families, of this generation, have actually never met. They know of each other and the history but have never seen each other. I think if my dad and your dad passed by each other tomorrow they would have never looked twice, they'd be complete strangers."
Kagome smiled and placed the cloth on the floor.
"I'm just glad my uncle nailed the guy before he died."
Kagome opened her mouth and said, "What do you mean?"
"Well, I was watching from the backseat and I saw that after my uncle recognized the guy, he quickly shot the guy. Of course it didn't kill him. But still I had to admit he was a fast shooter."
Kagome's thoughts were flying in all directions. "Shot?"
"Yeah, I think on the arm."
Kagome turned away, shielding her face from the tears that were forming. 'No, it can't be true. It's a mistake, a misunderstanding.'
"Kagome, what's wrong?" Inuyasha asked, taking his hand and cupping it on her chin. He turned her face to face his.
"Nothing, I was just—just think I need to get you another shirt. I'll go do that." She pulled her self up but before she could escape from his grasp, he pulled her down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Kagome..." he said. She smiled and was about to tell him she was so grateful she had him when she heard her name being called from a distance. The two froze and then slowly both their eyes were fixed on the figure standing by the door.
Kagome immediately recognized him as Kouga.
--
A/N: hey guys, another chapter finished! Phew! That took awhile but it's done. So this chapter was a little serious but I had to start getting into the main stuff. If you're worried about Miroku, sorry you guys but he's going to go through some drama. I love him though! It sucks to do this to him...
So tune in and please REVIEW! THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE!
--co Tsukino