Number One Priority: Chapter 12
What was he thinking? Inuyasha looked around his strange environment and then down at his nude body. He groaned when he remembered his night of taking his best friend on the town.
He could hear the water in the shower running so he decided the easiest way to avoid any sorts of clingy woman attachments would be to leave now while he had the opportunity. He tied his long silvery hair in a loose knot and slipped back on his clothes and ran out of the apartment before he even had time to put on his shoes.
The stairs were always the way to go after pulling a one-night stand with no intentions of any repercussions. He didn't need some manic-depressive female entering his life. Granted he didn't exactly remember much about this particular woman, but she would no doubt be that sort.
As he stepped outside of the apartment complex he allowed the cool morning breeze to refresh his dulled wits. He shook his head as he rubbed his chin and felt the stubble of face that needed shaved. Kikyo was right about him. She had told them in high school that they could never have a relationship because they were of two different worlds.
She was now engaged to a future doctor, Suikotsu. Inuyasha was a frat boy who liked to drink, party, and have sex without the bother of commitments. And he was trying to find his place in life without the help of his father. A low growl vibrated through out his chest as he thought about his overbearing father. He still couldn't believe he made him return early because of Sesshoumaru's behavior!
Inuyasha was curious about what happened with Miroku after he left him at the bar with that woman. Hopefully Miroku would enjoy himself and now worry about the consequences. Heck, Miroku never let the consequences or possible emotional baggage effect his actions before. Why would he start now?
"Hey! Inuyasha!" A voice called from behind. Inuyasha turned to look at whoever would be running into him on the streets of such a large city at such a god forsaken hour.
"What the hell are you doing up?" Inuyasha demanded, crossing his arms and trying to look down at the man before him.
Tasuki's topaz hued eyes narrowed at Inuyasha as he came to a stop in front of him. "That's quite greeting you have there," Tasuki replied sharply. His gaze cut Inuyasha down to size and the formers arms slowly uncrossed and fell to his side.
"Keh," Inuyasha intelligently replied with his infamous retort. "Are you off to work or something?"
Tasuki nodded his head. "Yeah, I was just curious to know if you had anything to do with Miroku bringing home a girl last night."
Inuyasha shrugged. "He's my roommate but what he does is his own business. How should I know what skeletons he keeps in his closet?"
"I don't believe you, but that doesn't matter. When you get home you better make sure that he steers clear of the laboratory today and that he doesn't bother Kagome." Tasuki cracked his knuckles before continuing. "If he does he'll have a pissed off pair of wolves to deal with."
After snorting at the comment, Inuyaha replied, "You and that fool Kouga still referring to yourselves as wolves? I thought you had long sense abandoned that gang."
"Old habits die hard, Inuyasha, you should know that. Besides, once a wolf you're always a wolf. We may have joined the fraternity but we are first and foremost wolves. And you know how wolves protect the women that they love." Tasuki explained as he got right in Inuyasha's face. "And don't doubt that Kouga and I care a great deal about Kagome even if that means we become pitted against you and Miroku."
A large yawn escaped Inuyasha and he rolled his eyes at his old friend. "Keh, whatever. She's just a girl."
Tasuki merely stared at Inuyasha in such a way that it caused shivers of apprehension to race down Inuyaha's spine. "Fine, I'll keep that in mind." Inuyasha agreed before deciding that he wouldn't return to his apartment just yet, in case Miroku had a guest over. Some coffee would be good right about now.
Tasuki nodded his head and then continued on his way to the lab. If he hadn't forbidden Miroku from entering the laboratory today he could have come in later. But since he would be covering his shift he needed to spend longer hours on the job.
During the night, Kagome feel sound asleep in Tasuki's arms. It was all he could do to stop himself from enjoying the feel of her within his embrace. What he really wanted to do was simply slip deep inside the covers of his bed and hold her throughout the night hours.
However, in spite of other's opinions, Tasuki was a gentleman. He may have been foul mouthed and tended to be attracted to unruly women that were bad for his health, but he had never been accused of taking advantage of dear friend. And in the very least, Kagome had become someone precious to him. She was too emotionally scarred from her childhood trauma and her recent rollercoaster rides regarding this Hojo, and then Hotohori, and then finally Miroku.
