Chapter twelve! I like to thank the people who reviwed. You rock my socks! Uh.. anyhoo.. I haven't been working on this because... I'm alittle blocked. Just alittle, but blocked none the less. But without further waiting or my rambling, The next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. Rumiko Takahashi does.

Chapter Twelve: Can't get a grip.

X

Inuyasha's eyes widened. He turned over to Kagome. Her eyes and face showed no emotion, he couldn't read her emotions what-so-ever. The room fell silent as Kagome just stood there. "Gone... my mother's to strong to just.. die.."

"I'm sorry Kagome. I really am." The doctor replied calmly.

Kagome shook her head slowly, then harder. Tears brimmed her eyes and fled down. "No.. No! Your lying, your lying!" Kagome shook her head harder. She couldn't believe it. Her mother couldn't just die, not like her father. Her mother had beat the odds before, she could do it again. She couldn't just leave her and her brother alone in the world. "She wouldn't do this to me.. she wouldn't.." Kagome's knee's buckled under her. She banged her fists hard onto the ground over and over. "This can't happen to me. It just can't!"

Kagome felt a throbbing pain hit the back of her head. Memories of her when she was younger flashed infront of her eyes. When she, her mother and brother, and even her ji-chan lived back at the shrine. Playing. laughing, being a family. 'She didn't just leave me.. Not after everything..' Before Kagome could think of anything more, the pain in her head dulled, and her senses became dark. Once again she had fainted.

X

Isolated. For what felt like days (which was only a few hours) Kagome felt isolated in her white hospital room. The white walls and sheets reminded her of an asylum. Like she was the nutty bar trapped in the wrapper that no one would ever open.

But then Kagome realised, even if she did infact have contact with someone, she wouldn't want it. By now, most of the town (or the people that cared) knew about Atsuki's death. And that Kagome was the grieving daughter. All Kagome would recieve from people would be sad looks and 'I'm sorry for your loss', which Kagome wasn't in the mood to hear.

Sorry. Who would be sorry for her? The only reason people say it is because they don't know what else to say. They would stare sadly at the poor family member, and think long and hard what they should say. 'I'm sorry for your loss' is all they could muster up, then after they say it, it's like old news and they go one with their happy lives.

'That's not right.' Kagome thought to herself. 'Not everyone has a happy life. Not everyone is living the life I once had. Some people are worse off then me. And I'm just being selfish thinking that I'm the only one with a problem.'

Knock, Knock

Kagome nearly jumped from the sudden sound. Finally, human contact! But the last thing she wanted to see was a doctor or nurse. Or even her family at that. But whoever it was, probably wouldn't leave her alone. "Who is it?" Kagome didn't realise how strained her voice had become. There was a pause at first before a small, "It's me sis. Souta."

Kagome stared silently at the door. From the tone of his voice, she figured Souta knew about their mother. Kagome shallowed a hard lump in her throat. "Come.. come in." Without waiting for another reply, Souta pushed open the door and walked in. He closed the door and leaned on it, his head bowed.

Kagome suddenly felt like the people who didn't know what to say. Because she was also a grieving one, she couldn't tell Souta she was sorry for the loss. She couldn't find the words to start up a conversation. Not that Souta was up for one anyway.

"Kagome? Are you okay?" Kagome nodded alittle. "Yeah Souta, I'm fine. And you?"

"Me? Why would there be something wrong with me?" He asked with his head still bowed. "I wasn't the one who could have gotten hurt."

"But you did Souta. Emotionally. Because of.. what happened to.."

"Okaasan?" Souta finished. He rose his head alittle, just so Kagome could see his tearing up eyes. "Why did this have to happen sis? How come we aren't lucky like everyone else? Did I do something wrong?"

"No! You did nothing wrong Souta!" Kagome pushed the white blankets off her body. She pushed herself up and walked over to her little brother. "No one did anything wrong to deserve what happened to mama. It.. just happened... and there was nothing we could have done." Kagome got down on her knee's so that Souta was eye level with her. "Sometimes Souta.. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, you know?"

"Then what about bad people?" Souta asked quietly. "If terrible things like this happen to good people, I can't imagine the horrible things that happen to bad people."

Kagome bit her lip to stop it was quivering. Things were far worse with Souta then with her. Kagome was sixteen, she had sixteen long years with her mother. Not long to her, but to her eight year old brother? She had eight more years then him, and that's counted for him.

Kagome brought Souta into a hug. Her shirt began to become wet from Souta's tears. Kagome felt her own tears brimming her eyes. But she had to stay strong, like she had promised. "There are somethings people can't explain. Like this. I don't know why mama left us, but I know she did everything to stay with as long as she could. She loves us Souta, and she will watch over us for the rest of our lives."

