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Chapter 12 Parting Shots
Inuyasha did not sleep much that night. He was comfortable enough, Kagome's bedding was soft, and her scent permeated the blankets, pillows. It was nice. Still, breathing her scent, knowing she was sleeping behind the door where his eyes now gazed was making him feel tense. He tried to relax, but his mind was racing.
Michael sleeps in his own room, not with her, she told you that, remember? Yeah, but it's not like I'd be able to tell if he WAS sharing a bed with either. . . .
So many changes in her, I wish there weren't so damn many changes. I wish things were--I wish she was-- just as I saw her last-- younger, too-skinny, less developed. She's, she's hard to get used to this way. I don't know if I want things to change between us. I don't know if I'm ready for it.
He thought about all the ways she had appeared to him today:
Kagome surprised and shocked to see me. . . .Kagome hugging me, Kagome telling me she loved me. . . . Kagome kissing me. . . .lying to me. . . . singing on stage, driving me crazy for her. . . .Kagome with new power. . . .Kagome with Michael. . . .Kagome dancing with Brad. . . . Kagome talking about getting married to Paul.... Kagome packing. . . .hugging me again. . . . Kagome leaving with me in a few hours. . . .
His mouth went from a smile, to a frown, to a smile and back, as he tried to make some sense out of what he was thinking, what he was feeling. He was only half-human and didn't need much sleep to be refreshed, but even he was getting tired.
Does Michael sleep? Have I ever seen a sleeping ghost? No, but I've never seen one in the flesh either. He said he is human when he's like this, so maybe his body needs rest too. . . .
Inuyasha's thoughts and worries were gradually melting away. He drifted off to sleep, and, surrounded by Kagome's scent, dreamt of sleeping with her in his arms.
His eyes opened slowly, not wanting to focus. He was disoriented. Not knowing where he was or how he got there, he sat up, quickly feeling alarm. "I'm on a floor, in a strange room, sitting in a pile of blankets. . . . Kagome's home, Kagome's blankets. It was all coming back fast, strange as the situation was, yes, it was reality.
His sensative ears heard soft sounds above him, a quiet conversation. Inuyasha rose, walked out the balcony, and looked up. He quickly jumped up to the rooftop to find Michael and Kagome sitting on a picnic blanket, sharing a meal.
"Good morning Inuyasha!" Kagome said, brightly smiling. "I hope you slept alright. Do you want some tea and a sandwich?"
The air outside was still chilly and damp, the sky barely pink. In all the time he had known her, she was always, always, the last one to get up. He shook his head. A happy, alert Kagome before sunrise was a strange site.
"Yeah, sure," he said, looking out at the skyline. He was slightly uncomfortalbe, and wondered if he was intruding. Finding that the pair had awoken before him and left him sleeping, he was thrown off.
"What are you doing up so early anyways?" he asked, sitting down cross- legged by her and trying to ignore Michael's presence.
"We were going over a few things, just training exercises, " Kagome said, pouring him a cup of hot tea from the thermos and handing him a roll with cheese.
Inuyasha nodded, wondered what kind of 'training' Michael was giving her, but didn't ask.
Almost reading his thoughts, Michael said, "Kay's getting quite good you know. It's timing and control she needs to work on now, the skills are there."
Kagome blushed a little at the compliment.
"Good at what?" Inuyasha asked.
"Fighting of course, "Michael answered.
Inuyasha snorted and almost spilled his tea. "Kagome, fight?! Ha!"
Kagome was blushing again, this time embarrassed. "It's not really fighting, it's more like defensive-stuff; you know, blocking attacks and evading."
"Oh. . . . "Inuyasha said, a wide smile growing on his face, "You mean running away. You've actually learned how to run away?! That's great Kagome! I wish you would have had that skill sooner. You know, I could ask Myoga to continue your training in THAT department!"
He was laughing, hard. "Listen you jack-ass half-demon! "Michael said, angry, "she's training with me to be a spirit-fighter. You don't know what that means, do you? Well, it involves facing very evil, angry spirits, and protecting innocents. Kagome's been learning from me and been helping me since we met. We're not talking about about physical battles with these creatures, but mental ones. What we do is tricky business. It's dangerous, and yes, Kagome is good. She's helped me and others get out of many fights."
Inuyasha was shocked by this information. He looked from Michael to Kagome, who was looking down at the blanket. Somehow he knew that once again Michael had told him something Kagome wouldn't have revealed herself.
"Sorry Kagome, "he said, feeling abashed. He wanted to know what Michael meant. "I didn't know. What exactly do you do in these battles?"
"It's like Michael said, "she said, still looking down and clearly feeling self-conscious. "We go to places angry spirits haunt. Sometimes they attack and kill the living, especially children if they can get them. Mostly they attack other spirits, innocent spirits, and hold them prisoner."
Still shocked and trying to understand, he asked "Why do they hold other spirits?"
Kagome took in a deep breath and answered, "Because they are so filled with rage and hate they want to drain the life force and happiness from everyone else. They are jealous spirits, jealous that others are happy, that they have accepted death as another existence and are ready to move on. Because they can't move on, they don't want anyone else to either. Some of them are very, very old. They've been around a long time, and they've gotten more powerful and more evil during that time."
"And you help these spirits?" he asked, incredulously.
"No," Michael broke in. "They can not be helped. They are beyond help, beyond salvation. They exist, will always exist, in their own dark reality. It's not the same reality that you are from Inuyasha, It's not this present time either. Their world is the darkest of dark places, and it's beyond time. It's the innocent spirits and living we fight them for, those are the ones we protect and save. Kagome helps me to do that, to set innocents free."
Inuyasha felt himself growing tense, uncomfortable, and angry. He's dragging her into this kind of shit, teaching her how to face these things–she's no safer here than she is fighting demons in my time!"
