A/N: Not much to say. Except for I'm proud of myself for getting this out earlier than usual. I started writing and suddenly the words kept pouring out. Enjoy the chapter.

Warning: Might be a tearjerker. Get those tissues ready, loves.

Disclaimer: don't own.

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The A-List

Chapter Fifteen

Sweet Misery

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A steady rain fell outside of the Higurashi mansion and dark clouds rolled into the afternoon sky. The transition was a great one, the day having once been bright and sunny, and then suddenly a storm rolling in.

The pitter-patter sound made by the rain hammering onto the windows was heard throughout the mansion as a strong wind picked up. Tall trees surrounding the mansion, and even the younger, smaller ones, blew with the breeze, swaying and whispering secrets of the misfortune to come. Birds and different animals scurried for shelter in trees, bushes or in small caves to get away from the cold wind sweeping across the mansion grounds, and the area surrounding.

Guards put on ponchos and rain boots, still having to do their jobs in securing the area, armed and alert. The mansion was on lock down at the moment, due to the fact that the electrical power was wavering, which meant that security systems would be weakened. Already the lights were dimmed to save power giving the house in all places an unsettling glow.

Inuyasha walked down the halls heading towards the kitchens when suddenly he was grabbed and pulled into a dark room that he hadn't known had even been there. Once in the room, two people (as far as he could tell) grabbed him by the arms and sat him down in a hard wooden chair. Even with his heightened eyesight, Inuyasha felt blind, due to the fact that there wasn't a light on in the room.

"Who the fuck?" he asked angrily. He was about to stand up and feel his way out of the room, but the people who grabbed him held him firmly in place. "What the hell?" he asked, obviously agitated. He cursed himself for not being alert when walking around the house, even if it was his new home.

"Such a dirty mouth…we'll have to clean that up." Inuyasha froze and his ears twitched trying to locate the owner of the voice. It sounded so familiar but he had no clue where it came from and he couldn't quite place it.

"Who's there?" he asked, feeling like he was in a movie, the main character guy being kidnapped and in danger.

"Guess." The voice responded coldly.

"I don't really like games. So you know, telling me would probably be you're best bet." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow and strained his amber eyes to see through the darkness and to whom he was talking to. Suddenly he was blinded by the intensity of a light being clicked on.

"Hello, Inuyasha."

Kagome sat in the kitchen talking with Sango and watching her string some beads onto an elastic string.

"I dunno. I just have a feeling that something terrible is about to happen." Kagome shrugged and propped her head up on her hand, sighing and trying to ignore that gut feeling she had. She knew something was going to go wrong. It wasn't that she was a pessimist, but she just knew to trust her gut.

"Well, I guess all you can do is try to avoid danger and hope for the best." Sango said also shrugging. She bit her lip and looked at her restless friend with a sympathetic look on her face. "It'll be okay. I'm sure. Even if the worst happens, I know you'll be okay in the end." She said reassuringly.

"But how do you know? I mean, this could be life-changing," Kagome whined. Usually she wasn't one to give in so easily but the feeling was getting worse every time she thought about it. She wanted to believe with all of her being that everything was going to be okay, but it wasn't that easy. Somehow she just knew that it wasn't going to end well.

"Well, I don't know, Kagome. I'm not psychic or anything. I just know what type of person you are. And you won't let this be the end of you. I know it."

"You make it sound like I'm going into battle." She sighed. She had no idea how true she really was…

Miroku whistled, as he emerged from his room all fresh and clean from his shower in sweatpants and a hoodie, longing to hang out with his girlfriend for a while. Last night after the party, everyone just kind of went home and decided to call it a night. People went home, and that was the end of it, but when he had to help Inuyasha to the house with Kagome and Sango in tow, he knew that they were far from it. Kouga had done something unforgivable and cowardly. Now Miroku and him would have to kick his ass. Miroku smiled and rubbed his hands together in anticipation, not even being able to wait until Monday at school.