Souta nodded against her chest. "Nothing will be the same, huh sis?" He choked out. Kagome shook her head. "No Souta. Never again."

The two cried with eachother for a few minutes, letting everything sink in. Kagome knew she was right, but hated it. Nothing would ever be the same. When there father died, Atsuki kepted her family from falling apart, but what now? Kagome knew for her and Souta's sake, she would have to keep the pieces from getting lost. All they had was eachother now. 'Is this how Inuyasha feels? Not having any parent's? I guess we have another thing in common.' Kagome thought.

Kagome pulled away from her brother and wiped her eyes, then his. "I can't promise you I'll be around forever. Because I wont. But I can assure you I'll be around until you don't need me."

"Aishiteru, Kagome." (I love you, Kagome)

"Watashi mo aishiteru, Souta." (I love you too, Souta)

A smile was brought to there lips for the first time. Knowing that they atleast had eachother made them feel a tiny bit better. But of course, the pain of losing a loved one wont be easy to cope with. But it would be alright, the two figured, somehow.

"I should get back with Tyoshi. See how she's doing." Souta said while wiping his eyes. "I'll see you later?"

Kagome nodded while standing up. "You can count on it."

Souta smiled and pulled the door open. He closed it softly behind him. It felt like the air had been lifted alittle bit. But of course, facts were facts, and Kagome was going to have to face them. She supposed she could live with Tyoshi until she could move out in two years, but that was a long time, and two kids could be a burden. But what other choice did she have? Until she could move out, get a job and go to college, that was the only one.

Then like before, someone knocked on the door. 'Must be Souta again.' Kagome thought. She walked over to the door and began to pull it open. "Souta, I thought you were..." But instead of her younger brother in the door way, her worst nightmare stood there instead.

Naraku smiled down at his step daughter, ignoring the look of surprise on her face. "Kagome, it has been a while has it not? I believe we have some buisness to talk about, hmm?"

X

On the roof of the large hospital, two figures stood. The raven haired girl (with paint finally washed out of her hair) stood with her back to the violet eyed boy. Their hair blew softly in the wind, silence over taking the two.

"Kikyo, you wanted to talk to me?" Inuyasha asked after a long pause. Kikyo kept her back to Inuyasha, her voice in check. "Hai Inuyasha, I do." She paused again, then let out a small sigh. "When I was locked in that medal room with Kagura and the other's, my only thoughts were of you. Where you were, if you were ok, if you were dead. You were the only thing on my mind."

"Kikyo.." Inuyasha whispered.

"It surprised me. You know me better then anyone. My first thoughts would have usually been if the blood from the other's would get on my clothes, if I looked ok. But it wasn't. It scared me. It seemed like reality finally snatched me from my day dreams and gave me a firm shake. I realised I wasn't the same person anymore." Kikyo shivered alittle as the winds picked up. "My second concern was Kagome. For once in my life my cousin's health was one of my concern's. That thought also scared me."

"You've changed Kikyo, it's obvious from the tone in your voice, and the look in your eyes. But it's not a bad change, it's a good change. I like it." Inuyasha paused. "Not that I didn't like you before it's just..."

"I know." Kikyo turned around to face him. "But you know what scared me the most?" Inuyasha shook his head. "When I heard the gun go off. I had no idea what happened. Who was shot, where, if they were dead, nothing. Then when everyone was rescued I heard it was you who was shot and my whole life shattered Inuyasha." Kikyo walked up to Inuyasha and smiled. "Your my world Inuyasha. You mean everything to me."

"The same feelings for me also." Inuyasha reached his hands out for a hug, but Kikyo shook her head and pulled away. "But when I came to see you in your room, I didn't see the concern for me in your eyes Inuyasha, I saw concern for Kagome. Kagome came first, and I second. I never saw myself second in your eyes. I always was first." Inuyasha saw a look of slight hurt in her eyes. "Kikyo, I.."

Kikyo shook her head again. "Before I loose my nerve Inuyasha, I have to tell you. Remember when a women put in that news article about your parents. Remember when you blamed Kagome? Inuyasha, I... was the one who sent it in."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. Surprise and shock showed plainly in his eyes and on his face. "Kikyo, you did it? But why.."

"Another thing I have to tell you. You see, along time ago me and Tsubaki played a game. You remember how I humiliated her and told you she deserved it?" Inuyasha nodded again. "I created a game of my own. Called The Game, original I know. The rules were that the players in the game could do anything to humiliate eachother anywhere anytime, how ever they chose. The prize was you Inuyasha. Who ever won, got your heart."