Tasuki doubted that she had even considered him amongst the list of her would-be suitors. So, as soon as she had fallen into a deep sleep he had gotten out of bed and woke up Kouga. He informed his friend that Kagome was staying the night at their apartment and he would have to leave earlier. Kouga had agreed to take her back to her apartment and see if Hotohori or Sesshoumaru were present to look after her.
She may have been a grown woman, but Tasuki would take all measures necessary to prevent future harms from befalling the young woman. The large brick building that housed the laboratory came into view and Tasuki looked at his watch and sighed.
It was going to be a long day.
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Hotohori smiled as he adjusted his hair in front of his full length mirror. Kouga had called him half an hour earlier to see if he could possibly include Kagome in his plans for the day.
Since Hotohori had intended on having Kagome accompany him to the shoot in hopes that she might change her mind and come on his tour he had responded enthusiastically. He could hear the voices of Kagome and Sesshoumaru coming from the kitchen, apparently Kouga had to leave early for work.
Sesshoumaru was making some of his famous breakfast. His culinary skills were superior to even the best of chefs that Hotohori had access to. The aroma of bacon and eggs was simple and yet mouth watering at the same time.
After a final adjustment to his long coppery brown locks, Hotohori opened his door and snuck up behind Kagome. She failed to notice him and jumped, much to his delight when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. As soon as a stray lock of his hair, which was carefully removed from the tie at the base of his neck, brushed against her cheek she melted against his torso.
"Doesn't it smell good?" Kagome greeted, enjoying the sense of camaraderie and acceptance she felt in the presence of the four men that had salvaged her impression of the male species that day.
Hotohori shook his head negatively at her throat as he buried his nose in her sweet smelling hair. Unfortunately he could also detect some of Tasuki's aftershave in her raven locks. Normally he wouldn't even notice something like that, but he had picked up that particular bottle for Tasuki a couple of weeks ago when one of his sponsors had given him a great deal of health and beauty supplies.
Sesshoumaru paused as he was about to place the eggs onto a plate at Hotohori's answer. He had expected a positive remark, he could feel his anger rising. If someone insulted his cooking that ranked high on his hit list. That person would soon find themselves miserable if he had anything to do with it. Only one thing bothered him more an unsavatory comment on his culinary skills. That one thing was a stalker by the name of Jaken that had followed him around freshman year until he could get a court order to restrain the psycho.
Having someone at your beck and call, willing to call you master was one thing. Having someone who was utterly repulsive to look at doing so was completely disturbing.
Hotohori caught the look and grinned. "I was going to say it isn't good because it is amazingly great."
Sesshoumaru inclined his head at the compliment. That was more along the lines he had expected. "When will you two be leaving?" Sesshoumaru inquired, trying to make himself sound interested in their business. Really he simply wanted the apartment to himself. His boss was still unaware of his return to the city so he was taking time off and enjoying what was left of his break.
Hotohori squeezed Kagome tight once more before releasing her and sitting on the chair beside her. "I imagine we'll probably be leaving in an hour or so. We'll be back this afternoon around four I think."
Kagome rested her palm upon Hotohori's forearm. "What about Sango? She's moving in today. Shouldn't I stick around and help her?"
Hotohori considered the idea. He really had no choice and must go to work. He looked at Sesshoumaru to see if he would volunteer his time, but was met with an indifferent gaze that clearly told him that he could careless. "I wouldn't worry about her, Kagome." Hotohori replied.
Kagome smiled brightly, trying hard to forget all the emotional memories that were dragged up or created the previous evening. "You're right, I just want to have some fun with you before you leave me for months!"
"You could come with me," Hotohori replied with a charming smile.
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He was searching all throughout the airport. How hard could it be to answer a few questions? Her mother wasn't helping at all and her stupid three amigos best friends wouldn't tell him anything either.
He just wanted to find her and make sure she was alright. She didn't even answer his question! She just took off running, leaving him behind in her proverbial dust with nothing but confusion and silence to his question.
Was it really so bad that he had proposed to her?