"And you've brought Kagome into this!? Damnit! You say you're her protector, she's your first priority, right? How can you let her do this?!"
"Inuyasha STOP!" Kagome said, not giving Michael a chance to answer. "Michael is helping me. He's teaching me how to do what I was born to do, what I'm meant to do, and yes, he does protect me. I want to do this work, I have to, just as I have to help find the pieces of the jewel and defeat evil in your time. You reminded me of that yesterday, remember?"
Inuyasha shook his head. Yes, he remembered chastising her, making her feel she had an obligation to return with him even when she didn't want to. He didn't know anymore if he had done the right thing then. He remembered what she said yesterday; after talking about her school and work, she had said something about having "other obligations" in this time too. He didn't know what she meant then, but he did now. He was beginning to have doubts about what he was asking her to do.
"Yes, Kagome. But how are you supposed to be helping me and helping him?" he asked.
"Kagome can go with you to do what needs to be done, but she will come back here, to this time, to me to continue our training and work regularly," Michael stated flatly.
"Since I have hepatitis and withdrew from my classes this term, at least I won't have homework and tests this time, "Kagome said lightly. Michael and I talked about it this morning, and we agreed I'd check in for a couple of days every three weeks. That way I can get in some training and help Michael too," Kagome added.
"Kay, I believe I said you were to check-in every week."
"No Michael, I told you, a week was not enough time. Sometimes we have to take long journeys on foot. There is no rapid-transit. A week doesn't allow enough time for traveling."
Inuyasha raised his eyebrows, aware of the irony here. The last time he saw her, he would be the one arguing she needed to stay longer, while she was always trying to get home more. "I never thought I'd hear her say she needed to stay LONGER in m time!"
The argument between Kagome and Michael was still going on:
"Alright Kay, alright," Michael said. "I'll compromise with you and give you ten days."
"Twenty."
"Fifteen."
"Twenty-five."
"Fourteen, and if you keep pushing me, we'll be back to a week, love. Now, will you settle for fourteen days or not?"
"Fine Michael, two weeks. I'll be back for Chloe's bachelorette party that way. You know she wanted both of us to sing, so that works for me."
Inuyasha wasn't happy. He realized he was left-out of their conversation once again. This time, something important was being decided, how long Kagome would stay, and he wasn't the one making the decision. "Hell, I'm not even being asked what I think!" He was used to being the one in charge, the one telling others how and when things would happen. He didn't like this. It made him feel powerless and inconsequential.
"Inuyasha, do you think two weeks works?" Kagome turned to him and asked. He looked at her stunning, large eyes and realized she meant it, she was really asking him what he thought, deferring to him. It made him feel a little better. He wanted her to stay longer, but since she would only be coming back here for a couple of days and then returning with him again, he decided to be gracioius.
"Fine–two weeks." He grumbled. Considering his mood, it was gracious.
"Then everything's settled!" Kagome said cheerily. She stood up and stretched. The sun was up now, and she turned with her arms outstretched to face it. "I think it's going to be a beautiful spring day!" She was smiling, closing her eyes as she embraced the sun with her arms. She looked so light, so careless.
Inuyasha marveled at her: "How does she do that? How can she be so happy with the life she has? It's like she's able to forget about everything and just live in the moment she's in."
He was not feeling light or care-free, however. Of all the things that he had seen, had heard since he came back to Kagome's time, what he learned this morning was the most upsetting of all.
He had learned something new about Kagome's life: He now understood that she would be going back-and-forth, between two times, battling evil in both. He was worried. It still seemed like too much for her, too large a burden for anyone. He knew she was a strong person. Even as a young teenager, she had that strength. "Maybe it's her happiness. . . . maybe that's what makes her so strong, courageous and resilient. . . ."
"I told you she was bloody brilliant," said Michael in a voice too low for Kagome to hear, but startling Inuyasha from his thoughts. Unknown to Inuyasha, Michael had been observing him, watching him watch Kagome. The angel gave him a smug, knowing smile.
Inuyasha smirked and turned away from him, arms folded across his chest.
Kagome and Michael gathered the picnic things and Michael said, "We'll see you back in the apartment then," and, taking Kagome by the arm, the pair vanished. Inuyasha blinked. He was used to Shippo doing this trick, but watching Kagome disspear before his eyes was strange.
"Let's see just how fast that trick works," he thought, and in less than an instant, he was in the air, on Kagome's balcony, and opening the door and walking back inside. Michael was sitting at the kitchen table and Kagome was putting dishes away.
Michael looked up from reading a newspaper and said, "I see what you mean love. Transportation is slow in his time."
Kagome tried to stiffle a laugh, but it burst out anyway. She was trying to stop, but as she tried to hold it in and control herself, the laughter turned to tears.
Glaring at Michael, and restraining himself from calling Kagome a "stupid wench," he sat down on the couch.
He heard the sound of the lock turning and looked up to see Chloe coming through the door.
"Clo!" Kagome said. She wiped her tears and ran to her roommate, hugging her.
Michael came over and wrapped his arms around both women, saying "Good to see you Clo." Chloe was still wearing her sunglasses, but the bruising had spread from her eye socket down and was evident even under the glasses and the layer of make-up.
The three stood in a close circle.
"How's Brad," Kagome asked frowning.
"They're releasing him this morning. They just kept him overnight as a precaution. He's fine, no pain or anything, but. . . ."
"But what?" Michael asked.
"But he keeps talking about seeing angels. He wants to go to church this afternoon. He wants us to arrange for us to go to couples counseling with the priest. And he's looking for work again too."
Kagome and Michael exchanged a meaningful look.
Chloe caught it and said, "What? Do you both think he's crazy or something?"
"No, Clo, no, not at all," Michael soothed.