How could Kikyo lie to him so much? Did she have no consquence? Inuyasha was in complete shock. Any other time he would have thought Kikyo was his angel, and wasn't capable of these lies. But the look in her eyes told him this was all true, and she was finally coming clean.

"I made you the prize because I figured no one could take you away from me. I held your heart in my hands. You were mine, and the whole part of the game was to win you. I thought I made the perfect game. I was wrong." Kikyo ran a hand through her hair, closing her eyes. "The paint in my hair, the gunk that fell on Kagome, all about The Game. I made her play for you. But Inuyasha? I'm tired of lying! I'm tired of being this snobby bitch! I want to change, I want to be a real person! And to be a real person I can't be with you. Not as though you would want to be with me now anyways."

Kikyo felt the pain from her chest lift now that she had told Inuyasha everything. Her terrible life was no more, she could start off clean, but without Inuyasha. "Oh Kikyo." Inuyasha brought the wise girl into his arms without complaints. "You've changed. You wouldn't have told me this if you hadn't. You would have led me on. I love you for changing." Kikyo relaxed in his arms, waiting for him to continue. "But I can't forgive you for what you did about the news crew. Maybe someday but not today. And now... even though my love still burns, I, we could never be the same. Or together."

Kikyo smiled alittle and pulled away. "I knew you would understand." The two smiled at eachother, able to carry on in life without lies following behind. "You should hurry and get back to your room before the doctors find out your gone." Inuyasha nodded. But before he pulled away suddenly, he pulled Kikyo into a good bye kiss, knowing this would be the last kiss they shared. Inuyasha pulled away after a few seconds and walked to the roof door. He didn't turn around as he walked in silently and shut it after.

Kikyo turned back around and stared at the town around her. She had finally made peace with herself. Life never felt so good. Her eyes softened alittle as she crossed her arms. "Kagome Higurashi, I Kikyo Renay realise to myself that The Game could not stand up against you. It wasn't that much of a war, and you didn't need it. You changed my whole life. Kagome, enjoy your prize, love him until your body aches, and continue afterwards. I will admit. You win."

X

"Back to Japan? With Naraku?" Tyoshi stared at her niece. Over the time Kagome had been here, Tyoshi had grown to love Kagome like another daughter. Sure, she knew Kagome and Souta would return to Japan, but with Naraku?

Kagome nodded. "He explained that he is now my legal gaurdian. Even though you are blood, he is my step father, and that counts more. Naraku want's to go back to Japan and take his daughter from a previous marriage back with him."

"Daughter! I never knew he had a daughter!" Tyoshi exclaimed, jumping off the blue couch she had been sitting on.

Kagome nodded again. "Kanna Lection. She lives here, and even goes to Kikyo's school. I've seen her, never spoke with her." Kagome shook her head. "The paper work has already been decided. As soon as I am able to leave the hospital, I have to pack my bags and I'm off first class by to the Higurashi Shrine."

"Does Souta know?" Tyoshi couldn't keep the sadness from dripping off each word.

"I told him first. He's gotten so attactched here. Especially with Shippo. I had to comfort Shippo before I arrived here. The last thing Souta wanted to do was leave his only friend behind."

"What about you? How do you feel?"

"I feel angry at mama for leaving us alone. I feel angry that Naraku won this case so easy. I feel angry for giving up so easy. And I feel desperate that there's nothing I can do." Kagome sighed and hugged her aunt. "But there's nothing either one of us can do." Tyoshi sighed in Kagome's hair. "I wish I could do something but.."

"The doctor says I can leave now. As soon as I take a step out of here, I go pack and leave. I may never see Hawaii, you and Shippo, even Kikyo again." Kagome let out a shaky sigh of her own. "Life sucks auntie." Tyoshi nodded. "I know honey. But we can't keep putting this off. We have to go get everyone and leave. You know this just as much as I do." Tyoshi pulled away and walked over to the door. Kagome followed closly behind.

'I'm going to miss the sun rays, the warm air, the people at school, Kouga. I never went to his party! Oh well. Guess I can't be his girlfriend now.' Kagome walked out of the room after Tyoshi. 'I'll miss everything so much. But.. The person I can't get out of my head is the person I'll miss the most. Inuyasha, will I ever see you again?'

X

There's only two or three chapters left! Then I'll be starting another story after awhile! Sorry this took so long, but I was blocked and.. just sorry. Any hoo, review please. Til then...

Yume-Chan!