From Romeo and Juliet
Chapter 6 – Back then… To Now
Kagome hummed silently to herself as she was walking down the street from the grocery store. It was a beautiful Saturday morning to walk so she took her time. Kagome couldn't help but to keep thinking back to the night before, the play. And by the way… Nice kiss.
Kagome shook her head out of where her thoughts were leading her. I can't believe I told him he was my first kiss. Way to go Kagome. At least he didn't laugh at me or anything…
She sighed. For some reason she had a hard time falling asleep the night before. She couldn't get Inuyasha off of her mind. What am I doing? Why am I even thinking about him? He's an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk… But still… Not a heartless bastard… He said so himself…
"Argh! I have to stop thinking…"
All of a sudden, she felt herself lose her balance and squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the fall. Luckily, and strangely, it never came. Instead, she felt two strong arms around her; catching her and helping her regain her balance. Unfortunately, her grocery bags had fallen and had gotten ruined. She groaned inwardly.
Looking up at her savior, she gasped at the familiar golden gaze. "I..Inuyasha! Oh! I'm so sorry!"
Inuyasha looked at the helpless and stammering girl and helped her up on her feet. He crossed his arms and looked away, breaking eye contact. "Keh! You should really watch where you're going wench. I might not be there next time to catch you when you fall…"
Although he meant to be insulting, she caught the tiny glimpse of concern for her in his eyes. It disappeared as soon as it came and she sighed once more. She really couldn't figure him out. But she gave him a smile anyway. "Thanks Inuyasha… But I gotta get back to the grocery store now… I ruined the food I got already… So… I'll see you later?" She looked hopeful at him and realized how stupid she sounded. Great, he's gonna think you like him or something… Which I DON'T! Right?… Of course, what am I talking about? Hah, and now I'm talking to myself… In my mind…
Inuyasha noticed the facial expressions on her changing every few seconds. He thought it amusing. While she was busy with her thoughts, Inuyasha lowered his gaze from her eyes, down to her lips. He remembered when he kissed those lips of hers. But… If you wanna know… That was my first kiss… He remembered how soft they were…
Shaking his head, he did a double take. What the hell am I doing? Damn… Next thing I know I'm gonna get closer and…
"Gahh!" He shouted out loud.
Kagome, having forgotten he was there, looked up surprised. "Inuyasha? Are you okay?"
He shook his arms out in front of him and nodded. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine… Listen, do you need a ride to the store? Because I guess it's sort of my fault you ruined the… Food, yeah."
Kagome raised an eyebrow at his behavior. "Um, no… That's okay… I wouldn't want to bother you… I should get going." She turned away to go the opposite direction, when she felt him holding onto her wrist. "Wait!" Confused, Kagome turned around and saw that he really was holding onto her. "What is it?"
He let go and stuffed his hands in his pocket. "You're not bothering me… And besides," He snorted, "A weak girl like you would probably need help."
Inuyasha saw her frown and thought to himself. Genius! Look what you did, she's probably going to yell at you for that… Ah hell, what do I care?
Strangely though, her frown only lasted a few seconds before she smiled. "All right then. If you think you're all macho, then fine. You can help me."
"Really? I mean. Keh. Whatever wench." Stuffing his hands in his hands again, he walked off towards the grocery store.
Running up to catch up with him, Kagome walked right alongside with him. "Where is your ride Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha looked embarrassed and flushed. "Oh yeah… I forgot… My car's with uh… Kikyo. Yeah, it's with her."
Kagome frowned. "Oh."
The rest of their walk to the store was silent. Neither one knew what to say to break the thin tension between them.
At the store, Kagome hurried and grabbed all the stuff she dropped earlier and took them to the cash register. When she was about to pay for the groceries, Inuyasha had beat her to it. He just handed his credit card and crossed his arms. Soon, they were walking back towards her house. She looked at him and asked, "Why did you do that?"
He didn't look at her. Instead, the usual, "Keh."
When they had arrived at her house, Kagome put down the groceries and put her hands on her hips. "Inuyasha… Tell me. Why did you pay for these? You didn't have to… You shouldn't have. It wasn't your fault I dropped them before."
Inuyasha interrupted her before she went on. He looked straight at her face and said, "Keh! I don't know, okay? And I thought I was being nice here."
Kagome sighed softly. "Sorry."
