Boo. :D Eveh ish back! Woot. And I have the next chapter.
-holds for 'ooh's and 'aah's-
-gets none-
Grrrrrrr. /
^ Screw you guys too. Lol.
Just kidding! On with the show!
Sorry, if this one is a bit short.
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Chapter Three - Jealousy Anyone?
By this time our dog-eared hero had succeeded in dragging a flustered Kagome back to her house. He dared not bring up the subject of her blurted words about him to her friends. She was obviously still dumb-founded by the whole scenario and Inu-Yasha certainly did not wish to feel her wrath by embarrassing her further. He did, however, reluctantly release her from his grip once they entered her room, taking to stealing curious glances at the dark-haired seraphim while she took up the task of packing more supplies to take to the Warring States. Kagome didn't even bother to inform her mother that she was leaving; she had no intention of opening her mouth until she was in the safe refuge of Sango's presence.
Once they were firmly on the ground on the other side of the well, Inu-Yasha's curiosity began to gnaw away at what little reason and intelligence he possessed. Miroku and Sango appeared, leaving Shippou to play with the village children, just as the question came flying out of the hanyou's mouth. "So, that was your boyfriend?" He asked dryly, wanting to sound as if he didn't really care.
"Um...Hojo, well, not really. That is...I mean, he's nice enough... but I don't think I'd date him." She had gotten it out finally, all the while feeling the heat rush to her face. She looked up sheepishly, feeling his eyes on her. She held back her surprise as she saw his lop-sided grin.
"Hmph. He was weak and stupid anyway." He crossed his arms over his chest, plunging his hands into his sleeves. He felt a wave of relief wash over him from her words. But only because she could focus on the mission without distractions... or at least this is what he told himself in order to escape from rationalizing any other reason.
A slender eyebrow shot up over chocolate orbs as Sango witnessed her friends. She nudged Miroku gently, nodding a silent plan to him. He returned her idea and glided over to the 'couple.'
"You know, Lady Kagome, perhaps this... Hojo deserves a chance to prove himself to you."
"Miroku, that's awfully ni--" She was cut off then by the demon exterminator, a playful sparkle in her eyes.
"He's right Kagome. I don't know him, but if he's a gentleman and treats you properly..." her voice trailed off, leaving the thought to linger in the air. She could practically see the smoke rising from the dog-boy's head.
"What in the seven Hells are you two talking about?! What would she want with some wimpy human?!" Inu-Yasha now barked his outrage, an annoyed tick now present on his left eye.
Kagome quickly caught on to the game, forcing herself to hold back her laughter. She tried to look as serious as possible. "Maybe...," she paused briefly, rubbing her chin as if in deep thought, noting the gaping Inu-Yasha before continuing, "it's not as if I have anyone else offering. Well... there's Kouga. Hmm, another possibility... Decisions, decisions."
That did it. The human he could endure for the moment... but not Kouga. He felt his blood boil, his attempts to stay calm being thrown to the side. The last thing he wished was for anyone, especially these conniving pests, to see his weakness for Kagome. His jealousy. But that last comment pushed him so far over the edge, he couldn't even see reason at this point, let alone display such a thing. His fists clenched by his sides, his rage seething. "Well then go ahead!!" His hands swept through the air frantically for emphasis. "Go to your oh-so-special...who-the-hell-ever and leave the rest of us in PEACE!" He retreated into the forest after snapping the unsuspecting miko's head off. "Stupid wench..." His string of curses spouted as he wandered from the group's eyesight.
"Uh..," came the incoherent reply. One soft syllable was all she could produce from her stupor. Why had he lashed out at her like that? She had been too taken back to even think of 'sit'ing him. She felt Sango's hand squeeze her shoulder gently.
"He's jealous." Was the matter-of-fact answer, as if it were something Kagome should have already known by now. Kagome blinked her way back to reality as Miroku added his opinion to the current tragedy.
"Yes, Inu-Yasha certainly does not approve of you showing interest in the opposite sex. Especially when it comes to Kouga." He bowed his head somberly in thought.
"You two are insane," she started, "He doesn't care enough about me to be jealous. BESIDES, he has Kikyo, remember? He's just sour because he thinks I'll abandon the mission to run off with Hojo or Kouga. I guess I should go apologize before he kills some innocent passer-by.
"Those two are in denial." Sango proclaimed after her friend was out of earshot.
"I could say the same about you my lovely Sango. After all...," he wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, his hand traveling south to fondle the girl's posterior momentarily. That is to say, just a moment before she whipped around to slap him.
"HENTAI!!!" She hissed, her hand caught in mid-air after contact, shaking in irritation at the houshi.
