A/N: I'm sorry; I'll say that now. I, by no means, meant to take this long in updating…again. I'll explain that more at the bottom A/N but for now, lets just get going.

People that I love: anime-lover-forever2007, RogueSummerdLover, Hiei81, Venusaria (pillows have wrath?), E girl, Lucifina, DarkInuLover, x-cleverclaws-x, What the !#$!!! (go monkeys!), Starry22153, pyroangel7 (I'll sleep with them), Vladriel (as long as there is no concussion), Number-1-Baka101, Kokoro's Dream (as soon as I get the time, I'll get back to you), Liarra (you like me, why try to change your mind about that?), Meeko (yeah, I know what you mean), Sarah (I've been putting them in the bottom A/Ns if I use a song, but Kagome's band is Evanescence in reality and InuYasha's is going to be changed to the Offspring…they both Kick Ass), Goth Musician (you know what's ironic, I just learned "Head Around You" on the guitar. Of course I'm putting that in…eventually…), Kitz the Kitsune (is this within the next six years?), babygirl20008, DarkSlayerAngel (where have you been looking, and what made you look?), inulova4lyfe, FoxylilRaven (E-MAIL ME!! I've never been the "call back" type of person…I'm sorry for that), anubaka (RUNNING DAYS REALLY DO SUCK!! I get these horrible running cramps and it's like someone shoved a knife in my gut! And the teacher couldn't care less…bastard… Anyway, I wasn't at all insinuating anything about cutting, I was talking about how everything was happening to her right hand (the mirror-punching and the stair-falling) while nothing happened to her left hand until she hit the underside of the bed. The rubber band thing was sort of a joke about being a masochist. However, I really want to thank you for the idea, you might have just helped me help someone else.)

DraGonMistress704- I wanted to make sure that you saw this. I'm so pissed that something happened to your story and now it's gone. It was doing better than my story for fucks sake and it was drop dead sexy! I was just wondering if you had this story on mediaminer so I could continue reading. It's too great to let it fall because some jackass(es) thought it would be fun to have you deleted. If you aren't, I say go for it and sign up. It takes NC-17 stories and stuff (it's where I'll be posting anything of lemony content).

Disclaimer- I GOT OVER 300 REVIEWS! I'M SO HAPPY! Oh yeah, I don't own anything that's not mine…(yeah, that made perfect sense)

Muted Words#

§It Serves Me Well§

-Saturday-

Kagome leaned against the cooled glass beneath her cheek, her eyes open and yet nothing was registering. Kouga was driving, sometimes casting a worried glance over to his cousin and she still didn't really pay much attention. The music was set at a low volume, but the silence made it very clear to hear it.

She was still in a slight state of disbelief. This man, that thing, has caused her more hellish nightmares and memories in one brief instance then all the other horrors of her life and here she was…going to visit him in the place where she constantly prayed he would stay forever, never to intrude upon her life again. What was she thinking?

Well, actually (and surprisingly), she knew exactly what gears were turning in the clockwork of her mind. Of all the things that were happening, that was the one factor she was sure. Kagome wanted a release, a chance to get over, but not forget, everything that had happened that day. In order to get over a fear, first one must face it, and conquer it, not let it conquer you. That was the thought that she repeated in her mind.

Pulling into the prison's parking lot, Kouga shut off the engine and turned to Kagome. "If you don't want to do this, Kagome, there is no one forcing you," he whispered, looking straight in her blue-green eyes. Kagome undid the seatbelt and opened the door before turning to look at him.

"Nobody, except me," she replied, stepping out of the car. She couldn't help but remember the first time she said that.

§

"I don't want you going," InuYasha stated, lying back on his own bed. Kagome was dropping him off at his house, seeing as his mode of transportation was the larger version of a crushed soda can. It was about two hours after the phone call from the jail.

"I know that you don't, to be perfectly honest, I don't really want to do it myself," Kagome admitted, fluffing his pillows for him unnecessarily to stall for time. "But I'm going anyway."

"But WHY?" InuYasha somewhat yelled, a desperation bleeding into the tone. Kagome flinched slightly, pulling away from the pillows and kissing his forehead. She turned to leave.

"I have to," she replied, taking slow steps toward the door. InuYasha seemed to have noticed it immediately.

"Don't leave yet, Kagome," he insisted, gripping at her hand, trying to reach her. She seemed so far away. "Stay for a while." Kagome heeded him.

"I'm still going," she whispered, obviously talking about the previous subject, a slight defiance was heard. InuYasha wrapped his arms around her, guiding her to his chest and managing to avoid his bruises.