"I think we were both thinking that if something good came from his scare yesterday, we're thankful, that's all. I think it's a good sign Clo," Kagome said, smiling at her friend.
"Yeah, me too," Chloe said, giving them both a hug again.
Watching them, Inuyasha suddenly understood something. As much as He, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were a close group, the trio he was watching now was like a family. "No wonder she got so angry with Brad," he thought, looking at the pretty young blonde with the blackened eye and swollen nose. "Chloe is like her family and what hat shit-head did to her. . . ." He realized he was getting angry at Brad too. Now he was beginning to think Kagome showed amazing restraint last night by not killing him.
The trio turned toward the living room where Inuyasha was sitting. "Hey Inuyasha!" Chloe smiled at him, "I'm glad you're here! I want to talk to you."
Inuyasha looked up at the petite woman, surprised. Last night he had practically told her to get lost, but now she looked like she didn't remember that.
"Fine," he said, hoping his tone was pleasant enough.
"Would you mind taking a walk with me outside?"
Kagome was taken aback. She couldn't imagine why Chloe wanted to speak with Inuyasha privately, but she had made it clear she did.
Michael broke the silence that followed by saying "I need to go to the studio and pick up the books. I'll be back in half an hour. Bye loves." He gave Kagome and Chloe each a quick kiss on the cheek, and then turned and left.
"I need to call my mom and tell her I'm leaving town for a while. I'll be in my room," Kagome said after Michael left.
Chloe and Inuyasha were alone in the living room. He sat on the sofa, looking up at her. She stood with her hands on her hips, and looked down at him under her sunglasses. "Let's go," she said in a neutral tone. Inuyasha could tell, however, that underneath it was something more serious. He stood next to her and as she turned to lead the way, he realized he actually felt a little intimidated by her.
When they reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs, Chloe stopped and turned to face him.
"Alright Inuyasha," I think it's time we had a little talk.
He raised his eyebrows and said "I don't even know you, so I don't know what we have to talk about."
"Kagome. We're going to talk about Kagome," she began, advancing closer to him.
"I know you're leaving with her today, to take her to the country to visit some friends while she recovers. I also know that's a load of bullshit. Kagome isn't sick. I would know if she was sick, and she's not. It's too coincidental, her "hepatitis" occuring just as you show up."
"Look, I don't know what you think you're getting at, "he interrupted, "but–"
"But nothing. I talked to my cousin last night too. Did you know Kagome's engaged to him?"
"Yes, I know. Michael told me."
Chloe raised her eyes at that. "Well, Paul knows she's lying and so do I. Here's the bottom line Inuyasha. I don't know exactly who or what you were to her in the past, because she won't talk about her past. I've asked her about her life before college, and she dodges the questions. Do you know why?"
Before he could answer, she started again. "I think something happened in her past that was so painful for her, she doesn't want to talk about it, ever. Do you know what else I think?"
Again, before he could say anything, she was speaking again, her voice raising in volume.
"I think you're part of that past, maybe even the cause of that pain."
She stopped for a moment.
Inuyasha wanted to say something, but was shocked by what this woman had said about Kagome, and at her aggressive behavior now.
"I know about pain and about covering it, "she said so matter-of-factly he was stunned into silence again. "I don't know why you showed up here yesterday, or why Kagome wants to leave with you now, but I know one thing. I will not let you hurt her."
Inuyasha was beginning to loose it with her. She had no right talking to him this way. He would never hurt Kagome.
"Listen, bitch–"he said.
That was as far as he got. Enraged by the insult and feeling even more assured that she was doing the right thing, Chloe raged at him.
"No YOU listen, you bastard! I want what's best for her. I thought for a while that was marrying my cousin. I'm not sure now. Since she's met Michael she's seemed happier than I've ever known her to be. Did you know he saved her from some freak with a knife?! Well, he did. He moved in with us shortly after that and do you know he's never even tried once to take advantage of the situation with either of us? Maybe you're too dumb to have noticed, but Michael definitely has it bad for her. He loves her, but won't do anything about it because he know's she's engaged. He's wonderful to us both, but he dotes on her. He's a total angel."
Inuyasha tried to understand her: She wasn't sure Kagome should marry her cousin now. Michael loves Kagome but hasn't told her. Michael's an angel. He shook his head. Did she really know what Michael was? Somehow, he didn't think so, she must have meant that some other way. His mind wandered back to what she said about the man who attacked Kagome. He had a knife? Shit! She could have been really hurt if he didn't show up. . . .
His thoughts were interrupted by Chloe's newest verbal attack:
"Are you listening to me, jerk?" Her voice was suddenly very low again, somehow even more threatening. "I don't know and I don't care who you are. I love Kagome like she was my sister. I want her to be happy with someone who knows how to treat her. That may be Paul. It may be Michael. It's not you. I know what you did to her and I won't stand for it."
"What the hell are you talking about? I didn't do anything to her, you nosey bitch!"
Chloe took off her glasses and looked at Inuyasha with intense, battered eyes. "I saw her arm, fucker. I KNOW." Chloe was shaking, looking at him, daring him to hit her.
His eyes wide, he backed away from her and remembered. Kagome's arm, he had grabbed Kagome's arm yesterday, causing her to bruise and bleed, like Chloe's face.
"She thinks I hurt Kagome on purpose, that I would do to Kagome what her own man did to her."
"Chloe," he began. "Listen to me. You don't need to like me or believe me, but please listen."
Chloe was shaking and crying now, her anger spent, replaced by her own fear and shame.
"You're right, I did hurt Kagome's arm, but it was an accident. You can ask her."
"Ha! Chloe laughed spitefully. "You don't think I know what women say when a man hurts them– 'I feel down the step,' or 'I burned my arm on the stove,' or 'I slipped in the shower." I know what women say. I am one of those women. I was one of those little girls."