Anyway, he hadn't been able to hang with Sango. She said she was too tired and he agreed, parting with her for the time being. He just wished that he could spend time with her. He let a sigh past his parted lips and walked into the kitchen where the girls were sitting and talking.

"Yo," he said, making his way to the refrigerator.

"Miroku, where's Inuyasha?"

"I don't have a clue. I haven't seen him since this morning." He said pulling out a strawberry flavored Jell-O cup and a can of Sprite from the fridge. Next he walked over to the silverware drawer and pulled out a spoon. "Neither of you have seen him today?" he asked, pouring the Sprite into his Jell-O and mixed it around trying not to slosh it all over the counter top. He set it down, and then hopped up, sitting cross-legged facing them.

"No. I was in his room last night. And I slept there," she said, a light blush coming to her cheeks at the suggestive looks both Sango and Miroku threw her way. "And then this morning when I woke up he wasn't there. So I just left and went to my room to chill. This house isn't that big guys. There are not many places he could go. Plus it's raining outside." She explained touching the necklace he gave her thoughtfully, the lights in the kitchen blinking twice before lighting up again, another example to how bad the storm really was outside.

"Well," Miroku started, spooning his treat into his mouth and sighing with delight. "Maybe he's in his room now, and you just missed him." Miroku shrugged and shook his head like a dog, his long, wet, black hair letting loose stray drops of water.

"Miroku! We're inside of the house to keep dry, we don't need more water!" Sango exclaimed in surprise. He smiled sheepishly and ran a hand through his hair to remove his wet bangs from his face.

"Oops, sorry loves." He shrugged and ate his Jell-O contentedly. Sango shook her head.

"Don't worry about him Kagome. Maybe you should go check his room again?" She suggested.

"I think I will. But right now I just want to relax. I'm so tired from last night." She smiled and went over to the fridge and pulled out her cake so she could have a slice. Maybe this would calm her nerves…

Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise when he saw who was holding him "hostage", in the small room.

"Mr. Higurashi? May I ask what in the world you're doing, keeping me confined in this dank room?" Inuyasha asked with curiosity.

"Well, for starters, we're going to have a little chat." He said, making a motion with is hand, signaling for the two guards holding onto his shoulders to leave the room. They nodded and both headed towards the door, closing it behind them as they left.

"Pretty tough guys you got there. They'll be ready in any action situation." Inuyasha chuckled and shook his head, trying to calm his unsettled nerves.

"Let's get to the point. Kagome," The man stated simply and already Inuyasha was on edge. What would a man do to his own daughter?

"Kagome." He tried it on in his dry mouth, his tongue feeling thick.

"Yes, Kagome, won't be acting in such… rebellious ways anymore. I'm tired of it, and it needs to end, now." Inuyasha raised a thick eyebrow at Mr. Higurashi's choice of words.

"Rebellious." He tried on another word, but for some reason they didn't sound right coming from his mouth.

"Every effect has a cause. The end always depends upon the beginning. Do you… understand what I'm saying, Mr. Takashi?"

"Inuyasha," he provided charitably, with a hint of smartass behind it.

"Do you understand, Inuyasha?"

"Explain it to me like I'm a three-year-old." He said sarcastically. His heart was beating so fast in his chest; he thought it might break his ribcage. He was worried. This was in no way a good meeting. The man was making him bristle and he wanted out of the dark claustrophobic room.

"Cause… that would be you Inuyasha. Effect… my daughter is no longer obedient. I don't like the change of events. I won't have it."

"Not to sound… like a know-it-all," he used for a better choice of words "But, from what I understand of the situation, Kagome has always been rebellious. It's just her nature. She's born to blaze a trail. Weren't those your words?"

"Yes, but by blazing a trail, she's expected to do it dignified."

"And who are you to depict her future? If by that definition you mean she's a born leader, then don't you think her future isn't a carefully crafted one? Things will happen and they won't be of her choosing. We're not talking about Kagome's rebellious ways. We're talking about you're dislike of whom you're daughter is dating. Am I correct?" Inuyasha folded his arms over his chest and gazed at Mr. Higurashi evenly. The man staring back at him looked angry, if not only a little, and his gaze was cold and calculating.