He didn't know why she looked kind of glum. What do I care if she's sad? Keh. "Well… Here wench, your stuff… I… I have to go." Without even a bye, he hurried and walked away quickly. Taking her mind off of him, Kagome grabbed all the groceries and went in her house. He's so strange…
That night, Sango had called Kagome to tell her to meet her at the movie theater. Sango decided to have a girls' night out and called to tell Kagome and Rin.
At the theater, Kagome found Rin and Sango waiting for her. "Hey guys!" She ran to them, looking excited.
Rin looked up and saw Kagome running towards them. "Hey Kagome!"
"Hey Kags, movie's about to start! We already got your ticket, come on!" Sango said.
The three girls went inside the huge theater room and picked three seats in the back. Kagome looked around and saw many people from their school. "What are we watching Sango?"
Sango grinned and answered, "Ring 2. Do you mind?"
Kagome's eyes went wide for a few seconds. "Oh… Well… I'm sure it's not that scary, right?"
Sango shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't think so… Don't worry though."
Kagome nodded but shrank lower in her seat.
A few screams and hours later, the movie was over. Rin hopped beside Kagome and Sango, still bubbly as ever. "That was kind of interesting…" Kagome let out. Rin and Sango giggled. Then they stopped and Kagome noticed. When they were walking out of the building, they saw a couple making out near them. Normally, you see it all the time, it's easy to ignore. But in the small light from the street lamp, they figured them out to be Inuyasha and Kikyo.
Kagome turned her head, disgusted. Especially from the noises they were making. She heard Sango snort and saw Rin just shake her head.
When they got nearer, they heard Kikyo talk to them; or more like to Kagome. "Hey, Kagome!"
Kagome turned around at the sound of her name and was surprised to see Kikyo walking towards her and her friends with Inuyasha right behind her. She couldn't see the expression on his face very clear in the dark night. "Oh. Hi Kikyo…"
Sango and Rin glanced at each other with questioning looks and stood behind Kagome for support if she needed.
Kikyo roller her eyes. "Anyways… Nice play yesterday… It wasn't so bad… And oh! That kissing scene! Wow… It looked so REAL. You're really good at acting. I honestly believed that you and my Inu baby were like actually making out or something."
Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but Kikyo didn't let her. She pretended to look surprised. "Oh, but wait! Maybe… It wasn't acting! Maybe… Itwas real… Hmm… Now how do I figure?" She snorted. "But it doesn't matter… I just pitied my poor Inu baby for having to go along with it… My poor baby boo complained so much about how you were like totally slobbering all over him." Then, she sighed dramatically. "But… I made it better. I gave my boo a better kiss and he's not complaining anymore. I'm sorry Kagome… You just… You just don't have that much experience as I do…" Then, with an evil look, she flicked her wrist. "Whatever. Just know that something like that won't ever happen again. Next time, I won't go so easy on you. Come on Inu babe."
As the couple turned to walk away, Kagome's mouth was opened in shock. She looked at Inuyasha and he didn't have any emotion on his face at all, like he didn't care about what Kikyo said. She looked and saw a hint of sadness but it went away like it wasn't even there in the first place. She tore her face away from them and saw Sango's face of anger and Rin's face of sorrow. She put up a happy smile for her friends and started to walk. "Come on guys… Let's just… Go." Despite her attempts at showing that she was okay, Kikyo's words had really hurt her inside.
D..Did he really… Say that? And just this morning… He was being so nice to me… H..He wasn't… He wasn't a… Jerk… But he didn't even say anything when Kikyo was…
Kagome felt tears at the back of her eyes threatening to spill, and bit her lip to stop the tears from flowing down. Suddenly, she felt two pairs of arms surround her and realized it was Sango and Rin. It was until then, she felt moisture running down her cheeks and to her chin. She let her friends hug her in the quiet night.
5 Years Later…
The 22 year old watched in horror at her boyfriend's face of anger. She tried to calm him down before he hit the poor man in front of him. She grabbed onto his arm and pleaded with him. "Kouga! Calm down! He was just giving me a friendly hug! It doesn't mean anything!" Kouga glared at the raven-haired beauty beside him and snarled. "Damnit! You're MY woman and this piece of shit TOUCHED you!" He turned to the trembling man before him and growled. He spit on the ground and tried to keep calm. "Get the hell out of here before I decide to kill you." With another menacing glare, the man ran away, stumbling into things.