She sent him a famous 'death glare' before mumbling something about killing him painfully while he slept and returning to Shippou and the other children. He merely sighed dreamily before chasing after her. "I'll win you over yet, my long-legged beauty!"
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"Stupid wench..." It was probably the tenth time he had spat the insult in the last few minutes while mental flashes flooded his mind. Scenes of Hojo, or worse, Kouga... touching his Kagome. 'Dammit! She not yours!!' He screamed at the thoughts overtaking his senses. 'You want her to be though. Why be jealous otherwise?' He growled and kicked a stone several feet forward along his path, having no real answer. Well, none that he would let pass his lips. He was still fuming, kicking his rock along and he never noticed the approaching girl. "I am not jealous..." he mumbled to himself for reassurance.
"Well, there's really no reason to be." Came her familiar voice from behind him. He took a deep breath in order to collect himself. He refused to let her see the affect her admirers were having upon him.
"What the fuck do you want now, bitch? I told you. Go the fuck home for all I care." He could tell she had flinched at his words, he didn't have to see her face.
"Inu..Inu-Yasha..." She felt a painful pang pass through her body. Why did he always have to be so mean. "I-I just came to apologize. I-"
"Well, now you're done so you can go back home to your tests and your weakling. Or maybe you'd prefer to shack up with the wolf." He snapped, not wanting to give in, even if it did earn him another meal of dirt. He cursed himself mentally as he smelled salt in the air. Oh, Kami no, not that. He now turned to look at her. Yep, fresh tears were clinging to her eyelashes. Fuck.
"I don't want to go home first of all! Secondly, Hojo is NOT my boyfriend and I am NOT Kouga's woman!! And lastly, why do you care?!! You have Kikyo! You love her so what do care how her low-level-never-as-good-as-the-originial-in-any-way replacement feels?! All you care about is the jewel and Kikyo. You run off whenever she shows herself, despite the numerous times she has tried to KILL ME!! You drag me off against my will to look for the shards when I need to be home! You don't care then, so why now?!" Her face was flushed, but certainly not from being bashful. Her anger shot up like flames from the depths of blue-grey pools. She was short of breath from her second outburst that day. A small 'Eh' brought her out of her own hurt as she absorbed the look of utter and complete shock and pain from Inu-Yasha.
"I....I..." was all he could manage and Kagome put up a hand to halt even his attempts to respond. She wasn't about to listen to it all over again. Kikyo was powerful. Kikyo was beautiful. Kikyo was mature. Kikyo was intelligent. Grrrr. Exactly... she was all those things. Now? Now, she's dead. She's a sneaky, manipulating, hating, rotting piece of dirt... literally. And the young miko didn't want the lecture about not insulting Kikyo, for the who knows what time.
"Yeah, Inu-Yasha... I already know this speech about how I'm worthless. I don't need to hear it again." A defeated sigh escaped her parted lips as she turned, avoiding looking up at his face. The hardest part was this. Walking away from him. It always had been. Even before she had realized her feelings. Tears began to blur her vision and she forced a shaky gulp of oxygen into her lungs. And then...
She bolted.
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He couldn't move. His feet seemed to be cemented in place to the forest bed. Why couldn't he move dammit? Everything else seemed to be fine, he just couldn't move.
His nose... fine. He could smell the trail of tears she had left while running.
Eyes, fine. He saw which direction she had went, even if couldn't see her presently.
Ears, also fine. He had heard her soft sobs in the distance. He had also heard those painful words she had shouted at him.
His mouth had stuttered the words he tried to tell her, but she had refused to listen.
And he knew his heart worked, he could tell that plainly from the fact that it was aching so much. Her words had hit him like a knife through the gut.
Haunted him was more appropriate. He couldn't shake her voice from his head. The words had branded themselves into his memory. Did it pain her in this fashion when she saw him and Kikyo together? Thought of them touching? Ugh. Stupid question.
At that moment an old friend found him and pulled him from his frozen trance. And who was this friend. Who else? Anger. Not anger at Kagome, at himself. He had been so clueless. He had been putting her through so much pain. Kikyo, him wanting the jewel for himself, physical injuries.
His ears drooped into a shameful state against his head. It was obvious that he cared more for her than even he thought, but he wasn't aware of what exactly that meant either. And when he did figure it out, he would still doubt his ability to voice the realization.
"Maybe I can just apolog--"
His words were interfered by a deafening scream reverberating throughout the forest.
Kagome's scream.
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Okay, I probably should have lengthened certain parts but I'm really trying to get into the rest of the plot. So stay with me.
Next-- Chapter Four: Torn Apart
The chapter title has multiple meanings and uses for the upcoming part. Lol. You'll see.