"Why?" he asked more gently then before. Kagome pressed her face into his neck.

"I have to," she repeated. "InuYasha," Kagome moved back to look into his honeyed amber eyes. "You are so much stronger than I could ever hope to be, you know that? You've gone through your own hell and you still sleep at night…and sometimes in the car…

"I try not to let it bother me too much but it still does. I deal with it, I try to fix it, but all that I've tried, all that I've done, none of it seems to help me get over one moment in time. Maybe I've done the wrong things, I wouldn't be surprised, I'm not perfect, nor have I ever claimed to be. The truth is, I'm still afraid.

"I'm not allowed sedatives or narcotics to help me sleep, because of the whole coma thing a few years ago, or steroids or anti-depressants. There was this big scare once when I took some cold medicine that helped you sleep and it seemed like I couldn't fully wake up. Seems I'm sensitive to that stuff now. I'm not allowed Nyquil anymore, which is a shame because I liked Nyquil. Anyway, I can't use sleeping pills because they're sedatives, and therefore I can't rely on chemicals to give me sleep.

"I don't think that I've ever had a decent night's sleep in a year unless I've been unconscious or…with you lying beside me. I've tried everything I could, but nothing worked. I think that this might actually help. In not one of my attempts have I actually come face to face with what I fear; now I have a chance.

"Nobody, but myself, is making me do this. And I'm doing it, not to give Akira satisfaction, but to liberate my soul and let me sleep on my own."

§

Kagome sat down in the chair, the cold of the metal sinking through her clothes (a black button-up shirt and a long, dark green skirt with her black, faux-leather trench coat that reached to her ankles) and waited while Akira was brought to this room. Kouga sat next to her, his features set in a stoic stone (must be taking lessons from Sess), yet still managing to glare at the door as though it was the cause of all their problems.

Apprehension was inching its way up her spine, slowly claiming each disk. She was sure that the only thing keeping her upright was the chair. Kouga parted the hands in her lap, taking her un-"casted" left hand in his and leaned in close, examining her with his sky blue eyes. "Are you sure you can handle this, 'Gome?" he questioned. "You're shaking."

She was slightly amazed at herself. It wasn't until Kouga pointed it out that she discovered it was true. 'When did I start that?' With a lot of controlled effort, Kagome managed to stop shivering. "Yes, Kouga, I can handle this," she answered.

The door opened.

Akira stepped into the small room, escorted by two uniformed men who promptly pushed him into the seat opposite of the cousins. The dull black hair had grown in the passing year, now with the ability to be put in a ponytail. His hands were in cuffs, a small, weak affirmation that he would be harmless. Kagome could do nothing but stare into the dark gray eyes of her former stepfather. He stared right back at her, looking at her with some unknown emotion. Kouga's grip on her hand strengthened.

"Why did you answer my request?" Akira questioned. Kagome swallowed thickly.

"Why did you request my presence in the first place?" she countered, trying not to blink too much. Akira smiled slightly.

"Just as witty as ever," he recalled, his voice sickeningly soft, almost amorous. It made Kagome a bit queasy. "It was one of the things I loved most about you."

"If this is all you wanted to talk about," Kagome began, her voice amazingly stern even though she felt like she couldn't stand up if she tried, "then I am going to leave." Akira's smile grew wider.

"Of course, getting to the point. How are you after a year?" he asked, taking in the Velcro-attachable cast. "Hurt yourself recently?"

"You honestly think that I believe you really care?" she returned, avoiding the question. She'll be damned if she makes this easy for him. Akira leaned back in his chair.

"No, but that doesn't mean that I don't care for you. In fact, you've been on my mind constantly," he divulged, twiddling his thumbs in an innocent manner. "Oh yes, a consistent stream of thoughts, all of them more pleasant then the next. First of what I would have done had I not been…interrupted. Then to what I would have done afterwards, taking you far away and keeping you just to myself, because nobody will ever have you. But who am I trying to kid, people all around will think of you as beautiful, and I can live with that, because once they hear of your past, hear of me, then they will destroy any ties that they ever had with you. You're tainted, forever to remain alone," Akira mused, never looking away from Kagome's eyes. She resisted the urge to flinch. "You will always remain mine."

"I'm not tainted," she defied, grinding her teeth in annoyance (refusing to let it be anything but, seeing as anger could make her pass out or her suffering will leave this entire voyage in vain) and let go of Kouga's hand. "I am not alone." She stood from her chair. "And I have never been, and never will be, yours." She slammed her left fist against the table, leaving a dent in its wake. The guards made no move to stop the young woman at her actions, believing whole-heartedly that the bastard at the table deserved every bit of the young woman's retribution. Although, they did have an obligation to make sure he didn't die…oh well.