The long, dark-haired man, Kouga, sighed in frustration. The raven-haired girl took her delicate hand and put them on his cheek. "Please calm down Kouga," She pleaded. Closing his eyes, he sighed again. "I'm sorry Kagome… But I swear… If another man touches you, I…" He didn't get to finish because of Kagome's lips on top of his. He deepened the kiss until she pulled away.
Kagome sighed softly and stood up straight. "You don't have to be so protective Kouga."
Kouga snapped and growled at her. "I have a right to Kagome! You're my woman and no one is going to take you away from me!"
Kagome's patience was wearing thin. "Stop being so possessive all the time Kouga! I don't BELONG to you or anyone else for that matter!"
In less than a second, his hand made contact with her face. He had slapped her pretty hard this time. "Don't say that! You DO belong to me, you hear me?" Then, he covered her mouth with his and started to kiss her hard. Kagome struggled against him and he pulled her closer to him. Kagome struggled harder and that only made him hold onto her harder. Finally, he broke apart without taking his grip off of her. He whispered near her face. "I think I waited long enough Kagome. Tonight, I'm going to get what I want."
Kagome looked at him, horrified. "Kouga, no! Don't do this!" She tried to take her arm back but his grip on her only tightened. "I don't think so. You're not getting away from me that easily." Then, he dragged her to his car in the parking lot near by and threw her inside. Kagome tried to get out but failed. Kouga knocked her out and drove fast down the road. He stopped his car in the middle of a forest.
When Kagome regained consciousness, she noticed where she was. Oh no… Kouga… She looked around and saw Kouga advancing towards her. She tried to scream for help but he covered her mouth and lead her deeper into the forest.
He stopped and whispered dangerously, "Don't scream. Don't even try. No one's gonna hear you here." Then, he started to unbutton her shirt one by one. Kagome breathed faster. Oh no… He's going to… "Kouga, don't! Please!" She only received a growl and felt him slip off her shirt off her. Her skin met the cold night air and shivered. She felt his lips on her neck, going down. His hands were roaming all over her body and she never felt so violated. "N..No… Kouga… D..Don't…"
Tears threatened to fall when she felt his hand going higher from her thigh. Then, all of a sudden, she heard a noise in the bush. Fortunately, Kouga had noticed too and stopped. "Who the hell?"
Then they heard a voice speak. "Let her go." The voice sounded low and dangerous. Kouga let go of Kagome and stood up. "Who's there? Come out unless you're scared."
Kagome saw a hint of silver coming from the bushes. Before she even had a chance to scream, the figure in the darkness shot out and knocked Kouga down.
Kagome gasped; recognizing the long silver hair in the moonlight and golden eyes in the dark. The golden eyes only took a glance at her before turning back to the fallen youkai.
Kouga stood up and smirked. "Well, well, well… If it isn't the mutt face. What the hell are you doing back here again?"
The dark figure cracked his knuckles and chuckled as well. "Shut your trap wolf before I decide to kill you."
Kouga shook his head and smirked wider. "I'd like to see you try dog shit!"
Kagome's eyes widened in fear as the two youkais leapt at each other. Soon, she heard a gasp of breath and the smell of blood hit her nose. Not being able to take it, she fainted.
The silver-haired youkai noticed the girl faint. Shit, gotta make this quick. He gave a quick punch right into Kouga's stomach, making him step back. "I suggest you leave her alone Kouga. I swear I'll kill you if I see you near her again…"
"You have no right in hell to tell me that. She's MY woman and I'll do whatever the hell I please." Not a moment after the words left his mouth, he found himself sprawled on the ground, after taking a hit, and got knocked out.
The other, breathing heavily, stumbled nearer to Kagome and took his shirt off and put it over her. Then, he carried her bridal style and jumped high from tree to tree.
Not long after, the silver-haired figure landed near a small apartment building. He carried the unconscious girl up the long staircase and stopped in front of a door. Being careful as to not drop her, he dug through his pocket and got out a key and opened the door. He kicked the door behind him and locked it. Then, still as carefully, he carried her to the nearest bedroom and laid her on the bed.
He sat on the chair next to the bed and watched the young girl sleep. He brushed a stray of hair behind her ear. Golden eyes reflected regret, sorrow, and concern.
Suddenly, the ringing of the phone pierced through the silence. Muttering a curse, he quickly ran to answer it.