~Eve
-holds for 'ooh's and 'aah's-
-gets none-
Grrrrrrr. /
^ Screw you guys too. Lol.
Just kidding! On with the show!
Sorry, if this one is a bit short.
__________________________________________________________
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Chapter Three - Jealousy Anyone?
By this time our dog-eared hero had succeeded in dragging a flustered Kagome back to her house. He dared not bring up the subject of her blurted words about him to her friends. She was obviously still dumb-founded by the whole scenario and Inu-Yasha certainly did not wish to feel her wrath by embarrassing her further. He did, however, reluctantly release her from his grip once they entered her room, taking to stealing curious glances at the dark-haired seraphim while she took up the task of packing more supplies to take to the Warring States. Kagome didn't even bother to inform her mother that she was leaving; she had no intention of opening her mouth until she was in the safe refuge of Sango's presence.
Once they were firmly on the ground on the other side of the well, Inu-Yasha's curiosity began to gnaw away at what little reason and intelligence he possessed. Miroku and Sango appeared, leaving Shippou to play with the village children, just as the question came flying out of the hanyou's mouth. "So, that was your boyfriend?" He asked dryly, wanting to sound as if he didn't really care.
"Um...Hojo, well, not really. That is...I mean, he's nice enough... but I don't think I'd date him." She had gotten it out finally, all the while feeling the heat rush to her face. She looked up sheepishly, feeling his eyes on her. She held back her surprise as she saw his lop-sided grin.
"Hmph. He was weak and stupid anyway." He crossed his arms over his chest, plunging his hands into his sleeves. He felt a wave of relief wash over him from her words. But only because she could focus on the mission without distractions... or at least this is what he told himself in order to escape from rationalizing any other reason.
A slender eyebrow shot up over chocolate orbs as Sango witnessed her friends. She nudged Miroku gently, nodding a silent plan to him. He returned her idea and glided over to the 'couple.'
"You know, Lady Kagome, perhaps this... Hojo deserves a chance to prove himself to you."
"Miroku, that's awfully ni--" She was cut off then by the demon exterminator, a playful sparkle in her eyes.
"He's right Kagome. I don't know him, but if he's a gentleman and treats you properly..." her voice trailed off, leaving the thought to linger in the air. She could practically see the smoke rising from the dog-boy's head.
"What in the seven Hells are you two talking about?! What would she want with some wimpy human?!" Inu-Yasha now barked his outrage, an annoyed tick now present on his left eye.
Kagome quickly caught on to the game, forcing herself to hold back her laughter. She tried to look as serious as possible. "Maybe...," she paused briefly, rubbing her chin as if in deep thought, noting the gaping Inu-Yasha before continuing, "it's not as if I have anyone else offering. Well... there's Kouga. Hmm, another possibility... Decisions, decisions."
That did it. The human he could endure for the moment... but not Kouga. He felt his blood boil, his attempts to stay calm being thrown to the side. The last thing he wished was for anyone, especially these conniving pests, to see his weakness for Kagome. His jealousy. But that last comment pushed him so far over the edge, he couldn't even see reason at this point, let alone display such a thing. His fists clenched by his sides, his rage seething. "Well then go ahead!!" His hands swept through the air frantically for emphasis. "Go to your oh-so-special...who-the-hell-ever and leave the rest of us in PEACE!" He retreated into the forest after snapping the unsuspecting miko's head off. "Stupid wench..." His string of curses spouted as he wandered from the group's eyesight.
"Uh..," came the incoherent reply. One soft syllable was all she could produce from her stupor. Why had he lashed out at her like that? She had been too taken back to even think of 'sit'ing him. She felt Sango's hand squeeze her shoulder gently.
"He's jealous." Was the matter-of-fact answer, as if it were something Kagome should have already known by now. Kagome blinked her way back to reality as Miroku added his opinion to the current tragedy.
"Yes, Inu-Yasha certainly does not approve of you showing interest in the opposite sex. Especially when it comes to Kouga." He bowed his head somberly in thought.
"You two are insane," she started, "He doesn't care enough about me to be jealous. BESIDES, he has Kikyo, remember? He's just sour because he thinks I'll abandon the mission to run off with Hojo or Kouga. I guess I should go apologize before he kills some innocent passer-by.
"Those two are in denial." Sango proclaimed after her friend was out of earshot.
"I could say the same about you my lovely Sango. After all...," he wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, his hand traveling south to fondle the girl's posterior momentarily. That is to say, just a moment before she whipped around to slap him.
"HENTAI!!!" She hissed, her hand caught in mid-air after contact, shaking in irritation at the houshi.
