Time Ticks Slowly

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters…wait…who am I again?
A/N: I realize I made a big mistake the last paragraph, last sentence or two actually of the last chapter. Forgive me, I'm an idiot. I also apologize for the majority or spelling mistakes and grammatical errors in this fic. /sobs/ All I can say in my defense is I hope that my writing has improved, and no one is perfect. I've thought about editing it and then re-posting my earlier chapters, but my final decision is to leave it the way it is. It's not that I'm too lazy to correct my mistakes, I already have in my original copy on my computer, I just feel that…I have no idea what I feel I just know that I don't want to re-post the fic. So thank you to all my readers who ignore my spelling mistakes and have continued to read the story /smile/ Enjoy! Chapter 24

Promises

Inutashio closed Sesshoumaru's bedroom door behind him and walked towards his son who sat on his bed, his long white hair flowing around his shoulders. "She's going to replace me isn't she?" Sesshoumaru asked not daring to look his father in the eye. "I knew it."

Inutashio momentarily stood still as he felt his heart slowing tearing in two. Love for his son and love for his girlfriend. Inutashio loved them both more than anything in the world and Sesshoumaru needed to learn that now. "You're my son," Inutashio said stepping towards his son. "Do you know what that means? It means that you will always and forever have a place in my heart. You're irreplaceable to me Sesshoumaru." Inutashio said leaning down and pulling his son into his arms.

"So what did he tell you?" Sesshoumaru's guardian questioned briefly poking her head out of the kitchen. "What lies did he feed you to get you to come her?" The elder woman demanded.

"Nothing. Inutashio didn't lie to me at all. I asked to meet Sesshoumaru." Izayoi replied honestly walking into the kitchen where Sesshoumaru's grandmother was busily putting dishes away.

The older woman scoffed before retorting, "Who in their right mind would want to meet that brat? All he does is whine and sulk about wanting to see his father, and what does his father do for him? Nothing," Sesshoumaru's grandmother spat. "Nothing but cause my daughter and I trouble. If she wasn't already dead, I'm sure she'd have been smart enough to abandon them both. Inutashio and that 'child' are both weak. Who wants to look after a needy child who demands love? Not me that's for sure."

"Excuse me," Izayoi cut in before she could hear anymore of the older woman's nonsense. "but needing and demanding love does not make someone weak."

"Love," Sesshoumaru's grandmother scoffed pacing back and forth. "Are you joking? Love is nothing but a verb."

"No it's not, to love, to be loving. It's so much more than that. It's an ineffable feeling, everyone needs it, everyone wants it, and anyone who says otherwise is simply lying to themselves." Izayoi finished looking up into the cold steel coloured orbs of the elder woman.

"You couldn't pay me any amount to love that child." Sesshoumaru's grandmother seethed not breaking eye contact with the younger woman.

"No. No one should have to be paid to love. Loving him would be a privilege, a privilege you don't have the honor of having." Izayoi replied turning her back on the woman and walking calmly out of the kitchen. Izayoi signed as the elder woman scoffed. What is with that woman? Izayoi wondered leaning against the hallway's pale blue wall.

"Would you like to meet her?" Inutashio asked his son. "Izayoi, I mean."

Sesshoumaru averted his father's gaze and stared down at his socks. "I…I don't know," The four year old replied after some time. "Do you think I should?" Sesshoumaru asked tentatively. "What if she doesn't like me?"

"I wouldn't worry about that, you've got your father's charm," Inutashio smirked. "And she's come all this way with me to meet you."

"Really?" Sesshoumaru asked excitedly.

"Yup," Inutashio smiled. "In fact, the moment I told Izayoi about you, she was so excited and wanted to meet you as soon as possible."

Sesshoumaru smiled widely, "Dad, can we take her to the park? Please."

"Sure." Inutashio replied getting up off his knees. "Let's go." Inutashio said taking his sons hand.

"Where do you two think you're going with my grandson?" Sesshoumaru's grandmother and guardian asked poking her head out of the kitchen after Izayoi and Sesshoumaru had been formally introduced.

"We're just going to the park." Inutashio replied trying to look cheerful in front of his son.

"Well, just be back in time for Sesshoumaru's dinner. I presume you two will be gone by then." The elder woman said glaring at Izayoi.