"Don't think you know me, Inuyasha. I will stomp you down and make your world miserable."

"You know, I'm getting sick and tired of people acting like I'm beneath them." He growled. "Reality check! Just because you have money, doesn't mean you rule the fucking world. If you died, it'd be sad, but the world would be able to function quite well without you. Come off your high horse and talk to me like a man." Inuyasha threw back. He was getting tired of being trampled on. People didn't run his life. He wasn't about to let that happen.

"Mr. Takashi, I advise you to watch your mouth. Those may be big words you are using but I am quite sure that you are no better than the men that pick up my garbage weekly." He shouted. Inuyasha flinched, but he refused to back down.

"Well. I'll be the bigger person here and say let's get on with it. I know you have lots to do, but I have more, so if you could hurry this up please?" Mr. Higurashi growled and removed an invisible piece of lint from his blazer jacket. Inuyasha shook his head and looked down at his lap.

"You are… to break up with my daughter." he said it like it was the easiest thing in the world to do. Inuyasha snatched his head up so quickly, that whiplash was a plausible injury.

"Excuse me!" he asked indignantly.

"Break up… with my daughter… today." He said it slower, like Inuyasha was incompetent.

"I'm not going to break up with Kagome!" he stood up and glared. "I love her, if you hadn't noticed. I'm not letting her go!" He shouted. Mr. Higurashi chuckled.

"Have you ever heard the saying, 'Do not upset thine superior lest the life of thine be made miserable"

"No." Inuyasha said through clenched teeth, seething with anger.

"I know. Isn't it wonderful? I just made it up." he said chuckling. But then his happy attitude vanished. "Break up with her today. Or I will forbid her from ever seeing you again."

"You think making us stay friends will keep us apart?" Inuyasha asked whispering, but his voice held a deathly tone to it.

"Don't threaten me boy. I will take desperate measures if need be. Don't make me take away all of my daughters happiness." He sniffed and placed a hand in his trousers pocket.

"Are you listening to yourself? I mean, really listening? How does it feel to be the jackass of the day? This is bullshit! How can you take what we have away from us, and not feel heartless?" Inuyasha shouted, his once calm barrier breaking, and all his emotions flooding from him.

"It hurts. It does. Right here," he pointed to his heart with a chuckle. "But, I'd rather have my daughter marry wealthy and learn to be happy, rather than letting her marry a no-life street rat." He shrugged and walked towards the door. "Today, Inuyasha. Today!" he called over his shoulder and walked out of the room. Inuyasha sunk to his knees and buried his face in his hands. This was not happening.

He drew himself up, and walked sullenly up to his room, not even pausing to think about going to the kitchen to see the others. He felt drained and helpless. He was a whole lot of nothing without Kagome. She gave him wholeness. And her father just took that away. Besides, how was he supposed to break up with her? He had commanded him to do so, like it was as easy as pie.

When he arrived at his room, he pushed the door open to see Kagome sitting down on his bed, a worried look etched on her face. She glanced up and smiled, and his eyes softened.

"Hey. I feel like I haven't seen you all day. Where were you?" she asked quietly and stood up to hug him. He felt tears gathering in his eyes and he held her tightly.

"Um," he sniffed. "I was just having a chat with someone important." he said dismissing the subject. "What's up?" he asked. Kagome frowned.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," he lied and looked away, while pulling away from her to go sit on the edge of his bed. He pulled off his green Converse sneakers and folded his hands at his knees, his back slightly hunched, when he was done.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome whispered quietly and sat down next to him, making him bob up slightly from the springy mattress. "I know you're not telling the truth. Who did you talk to? Is that what's bothering you?" she asked.

"I guess its part of it," he said quietly, even though he knew that it was all of it.

"So… what happened?" she asked.

"Um…you're dad doesn't like me very much." He stated, scratching his head under his hood.

"Where did that come from?"