Was he really such a bad catch that she would be so mortified that she would flee the country and change universities?
The young man ran his fingers through his short brown locks as he looked back down at the information he had to acquire through means he would normally avoid. Hojo had been forced to hire a personal investigator in order to track down Kagome.
Hiten Thunder had not come cheap but his sources were amazingly accurate in the discoveries they always seemed to find. If Hiten was correct, which he had been thus far, there would be a man with long lavender hair getting off at this airport.
That man would hold the clues to where his beloved Kagome could be found.
If she wanted a knight in shining armor then damn it he would traverse across the globe, track her down, slay the dragon, and kiss the hell out of her until she forgot whatever silly reason she had run away to begin with.
A flash of purple caught the attention of a pair of chocolate eyes.
Looks like Hiten had struck gold.
###############################
It was late afternoon. Miroku stared at the bed spread again. It was simple. It was black and sea green. She was always so simple. Life was always simple when it was just the two of them.
"Miroku?" Sango called from the doorway of her and Kagome's soon to be shared room. Miroku turned towards her with a brow arched in silent question. "I think just one more trip to the car should be enough to get it all."
He nodded at her as he gently set the box of breakables onto the floor near Kagome's bed. His gaze landed on the small black and white photo besides the bed. He heard Sango leave without him and when he was certain she had left him alone he picked up the frame.
It was a pair of pictures. One had been on his tenth birthday. He remembered taking that picture. He had asked if Kagome could help him blow out his candles because he wanted to share his wish with her. He remembered that wish too and that it didn't come true.
He had wished that they could be together forever. She was his Kagome after all.
However, less than a month later, when the second picture had been taken his life had changed. Without even realizing it, he had sat upon the comforter he had admired earlier. His fingers gently traced the lines of the picture. It was very different from the other snap shot. They were akin to night and day.
That had been the day before he had left the country with his father. He remembered that after he spent the night at a friend of his that his father was no longer living with Kagome and her mother. He had left for Japan and Miroku was to join him by the end of the week.
Miroku had not wanted to go.
He was afraid that Kagome would forget him so he begged her to take one last picture with him.
Fortunately, it wasn't the last picture he had of her nor she of him. But it was the last one they had taken together. Both of their expressions were sad. But hers seemed to have something a little more profound within the depths of her soulful eyes. He had never noticed it before, perhaps his childhood innocent blinded him to such things.
Something must have happened to her.
A throat cleared behind him. Miroku slowly turned to see Sango glaring down at him, attention directed towards the picture frame in his hands. "Do you always go around touching items that do not belong to you?"
Miroku set the frame down and smirked. "Why of course, the best fruit is the forbidden one." His right hand had landed upon her posterior and he gave her an affectionate rub. He expected a hand slap across the face. Confusion soon took place of his expected pain.
Why didn't she slap him?
Instead of slapping him, Sango had moved her own hand down and wrapped her slender fingers around his wrist, gently guiding his hand towards her mouth where she kissed his fingers tenderly.
Miroku's mouth opened wide. What in sam hell was Sango doing?
Abruptly he pulled his hand away. "Sango, what are you doing?"
Sango's dark eyes looked upon the young man with a passionate lust he had never seen reflected in her orbs before. Miroku swallowed nervously, apprehensive of what would soon occur and the fact that he was sitting on Kagome's bed.
"For so long I have watched you pine away for a girl who you have some childhood fantasy about." She moved to sit beside him on the bed and placed her hands around his neck and pulled him towards her so that they were nose-to-nose.
"Sango, I...."Miroku didn't know what to say. Sango was a dear friend of his. He had always thought she may have liked him but he never expected her to act like this. Didn't she realize what a man whore he was? That's what he had always figured she had considered him.
Could she possibly be in love with him?
"Don't say anything. This has been a long time in coming." Sango told him as she brought her lips to claim his. Miroku was so surprised that he didn't respond.
Sango took the fact that he didn't reject her actions as encouragement to deepen her ministrations as she pulled him closer to her and crushed her body against well toned musculature.
Neither heard the key in the front door.