Inutashio nodded then took off out the door with Izayoi and Sesshoumaru.

"Sheesh that woman is scary." Inutashio said suddenly, stepping into the elevator with his son and girlfriend.

"Who, daddy?" Sesshoumaru asked. "Grandma?"

"Uh…n-no I wasn't—"

"It's okay daddy." Sesshoumaru interrupted. "I think Grandma's scary too, and at night she turns into a monster."

"A monster," Izayoi repeated. "How so?"

"She puts on this scary green goo on her face and says that it'll help her stay young forever," Sesshoumaru explained as Izayoi tried to stifle her laughter. "But I don't think it's working 'cause her face is very mushy and wrinkly."

Izayoi smiled and asked, "So where's this park we're going to?"

"It's a secret." The four-year-old announced proudly. "Normally other people aren't allowed to come, but daddy seems to really like you a lot so it's okay for you to come." Sesshoumaru smiled, running out of the elevator as soon as the metal doors opened.

"Hey Sesshoumaru wait up!" Inutashio yelled running after the hyper four-year-old. "Don't you want to drive there?" Inutashio asked as Sesshoumaru ran outside the building and past Izayoi's mother's silver SUV.

"No way! Let's run there!" Sesshoumaru yelled back happily.

Inutashio looked around for Izayoi and was pleased to find her running right beside him.

"A little running never hurt anyone, did it?" Izayoi teased beginning to run ahead of Inutashio and gain on the four-year-old.

Sesshoumaru, noticing he had a competitor, began to speed up giggling wildly.

Izayoi smiled until she saw a speeding car that Sesshoumaru was running directly in that path of. "Sesshoumaru, look out!" Izayoi screamed.

"Is she going to be okay?" Sesshoumaru asked his father for the twenty-sixth time since they'd arrived at the hospital.

"Izayoi's just sleeping right now." Inutashio replied looking down at his son and drumming his fingers nervously on the navy and black hospital chair arm.

Inutashio didn't honestly know if Izayoi was going to be all right. The doctors said that she had a minor concussion and it'd be best if she was under constant supervision for twenty-four hours prior to her waking up.

The thing was, Izayoi hadn't woken up.

The entire car ride to the hospital Izayoi had been sniffling and mumbling that it was "all his fault" as Izayoi's body lay lifelessly in the passenger seat, but Inutashio took full responsibility.

Inutashio had watched helplessly as his girlfriend ran in front of the speeding car, picked up Sesshoumaru and jumped out of the vehicles path mere seconds before it hit them. Izayoi had shielded Sesshoumaru from the impact of the ground with her whole body therefore hitting her head viciously against the pavement and rendering her unconscious.

The driver of the speeding vehicle drove off as Inutashio raced to his son and girlfriend. Sesshoumaru was cradled tightly to Izayoi's chest small tears forming in his golden orbs and Izayoi lay seemingly lifeless. Inutashio hadn't bothered to tell Sesshoumaru's grandmother where they were going, he'd just picked up Izayoi and driven her to the hospital.

"Mr. Takouyoi I presume?" A short female nurse in a salmon coloured nurse's outfit asked.

"Yes," Inutashio replied not bothering to correct her error. "How's Izayoi?" Inutashio asked getting up out of the rather uncomfortable hospital chair, which he'd been sitting in for the past two hours.

"Your wife is doing fine, although right now, due to her still being unconscious, only members of her immediate family are permitted to visit," the nurse continued checking over her clipboard. "You and your son can see her," the nurse smiled pointing down the hall, "room 224."

Inutashio nodded and took Sesshoumaru by the hand. "Izayoi's going to be sleeping so we need to be extra quiet, okay?" Inutashio whispered to his son just before entering the room.

My head is killing me, Izayoi thought. Where am I? She wondered opening her eyes and looking around to see a white screen surrounding her bed.

"S-Sesshoumaru?" Izayoi managed to call out trying to sit up in bed.

"What is it dear? Do you need something?" A gray haired nurse asked poking her head in the curtain. The elder woman's nurse uniform stained brown with coffee stains along with a nametag that read 'Mika'.

"Where…where's Sesshoumaru?" Izayoi asked, her voice was dry and raspy.