Kagome slowly woke up and sat up. She looked around her and noticed she was in an unfamiliar place. Oh no, did Kouga… She looked below and saw that she wasn't bare. She did notice however, that she was wearing someone else's shirt. Oh gosh… What happened?…
Slowly and carefully, she slipped out of the bed and dragged her feet towards the voice coming from the living room. When she peeked behind a wall she found a tall figure talking on the phone. The voice sounded oddly familiar. The waist long silver hair with a bandana on top struck a memory in her. Gasp… I only know of… One person with that description…
"I told you, NO! Leave me the hell alone!" He hung up angrily and finally noticed a presence behind him. Sighing, he turned around and heard a small gasp. "Come on out Kagome…"
Kagome gasped when she saw him turn around. I was right… It's… "Inuyasha…" She slowly walked towards him with small steps.
Inuyasha sighed and scratched his head. He headed to the couch and sat down, staring blankly at the wall.
Kagome sank down on the couch at the other end and stared down at her hands. Finally, gathering enough courage, she got herself to look at him and ask him, "I..Inuyasha… What… Why… How?"
The hanyou crossed his arms and scowled. "One question at a time wench."
Despite the odd situation, Kagome couldn't help but to smile sadly at the old nickname from years ago. "Haven't heard that in a while…"
Inuyasha glanced up at her in small surprise, but didn't say anything.
"Inuyasha… Where am I?"
"Keh. My apartment."
"I see… How did I get here? Because the last thing I remember is…"
"That mangy wolf almost… Uh, you fainted. So I just brought you to my place…"
"Oh." She looked at him again for a second before dropping her gaze to her hands again. "This is where you live? I thought… You moved… After high school…"
He snorted in reply. "I did wench; but now I'm back."
"But how did you know I was in trouble? How did…?"
She just got a shrug in response. Knowing she wouldn't get a full answer, she moved on to another question. "Is… Is this your shirt?"
Finally, he met her gaze and his cheeks gave out a small shade of pink. "Uh yeah… Because that wolf uh…"
Shaking her head, "It's all right."
The next moment, they both fell silent. Neither knew what to say to break the tension around them. And then, at the same time, they spoke.
"Inuyasha..." "Listen wench…"
Kagome swallowed and stopped her question. "You go ahead…"
Nodding, he asked her his curiosity. "How… Why were you in the forest with that wolf anyway?"
Kagome's smile slightly faded away and Inuyasha saw her eyes becoming distant. "A lot of things have been different since you moved Inuyasha… Kouga and I… We grew closer the last five years and we started dating just two years ago… He was so sweet and nice then… But over time, he started to become more possessive and overprotective… Just recently was when he hit me… We've been going kind of slow and I guess he just finally lost his patience and… Sigh."
During Kagome's confession, Inuyasha had been clenching and unclenching his fist that was hidden in his pocket. He tried to keep back a snarl about to loosen. He couldn't help but to let out a quiet growl from his throat.
Kagome hadn't noticed; she still had the distant look in her eyes. He badly wanted to take it away and replace it with the brightness from just moment before.
Slowly, he approached nearer to her on the couch until he was sitting directly next to her. Cautiously and carefully, he took his arm and put it around her shoulder.
Kagome looked up startled at the sudden contact. She hadn't noticed him move towards her, much less put his arm around her.
Suddenly, memories began to fill her head and sudden anger arose. Fire was burning in her eyes as she stood up as quickly as possible, scrambling away from the shocked hanyou.
To him, it looked as if she was about to cry. Her eyes now held anger, though he didn't know why or where it came from.
"Kagome…?"
At her name, she shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself, as if to protect herself. "N..No! Stop! I can't believe this it happening…!"
Confused by her sudden change in behavior, Inuyasha stood up also. "What are you talking about?"
Tears slowly rolled down her pink cheeks. "Y..You! What's wrong with you? Why are you… Why are you being so… Nice? I mean, five years ago, you didn't want anything to do with me! Y..You let Kikyo say all those mean things to me… And you didn't even act like you cared… And for the rest of the year, you would change your personality from mean… To nice… And Kikyo! She's your girlfriend isn't she? What are you doing here… With me? Why did you save me? Why? Why are you doing this to me?" She screamed out the last part.