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Kagome smiled at Hotohori, but declined his request that she reconsider going on the shoot with him. She had an amazing time with the young man, but like she told Tasuki she didn't think she could handle another emotional rollercoaster that a man like that would no doubt lead.
She had promised Sesshoumaru that she would join him, Hotohori, Tasuki, Kouga, and Chichiri for dinner. Apparently he enjoyed the excuse to impress people with his skills. Unfortunately, he only would cook when he deemed those people worthy of experiencing his skills.
She unlocked her front door and was surprised that the living room light was turned on. Shaking her head she decided she'd have to give Kikyo the lecture about conservation of electricity.
However, the door to her bedroom was open and that's when she noticed the few extra boxes. Sango must have moved in. Who helped her move in?
"Hey Sango," Kagome greeted as she pushed open the door, only to drop her purse to the floor in open mouthed shock at the sight before her.
Sitting upon HER bedspread were Sango and MIROKU.
Violent eyes widened in disbelief when they locked onto a pair of stormy blue-grey. Sango blew her bangs out of her dark eyes. "Kagome." She greeted, offering a heart hearted smile.
Kagome began to back up. "I , uh, I'll just be going." Kagome told them as tears began to form in her eyes. She had always feared that Miroku would end up like his father. But now she had proof. First last night and now this.
She spun on her heels and raced out of the apartment. Miroku pushed Sango off him and took off after Kagome. He needed to talk to her. It had been a mistake allowing Sango to kiss him. At first he had convinced himself that since he was dying he could pretend to care for Sango in the manner that she cared for him.
She would feel loved. He would feel loved. That's what mattered right? It was all about perception, right?
Oh how wrong that prospect was!
He realized how wrong the moment he saw the look of betrayal and hurt for the second time in those blue-grey eyes he loved more than life itself. The look of betrayal and hurt that he had caused.
He took off after her, but was only able to see the elevator doors shut behind her.
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Inuyasha rested his head against the cool metal interior of the elevator. He was almost to his sky rise apartment. He had spent the entire day at the coffee shop and then the zoo. He always liked going to the zoo to ease his mind from what he deemed his daily stresses.
When he reached his floor the doors flew open and a woman who's face was hidden behind a curtain of raven hair entered his little asylum. He could tell she was upset with the shallowness of her breath.
He stood still and allowed her to push the button for the door close and then the ground floor. Her back was to him and she still failed to notice she was not alone.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked as he moved to stand beside her. He maneuvered his body to block her from the floor controls.
"What?" Kagome whispered in a broken, tired voice. The sound of such weariness tugged at Inuyasha's heart much to his surprise. He wasn't aware of ever feeling 'pity' before.
Inuyasha hit the emergency stop button on the elevator before using the sudden jerk of the elevator to send his body flying towards Kagome's and sending them both sprawling across one another on the floor of the elevator.
The wind was knocked out of Kagome's chest. "What was that?" She asked, fear evident in her tone. Inuyasha remembered all too well how she didn't care for confined spaces. However, something was obviously wrong and he needed to understand why he felt this unfamiliar pain in his heart at seeing her upset.
Generally he found a sick pleasure in other's sufferings. "The elevator has gotten stuck once more." Inuyasha explained as he propped himself up above her, and looked down at her. His long silvery hair fell out of the loose knot and mixed with her dark locks on the floor of the elevator.
"Are you going to get off of me now?" Kagome asked after Inuyasha stared down at her in silence.
Inuyasha didn't answer right away.
He didn't answer with words.
The next thing Kagome knew she had a pair of unsolicited lips slashed across hers in a bruising embrace.
TBC
A/N: Thanks for your reviews guys! They are greatly appreciated. My goal is to focus on this fiction and wrap it up. There are only 15 chapters total, so three left after this. I love writing crossovers and the idea of an IY/FY crossover has been a blast. Check out Keeper of the Heart, it's a M/K fic that I'm co-writing with Amyfushigiyugi under her screen name. It's got a great twist involving HOJO! God Bless you all!
Oh! Don't forget to vote in the Savage Awakening Fanfiction Awards. This story has been nominated for various categories.....yay! www. animedefiance. com (just take out the spaces)
What was he thinking? Inuyasha looked around his strange environment and then down at his nude body. He groaned when he remembered his night of taking his best friend on the town.