"Your son?" Mika inquired. "Or your husband? Either way the nurse at the desk, what was her name? 'N' something…anyway, she went down a few minutes ago to bring them up here so they should be coming soon."

Izayoi nodded and tried to speak again but was cut off by her coughing.

"Oh you poor dear," Mika said sympathetically, "sit up," she said softly putting a pillow behind Izayoi's back and a straw to Izayoi's lips. "Here you go," Mika smiled kindly. "It's no wonder you're thirsty, you've been asleep for almost two hours."

"Two hours," Izayoi repeated falling back into the pillows.

"Yup, I was in the E.R when that handsome young man carried you in demanding that you receive medical attention, if I recall correctly he had an adorable little boy beside him, sniffling and looking close ever so sad. I felt so bad for—"

"Miss Izayoi!" A childlike voice called forcefully pulling back the curtains.

"Izayoi you're awake!" Inutashio gasped rushing over to Izayoi and pulling her into a tight embrace. "Thank you so much, Izayoi. I'm so sorry it's all my fault. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Inutashio mumbled into Izayoi's long ebony hair. Inutashio pulled away and Izayoi saw Sesshoumaru climb onto the hospital mattress and cling onto her leg tightly. "I'm sorry too, Miss Izayoi. It's my fault that you got hurt, thank you for saving me."

Izayoi smiled at the four-year-old. "It's okay Sesshoumaru, I'm fine now, but saving you comes with a price." Izayoi winked.

"A price?" Sesshoumaru and Inutashio repeated.

"Yes a price, I desire a hug from the charming little man in front of me."

Sesshoumaru smiled, then crawled up the rest of the bed and wrapped his small arms around Izayoi's waist.

Inutashio noticed Izayoi whispering into Sesshoumaru's ear, which caused the four year old to giggle happily, then he turned around to face his father.

"Daddy, you shouldn't look so serious otherwise your face will get stuck like that, and Miss Izayoi wants me to sleep over at her house some time." Sesshoumaru said happily. "Please, can I?"
Inutashio blinked and immediately tried to wipe the stern expression off his face. "We'll have to see what your grandmother says." Inutashio sighed at the thought of talking to that woman again.

Sesshoumaru's grandmother was generally unpleasant, but when you needed something, she was a nightmare.

"Do we have to ask her?" Sesshoumaru whined.

"Unfortunately," Inutashio muttered.

"So when can I get out of here?" Izayoi asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"As soon as you and your husband sign these," The elder nurse, Mika announced reaching behind Izayoi's head and grabbing a clipboard. "Just standard procedure." Mika said handing Izayoi a pen. "You will watch her for twenty-four hours, won't you?" Mika asked, looking at Inutashio.

"Of course." Inutashio replied looking into the gray haired woman's piercing blue eyes.

"All right, just making sure, she's very vulnerable right now. The medication we gave her will make her very drowsy," Mika informed. "It's a good thing you have such a good husband to take care of you." Mika winked slipping out of the room.

"When did we get married?" Izayoi whispered as Inutashio placed her lightly in the front seat of her mother's car. Inutashio had insisted on carrying Izayoi to the car and Izayoi couldn't exactly disagree when Sesshoumaru was cheering in the background for his dad to carry her.

"Just over two hours ago." Inutashio replied closing the passenger door and opening the backseat door for his son.

"That's romantic." Izayoi teased when Inutashio slid in the front seat and started the engine.

"Daddy, does Izayoi getting hurt mean we can't go to the park?" Sesshoumaru asked from the backseat.

"No, I'm sorry buddy not today," Inutashio replied much to his son's dismay. "How about just after I graduate high school we—"

"Does 'we' include Izayoi lady?" Sesshoumaru interrupted.

"Of course Izayoi's invited to come," Inutashio smiled. "We'll all go down to Okinawa Bay, does that sound like a good idea?"

"Yeah!" Sesshoumaru replied excitedly. "Do you promise that you'll both go?"

"Yup." Inutashio replied immediately.

"No daddy, you have to say, 'I promise to take Izayoi lady and Sesshoumaru to Okinawa Bay'. "

"I promise to take Izayoi lady and Sesshoumaru to Okinawa Bay." Inutashio repeated.

Sesshoumaru giggled, "Okay, now Izayoi."