She sent him a famous 'death glare' before mumbling something about killing him painfully while he slept and returning to Shippou and the other children. He merely sighed dreamily before chasing after her. "I'll win you over yet, my long-legged beauty!"
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"Stupid wench..." It was probably the tenth time he had spat the insult in the last few minutes while mental flashes flooded his mind. Scenes of Hojo, or worse, Kouga... touching his Kagome. 'Dammit! She not yours!!' He screamed at the thoughts overtaking his senses. 'You want her to be though. Why be jealous otherwise?' He growled and kicked a stone several feet forward along his path, having no real answer. Well, none that he would let pass his lips. He was still fuming, kicking his rock along and he never noticed the approaching girl. "I am not jealous..." he mumbled to himself for reassurance.
"Well, there's really no reason to be." Came her familiar voice from behind him. He took a deep breath in order to collect himself. He refused to let her see the affect her admirers were having upon him.
"What the fuck do you want now, bitch? I told you. Go the fuck home for all I care." He could tell she had flinched at his words, he didn't have to see her face.
"Inu..Inu-Yasha..." She felt a painful pang pass through her body. Why did he always have to be so mean. "I-I just came to apologize. I-"
"Well, now you're done so you can go back home to your tests and your weakling. Or maybe you'd prefer to shack up with the wolf." He snapped, not wanting to give in, even if it did earn him another meal of dirt. He cursed himself mentally as he smelled salt in the air. Oh, Kami no, not that. He now turned to look at her. Yep, fresh tears were clinging to her eyelashes. Fuck.
"I don't want to go home first of all! Secondly, Hojo is NOT my boyfriend and I am NOT Kouga's woman!! And lastly, why do you care?!! You have Kikyo! You love her so what do care how her low-level-never-as-good-as-the-originial-in-any-way replacement feels?! All you care about is the jewel and Kikyo. You run off whenever she shows herself, despite the numerous times she has tried to KILL ME!! You drag me off against my will to look for the shards when I need to be home! You don't care then, so why now?!" Her face was flushed, but certainly not from being bashful. Her anger shot up like flames from the depths of blue-grey pools. She was short of breath from her second outburst that day. A small 'Eh' brought her out of her own hurt as she absorbed the look of utter and complete shock and pain from Inu-Yasha.
"I....I..." was all he could manage and Kagome put up a hand to halt even his attempts to respond. She wasn't about to listen to it all over again. Kikyo was powerful. Kikyo was beautiful. Kikyo was mature. Kikyo was intelligent. Grrrr. Exactly... she was all those things. Now? Now, she's dead. She's a sneaky, manipulating, hating, rotting piece of dirt... literally. And the young miko didn't want the lecture about not insulting Kikyo, for the who knows what time.
"Yeah, Inu-Yasha... I already know this speech about how I'm worthless. I don't need to hear it again." A defeated sigh escaped her parted lips as she turned, avoiding looking up at his face. The hardest part was this. Walking away from him. It always had been. Even before she had realized her feelings. Tears began to blur her vision and she forced a shaky gulp of oxygen into her lungs. And then...
She bolted.
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He couldn't move. His feet seemed to be cemented in place to the forest bed. Why couldn't he move dammit? Everything else seemed to be fine, he just couldn't move.
His nose... fine. He could smell the trail of tears she had left while running.
Eyes, fine. He saw which direction she had went, even if couldn't see her presently.
Ears, also fine. He had heard her soft sobs in the distance. He had also heard those painful words she had shouted at him.
His mouth had stuttered the words he tried to tell her, but she had refused to listen.
And he knew his heart worked, he could tell that plainly from the fact that it was aching so much. Her words had hit him like a knife through the gut.
Haunted him was more appropriate. He couldn't shake her voice from his head. The words had branded themselves into his memory. Did it pain her in this fashion when she saw him and Kikyo together? Thought of them touching? Ugh. Stupid question.
At that moment an old friend found him and pulled him from his frozen trance. And who was this friend. Who else? Anger. Not anger at Kagome, at himself. He had been so clueless. He had been putting her through so much pain. Kikyo, him wanting the jewel for himself, physical injuries.
His ears drooped into a shameful state against his head. It was obvious that he cared more for her than even he thought, but he wasn't aware of what exactly that meant either. And when he did figure it out, he would still doubt his ability to voice the realization.
"Maybe I can just apolog--"
His words were interfered by a deafening scream reverberating throughout the forest.
Kagome's scream.
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Okay, I probably should have lengthened certain parts but I'm really trying to get into the rest of the plot. So stay with me.
Next-- Chapter Four: Torn Apart
The chapter title has multiple meanings and uses for the upcoming part. Lol. You'll see.
~Eve