AN—I'm sooooooo sorry, I haven't updated in FOREVER. I'm very proud of this chapter though. But I had a lot of things. Winter ball, swim meets, random school crap.

Disclaimer- six whole hours and five long days, for all your lies to come undone,

and those three small words, were way too late, cause you can't see that I'm the one

Chapter 14- candid moments

For probably the first time in his life, ramen didn't seem too great.

He didn't know why he was all caught up in this. The last time he saw her, he was an infant. A whelp…

Inuyasha and Kikyou were together in diapers. They grew up together. And were inseparable. Then Kikyou's dad got a job in Hiroshima. They moved away. Both were too young to really keep in touch. Inuyasha didn't know past 'i' in the alphabet yet, so writing letters was out.

And it's not like Inuyasha wasn't kept busy...

So why was he stressing seeing her here? It was no biggie… But he knew what it was…his first break-in. That picture. A man, a woman…and a girl.

He robbed his best friend.

He couldn't sleep. He pulled out a needle from under his mattress that he nicked during sewing class (yes, they made him sew. His fingers were bruised). He started to pick the lock on his door. Ever since they found about his midnight joy strolls they started to lock his door.

In exactly six seconds, the lock clicked open. His feet led him an unfamiliar path, yet he knew where he was going.

Should he knock? It was pretty late…what if she was sleeping? He never felt so unsure of himself… What if she slept naked? That would be awkward… This was a stupid idea, but he couldn't just leave. A note? No! she doesn't sleep in the nude!

"Come in Inuyasha, you've been pacing out there for quite some time."

"Eh?…oh yeah."

'Smooth', he thought to himself.

He let himself in. She was sitting in thought.

"Why are you here?"

"Well, er…I was getting a glass of ..water! and I just saw—"

"Not that, what are you in for?"

"Oh" Inuyasha sighed, "it's a long story."

Kikyou just kept on looking at him.

"I—my mom…it felt so good…the girl was crying…"

Sensing his discomfort, Kikyou guided him to her bed.

"Start from the beginning."

And Inuyasha spilt his guts. Everything. The hotel room, Naraku, the house calls, the little girl. Everything except for the picture.

After telling it, Inuyasha felt a weight had been lifted from him. He was so emotionally exhausted he subconsciously snuggled under Kikyou's covers. For the first time in a very long time, he slept soundly.

(AN- they're thirteen…so the sexual tension is nonexistent)

The days after that were easier. Now that Inuyasha had a friend.

Kikyou wasn't the most energetic girl, but she giggled at his antics and provided comfort.

"Yo, Kikyou." Inuyasha barged through Kikyou's door; she was wearing the usual sweater and flip-flops with socks. She turned to smile at Inuyasha.

"Everyone's at the pool, I was thinking we should go. We haven't gone swimming yet."

Kikyou concentrated on the dead flies on her windowsill.

"Hehe, I know Pete splashes everyone chronically, but he eventually gets tired. We'll tie his hands to the lifeguard stand."

"I-I-I'm…I feel sick."

Inuyasha became concerned. She seemed perfectly find during breakfast.

"I told you not to eat those breakfast burritos, way to spicy."

"uh…yeah, that must be it."

One thing that Inuyasha thought was odd was the way Kikyou acted during group. They weren't the liveliest group, but everyone talked about their problems at least a little bit (except for Bill, who would NEVER shut up). But Kikyou remained in stolid silence. Even Inuyasha had just made a major breakthrough ("I don't feel comfortable when you make 'yo mama' jokes, Conrad, and I would like it if you'd stop"…of course, when the guy rolled his eyes, Inuyasha socked him in the stomach).

Inuyasha just realized, that he didn't even know why Kikyou was here. This disturbed him, but he didn't want to upset the way things were. He didn't think much of it. One of the guys was in for hitting on his cousin, so it could be no big.

He couldn't sleep…again. He was worried about Kikyou.

"grrr, evil burrito from hell"

He hopped out of his bed and pulled his down open. His needle disappeared a long time ago, but the locks weren't very strong, and Inuyasha could easily break them.

On his way to Kikyou's room, he remembered her saying that she was going to research something late at the library. He strolled in her room; it was his second home…more of his first home (he didn't prefer his room). He was kind of thankful Kikyou wouldn't be there, he had to take a leak, and her bathroom was way nicer than his (the janitors figured that boys don't HAVE to have toilet paper).

Zipping down his fly, Inuyasha made his way to the latrine. As he pushed the door open he saw…

"Ah! I'm sorry, sorry. I thought you were studyiWHAT HAPPENED!"

Kikyou was just going to turn on the shower, she stood very naked when Inuyasha walked in.

Inuyasha stood in shock. Not because he saw the first pair of boobs since he was 2, but there were slashed scars all down Kikyou's arms.

Kikyou looked at Inuyasha with horror. She snatched a towel, screaming angrily, "geeet ouuuut! Get out of here! Go!"

She managed to intimidate Inuyasha into leaving the bathroom and shutting the door, but it didn't make him forget what he saw.

He stood on the other side of the door

"Who did this to you! Tell me! I'll beat them to a bloody pulp!"

He heard her softly crying, and realized that his approach probably wouldn't be the best thing.

"Kikyou, you mean everything to me. I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt. Please, tell me."

The door creaked open, and Kikyou walked out wearing flannel pajamas.

"It's only fair. You told me. I should tell you."

Inuyasha desperately wanted to hold her in his arms, but he didn't want to overwhelm her.

She sat solemnly on her bed.

"The person who did this to me you know. I think you like this person. You might even love her."

Inuyasha stood confused. He would never like anyone who hurt Kikyou.

She pulled up her sleeve and ran her fingers down the scars.

"Inuyasha, it's me."