"What do I have to say?" Izayoi asked curiously.

"You have to say, 'I promise to come to Okinawa Bay and…" Sesshoumaru paused before leaning forward in his seat and whispering in Izayoi's ear, "…okay?"

"Yup," Izayoi smiled. "I promise to try and abide by all of Sesshoumaru's requests."

"Hey, hey, hey, what was after the 'and'?" Inutashio whined.

"It's a secret." Sesshoumaru announced with pride.

"Feh…Yo! Sesshoumaru lean forward." Inutashio smirked.

Izayoi watched with a smile as Inutashio whispered into his son's ear, Sesshoumaru smiled and giggled happily before he leaned back into his seat.

"Now that, was a secret." Inutashio smirked.

"Boys will be boys." Izayoi smiled looking out the window at the scenery passing by and felt herself drift into a light sleep, but before she could 'drift' too deeply Inutashio leaned over and shook her shoulder gently.

"Sesshoumaru wants a goodbye hug." Inutashio said,smiled as his son leaned into the front seat and hugged Izayoi tightly.

"Come back and visit soon." Sesshoumaru smiled hopping out of the silver SUV.

"You're late." Sesshoumaru's grandmother growled after opening the door to Inutashio holding onto his son's hand.

"I know, I'm sorry. We had an emergency." Inutashio said calmly momentarily slipping into the apartment, just to get out of the hallway.

"An emergency," the gray haired woman repeated. "What kind of 'emergency'?" They elder woman demanded rather harshly.

"Izayoi saved me!" Sesshoumaru announced proudly.

"You let 'some woman', save you?" His grandmother repeated angrily.

"Yup, there was this car coming super fast and Izayoi ran in front of it, scooped me up and jumped for safety!" Sesshoumaru continued excitedly. "Isn't that so cool?"

They gray haired woman scoffed and shooed Sesshoumaru to his room. "I suspect this female acquaintance of yours is alive and well?"

"Yes, the medication they gave her at the hospital is making her lethargic so she's waiting in the car." Inutashio explained.

"Hmfh. Only foolish women who get themselves in trouble need medication." Sesshoumaru's grandmother said with disgust.

"She saved Sesshoumaru's life," Inutashio growled trying to keep his temper in check. "Do not speak of her like that."

The elder woman glared, "I think it's best if you say goodbye to your child now." She hissed.

Izayoi waited patiently in the car as Inutashio went inside to drop off Sesshoumaru and smiled at how natural it seemed for Inutashio to hold his son's hand as they crossed the parking lot. Just by the way Sesshoumaru looked at his father you could tell that Sesshoumaru's gaze held a lot of admiration.

Inutashio entering the car and slamming the door closed disrupted Izayoi's pleasant thoughts.

"Bitch." Inutashio growled, starting the SUV, his golden orbs ablaze with anger.

"W-what?" Izayoi stammered noticing Inutashio gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "What's wrong?" Izayoi questioned.

Inutashio took one hand off the steering wheel and rubbed his temple, "It's nothing," He snapped putting his hand back on the wheel. "Just things parents have to deal with, don't concern yourself."

"Oh," Izayoi replied softly as Inutashio pulled out of the apartment complex parking lot and onto the highway.

Inutashio inhaled sharply and slammed on the brakes. Izayoi gasped and threw her arms in front of her face as Inutashio swiftly pulled the car to the side of the road.

"I'm sorry." Inutashio said immediately.

"W-wha…" Izayoi breathed rapidly trying to get over the initial shock of Inutashio's hazardous driving stunt.

"I'm kind of…just…I'm sorry! I was being an ass so I'm sorry." Inutashio said turning in his seat to face Izayoi.

"It's okay." Izayoi replied quietly.

"It's just…I can't stand that woman," Inutashio huffed. "She's not a suitable guardian for my son!"

Izayoi touched Inutashio's shoulder gently, "Don't worry. Soon Sesshoumaru will be living with you, and there won't be any need to see 'her' again." Izayoi said warmly. "You just—"

Before Izayoi could say anything more Inutashio pressed his lips tightly against Izayoi's in a simple and chaste kiss.

Izayoi felt her eyelids grow heave and she felt herself slip forward and lean against Inutashio's shoulder.