He could hear the water in the shower running so he decided the easiest way to avoid any sorts of clingy woman attachments would be to leave now while he had the opportunity. He tied his long silvery hair in a loose knot and slipped back on his clothes and ran out of the apartment before he even had time to put on his shoes.
The stairs were always the way to go after pulling a one-night stand with no intentions of any repercussions. He didn't need some manic-depressive female entering his life. Granted he didn't exactly remember much about this particular woman, but she would no doubt be that sort.
As he stepped outside of the apartment complex he allowed the cool morning breeze to refresh his dulled wits. He shook his head as he rubbed his chin and felt the stubble of face that needed shaved. Kikyo was right about him. She had told them in high school that they could never have a relationship because they were of two different worlds.
She was now engaged to a future doctor, Suikotsu. Inuyasha was a frat boy who liked to drink, party, and have sex without the bother of commitments. And he was trying to find his place in life without the help of his father. A low growl vibrated through out his chest as he thought about his overbearing father. He still couldn't believe he made him return early because of Sesshoumaru's behavior!
Inuyasha was curious about what happened with Miroku after he left him at the bar with that woman. Hopefully Miroku would enjoy himself and now worry about the consequences. Heck, Miroku never let the consequences or possible emotional baggage effect his actions before. Why would he start now?
"Hey! Inuyasha!" A voice called from behind. Inuyasha turned to look at whoever would be running into him on the streets of such a large city at such a god forsaken hour.
"What the hell are you doing up?" Inuyasha demanded, crossing his arms and trying to look down at the man before him.
Tasuki's topaz hued eyes narrowed at Inuyasha as he came to a stop in front of him. "That's quite greeting you have there," Tasuki replied sharply. His gaze cut Inuyasha down to size and the formers arms slowly uncrossed and fell to his side.
"Keh," Inuyasha intelligently replied with his infamous retort. "Are you off to work or something?"
Tasuki nodded his head. "Yeah, I was just curious to know if you had anything to do with Miroku bringing home a girl last night."
Inuyasha shrugged. "He's my roommate but what he does is his own business. How should I know what skeletons he keeps in his closet?"
"I don't believe you, but that doesn't matter. When you get home you better make sure that he steers clear of the laboratory today and that he doesn't bother Kagome." Tasuki cracked his knuckles before continuing. "If he does he'll have a pissed off pair of wolves to deal with."
After snorting at the comment, Inuyaha replied, "You and that fool Kouga still referring to yourselves as wolves? I thought you had long sense abandoned that gang."
"Old habits die hard, Inuyasha, you should know that. Besides, once a wolf you're always a wolf. We may have joined the fraternity but we are first and foremost wolves. And you know how wolves protect the women that they love." Tasuki explained as he got right in Inuyasha's face. "And don't doubt that Kouga and I care a great deal about Kagome even if that means we become pitted against you and Miroku."
A large yawn escaped Inuyasha and he rolled his eyes at his old friend. "Keh, whatever. She's just a girl."
Tasuki merely stared at Inuyasha in such a way that it caused shivers of apprehension to race down Inuyaha's spine. "Fine, I'll keep that in mind." Inuyasha agreed before deciding that he wouldn't return to his apartment just yet, in case Miroku had a guest over. Some coffee would be good right about now.
Tasuki nodded his head and then continued on his way to the lab. If he hadn't forbidden Miroku from entering the laboratory today he could have come in later. But since he would be covering his shift he needed to spend longer hours on the job.
During the night, Kagome feel sound asleep in Tasuki's arms. It was all he could do to stop himself from enjoying the feel of her within his embrace. What he really wanted to do was simply slip deep inside the covers of his bed and hold her throughout the night hours.
However, in spite of other's opinions, Tasuki was a gentleman. He may have been foul mouthed and tended to be attracted to unruly women that were bad for his health, but he had never been accused of taking advantage of dear friend. And in the very least, Kagome had become someone precious to him. She was too emotionally scarred from her childhood trauma and her recent rollercoaster rides regarding this Hojo, and then Hotohori, and then finally Miroku.