He stood speechless.

"You don't have to say anything. I know it probably disgusts you. I disgust you. It disgusts me."

He finally found his words, "no, no, never. You're still my best friend always and forever." He walked up and wrapped his arms around her small figure. He inhaled her scent.

"Always."

How was he going to protect her from herself?

Kikyou finally relaxed. They sat for a long time.

"Inuyasha?"

"Yeah?"

"Your fly's down."

Yes…they spent another night together. When Inuyasha woke up, Kikyou was already dressed.

"We're going to be late for breakfast, come on."

Inuyasha drowsily followed Kikyou to the dining hall. He was stopped by one of his counselor's.

"Inuyasha! I stopped by your room this morning, but you weren't there."

"Are you willing to bet your life on that?"

"erm..uh…no, but what I was going to tell you, was that this your last week. Next Thursday you're out. Congratulations." He walked away nervously.

"Wow! Did you hear him? Out!" then he looked at Kikyou and had mixed feelings. Kikyou was suppose admitted for one year, but she had delayed improvement, very delayed improvement.

"This won't change anything."

She gave him a sad smile, "yeah."

"Kikyou?"

"yes, Inuyasha?"

"Why do you do what you do to yourself…I mean, when we were little, you were so happy. What happened?"

"I'm not a virgin."

She sighed. "When I was twelve…" this was harder than she ever imagined it to be.

"My father had a business partner. They were friends of the family. It was a man and his son. Before leaving on a business trip, we had a dinner party. I was always left to entertain the son. He made me uncomfortable. He was sixteen."

She stopped to let Inuyasha imbibe the truth.

"I probably should've told my parents. He was always really nice. I decided to just let him do stuff. I didn't see him often, but on that day, he went to far…"

"I couldn't tell my parents now; it was too late. It felt awful. I needed a way to cope…"

Inuyasha felt helpless. And ashamed that he wasn't there to protect her.

"You didn't tell anyone."

She shook her head.

"Who was it?"

"It doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done."

"Kikyou?"

"yeah"

"I want you to get better."

She looked down and walked away.

It was Thursday. Every patient got a small party the night before their departure.

"Speech! Speech! Speech!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he stood on the podium.

"Well, I guess I did it. And I might actually miss you losers. But don't dwell on that. I guess, thanks. I was pretty fuc—I mean…I was pretty messed up. Don't be too eager to see me away."

Cookie had tears in her eyes.

The party went on.

"Hey, Inuyasha! Don't be such a pig!"

"It's my party. I can eat as much as I want!"

"Leave some for us!"

Inuyasha growled, but smiled when he saw the person who said the last comment was the very girl he shared dinner with the first night at the rehab center.

He made his way to Kikyou. Just this morning, when she was at her individual evaluation, Inuyasha took out all the sharp things in her room and hid a present in her closet.

"Having a stellar time?"

"Hehe, of course. This place really needs to get rid of cable. You've watched the Zenon trilogy one too many times."

"How many times do I have to tell you? It was the only thing on!"

"Suuure."

"Bega Omega, this, from the person who has watched every episode of Celebrity Fit Club."

"We're even."

"Remember. I'll call you everyday, email, write, and visit. You'll be out also in no time."

Inuyasha secretly thought to himself 'I'd like you to see you cut yourself with q-tips, that's the sharpest thing in that room. Inuyasha, you sly sly dog'

Everyone was going back to their rooms. Curfew.

Soon it was just him, Kikyou, and the janitors putting away the chairs.

Kikyou tugged on Inuyasha's sleeve.

"Come with me."

She led him to the corner.

"Here."

"What's this?"

She handed him a red envelope. Then she ran out the room.

'She's probably just a little upset. I'll go to her room later on.'

He stashed the envelope in his pocket. He wanted to save it for later.

His room looked a lot like it did when he first came. He had little to pack. He quickly cleaned up. And pulled out his letter.

He could see the white paper. He dropped the envelope.

That wasn't paper.

How could she? He remembered those long nights where his leg would shake and his brain felt like it was going to split. The days where he felt so depressed that he stayed in bed all day. The feeling of stupidity that he felt every hangover. How little control he had over himself.

But no matter how much it felt right to be mad. He could feel no hostility toward Kikyou.

Just confused. Very confused.

He didn't go to her room. He was carrying his ratted bag to the front lobby.

"This might sting a little."

It felt like a flea bit his neck.

"There, you can go now. No more electric volts. Your brother is waiting for you in the parking lot."

He was going to say "half brother", but it wasn't in him.

Sesshomaru slammed the door, and they were heading home…home? No, just a place to live.

As Sesshomaru pulled out, Inuyasha caught a glimpse of Kikyou looking out her window.

She saw him looking at her and hid behind the curtain.

Cookie was extra emotional for this good bye. Inuyasha had come a loooong way. She would miss his arrogant manner and his ill temper.

Ah well, tomorrow's another day, and she had to clean out his room for the next patient. As she pulled off the blue sheets and pillowcase she thought of that girl that was always with him. Young love, so fickle, but they seemed so close.

She was emptying the garbage. She gasped. There was white powder spattered in the trashcan. And she could've sworn it was ecstasy. There was also a red envelope.

Nah. Inuyasha probably snuck in another powdered donut from the party. And she saw Kikyou give Inuyasha that envelope.

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AN- Dun, Dun, Dun! Hehe. It's time I respond to my reviewers. (will this give incentive to review more? Eh? Eh?) I'm really sorry if I forgot someone…I'm just doing the recent ones.

Ok…I'm way to lazy to respond to everyone...i'm just going to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the reviews, and I'm story I don't have the stamina to be better.

I think my next chapter will come soon… I'm thinking SONG FIC! WOO!