"What?" Inuyasha gasped at this information. He looked at her feeling sympathy, but also respect.
"Chloe. You have no reason to believe me, I understand. You're right, I am part of Kagome's past. I think I did hurt her before, but not like you think. When Kagome's with me, I'll protect her with my life."
"Those are cheap words Inuyasha. Easy to say when nothing's at stake."
Gods! How could he make this woman understand?
"Chloe, look at me. Please."
She looked up at him and took off her glasses again. "What is it you expect me to see?"
"Look at my eyes. Look at my hair. My ears. My hands," he said, holding up his clawed hands for her to examine.
Her eyes showed her surprise. "Do you still believe me to be a, what was it, 'drama major?'
Chloe's heart-rate spiked as she moved away from him, backing herself up against the wall.
"What, what are you?"
"I'm not totally human, "he said honestly. "And I'm not from here. I'm from–another place. Now please, "he said, slowly, gently, not wanting to alarm her any more than she already was, "watch."
Inuyasha grabbed the wooden railing of the stairwell and closed his hand around it tightly. When he opened his hand, broken bits of crumbled wood, fell from his hand to the floor.
Chloe gasped. She wanted to run, but was trapped. Inuyasha knew she was about to scream.
He looked at her and said, "Chloe I won't hurt you. I wanted to show you I am a little stronger than most people you know. I forgot my strength yesterday when I saw Kagome again. I never meant to hurt her, but it's been awhile since I've touched her. It won't happen again. I can control how much pressure I use, see?" He grabbed the railing above the place he had broken off. This time when he released his hand, the railing was undamaged.
"I'm not like Brad or any of the other men who hurt you," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers. I'm not going to hurt Kagome. I wouldn't ever do that. She is leaving with me for awhile, but I'll bring her back, safely. I'm telling you the truth, Chloe."
Chloe's mind was racing, she was still afraid of him, afraid for Kagome, but not quite as much as she had been a few minutes earlier. She still didn't trust him, and she needed answers. What was he? Where did he come from and where was he taking Kagome? This was so frightening, so damn impossible. She looked at him and asked him the only reasonable question she could think of, the one with an answer she might understand.
"Do you love her Inuyasha? Do you love Kagome?"
He stared into her swollen, bruised face, her blue eyes. She was terrified of him, but facing her own fear for her friend's sake. He found himself liking her, admiring her. He could lie to himself, but here, with this woman who was terrified of him, trapped with him on the stairs, he couldn't lie. He didn't even have to think about it.
"Yes. I love her."
They stared at each other for a minute in silence.
This was an admission he had never made before, even to himself. He was stunned by it, by the realization of what he had just said. He said it aloud, to another person.
He loved Kagome.
It wasn't just a possibility he could hide from anymore or push back into a corner of his mind. It was so clear, so powerfully true, it hurt. In the very act of speaking it, it had become an undeniable fact.
He looked down at the floor, now littered with wood dust. He felt a sharp pain in his chest.
"Kagome, what am I supposed to do now?"
"Inuyahsa?" Chloe looked at him.
"Are you alright?"
He nodded, but didn't look up at her.
"I've never said that–never spoke those words before."
"She doesn't know?"
He shook his head, still not looking up.
Somehow, Chloe was no longer afraid of him, she actually felt almost sorry for him.
"You have some pretty tough competition, you know?"
Inuyasha didn't say anything, he was lost in thought.
"Look Inuyasha, I feel a little better about all this now, "Chloe tried to console him.
"For what it's worth, I don't think she'd be leaving to go with you wherever it is your going to if she didn't care you. You might want to let her know how you feel, and I'd say the sooner the better if you want a chance with her. I don't know what's best for her, that's for her to decide. I just know I want her to be happy and treated the way she deserves. Do you want to go back now?"
He nodded again and this time looked up. Somehow, Inuyasha felt grateful to her.
"Chloe, thank you," he said, "Thank you for at least listening to me."
"It's alright. I'm sorry too, about calling you those names. I get a little crazy when I'm mad."
At that moment, on the stairwell below them, a voice called up:
"Chloe, love, is that you?"
"Michael?"
"Yeah. Wait a sec, I'll be right up!"
Inuyasha's ears took in the loud clicking of his boots on the stairs. Faster than Inuyasha thought possible, Michael was standing on the landing with them. He met Inuyasha's eyes for the briefest moment, bent down, and dusted a fine powder of wood from the top of his black boots. He stood up again, grinned at Chloe and took her hand.
"You and Inuyasha enjoying the view of the stairs?
She nodded at him and smiled. "Yes, we've had a nice talk. Getting to know each other a little."
"Oh, that's great Clo, just great. How are you feeling, really?"
"I'm fine. Knowing that Brad's going to be okay, that's all that matters really."
"Clo," he said meaningfully. "You look tired. You must be so tired from your night at hospital. You need sleep Clo. You need sleep now."
With those words, the woman's eyes fluttered, closed, and she swooned. Michael picked her up, bridal-style.
"What the hell did you do to her?!" Inuyasha demanded, alarmed for the woman.
"No worries. She's just tired. A good sleep is what she needs. I'll take her up to her room now, so she can rest. When she wakes up, she'll be fine. She won't remember a thing that happened or was said to her in the few minutes, but she'll be right as rain otherwise."
With that, he gave Inuyasha another smug, little smile and turned to carry the woman up the stairs.
Inuyasha was surprised again by the man, his abilities, his sense of timing.
"How long were you down there and how much did you hear, angel?" Inuyasha asked, his eyes narrowed.
"I heard enough to know that Chloe needs a nap. I'll talk to you before you leave, Inuyasha."
With that, Michael carried Chloe up the stairs and out of the door of the stairwell.
Inuyasha was left standing in the dust at the bottom of the landing.
"What just happened here? Michael helped me!?"
