Chapter 3: Blue Eyes, Strong Arms
"You want me to go where?" Kagome said, her jaw dropping.
"One of those maze places. You know, the Halloween themed things. It'll be fun."
"The place sounds like fun. It's the company I'm worried about." Kagome flopped down on her bed, shoulders slumped. "Wouldn't you rather go with just Miroku?"
Sango sat down next to her friend and laid her head on Kagome's shoulder, an arm across her lower back. She sighed.
"I haven't been a very good friend lately Kagome. I can't name the last time we went out somewhere together. Come on, you'll have fun. I've missed you."
"Ok, no need for the speech."
"I mean it Kagome. I've been so wrapped up in spending time with Miroku that I haven't made anytime for you, and I'm sorry. I'm going to make it up to you I swear."
The girls hugged and Kagome felt the depression she had been hiding for the past few weeks melt away. It would be worth dealing with Inuyasha if it meant spending more time with her friend again.
"Let's get you a sweatshirt. It's going to be chilly." Sango leapt off the bed and stared rooting through Kagome's closet.
"So." Kagome said hovering behind Sango's shoulder. "I'll have to sit in the back with Inuyasha won't I?"
"Yeah." Sango at least had the decency to look a little guilty.
"It's ok. I promise to try and behave."
There was a honk outside the window. Sango snatched one out of the closet and tossed it to Kagome.
"This one." She said as she went to the window.
"It's them then?" Kagome asked, slipping her sweatshirt on.
"Yup. Ready?"
"To spend a night watching you and Miroku be the cute, perfect couple, and not fighting with Inuyasha. Which is really hard by the way. But then again, I am doing this for you. So, yes, of course I'm ready."
"Good. Because what would the evening be like without a little ray of sunshine like you?"
Out front there was a big, gold Explorer. It would figure that Miroku would have a nice, expensive yuppie car. It was like he was from a completely different world from Sango, and Kagome.
Kagome managed to hoist herself up into the tall car with some difficulty. Out of breath after her graceless scramble by the time she settled herself into the warm leather seats.
"So you're coming then?"
"Yes, so sorry to disappoint you." But then Kagome remembered her promise. "So have you ever been to one of these before."
"No."
"Ok." Kagome said, emphasizing the 'o.' "You're in for a real treat. They can be pretty scary."
"I don't get scared."
"Right." Kagome said trying to not to let the snide comments in her head fome out of her mouth. "Then you can laugh at me."
"I plan on it." Inuyahsa said, chucking to himself.
"Glad to be here for your amusement."
"You get scared easily?"
"Yeah. I guess I'm just a wuss."
Silence. There was quiet murmuring from the front seat, Sango had the map in her hands and was talking quietly as she scanned the sings along the side of the road. Kagome turned to a now strangely quiet Inuyasha. He was watching her, and there was surprisingly no trace of contempt on his face. She was about to open her mouth to say something, but then she looked into his eyes.
Suddenly her world was consumed by shining amber. She felt trapped inside his sunshine eyes and she didn't want to leave. It was warm in this other world, safe, peaceful, many things her world was not. Then she blinked and that world was gone. There was only Inuyasha watching her.
Oh god! Am I blushing?
"What?" Kagome touched her face self-consciously, her voice quivering nervously.
"Hm?" Then Inuyasha came back to himself. "Uh..."
"Now who's staring?"
"Don't let your head get too big wench. I was just thinking. That's all."
"We're what!" Miroku shouted form the front seat, cutting off any further argument.
"I'm sorry! I-" Sango sounded as if she were about to cry.
"It's ok sweetie, it's ok. Just tell me how it happened."
"I don't know! We were doing just fine until that weird intersection."
"Which one?"
Kagome covered her mouth, trying to muffle the laughter that refused to be suppressed any longer. Inuyasha looked at her and his own laughter threatened to give them both away. They both chuckled quietly, faces turning a bright red as Sango and Miroku tried to get them back on track.
The two laughed and teased the couple the entire way there, all three tries. Kagome was hocked that they didn't fight for the rest of the strange trip.
Sango looked miserable when they all slid out of the car. Miroku just laughed and pulled his girlfriend into a big hug that made Kagome's heart ache. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and started off across the parking lot alone.