"He's the one I talked to, Gome." He said rubbing his face, then letting out a heavy sigh. He looked over towards his room's balcony doors and frowned at the fact that the rain hadn't let up, but it in fact had gotten worse. The doors were open slightly, and a cool breeze invited itself into the room, floating over the two teenagers, making them shiver slightly.

"Oh no…" she bit her lip. The bad gut feeling. It was stronger then ever now. "What did he say?" he cleared his throat.

"I see you're wearing the necklace I gave you. It looks great on you. Do you wear it everywhere?" he asked, trying to evade what he was dreading the most.

"You gave it to me last night… so-" she pointed out. Then she shook her head. "No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Tell me. Right now Inuyasha Takashi." He winced. She never used his full name.

"I don't want to." Kagome frowned and kneeled in front of him so she could see his face, since he was avoiding eye contact. She grabbed the sides of his face and pulled him to her, her lips capturing his. Inuyasha's heart ached, as he kissed her back fully. He would miss those. He picked her up and sat her in his lap, facing him, and she leaned down and touched her forehead with his own.

"Inuyasha…please. What's wrong, honey?" she whispered. He bit his lip, then leaned in to kiss her once more. He couldn't do it. He refused to. Kagome was his world. There was no way he could let her go. The kiss deepened as he pulled her as close as she could get…

Sango giggled as Miroku tackled her to the couch and kissed her nose. They were bored so they decided to pullout the couch in the living room and talk bundled under covers. The rain still hadn't let up and they both got comfortable as the rains sounds lulled them into a peaceful haven.

"I wonder where Inuyasha was all day." Sango pondered as she snuggled closer to Miroku.

"Yeah me too. I hadn't seen him since this morning, and I could tell Kagome was worried. But apparently she found him, because if she didn't, she would've come down here all ready."

"Yeah, true. I hope they're okay."

"Me too." He whispered. He kissed her forehead and buried his face into her neck. "You smell so good." He breathed.

"Miroku?" she asked quietly.

"Hmm?" he responded.

"Is it… is it wrong for me to feel like I'm in heaven at the moment, while our friends are confused and restless?"

"Sango…" he started. He kissed her sweetly and tenderly, and it took her breath away. "They'll be okay. Even if it isn't now… I know they'll get through it to the end." He promised.

"Sure?" she was a little skeptical.

"I know so, love. Don't worry so much." He smiled and brushed the bangs from her face with his fingertips. "You're so beautiful. How often do I tell you?" she blushed and looked away.

"Everyday." She whispered. He brushed his lips against hers.

"That's not enough."

"Miroku! It's fine. I'm not, so you don't have to tell me," she protested. Miroku gasped mockingly.

"Did you just say what I think you said?"

"Um…if you're talking about me saying I'm not beautiful-"

"What blasphemy! Don't say such lies around me." he smiled. "You are. You're gorgeous. I swoon every time I lay eyes on your fine ass." He chuckled and Sango laughed hitting him in the arm playfully.

"Stop…" she said, her cheeks still painted a pretty pink.

"And you're laugh. Oh heavens, your laugh. It's the pretty sound that's ever reached my ears." Sango bit her lips and rolled her eyes. She brushed the long damp hair from her face and kissed him.

"Is there something you want? You're milking it pretty good there."

"I am so not 'milking' anything. I'm just telling you reasons why I love you. I felt so lonely and sad last night when we parted ways and I couldn't hang out with you." He poked his lower lip out and made puppy eyes.

"Aw, you poor baby. I love you too." She smiled and hugged him. "I don't ever regret saying yes." She whispered and smiled, her eyes shining. Miroku's eyes widened in surprise and his face lit up.

"I'm glad you said yes. I'd be lost without you, you know. So very lost." He whispered, as he ducked his head and claimed her lips, a heated on make-out session about to take place.

"Inuyasha," Kagome tilted his head up and looked him in the eyes. "Tell me what's wrong, so I can try and make it better."

The two were currently in their same position, Inuyasha's arms around Kagome's waist, her in his lap. She had been trying to get what he had to say out of him for the past hour, but he just kept shrugging it off, hoping this whole thing would go away.