Inuyasha did not sleep much that night. He was comfortable enough, Kagome's bedding was soft, and her scent permeated the blankets, pillows. It was nice. Still, breathing her scent, knowing she was sleeping behind the door where his eyes now gazed was making him feel tense. He tried to relax, but his mind was racing.
Michael sleeps in his own room, not with her, she told you that, remember? Yeah, but it's not like I'd be able to tell if he WAS sharing a bed with either. . . .
So many changes in her, I wish there weren't so damn many changes. I wish things were--I wish she was-- just as I saw her last-- younger, too-skinny, less developed. She's, she's hard to get used to this way. I don't know if I want things to change between us. I don't know if I'm ready for it.
He thought about all the ways she had appeared to him today:
Kagome surprised and shocked to see me. . . .Kagome hugging me, Kagome telling me she loved me. . . . Kagome kissing me. . . .lying to me. . . . singing on stage, driving me crazy for her. . . .Kagome with new power. . . .Kagome with Michael. . . .Kagome dancing with Brad. . . . Kagome talking about getting married to Paul.... Kagome packing. . . .hugging me again. . . . Kagome leaving with me in a few hours. . . .
His mouth went from a smile, to a frown, to a smile and back, as he tried to make some sense out of what he was thinking, what he was feeling. He was only half-human and didn't need much sleep to be refreshed, but even he was getting tired.
Does Michael sleep? Have I ever seen a sleeping ghost? No, but I've never seen one in the flesh either. He said he is human when he's like this, so maybe his body needs rest too. . . .
Inuyasha's thoughts and worries were gradually melting away. He drifted off to sleep, and, surrounded by Kagome's scent, dreamt of sleeping with her in his arms.
His eyes opened slowly, not wanting to focus. He was disoriented. Not knowing where he was or how he got there, he sat up, quickly feeling alarm. "I'm on a floor, in a strange room, sitting in a pile of blankets. . . . Kagome's home, Kagome's blankets. It was all coming back fast, strange as the situation was, yes, it was reality.
His sensative ears heard soft sounds above him, a quiet conversation. Inuyasha rose, walked out the balcony, and looked up. He quickly jumped up to the rooftop to find Michael and Kagome sitting on a picnic blanket, sharing a meal.
"Good morning Inuyasha!" Kagome said, brightly smiling. "I hope you slept alright. Do you want some tea and a sandwich?"
The air outside was still chilly and damp, the sky barely pink. In all the time he had known her, she was always, always, the last one to get up. He shook his head. A happy, alert Kagome before sunrise was a strange site.
"Yeah, sure," he said, looking out at the skyline. He was slightly uncomfortalbe, and wondered if he was intruding. Finding that the pair had awoken before him and left him sleeping, he was thrown off.
"What are you doing up so early anyways?" he asked, sitting down cross- legged by her and trying to ignore Michael's presence.
"We were going over a few things, just training exercises, " Kagome said, pouring him a cup of hot tea from the thermos and handing him a roll with cheese.
Inuyasha nodded, wondered what kind of 'training' Michael was giving her, but didn't ask.
Almost reading his thoughts, Michael said, "Kay's getting quite good you know. It's timing and control she needs to work on now, the skills are there."
Kagome blushed a little at the compliment.
"Good at what?" Inuyasha asked.
"Fighting of course, "Michael answered.
Inuyasha snorted and almost spilled his tea. "Kagome, fight?! Ha!"
Kagome was blushing again, this time embarrassed. "It's not really fighting, it's more like defensive-stuff; you know, blocking attacks and evading."
"Oh. . . . "Inuyasha said, a wide smile growing on his face, "You mean running away. You've actually learned how to run away?! That's great Kagome! I wish you would have had that skill sooner. You know, I could ask Myoga to continue your training in THAT department!"
He was laughing, hard. "Listen you jack-ass half-demon! "Michael said, angry, "she's training with me to be a spirit-fighter. You don't know what that means, do you? Well, it involves facing very evil, angry spirits, and protecting innocents. Kagome's been learning from me and been helping me since we met. We're not talking about about physical battles with these creatures, but mental ones. What we do is tricky business. It's dangerous, and yes, Kagome is good. She's helped me and others get out of many fights."
Inuyasha was shocked by this information. He looked from Michael to Kagome, who was looking down at the blanket. Somehow he knew that once again Michael had told him something Kagome wouldn't have revealed herself.
"Sorry Kagome, "he said, feeling abashed. He wanted to know what Michael meant. "I didn't know. What exactly do you do in these battles?"
"It's like Michael said, "she said, still looking down and clearly feeling self-conscious. "We go to places angry spirits haunt. Sometimes they attack and kill the living, especially children if they can get them. Mostly they attack other spirits, innocent spirits, and hold them prisoner."
Still shocked and trying to understand, he asked "Why do they hold other spirits?"
Kagome took in a deep breath and answered, "Because they are so filled with rage and hate they want to drain the life force and happiness from everyone else. They are jealous spirits, jealous that others are happy, that they have accepted death as another existence and are ready to move on. Because they can't move on, they don't want anyone else to either. Some of them are very, very old. They've been around a long time, and they've gotten more powerful and more evil during that time."
"And you help these spirits?" he asked, incredulously.
"No," Michael broke in. "They can not be helped. They are beyond help, beyond salvation. They exist, will always exist, in their own dark reality. It's not the same reality that you are from Inuyasha, It's not this present time either. Their world is the darkest of dark places, and it's beyond time. It's the innocent spirits and living we fight them for, those are the ones we protect and save. Kagome helps me to do that, to set innocents free."
Inuyasha felt himself growing tense, uncomfortable, and angry. He's dragging her into this kind of shit, teaching her how to face these things–she's no safer here than she is fighting demons in my time!"