Tasuki doubted that she had even considered him amongst the list of her would-be suitors. So, as soon as she had fallen into a deep sleep he had gotten out of bed and woke up Kouga. He informed his friend that Kagome was staying the night at their apartment and he would have to leave earlier. Kouga had agreed to take her back to her apartment and see if Hotohori or Sesshoumaru were present to look after her.
She may have been a grown woman, but Tasuki would take all measures necessary to prevent future harms from befalling the young woman. The large brick building that housed the laboratory came into view and Tasuki looked at his watch and sighed.
It was going to be a long day.
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Hotohori smiled as he adjusted his hair in front of his full length mirror. Kouga had called him half an hour earlier to see if he could possibly include Kagome in his plans for the day.
Since Hotohori had intended on having Kagome accompany him to the shoot in hopes that she might change her mind and come on his tour he had responded enthusiastically. He could hear the voices of Kagome and Sesshoumaru coming from the kitchen, apparently Kouga had to leave early for work.
Sesshoumaru was making some of his famous breakfast. His culinary skills were superior to even the best of chefs that Hotohori had access to. The aroma of bacon and eggs was simple and yet mouth watering at the same time.
After a final adjustment to his long coppery brown locks, Hotohori opened his door and snuck up behind Kagome. She failed to notice him and jumped, much to his delight when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. As soon as a stray lock of his hair, which was carefully removed from the tie at the base of his neck, brushed against her cheek she melted against his torso.
"Doesn't it smell good?" Kagome greeted, enjoying the sense of camaraderie and acceptance she felt in the presence of the four men that had salvaged her impression of the male species that day.
Hotohori shook his head negatively at her throat as he buried his nose in her sweet smelling hair. Unfortunately he could also detect some of Tasuki's aftershave in her raven locks. Normally he wouldn't even notice something like that, but he had picked up that particular bottle for Tasuki a couple of weeks ago when one of his sponsors had given him a great deal of health and beauty supplies.
Sesshoumaru paused as he was about to place the eggs onto a plate at Hotohori's answer. He had expected a positive remark, he could feel his anger rising. If someone insulted his cooking that ranked high on his hit list. That person would soon find themselves miserable if he had anything to do with it. Only one thing bothered him more an unsavatory comment on his culinary skills. That one thing was a stalker by the name of Jaken that had followed him around freshman year until he could get a court order to restrain the psycho.
Having someone at your beck and call, willing to call you master was one thing. Having someone who was utterly repulsive to look at doing so was completely disturbing.
Hotohori caught the look and grinned. "I was going to say it isn't good because it is amazingly great."
Sesshoumaru inclined his head at the compliment. That was more along the lines he had expected. "When will you two be leaving?" Sesshoumaru inquired, trying to make himself sound interested in their business. Really he simply wanted the apartment to himself. His boss was still unaware of his return to the city so he was taking time off and enjoying what was left of his break.
Hotohori squeezed Kagome tight once more before releasing her and sitting on the chair beside her. "I imagine we'll probably be leaving in an hour or so. We'll be back this afternoon around four I think."
Kagome rested her palm upon Hotohori's forearm. "What about Sango? She's moving in today. Shouldn't I stick around and help her?"
Hotohori considered the idea. He really had no choice and must go to work. He looked at Sesshoumaru to see if he would volunteer his time, but was met with an indifferent gaze that clearly told him that he could careless. "I wouldn't worry about her, Kagome." Hotohori replied.
Kagome smiled brightly, trying hard to forget all the emotional memories that were dragged up or created the previous evening. "You're right, I just want to have some fun with you before you leave me for months!"
"You could come with me," Hotohori replied with a charming smile.
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He was searching all throughout the airport. How hard could it be to answer a few questions? Her mother wasn't helping at all and her stupid three amigos best friends wouldn't tell him anything either.
He just wanted to find her and make sure she was alright. She didn't even answer his question! She just took off running, leaving him behind in her proverbial dust with nothing but confusion and silence to his question.
Was it really so bad that he had proposed to her?