"Please understand, Kagome. There is no way to make this better. It can't be made better. It's so fucking wrong it's not even something you could solve." He said, losing his patience, but not with her. He just felt as if his world was crashing down. In a few minutes Kagome would be torn from his grasp, and there was nothing he could do about it. His two options were never seeing her again, or breaking up with her and staying friends. He chose the latter.

"Inuyasha. You better tell me what's wrong." She yelled, getting off his lap, and pacing in front of him. "If you think that we can't talk about anything, then this relationship is doomed. You have to be able to talk to me. I trust you, and I would hope the feeling is mutual. No matter how bad this news is, I can handle it, so talk to me," she said still pacing. She sighed and felt tears form in her eyes. Inuyasha stood up and grabbed her arms. Not hard, but enough to make her stop moving.

"This… this isn't something you can handle. I… I don't want to hurt you. You know I would tell you. But… this, this is something horrible." He explained. "I love you so much. You know I do. I'd do anything to protect your feelings and you as a whole. I'd never want to hurt you. Please understand that." He whispered, a tear leaking down his cheek. Kagome gasped. Never in her life of knowing Inuyasha had he ever cried. When they were younger, and his parents were dead, he cried once, but since then (even though there was a huge gap in the time between then and now) he had never cried. This had to be something really bad. Kagome pulled him to her in a hug.

"What is it?" she whispered. He hesitated. For as long as he could as they stood there in silence. "What is it?" she persisted.

"I… I… no… we can't be together… anymore." He said quietly, his throat tightening. Kagome frowned.

"What are you talking about, silly?" she shook her head, and she had this weird kind of smile on her face. She was obviously in denial, whish made the situation even harder for Inuyasha.

"Kagome. We can't be together. We… we… have to break up."

"Why the hell would we have to do that?"

"You're dad. He doesn't like me very much." Inuyasha sighed and plopped back down on the bed.

"You're breaking up with me?"

"Kagome…"

"No. You're breaking up with me, that easily? I mean, you…don't want to be together anymore?" she asked incredulously.

"Kagome! How could you say that? How could you even say that I don't want to be with you anymore? Have you lost your mind? I would never, ever, want to leave you if it was my choice!" he yelled, standing up and towering over her. Tears were already running down her face, and try as she might, she couldn't make them go away.

"Inuyasha…you're breaking up with me…" she kept repeating the same thing, not being able to handle the fact that the one person she loved more than anything was hurting her. Tears kept coming and she backed away from him.

"No. Kagome, stop!" he walked after her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and held her in place. "Kagome, you know that I would never leave you if it was my choice. I fucking love you. I love you with my whole heart, but this is something that needs to be done. Your father said that if I didn't break up with you, he'd forbid you from ever letting us see each other! I had to choose to be your friend! I still love you with everything I am. You've got to understand that!" he whispered in her ear, struggling to keep his hold on her, for she was squirming around trying to get away from him. His heart was breaking at the fact that she wanted to get away from him. "Kagome…" he said quietly. "Please…" she seemed to have stopped her squirming because she was on the ground crying her heart out.

"Leave me alone…" she said weakly.

"No. Baby please…" he crouched down beside her and gathered her up in his arms and let her cry into his chest. "I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry. I would never hurt you. I love you so much." He whispered reassuringly into her ear. He felt her nod weakly, and she let him kiss her one more time. "This isn't the end. It won't last long, I promise you." She nodded again, and he let her go to her own room.

But as he lie in bed that night, he heard her almost silent sobs as she tried not to cry. The smell of salt was thick in the air, and he tossed and turned wanting to be with his love. This was one of the worst feelings in the world. He felt emptier than he had ever in his life.

…Two hearts tonight are broken, both drowning in a pool of crimson regrets and sweet misery…

A/N: yeah I know. I'm such a mean person... Angst… Don't say I didn't warn you. Hope you enjoyed, please read and review. Thanks a bunch.

Later Dayz, TaintedMunkeyz