"And you've brought Kagome into this!? Damnit! You say you're her protector, she's your first priority, right? How can you let her do this?!"
"Inuyasha STOP!" Kagome said, not giving Michael a chance to answer. "Michael is helping me. He's teaching me how to do what I was born to do, what I'm meant to do, and yes, he does protect me. I want to do this work, I have to, just as I have to help find the pieces of the jewel and defeat evil in your time. You reminded me of that yesterday, remember?"
Inuyasha shook his head. Yes, he remembered chastising her, making her feel she had an obligation to return with him even when she didn't want to. He didn't know anymore if he had done the right thing then. He remembered what she said yesterday; after talking about her school and work, she had said something about having "other obligations" in this time too. He didn't know what she meant then, but he did now. He was beginning to have doubts about what he was asking her to do.
"Yes, Kagome. But how are you supposed to be helping me and helping him?" he asked.
"Kagome can go with you to do what needs to be done, but she will come back here, to this time, to me to continue our training and work regularly," Michael stated flatly.
"Since I have hepatitis and withdrew from my classes this term, at least I won't have homework and tests this time, "Kagome said lightly. Michael and I talked about it this morning, and we agreed I'd check in for a couple of days every three weeks. That way I can get in some training and help Michael too," Kagome added.
"Kay, I believe I said you were to check-in every week."
"No Michael, I told you, a week was not enough time. Sometimes we have to take long journeys on foot. There is no rapid-transit. A week doesn't allow enough time for traveling."
Inuyasha raised his eyebrows, aware of the irony here. The last time he saw her, he would be the one arguing she needed to stay longer, while she was always trying to get home more. "I never thought I'd hear her say she needed to stay LONGER in m time!"
The argument between Kagome and Michael was still going on:
"Alright Kay, alright," Michael said. "I'll compromise with you and give you ten days."
"Twenty."
"Fifteen."
"Twenty-five."
"Fourteen, and if you keep pushing me, we'll be back to a week, love. Now, will you settle for fourteen days or not?"
"Fine Michael, two weeks. I'll be back for Chloe's bachelorette party that way. You know she wanted both of us to sing, so that works for me."
Inuyasha wasn't happy. He realized he was left-out of their conversation once again. This time, something important was being decided, how long Kagome would stay, and he wasn't the one making the decision. "Hell, I'm not even being asked what I think!" He was used to being the one in charge, the one telling others how and when things would happen. He didn't like this. It made him feel powerless and inconsequential.
"Inuyasha, do you think two weeks works?" Kagome turned to him and asked. He looked at her stunning, large eyes and realized she meant it, she was really asking him what he thought, deferring to him. It made him feel a little better. He wanted her to stay longer, but since she would only be coming back here for a couple of days and then returning with him again, he decided to be gracioius.
"Fine–two weeks." He grumbled. Considering his mood, it was gracious.
"Then everything's settled!" Kagome said cheerily. She stood up and stretched. The sun was up now, and she turned with her arms outstretched to face it. "I think it's going to be a beautiful spring day!" She was smiling, closing her eyes as she embraced the sun with her arms. She looked so light, so careless.
Inuyasha marveled at her: "How does she do that? How can she be so happy with the life she has? It's like she's able to forget about everything and just live in the moment she's in."
He was not feeling light or care-free, however. Of all the things that he had seen, had heard since he came back to Kagome's time, what he learned this morning was the most upsetting of all.
He had learned something new about Kagome's life: He now understood that she would be going back-and-forth, between two times, battling evil in both. He was worried. It still seemed like too much for her, too large a burden for anyone. He knew she was a strong person. Even as a young teenager, she had that strength. "Maybe it's her happiness. . . . maybe that's what makes her so strong, courageous and resilient. . . ."
"I told you she was bloody brilliant," said Michael in a voice too low for Kagome to hear, but startling Inuyasha from his thoughts. Unknown to Inuyasha, Michael had been observing him, watching him watch Kagome. The angel gave him a smug, knowing smile.
Inuyasha smirked and turned away from him, arms folded across his chest.
Kagome and Michael gathered the picnic things and Michael said, "We'll see you back in the apartment then," and, taking Kagome by the arm, the pair vanished. Inuyasha blinked. He was used to Shippo doing this trick, but watching Kagome disspear before his eyes was strange.
"Let's see just how fast that trick works," he thought, and in less than an instant, he was in the air, on Kagome's balcony, and opening the door and walking back inside. Michael was sitting at the kitchen table and Kagome was putting dishes away.
Michael looked up from reading a newspaper and said, "I see what you mean love. Transportation is slow in his time."
Kagome tried to stiffle a laugh, but it burst out anyway. She was trying to stop, but as she tried to hold it in and control herself, the laughter turned to tears.
Glaring at Michael, and restraining himself from calling Kagome a "stupid wench," he sat down on the couch.
He heard the sound of the lock turning and looked up to see Chloe coming through the door.
"Clo!" Kagome said. She wiped her tears and ran to her roommate, hugging her.
Michael came over and wrapped his arms around both women, saying "Good to see you Clo." Chloe was still wearing her sunglasses, but the bruising had spread from her eye socket down and was evident even under the glasses and the layer of make-up.
The three stood in a close circle.
"How's Brad," Kagome asked frowning.
"They're releasing him this morning. They just kept him overnight as a precaution. He's fine, no pain or anything, but. . . ."
"But what?" Michael asked.
"But he keeps talking about seeing angels. He wants to go to church this afternoon. He wants us to arrange for us to go to couples counseling with the priest. And he's looking for work again too."
Kagome and Michael exchanged a meaningful look.
Chloe caught it and said, "What? Do you both think he's crazy or something?"
"No, Clo, no, not at all," Michael soothed.