Was he really such a bad catch that she would be so mortified that she would flee the country and change universities?
The young man ran his fingers through his short brown locks as he looked back down at the information he had to acquire through means he would normally avoid. Hojo had been forced to hire a personal investigator in order to track down Kagome.
Hiten Thunder had not come cheap but his sources were amazingly accurate in the discoveries they always seemed to find. If Hiten was correct, which he had been thus far, there would be a man with long lavender hair getting off at this airport.
That man would hold the clues to where his beloved Kagome could be found.
If she wanted a knight in shining armor then damn it he would traverse across the globe, track her down, slay the dragon, and kiss the hell out of her until she forgot whatever silly reason she had run away to begin with.
A flash of purple caught the attention of a pair of chocolate eyes.
Looks like Hiten had struck gold.
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It was late afternoon. Miroku stared at the bed spread again. It was simple. It was black and sea green. She was always so simple. Life was always simple when it was just the two of them.
"Miroku?" Sango called from the doorway of her and Kagome's soon to be shared room. Miroku turned towards her with a brow arched in silent question. "I think just one more trip to the car should be enough to get it all."
He nodded at her as he gently set the box of breakables onto the floor near Kagome's bed. His gaze landed on the small black and white photo besides the bed. He heard Sango leave without him and when he was certain she had left him alone he picked up the frame.
It was a pair of pictures. One had been on his tenth birthday. He remembered taking that picture. He had asked if Kagome could help him blow out his candles because he wanted to share his wish with her. He remembered that wish too and that it didn't come true.
He had wished that they could be together forever. She was his Kagome after all.
However, less than a month later, when the second picture had been taken his life had changed. Without even realizing it, he had sat upon the comforter he had admired earlier. His fingers gently traced the lines of the picture. It was very different from the other snap shot. They were akin to night and day.
That had been the day before he had left the country with his father. He remembered that after he spent the night at a friend of his that his father was no longer living with Kagome and her mother. He had left for Japan and Miroku was to join him by the end of the week.
Miroku had not wanted to go.
He was afraid that Kagome would forget him so he begged her to take one last picture with him.
Fortunately, it wasn't the last picture he had of her nor she of him. But it was the last one they had taken together. Both of their expressions were sad. But hers seemed to have something a little more profound within the depths of her soulful eyes. He had never noticed it before, perhaps his childhood innocent blinded him to such things.
Something must have happened to her.
A throat cleared behind him. Miroku slowly turned to see Sango glaring down at him, attention directed towards the picture frame in his hands. "Do you always go around touching items that do not belong to you?"
Miroku set the frame down and smirked. "Why of course, the best fruit is the forbidden one." His right hand had landed upon her posterior and he gave her an affectionate rub. He expected a hand slap across the face. Confusion soon took place of his expected pain.
Why didn't she slap him?
Instead of slapping him, Sango had moved her own hand down and wrapped her slender fingers around his wrist, gently guiding his hand towards her mouth where she kissed his fingers tenderly.
Miroku's mouth opened wide. What in sam hell was Sango doing?
Abruptly he pulled his hand away. "Sango, what are you doing?"
Sango's dark eyes looked upon the young man with a passionate lust he had never seen reflected in her orbs before. Miroku swallowed nervously, apprehensive of what would soon occur and the fact that he was sitting on Kagome's bed.
"For so long I have watched you pine away for a girl who you have some childhood fantasy about." She moved to sit beside him on the bed and placed her hands around his neck and pulled him towards her so that they were nose-to-nose.
"Sango, I...."Miroku didn't know what to say. Sango was a dear friend of his. He had always thought she may have liked him but he never expected her to act like this. Didn't she realize what a man whore he was? That's what he had always figured she had considered him.
Could she possibly be in love with him?
"Don't say anything. This has been a long time in coming." Sango told him as she brought her lips to claim his. Miroku was so surprised that he didn't respond.
Sango took the fact that he didn't reject her actions as encouragement to deepen her ministrations as she pulled him closer to her and crushed her body against well toned musculature.
Neither heard the key in the front door.