Akira's smirk grew. "You know that your attitude is just serving to make me horny, don't you?" Kouga growled.

"That's it, we're leaving," he thundered, grasping Kagome's hand and facing the doorway. Kagome didn't object; any fear that Akira had her held by dissolved with her own testament.

"Not that easily," Akira snarled, the first sign of anger visualizing in his eyes. He rose from his seat and used his chained hands to grab at Kagome. The action shocked her, and the cold air that met her chest was slow to awaken her.

When Kouga saw Kagome's shirt rip, exposing her bra-covered chest, he lunged for his former step-uncle, furious beyond belief that he dared to harm her. The table upturned, flying over to the other side of the room. For all the punches he managed to give in the short amount of time before the guards jumped into action, all he got in return was a sharp jab to the jaw. Not as bad as it could have been, considering the last time they encountered each other.

Kagome watched from the wall opposite of the table's as Kouga rolled out of the way. Her first instinct was to run to him and see if he was all right but she decided against it as Akira began to fight against the guards. Instead, she chose to move forward, getting into position as the two men were knocked out with their own nightsticks.

Akira stood up and Kagome noticed his new weapon, compliments of the fallen guys in the corner. Ignoring the fact that she was unarmed and in a skirt she moved towards her intended target.

§

Rin watched Sango pace back and forth in worry as InuYasha sat on the couch, brooding over the fact that Kagome wouldn't let him even escort her to the jail. Damn it, he could have stayed in the car! Anything was better than just sitting here and do nothing but wait in concern.

Sesshoumaru was stoic ever, concealing all emotion, as usual. Miroku was watching Sango, rather enjoying the way her hips swayed, but she was too bothered by the fact that Kagome hadn't called yet. Of course he was worried, no doubt about it. Kagome had grown to be like a little sister, but worrying about what could be nothing was fruitless, and quite frankly, a waste of time. Watching Sango's ass swivel and swerve was a much more valuable waste of the minutes that passed.

Ayame was sitting next to her, driving a hole through the carpeting with her glare. Kouga wasn't there to comfort her this time, being the one that volunteered and beat Sango and Rin at Janken (Rock, paper, scissors) to be Kagome's escort. Ginta and Hakakku sat still, observing just as Rin.

The silence was tense for another twenty or so minutes, until the abrupt ringing of the telephone intruded. Whether or not it brought good news though, was why no one answered it immediately. Gathering up the courage, Rin stood and walked to the phone, picking it up.

"Hello?"

§

Kagome punched Akira in the jaw, and then quickly dropped to the floor to kick his feet out from underneath him. Standing away from him, she had to wonder at the mobility of her skirt. He stood again, wiping some of the blood from his split lip. Akira looked at it somewhat amazed.

"You're not the helpless little girl that I left behind, Kagome," he whispered, smiling slightly. "I kinda like it when you fight back."

Kagome shivered in disgust. "But you're the same half-assed bastard that I sent away, Akira," she reviled, watching as he got into a position to charge. She backed away inconspicuously, trying to use the speed that he would gain in the distance to her advantage. "It just proves that some things never change"

Without hesitation, Akira moved forward, speeding towards the teenager. Kagome raised her knee at the last moment, effectively hitting him in the groin. She stepped out of the way of the teetering man and elbowed him in the back, slamming him to the floor. Watching him closely, Kagome moved over to Kouga as the door slammed open.

Ten or so policemen scattered into the room, forming a protective barrier between the teenagers and the murderer. One of them walked over to the man, undoing one of the handcuffs and pulling both arms behind his back and relocking the cuff. Then a few more of them went to pick him up and carry him out while the rest surrounded them, escorting him out of the room.

Kagome looked at Kouga, taking his chin in her hand to examine the bruise that was forming on his jaw. "Are you all right?" she asked, eyes traveling to the purplish tint that was steadily growing darker.

"I'm fine," Kouga replied, "but aren't you cold?" he questioned sheepishly, closing her shirt for her. Kagome raised her eyebrow, using her hand to keep the shirt closed since all the buttons tore off when Akira pulled it open.

"Smart ass," Kagome mumbled, standing and walking to the door. "Come on," she added, "I have one more skeleton to see to."

§

Kouga shifted from one foot to another as he stood before he decrepit old house. "This is your skeleton?" he inquired, standing before Kagome's old home, taking in the faded yellow police tape and the overall shabbiness of the exterior. "Kinda…big for a skeleton, isn't it?"