"I think we were both thinking that if something good came from his scare yesterday, we're thankful, that's all. I think it's a good sign Clo," Kagome said, smiling at her friend.
"Yeah, me too," Chloe said, giving them both a hug again.
Watching them, Inuyasha suddenly understood something. As much as He, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were a close group, the trio he was watching now was like a family. "No wonder she got so angry with Brad," he thought, looking at the pretty young blonde with the blackened eye and swollen nose. "Chloe is like her family and what hat shit-head did to her. . . ." He realized he was getting angry at Brad too. Now he was beginning to think Kagome showed amazing restraint last night by not killing him.
The trio turned toward the living room where Inuyasha was sitting. "Hey Inuyasha!" Chloe smiled at him, "I'm glad you're here! I want to talk to you."
Inuyasha looked up at the petite woman, surprised. Last night he had practically told her to get lost, but now she looked like she didn't remember that.
"Fine," he said, hoping his tone was pleasant enough.
"Would you mind taking a walk with me outside?"
Kagome was taken aback. She couldn't imagine why Chloe wanted to speak with Inuyasha privately, but she had made it clear she did.
Michael broke the silence that followed by saying "I need to go to the studio and pick up the books. I'll be back in half an hour. Bye loves." He gave Kagome and Chloe each a quick kiss on the cheek, and then turned and left.
"I need to call my mom and tell her I'm leaving town for a while. I'll be in my room," Kagome said after Michael left.
Chloe and Inuyasha were alone in the living room. He sat on the sofa, looking up at her. She stood with her hands on her hips, and looked down at him under her sunglasses. "Let's go," she said in a neutral tone. Inuyasha could tell, however, that underneath it was something more serious. He stood next to her and as she turned to lead the way, he realized he actually felt a little intimidated by her.
When they reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs, Chloe stopped and turned to face him.
"Alright Inuyasha," I think it's time we had a little talk.
He raised his eyebrows and said "I don't even know you, so I don't know what we have to talk about."
"Kagome. We're going to talk about Kagome," she began, advancing closer to him.
"I know you're leaving with her today, to take her to the country to visit some friends while she recovers. I also know that's a load of bullshit. Kagome isn't sick. I would know if she was sick, and she's not. It's too coincidental, her "hepatitis" occuring just as you show up."
"Look, I don't know what you think you're getting at, "he interrupted, "but–"
"But nothing. I talked to my cousin last night too. Did you know Kagome's engaged to him?"
"Yes, I know. Michael told me."
Chloe raised her eyes at that. "Well, Paul knows she's lying and so do I. Here's the bottom line Inuyasha. I don't know exactly who or what you were to her in the past, because she won't talk about her past. I've asked her about her life before college, and she dodges the questions. Do you know why?"
Before he could answer, she started again. "I think something happened in her past that was so painful for her, she doesn't want to talk about it, ever. Do you know what else I think?"
Again, before he could say anything, she was speaking again, her voice raising in volume.
"I think you're part of that past, maybe even the cause of that pain."
She stopped for a moment.
Inuyasha wanted to say something, but was shocked by what this woman had said about Kagome, and at her aggressive behavior now.
"I know about pain and about covering it, "she said so matter-of-factly he was stunned into silence again. "I don't know why you showed up here yesterday, or why Kagome wants to leave with you now, but I know one thing. I will not let you hurt her."
Inuyasha was beginning to loose it with her. She had no right talking to him this way. He would never hurt Kagome.
"Listen, bitch–"he said.
That was as far as he got. Enraged by the insult and feeling even more assured that she was doing the right thing, Chloe raged at him.
"No YOU listen, you bastard! I want what's best for her. I thought for a while that was marrying my cousin. I'm not sure now. Since she's met Michael she's seemed happier than I've ever known her to be. Did you know he saved her from some freak with a knife?! Well, he did. He moved in with us shortly after that and do you know he's never even tried once to take advantage of the situation with either of us? Maybe you're too dumb to have noticed, but Michael definitely has it bad for her. He loves her, but won't do anything about it because he know's she's engaged. He's wonderful to us both, but he dotes on her. He's a total angel."
Inuyasha tried to understand her: She wasn't sure Kagome should marry her cousin now. Michael loves Kagome but hasn't told her. Michael's an angel. He shook his head. Did she really know what Michael was? Somehow, he didn't think so, she must have meant that some other way. His mind wandered back to what she said about the man who attacked Kagome. He had a knife? Shit! She could have been really hurt if he didn't show up. . . .
His thoughts were interrupted by Chloe's newest verbal attack:
"Are you listening to me, jerk?" Her voice was suddenly very low again, somehow even more threatening. "I don't know and I don't care who you are. I love Kagome like she was my sister. I want her to be happy with someone who knows how to treat her. That may be Paul. It may be Michael. It's not you. I know what you did to her and I won't stand for it."
"What the hell are you talking about? I didn't do anything to her, you nosey bitch!"
Chloe took off her glasses and looked at Inuyasha with intense, battered eyes. "I saw her arm, fucker. I KNOW." Chloe was shaking, looking at him, daring him to hit her.
His eyes wide, he backed away from her and remembered. Kagome's arm, he had grabbed Kagome's arm yesterday, causing her to bruise and bleed, like Chloe's face.
"She thinks I hurt Kagome on purpose, that I would do to Kagome what her own man did to her."
"Chloe," he began. "Listen to me. You don't need to like me or believe me, but please listen."
Chloe was shaking and crying now, her anger spent, replaced by her own fear and shame.
"You're right, I did hurt Kagome's arm, but it was an accident. You can ask her."
"Ha! Chloe laughed spitefully. "You don't think I know what women say when a man hurts them– 'I feel down the step,' or 'I burned my arm on the stove,' or 'I slipped in the shower." I know what women say. I am one of those women. I was one of those little girls."
