CHAPTER 2: COPING

Sango watched her friend, no her sister, practically flee from Inuyasha. She could feel a hot pressure on her chest, and knew what it was. Outrage. Ripping herself form Miroku restraining grip, she stalked up to Inuyasha. He turned just as she swung. She caught him square in the jaw, and hit so hard she almost broke her hand. But it felt good. He didn't flinch or winch or cry out, he only kept his gaze to the side, refusing to meet her hurt eyes.

"That was for Kagome, cause she's too kind to do it," Sango hissed at him. She watched as Kikyou put her hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and worry over him. It only caused her to become angrier. But Miroku had caught up to her and grabbed her in time to stop her second punch.

Sango thrashing against his hands, eyes hot on Kikyou, "why are you even bothering you stupid clay pot? He was fine before you got here, so just leave."

"Sango!" Miroku hissed in her ear, but she paid no heed.

Kikyou raised her cold eyes to Sango, "I have an obligation, not only to Inuyasha but to make the Shikon no Tama whole again and destroy it." She then wrapped her hand around Inuyasha's waist protectively, convincingly, and watched Sango struggled uselessly against the monk.

"You bitch! You just want to hurt him! You don't give a shit about him unless it's taking him to hell!"

"That's enough!" Inuyasha barked, his hollow eyes cutting to her. She was taken aback by his tone, and stopped. But she gritted her teeth and snarled at him.

"You damn right that's enough. Enough of your shit! Consider yourself one more member short," Sango straightened and walked back to gather Hiraikotsu. She picked up Shippo and sped out the door.

"Sango! Wait!" Miroku called after her, glancing Inuyasha's way. He caught a glimpse of sadness but it was covered quickly. He rushed out the hut and went after Sango. He saw her walking fast, Shippo curled miserably on her shoulder, Hiraikotsu strapped to her back.

"Sango! Just wait a second!" he reached a hand out to her. He couldn't let her do this.

"Don't even bother Miroku! I'm leaving the good for nothing bastard and his clay pot of a bitch and never coming back," she cried and crossed her arms. She hunched over as his hand grabbed her shoulder swung her around.

"Just listen to me Sango, please," Miroku pleaded as he tried to get her to look at him, "just listen. You know you can't do this, you can't leave. You still have to avenge you village and it not going to happen if you leave! You still need Inuyasha to help you."

He noticed her shoulders shaking. She looked up at him with teary eyes, lips quivering. His face softened and he rubbed her arms comfortingly. She gasped and shook more. Giving up, she leaned forward and fell into his arms, sobs racking her form. It was a bit awkward with Hiraikotsu, but Miroku managed to wrap his arms around her and hold her fiercely. She only welcomed the feel of something real. Shippo escaped the grasp and sat on the ground staring blankly at the dirt.

"I just...I just don't understand!" Sango cried, sobbing harder, "how could he do that? How could he hurt her? What was he thinking?"

Miroku stroked her hair sadly. He too asked himself this. "He said himself things were getting dangerous, maybe this is for the better. Maybe he did this to protect Kagome, for her own good."

Sango pushed away form Miroku's warm arms hard and stood staring hotly at him. "Her own good?! He would never know what was good for her! He never has and never will!"

Miroku held his hands for peace, "please Sango, and just reason it. She's safer there. And don't get me wrong, Kagome meant just as much to me as she did you, but please, just understand this is for her safety."

Sango snorted loudly, "She might be safe form demons, but what of herself? Who will protect her from herself?"

Miroku's lips thinned to a grim line. He had no answer. 'Inuyasha, you fool! What have you done?' "Please Sango, just come back."

"No, not if I have to see him," she hissed.

"Then don't see him, ignore him. But please just don't leave..." he straightened and caught himself. Sango gave him a confused look, but quickly looked away. Miroku relaxed. He had almost given himself away.

"Listen, Sango, when all is said and done, when Naraku's dead and gone, you can leave and you'll never have to see Inuyasha again, but I know just as you do we cant leave yet. We still have a quest to fulfill. Just not yet."

Sango looked back to him sighed, he was right. She still needed Inuyasha's help whether she liked it or not. Crossing her arms against the sudden chill, she picked up a somber Shippo and joined Miroku back to the hut.

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Kagome came out the other side of the well, breathing heavily. She had to make it back, back to her room her heaven before anyone saw her. Or she would break. But as she stumbled to her home, she found her tear ducts betray her and fill her eyes with tears. Her hand shook as she went to grab the knob. 'No, just a bit further...' but she could go no further. Gasping, she fell to her knees and hands and shook and trembled badly. She took deep breaths to try and fight off the sobs that wanted to escape.

How? How could he do this? Inuyasha why? Why did he look at her like nothing? Why was his gaze so cold? Why did he say those things? Why did he break her heart into a million pieces? Kagome collapsed to her elbows in despair. Her whimpering grew louder. This didn't make sense, why does have to happen to her? Why did the gods curse her? Why was she made to live pain she never wanted to feel? And so the sobs came, flowing free and fast. She barely had time for a breath in between.