Kagome nodded, walking past the tape and going inside. She immediately noticed the cobwebs hanging in the corners. Ignoring everything, she climbed up the stairs, giving a short glance to the planks of sturdy wood that served as steps over the gap from the snare that caught Souta and inadvertently Rin, and walked along the upper hallway. Finally, she made it to where she wanted to be.

Kouga sighed and got out his cell phone, calling the Teki residence to let them know that they were okay and didn't get murdered by the psychotic bastard they went to visit. Tracing Kagome's steps, he followed her to the doorway of a room.

"Hello?" he heard the voice of Rin answer. Sighing in relief, he began to answer.

"Hey sis," he replied.

"Where the hell are you guys?" Rin asked, panicked. Kouga rolled his eyes.

"We're at the morgue, Rin," he answered, sarcasm dripping from his voice. Kagome smirked, chuckling at the statement.

"YOU'RE WHERE?" the receiver exclaimed. "Oh no, oh no, did you guys die or something?"

"We didn't die, Rin," Kouga assured.

"Oh," Rin commented softly. "…Did Akira die?" Her voice was innocent, like a child who was asking for candy.

"I wish," he responded, watching as Kagome entered the room, examining the walls and broken furniture. "We're actually…at home…" he wandered off, not really wanting to call this place 'The Evil Sanctuary of Horrific Lies, Deceit, Betrayal, and Death'. It's not its fault that it housed one of the most tragic events of his life. 'I can't believe that I'm starting to feel pity for a house.'

"But what are you doing there? We told you we would be here?"

"I obviously knew that already or else I wouldn't have called this number," Kouga pointed out. "Listen, we aren't at the home we live in, we're at the home where…it…happened."

Kagome was now looking at the bed, its sheets still on, still stained in her blood. She ran her hand over them, taking in the crusty feel; she could hardly remember what they felt like before they were tainted. Soft, she would imagine.

Kouga noticed the change from curious to anxious in his sister's voice. "Just…why are you…there?" she asked.

"Kagome needed to face the skeletons in her closet. One of them just so happens to be a house," he answered nonchalantly, watching as Kagome sat on the bed and took out a small notepad and a pen from her purse. "You guys might as well just come here. She doesn't look like she's moving for a while," Kouga added, wishing he could read what she was writing from his place from in the threshold. Her pen was moving furiously on the page, pausing only every few seconds to tap against her thigh in a muted beat, then resumed writing just as hurriedly as before.

"Why?" Kouga could tell that Rin was getting more unnerved with each sentence.

"Relax, Rin. She's just writing, I think," Kouga answered, just as Kagome closed the notepad and rested it on the bedside table, placing the pen on top of it. She stretched her legs on the mattress, bouncing on it for test, removed her jacket, bundled it and placed it at the head of the bed. She turned away from Kouga and lay down, using the jacket as an impromptu pillow. "Or…maybe not…"

"Maybe not what?"

"She's not writing anymore," Kouga murmured, cautiously walking up to the young woman. "I think…she's asleep…"

§

Looking up at what used to be a comfortable house, InuYasha got out of Miroku's car, walking to the door without a thought. If Kagome was in there, then he wanted to be in there too. He passed the threshold and looked around. The walls were a crusted white, great cracks breaking it up from disrepair. Picture frames were cracked, wood was worn, and it seemed that the ceiling leaked because some of the throw rugs were damp and paled in some parts. His eye twitched when he saw the unmistakable trail of blood, dried from a year without a host body. 'Where's the bedroom?' he asked himself.

Sango had walked in quickly, followed by Rin, who was holding her hand. The older sister looked almost angry, but anger towards her younger twin who came to this house, towards the man who made this house damnable, or towards the house itself, InuYasha didn't know. Rin let go of Sango when she began running up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and turned down the hall.

The stragglers from the cars came in. The only ones absent were Shippou, who was too young to see this, Souta and Kohaku, who were too reluctant to come here, and Ginta and Hakakku, who were watching the three. Miroku, Sesshoumaru, and Ayame walked in silent, taking in the surroundings just as InuYasha had done.

Rin began to ascend the stairs, stopping at the planks that covered the hole. Her eyes reflected a sorrow that was rare to see from this jovial woman. Closing them fiercely, she clenched her fists, shaking. Unlike with Sango, InuYasha was fairly sure that Rin was feeling fury towards Akira, towards the hell he created and the despair he left in his wake.