###########################
Kagome smiled at Hotohori, but declined his request that she reconsider going on the shoot with him. She had an amazing time with the young man, but like she told Tasuki she didn't think she could handle another emotional rollercoaster that a man like that would no doubt lead.
She had promised Sesshoumaru that she would join him, Hotohori, Tasuki, Kouga, and Chichiri for dinner. Apparently he enjoyed the excuse to impress people with his skills. Unfortunately, he only would cook when he deemed those people worthy of experiencing his skills.
She unlocked her front door and was surprised that the living room light was turned on. Shaking her head she decided she'd have to give Kikyo the lecture about conservation of electricity.
However, the door to her bedroom was open and that's when she noticed the few extra boxes. Sango must have moved in. Who helped her move in?
"Hey Sango," Kagome greeted as she pushed open the door, only to drop her purse to the floor in open mouthed shock at the sight before her.
Sitting upon HER bedspread were Sango and MIROKU.
Violent eyes widened in disbelief when they locked onto a pair of stormy blue-grey. Sango blew her bangs out of her dark eyes. "Kagome." She greeted, offering a heart hearted smile.
Kagome began to back up. "I , uh, I'll just be going." Kagome told them as tears began to form in her eyes. She had always feared that Miroku would end up like his father. But now she had proof. First last night and now this.
She spun on her heels and raced out of the apartment. Miroku pushed Sango off him and took off after Kagome. He needed to talk to her. It had been a mistake allowing Sango to kiss him. At first he had convinced himself that since he was dying he could pretend to care for Sango in the manner that she cared for him.
She would feel loved. He would feel loved. That's what mattered right? It was all about perception, right?
Oh how wrong that prospect was!
He realized how wrong the moment he saw the look of betrayal and hurt for the second time in those blue-grey eyes he loved more than life itself. The look of betrayal and hurt that he had caused.
He took off after her, but was only able to see the elevator doors shut behind her.
##########################
Inuyasha rested his head against the cool metal interior of the elevator. He was almost to his sky rise apartment. He had spent the entire day at the coffee shop and then the zoo. He always liked going to the zoo to ease his mind from what he deemed his daily stresses.
When he reached his floor the doors flew open and a woman who's face was hidden behind a curtain of raven hair entered his little asylum. He could tell she was upset with the shallowness of her breath.
He stood still and allowed her to push the button for the door close and then the ground floor. Her back was to him and she still failed to notice she was not alone.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked as he moved to stand beside her. He maneuvered his body to block her from the floor controls.
"What?" Kagome whispered in a broken, tired voice. The sound of such weariness tugged at Inuyasha's heart much to his surprise. He wasn't aware of ever feeling 'pity' before.
Inuyasha hit the emergency stop button on the elevator before using the sudden jerk of the elevator to send his body flying towards Kagome's and sending them both sprawling across one another on the floor of the elevator.
The wind was knocked out of Kagome's chest. "What was that?" She asked, fear evident in her tone. Inuyasha remembered all too well how she didn't care for confined spaces. However, something was obviously wrong and he needed to understand why he felt this unfamiliar pain in his heart at seeing her upset.
Generally he found a sick pleasure in other's sufferings. "The elevator has gotten stuck once more." Inuyasha explained as he propped himself up above her, and looked down at her. His long silvery hair fell out of the loose knot and mixed with her dark locks on the floor of the elevator.
"Are you going to get off of me now?" Kagome asked after Inuyasha stared down at her in silence.
Inuyasha didn't answer right away.
He didn't answer with words.
The next thing Kagome knew she had a pair of unsolicited lips slashed across hers in a bruising embrace.
TBC
A/N: Thanks for your reviews guys! They are greatly appreciated. My goal is to focus on this fiction and wrap it up. There are only 15 chapters total, so three left after this. I love writing crossovers and the idea of an IY/FY crossover has been a blast. Check out Keeper of the Heart, it's a M/K fic that I'm co-writing with Amyfushigiyugi under her screen name. It's got a great twist involving HOJO! God Bless you all!
Oh! Don't forget to vote in the Savage Awakening Fanfiction Awards. This story has been nominated for various categories.....yay! www. animedefiance. com (just take out the spaces)