The door in front of her opened. "Kagome?" her mother whispered. She looked up with pain filled eyes at her mother, her caretaker, her only source of love. Her mother gasped at her, her insides turning to stone at the sight. Her daughter's eyes bore so much pain, so much hurt, something no girl should ever have.

"Kagome!" her mother bent and wrapped her daughter in an embrace, holding her tight. And Kagome let lose, soaking her mothers shirt with tears. Her hair was stroked as she wore out her eyes. Her mother rocked, whispering endearments to her.

Oh god, what happened Kagome? Why are you this why? Why must I see the pain no mother wants to see in their child's eyes? Her mother pulled back and wiped her face, tucking back her wet bangs. She could feel tears of her own coming.

"Kagome, what happened?" she whispered. Kagome's mouth trembled more.

"Mama...he...he...he pushed me away! He s-said he didn't n-n-need m-me anymore!" Kagome cried and broke down again. Her mother only gathered her again, rocking her like a baby, kissing her forehead. They paid no mind to Souta who heard the hysterics, and was now wiping at his cheeks.

The chirping of birds. She could hear it. She opened her eyes, but hissed as sun hit them. Rubbing her eyes, Kagome sat up and scowled at her window. Why were those birds so fucking happy? They shouldn't be, not if they felt what she did. Her face went blank as she continued to stare at the window. It's been two weeks...just two. But it felt like years. She sighed, repressing the pressure form her chest. As it passed near her heart, it sent a cold wave through her body. She rubbed a hand there, curious. But remembered soon enough. She forgotten for a moment that it was empty, her chest was empty. Why was that? Because it had been torn from there and shredded to little pieces before her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Two weeks...

Two weeks since she's seen Sango, or Miroku, or Shippo, hell she even missed Kouga's robust attitude. And though she hated to admit it, she missed Inuyasha. She missed his cockiness, his loud mouth, his uncaring attitude, and she missed sitting him. But also his kindness, his will to protect her, his fierceness, his strength. God, she just missed him. why? Did he do this? She thought he liked her, cared for her. But she should have known batter, should have. Her eyes squinted. But why? He had no right to do that, none at all. She came of her own free will; she jumped down that well knowing full well what she was doing. And she was the one who had started all of this. She was the one who had the shikon in her body, who was dragged down the well, the one who freed him from the tree. So why did he push her away? Hell, he should be grateful! That stupid bastard! Her useless? I think not! Who was the one who freed him? Who was the one who saved him from Kikyou? Who kept him under control cause he doesn't know how to behave? Who? Kagome, that's who. And he thinks he can just throw her away like all that happened between them was nothing? By damn no!

Her fists tensed, and she thought again. But what if she went back? Would she be able to look at him? Be able to see him again? And what of her friends? She groaned as she rested her head in her hands. No she couldn't, it was still too soon. But damn it if she was useless, then couldn't she prove herself worthy? Didn't she have that right?

She heard laughing downstairs. Kagome frowned, who could be happy? First the stupid birds and now her family. Didn't they know this was a hard time? Didn't they support her? Rubbing the cold spot that was her heart, she headed downstairs to see what all the 'greatness' was. Sleepily she turned the corner and stopped. There her family sat, Souta in one chair, her mother and grandfather across form him. And a mysterious man at their side. They had been laughing before she walked in, but stopped when they saw her. The air grew tense. She felt like a freak show the way they were staring at her.

Feeling the discomfort rise, her mother spoke first, "uh, good morning honey. We were just finishing breakfast. Have a seat and I'll get you something."

Kagome didn't pay attention as her mother got up and went to the counter. The room stayed quiet as she sat. She stared blankly at the table. She was consciously aware of the conversation starting up again, but paid no mind. She doubted she would even care, when her mother placed a plate of something in front of her, she ignored it. She stayed that way until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find the mysterious man trying to get her attention. His tanned skin was stretching over hard features, a crooked nose evidence of its break. What grabbed her were his eyes. They were pale blue, nothing else. He was blind.

"What ails you child? Sadness is pouring off of you," his thick voice flowed over her, making her feel like a child.

This made her angry and she snapped at him unintentionally, "What is it to you?"

Her grandfather gasped and sputtered, "Kagome! I am so sorry for my granddaughter's rudeness Nishi-"

Nishi held up his hand, "no need dear friend. It is quite obvious this child is in pain. I only asked girl cause your tension is getting to me."

Kagome looked away. The stranger left her to herself. She was a strange one.

"So Nishi," Jii-chan spoke, "how is the dojo?"

"Quite well," Nishi lifted his tine, "my last student has just mastered the technique and is on his way. Now, I wait for another."

"Dojo?" Kagome's whispered question almost went unnoticed. But Nishi-sensei heard her.

::::::::::well? I don't know, maybe I shouldn't go forward. I just don't think you'll like it, I mean, no one's paid any attention to it...:::::::::::