"Rin?" Sesshoumaru whispered, bringing her back to reality.

"Let's go," she replied, her voice somewhat distant. She led them past the stairway and through the hall that Sango had undoubtedly ran through, InuYasha directly behind her, anxious to get to his Kagome.

Sango and Kouga were standing in the doorway of a room, watching whatever was inside. Rin ran to hug her brother, Ayame close behind, but InuYasha was trying to peer into the room.

Kagome was curled on the bloodstained bed, sleeping soundly with her head resting on her jacket. InuYasha pushed his way through the two relatives to move towards his love. He knelt beside her, trying to ignore the crimson and focus on the slumbering young woman. Stroking her hair, he noticed the utter peace her features radiated. That with the surroundings created a horrifically beautiful picture.

Sango came up behind him, picking up something from the bedside table. "I don't believe it," she whispered. "Kagome wrote a song." Everyone came around the bed, focusing on Sango.

"What's it called?" Rin asked. Sango's eyes traveled to the top of the little sheet.

"Lies," she answered, her magenta orbs flowing down the page to look at what was written.

"But we already have a Lies," Kouga said, confused. Sango lifted the little pad up to his eyes.

"She took care of that as well. It says 'Remix'." InuYasha took the notepad from everybody and read the lyrics:

"Bind (bind) my limbs with fear (fear)
Choke me with tears (tears)
I won't die for you

You've (you've) been here before (before)
And come back for more (more)
But not this time

You will never be strong enough
You will never be good enough
You were never conceived in love
You will not rise above

Somebody tell me what made us all believe you
I should have known all along it was all a lie
(Should have known it was all a lie)

Now (now) I know the truth (truth)
I'm through fearing you (you)
And I am free

You will never be strong enough
You will never be good enough
You were never conceived in love
You will not rise above

Somebody tell me what made us all believe you
I should have known all along it was a lie
(Should have known it was all a lie)

Somebody tell me what made us all believe you
I should have known all along it was all a lie
Somebody tell me what made us all believe you
I should have known it was all a lie
I should have known it was all a lie"

InuYasha handed the notepad back to Sango and went to Kagome, this time sitting on the bed, avoiding the crusted blood. "I guess she's not afraid anymore…"

"I think that's an understatement," Sango said, looking over the words again. "I'm through fearing you, and I am free," she recited.

"I guess you can sleep on your own," InuYasha whispered to Kagome. "You know, you could have just come home. This is a hell of a place to take a catnap…"

Kagome slowly blinked open her eyes. "It sure was," she mumbled, sitting up, not realizing her shirt was still in disrepair.

"What happened to your shirt?" asked InuYasha.

"Long story," she dismissed.

The long story was relatively short when shared between the cousins. They made it to the part about Kagome kneeing Akira in the groin.

"I still don't see why you did that, 'Gome," said Kouga. "I made sure last year that there was nothing left to smash."

After the story was completed, they headed downstairs, presumably to leave the decrepit structure, but Kagome didn't go to the door like everyone before her. Instead, she turned another way all together. InuYasha was the only one behind her, the only one to see her walk down another hall.

He crept after her; careful to hit the same steps she did as to avoid creeks and moans in the elderly wood. She reached a doorway and stood there, looking into whatever was held in the room. From his distance, he couldn't see just what was to be seen.

"Did you honestly think that I didn't know you would follow me, Inu?" Kagome asked, turning to face him, a gentle smile on her face. "If you really want to be good at sneaking, try removing your sneakers, or at least stepping when I'm stepping," she continued, holding out a hand to him.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," he whispered, taking her hand and letting him be pulled to see what she was looking at before.

The kitchen had been cleaned, donning two chalky outlines of the deceased.

"This is where it happened, or at least, this is where it started," Kagome explained. "That doorway over there," she pointed to the sliding door on the other side of the room, "is where I walked through in time to see this all play out. That," she pointed to the red splatters on the wall, "is from when I breathed too loud." Kagome turned InuYasha to face her.

"This is my past, it was my life, and will be in my memories until I die." She looked carefully into his amber eyes. "I don't know of any other secrets I have to keep from you. You know who I am, do you accept me?"

"Yes," he whispered.

§

A/N: If your wondering why it took so long, I can give you many answers. One would be that my friend is still suffering, another is that now I'm suffering because she won't let me in far enough (trying to 'protect' me, yet showing me what she does), and that I wrote a once-was-a-oneshot during the time I didn't update and I posted it here (check it out if you want).

Anyway, I really hope you like that, and let me know if you do, it's what that box thingy is there for.