Kagome debated for only a split second. Stay with Miroku and Sango during this Kodak moment? Or go with Inuyasha? Without a backward glance. She started jogging across the parking lot to catch up with Inuyasha.
"You're gong to have to stop and wait sometime." She said matching his strides. "Besides, they're going to be like this all night."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just trying to find the bathroom. I have to puke."
"It's not that bad."
Inuyasha grunted, but that look came over him and she knew he was holding back a smile. It was so familiar now. But also irritating. It was so charming, his eyes smiling, his lip curling up on one side. But he was a jerk. Wasn't he? But he was a cute jerk.
Did I just call Inuyasha cute?
"So what exactly do you do here?"
"There's a maze in that big barn over there, and a haunted hay ride. People in costumes jump out places and try to scare you."
"So we drove all the way out here just to get hay up the ass?"
"Oh come on. It will be fun." Kagome said remembering Sango and her conversation form earlier.
"Whatever."
"Hi! Remember us?" A breathless Miroku said as he and Sango caught up at the ticket booth.
Things went well for a while. Inuyasha did make a fuss when he found out how much it cost to go on the hay ride and the maze. But in the end they convinced him it was worth it, and he was well behaved for the entire hay ride.
"I can't believe Inuyasha didn't get scared once." Kagome said in disbelief.
"He didn't even flinch." Miroku said, an arm protectively around Sango's shoulders.
"Don't worry." Sango smiled. "The barn has to get him. It's ten times scarier."
"It won't." Inuyasha said calmly as he strode ahead.
They were in line waiting for the barn maze when the evening took a slight turn. Miroku was in the middle of a great embarrassing story about Inuyasha when Kagome felt someone close behind her. A little closer than she felt was appropriate.
"Kagome. I thought that was you." A deep, sort of raspy voice said in her ear.
Kagome spun around as fast as she could, and found herself staring into a pair of bright blue eyes. Kouga. Why did he have to be here now? He was standing there, staring at her openly. His posture screamed of arrogance and cockiness. He tilted his head to the side as his eyes swept over her figure, his long black ponytail falling over his shoulder.
Kagome glanced over her shoulder. Miroku was still talking, trying hard to speak over Sango's laughter and Inuyasha's shouts of protest. No one noticed, or if they did it wasn't anything too important looking. A boy talking to a girl. But it was worse than that. Kagome took a panicked step back, but bumped against the railing. Kouga took another step closer to her, trapping her in place.
"So Kagome. What d'ya say we go in together and find a nice dark corner to sneak off to. It could be like old times."
"It was never like that and you know it." Kagome growled, shoving Kouga in the chest in hopes of escape.
Kouga didn't budge though. He was too big, and strong for that. He was so strong. Kagome felt her body start to shake just thinking about 'old times.'
Kouga snatched her wrist in an iron grip, pulling her closer to his chest. Their faces were close now, and she could see the anger and lust in his eyes. Kagome squirmed, trying to break his hold on her, but it was no use.
"Let go of me you pig!" She hissed pulling on the arm holding her wrist, desperately drying to free herself.
"Let go of her!" A familiar voice said, a voice that sounded very much like a growl.
"And what are you going to do to make me?" Kouga sneered, his grip on her arm tightening until Kagome gasped in pain, her knees starting to buckle.
"I warned you."
In one swift motion than Kagome had ever seen Inuyasha's fist flew. It connected with Kouga's mouth with a sickening thud. Kagome couldn't move, Inuyasha had moved faster than she could think. Before she knew what was happening she felt a hand pull her back, and an arm wrap around her shoulders. Her body was pressed up against something warm.
Kouga had stumbled back, a steak of blood slipping down his chin. His eyes were dark with anger as he glared at Kagome's protector.
"I told you to let her go. Now get out of here before I finish you!"
"This isn't over Inuyasha!" Kouga said turning and leaving before Inuyasha could get backup.
"Are you ok?" Inuyasha held her in front of him, his hands on her shoulders, looking intently into her eyes.
"Uh, y-yeah. I'm fine." Kagome was so confused, she was still shaking form her scare, now she was struggling to ignore how warm Inuyasha was, and how good he smelled.