Inuyasha stood there stunned and for once, speechless. He stood with his mouth gaping open, eyes wide filled with emotions flowing across them like a river: regret, sorrow, sadness, letdown, disappointment.
She didn't understand. She couldn't understand.
Just then, his own frustration took over. It was not however, directed at her. It seemed to be directed… At himself. In anger, he grabbed the bandana that was on his head and yanked it off, throwing it to the floor. He heard a small gasp.
Kagome's breath caught in her throat and she let out a small gasp at the new sight in front of her. "Inuyasha? Y..You have…"
Realizing what she was talking about, Inuyasha snorted and crossed his arms. "Keh! I'm half dog demon aren't I?"
Kagome's face fell. "Oh. Then why did you alwayswear a hat or bandana during school? I thought everyone knew you were…"
He turned his head. "Keh. It doesn't matter now."
Neither heard someone come in the room. "Inuyasha…"
Both heads turned at the voice and saw a woman with long, black hair, similar to Kagome's. Kagome looked surprised and Inuyasha turned angry again. He scowled. "What are you doing here?"
Kikyo looked behind him and noticed Kagome wearing Inuyasha's shirt. Her eyes hardened and she pierced a glare at Kagome.
"So… This is what you've been doing? This is why you didn't want me over here?" And she noticed the triangular ears perched on top of his head. She snorted. "And you didn't even bother with a stupid hat or bandana to cover those ears! She's probably disgusted!"
Then she turned to Kagome. "And you! You're such a whore! All those years and still a slut! I can't be…"
Her sentence was caught off with physical contact on her cheek. Her head snapped to the side. "Shut the hell up! You can't just come into my apartment bitching at me or her! Get the hell out of here!"
Kikyo slowly turned her head toward Inuyasha and leaned in closer to whisper in his ear. "It's because of her, isn't it? She's the reason you dumped me…" As soon as the words left her mouth, she turned around and stomped off.
Inuyasha let out of long, frustrated breath and sank down on the couch. His head was in his hands and everything fell quiet.
Kagome's eyes were still wide and her brain seemed scrambled. What… Is going on? "I..Inuyasha…" Slowly, she took small steps and got closer to him. She sank to her knees in front of him and put her hands on him. She felt him tense under her touch.
He looked up and stared directly into her eyes. Her eyes seemed sad, for him. "I… I'm sorry…" He looked surprised. "Why would you be sorry?"
Slowly, one by one, tears rolled down her face. "Because… Kikyo…"
At her name, he let out a small growl. "Forget it." He wiped away Kagome's tears with a thumb and then straightened up. "Things have changed. I broke up with her all those years ago, after high school, whatever, it doesn't matter."
Kagome turned her face. "Is… Is it because of her… That you hid your ears?"
"Keh."
"If it means anything… I'm not disgusted… I like them. I think they're cute…" A tiny blush crept up to her cheeks and she gave him a small smile.
Inuyasha blushed too and then suddenly stood up. "I think you should go rest."
Standing up as well, she shook her head. "Actually… I think I have to go back to my apartment… It's been…" Suddenly, she gasped. "Oh no! How long has it been? Sango and Rin are probably worried sick! They probably sent a search team after me!"
"Hey!"
At his voice, she turned her head and was surprised when a phone landed near her.
"Call your friends and tell them where you are."
"Oh. Thanks." She quickly dialed the number. A few rings later, her friends deafened her ears.
"KAGOME HIGURASHI! DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED RIN AND I ARE! WHERE ARE YOU! ARE YOU OKAY? DID SOMETHING HAPPENED?"
Kagome sweatdropped. "Calm down Sango! I'm sorry I worried you guys; I'm fine! Things… Happened and I'd rather not talk about it now… I'm at…" She took a quick glance at Inuyasha, who was in the kitchen. "I'm at a friend's house so don't worry about me. Um, I'm gonna stay here for the night… So I'll see you guys tomorrow! Bye!" Quickly, she hung up without waiting for a reply. Because knowing Sango, she would explode into a million questions.
So I guess I'm staying here for the night… But… I still want to know why he's being so… Sigh… Maybe five years is a long time to change someone… Somehow she doubted that when it involved a certain hanyou. Suddenly, she let out a small giggle. His ears really are cute though…
I can't say how many times I'm sorry for the long wait… But it's me and I always seem to have many things going on. It's crazy. But I hope you guys liked this chapter! RR please!