"What?" Inuyasha gasped at this information. He looked at her feeling sympathy, but also respect.
"Chloe. You have no reason to believe me, I understand. You're right, I am part of Kagome's past. I think I did hurt her before, but not like you think. When Kagome's with me, I'll protect her with my life."
"Those are cheap words Inuyasha. Easy to say when nothing's at stake."
Gods! How could he make this woman understand?
"Chloe, look at me. Please."
She looked up at him and took off her glasses again. "What is it you expect me to see?"
"Look at my eyes. Look at my hair. My ears. My hands," he said, holding up his clawed hands for her to examine.
Her eyes showed her surprise. "Do you still believe me to be a, what was it, 'drama major?'
Chloe's heart-rate spiked as she moved away from him, backing herself up against the wall.
"What, what are you?"
"I'm not totally human, "he said honestly. "And I'm not from here. I'm from–another place. Now please, "he said, slowly, gently, not wanting to alarm her any more than she already was, "watch."
Inuyasha grabbed the wooden railing of the stairwell and closed his hand around it tightly. When he opened his hand, broken bits of crumbled wood, fell from his hand to the floor.
Chloe gasped. She wanted to run, but was trapped. Inuyasha knew she was about to scream.
He looked at her and said, "Chloe I won't hurt you. I wanted to show you I am a little stronger than most people you know. I forgot my strength yesterday when I saw Kagome again. I never meant to hurt her, but it's been awhile since I've touched her. It won't happen again. I can control how much pressure I use, see?" He grabbed the railing above the place he had broken off. This time when he released his hand, the railing was undamaged.
"I'm not like Brad or any of the other men who hurt you," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers. I'm not going to hurt Kagome. I wouldn't ever do that. She is leaving with me for awhile, but I'll bring her back, safely. I'm telling you the truth, Chloe."
Chloe's mind was racing, she was still afraid of him, afraid for Kagome, but not quite as much as she had been a few minutes earlier. She still didn't trust him, and she needed answers. What was he? Where did he come from and where was he taking Kagome? This was so frightening, so damn impossible. She looked at him and asked him the only reasonable question she could think of, the one with an answer she might understand.
"Do you love her Inuyasha? Do you love Kagome?"
He stared into her swollen, bruised face, her blue eyes. She was terrified of him, but facing her own fear for her friend's sake. He found himself liking her, admiring her. He could lie to himself, but here, with this woman who was terrified of him, trapped with him on the stairs, he couldn't lie. He didn't even have to think about it.
"Yes. I love her."
They stared at each other for a minute in silence.
This was an admission he had never made before, even to himself. He was stunned by it, by the realization of what he had just said. He said it aloud, to another person.
He loved Kagome.
It wasn't just a possibility he could hide from anymore or push back into a corner of his mind. It was so clear, so powerfully true, it hurt. In the very act of speaking it, it had become an undeniable fact.
He looked down at the floor, now littered with wood dust. He felt a sharp pain in his chest.
"Kagome, what am I supposed to do now?"
"Inuyahsa?" Chloe looked at him.
"Are you alright?"
He nodded, but didn't look up at her.
"I've never said that–never spoke those words before."
"She doesn't know?"
He shook his head, still not looking up.
Somehow, Chloe was no longer afraid of him, she actually felt almost sorry for him.
"You have some pretty tough competition, you know?"
Inuyasha didn't say anything, he was lost in thought.
"Look Inuyasha, I feel a little better about all this now, "Chloe tried to console him.
"For what it's worth, I don't think she'd be leaving to go with you wherever it is your going to if she didn't care you. You might want to let her know how you feel, and I'd say the sooner the better if you want a chance with her. I don't know what's best for her, that's for her to decide. I just know I want her to be happy and treated the way she deserves. Do you want to go back now?"
He nodded again and this time looked up. Somehow, Inuyasha felt grateful to her.
"Chloe, thank you," he said, "Thank you for at least listening to me."
"It's alright. I'm sorry too, about calling you those names. I get a little crazy when I'm mad."
At that moment, on the stairwell below them, a voice called up:
"Chloe, love, is that you?"
"Michael?"
"Yeah. Wait a sec, I'll be right up!"
Inuyasha's ears took in the loud clicking of his boots on the stairs. Faster than Inuyasha thought possible, Michael was standing on the landing with them. He met Inuyasha's eyes for the briefest moment, bent down, and dusted a fine powder of wood from the top of his black boots. He stood up again, grinned at Chloe and took her hand.
"You and Inuyasha enjoying the view of the stairs?
She nodded at him and smiled. "Yes, we've had a nice talk. Getting to know each other a little."
"Oh, that's great Clo, just great. How are you feeling, really?"
"I'm fine. Knowing that Brad's going to be okay, that's all that matters really."
"Clo," he said meaningfully. "You look tired. You must be so tired from your night at hospital. You need sleep Clo. You need sleep now."
With those words, the woman's eyes fluttered, closed, and she swooned. Michael picked her up, bridal-style.
"What the hell did you do to her?!" Inuyasha demanded, alarmed for the woman.
"No worries. She's just tired. A good sleep is what she needs. I'll take her up to her room now, so she can rest. When she wakes up, she'll be fine. She won't remember a thing that happened or was said to her in the few minutes, but she'll be right as rain otherwise."
With that, he gave Inuyasha another smug, little smile and turned to carry the woman up the stairs.
Inuyasha was surprised again by the man, his abilities, his sense of timing.
"How long were you down there and how much did you hear, angel?" Inuyasha asked, his eyes narrowed.
"I heard enough to know that Chloe needs a nap. I'll talk to you before you leave, Inuyasha."
With that, Michael carried Chloe up the stairs and out of the door of the stairwell.
Inuyasha was left standing in the dust at the bottom of the landing.
"What just happened here? Michael helped me!?"