"Oh Kagome!" Sango rushed over and swept her friend into her arms. "Are you ok? I can't believe he would try something with us standing there."
"Are you sure you're ok? We don't have to go in." Miroku said over Sango's shoulder.
"No that's ok, it'll be good to do something fun." Kagome said trying to keep her voice steady.
Inuyasha was still standing in the same spot looking angry, his body tense. He took her arm gently in his hand just above the elbow and held her back on their way in to the maze.
"What's the story with you and Kouga, Kagome?"
"It's nothing, really. Let's just go in."
Kagome had lied. This was the last thing she needed after her run-in with Kouga, but she didn't want anyone to see how much it had really shaken her. Inuyasha stayed by her the whole time anyway. He placed a hand on her arm from time to time to see if she was ok. He even put himself between her and the actors if it was possible.
He's being so nice to me, I wonder how long it will last.
"You ok?" Inuyasha asked her for the milliont time that night as they left the maze behind a laughing Miroku and Sango.
"I'm fine. Thank you." Kagome said in barely more than a whisper.
"So are we ready to try and get home?" Sango asked.
"Yeah." Kagome said looking away from Inuyahsa and breaking whatever spell she had been under, Inuyasha still stood near, watching her closely.
The ride home was quieter than the ride up. Inuyasha didn't seam convinced that she was actually ok, and neither was Kagome. It made her uneasy the way Inuyasha kept watching her from time to time, but only because she still wasn't sure about him. She wasn't sure of herself around him. There were moments where her stomach tied herself in knots, and just thinking about him made her blush. Then there were moments where she couldn't stand him, and she couldn't stop herself from saying whatever was on her mind.
Miroku pulled up in front of Kagome's house. So many feelings were running wild through her. The lights were on her in her house, she was terrified that her mother was waiting for her to walk through the front door. She prayed that she was already passed out.
She was shaken up enough is it was after her run-in with Koga. Then there were all the things she was feeling. What about Inuyasha protecting her? What about being in Inuyasha's arms.
"Goodnight." Was all she managed in a meek voice, then scrambled out of the car and slammed the door.
Her heart was beating hard in her chest. The only sound as she slowly walked down the walk to her front door were the thuds of her footfalls, and her own labored breathing. Her hand hovered over the doorknob for what seamed like an eternity, she could see it shaking furiously.
She moved slowly, pushing the door open and stepping into the living room. There she was. Waiting. Kagome didn't see her until the door was already shut behind her.
"How dare you." She hissed, advancing slowly on Kagome.
"How dare I what mamma?" Kagome reached behind her for the doorknob.
"You little cunt." Kagome blanched at the word. "You think you can just leave and not tell me?"
"But I-"
Her mother grabbed her face in one claw-like hand and threw her back against the wall, away from the door. Her head smacked hard, spots dancing in front of her eyes.
"Mamma, I swear-" She said trying to slide away.
"Don't you talk back to me you worthless piece of shit!" Her mother slapped her, cutting her off again.
Her hand pulled back again. Kagome caught it before it could strike her again. But that was a mistake. Kagome's mother shrieked and then punched Kagome in the eye with her free arm.
"Don't you ever touch me again!" Her fist came at Kagome again, but she moved her head so it only struck her shoulder.
"Get out of my sight." Her mother said suddenly, her face turning white, as she stumbled to the bathroom, the sounds of vomiting soon to fallow.
Kagome sat on the floor for a moment. Touching the back of her head. The pain was awful, there was an intense throbbing in her skull. Her eye was already swelling, and her shoulder wasn't any better. She used the wall to pull herself up, her shoulder screaming in protest.
Tomorrow was going to be a terrible day.
So there is Chapter 3. What is Kouga talking about? Why is Kagome so afraid? Keep reading to find out...
Oh this is sort of random but if the whole hay ride thing sounds completely crazy andrandom to have in the storyI actually had just gone to one with my friends whenI wrote this chapter and I thought it would be a super cool place to put the gang...because...come on...how many times have you read about one of those in a story? Plus I'm a geek like that. If you have never been to one GO! Tres fun, but watch out for asshole "gangstas" who beat up on poor unsuspecting girls like me...while screaming like little girls...