"Sleep tight." Inutashio whispered leaning Izayoi's head softly against the passenger seat headrest.

Izayoi yawned feeling a small ray of sunlight hitting her face and stretched opening her eyes to find herself bundled up in her bed. Izayoi found it very difficult to part with the warmth of her bed sheets but hearing voices downstairs perked her interest and caused her to get out of bed.

"Are you sure there's nothing I can say or do to convince you to continue your stay?" Izayoi's mother asked as Inutashio stood in the doorway to Takouyoi home holding his black duffel bag tightly in his hands.

"No, thank you very much for everything, but I really can't stay. I don't think it's in any way fair," Inutashio replied swinging his bag over his shoulder. "Please tell Izayoi that I'm very sorry and goodbye."

"Goodbye," Izayoi repeated making her way down the oak stairs in her purple stairs in her purple sleep shorts. "What do you mean goodbye?" The groggy teenager demanded steadying herself on the wall.

"I think it's best if I go Izayoi." Inutashio replied unfazed by her determination.

"Best for who?" Izayoi asked stepping towards the silver haired teen. "I don't think you should go," she said quietly, gazing into Inutashio's golden orbs. "I don't want you to go." Izayoi rested her head lightly on Inutashio's chest

Inutashio averted his girlfriends gaze and noticed Izayoi's mother quietly go upstairs with Setsuki.

"It's already been decided," Inutashio replied trying to shrug off Izayoi's touch. "I'm sorry I've put you through so much."

"No, no, please don't say it." Izayoi whimpered into his chest.

Inutashio inhaled deeply, "Izayoi, I think it's best if we don't see each other anymore."

A heart-wrenching sob escaped Izayoi's lips as she broke away from Inutashio. "I-I…I don't understand…I thought…"Izayoi felt her voice slip away as her eyes filled with tears. "I guess if that's what you want," Izayoi said, her voice barely audible. "I have—"

Before Izayoi could finish her sentence Inutashio pulled her into a tight embrace and brushed his lips against hers, sweeping his tongue across her mouth as he ran his fingers through her ebony hair. Izayoi reluctantly pulled away breathless and with her tears threatening to spill. "I-nutash—"

"Goodbye, Izayoi." Inutashio said sullenly turning and walking away.

Mrs. Takouyoi stood at the entrance to her bedroom and listened sympathetically as her eldest daughter sobbed. She knew the heartache of a breakup. For some reason it just seemed like Inutashio was different. He was different wasn't he?

"Izayoi," Mrs. Takouyoi said softly, wrapping her arms around his daughter's shoulders. "You need to dry your tears, honey."

"Mom, what am I going to do? I don't even know what I did do. I can't stop crying. Mom, tell me what I did wrong." Izayoi cried into her hands.

"Izayoi, you love him, correct?" Izayoi's mother asked looking into her daughter's eyes.

"Y-yes." Izayoi replied sniffling.

"Then, get up off the ground," Mrs. Takouyoi instructed, "and go get him."

"B-but mom he—"

"I know, and I also know something you don't know. If you don't go after him right now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

She's better off without me. Inutashio thought trying to reassure himself. He'd put Izayoi through so much already, he didn't want to hurt her any longer. Inutashio remembered the first time they'd kissed. It felt so warm, so full of love. It had been right after Izayoi's visious encounter with Rikyu. Rikyu going after Izayoi was his fault as well. If he hadn't paid so much attention to her than Rikyu wouldn't have noticed her. Everything bad that had every happened to Izayoi since they'd been together was his entire fault. The time when Izayoi got a piece of glass stuck in her foot. That had only happened because she had followed him home. Rikyu's posse of girls beating up Izayoi was his fault because he wasn't there to protect her.

Izayoi fighting with her sister about Rikyu was his fault too. Izayoi almost…almost being killed by that car when the visited Sesshoumaru. It was all his fault. Inutashio had caused her so much pain, and she'd done absolutely nothing to him. He was selfish, so selfish for wanting Izayoi's love while hurting her so much.

Izayoi ran out the door the moment she thought she understood her mother's statement. Things in life happen, unpredictable things. Some horrible things, and some great things. It's how you react after those horrible things happen that creates change. If you love him, if you really love him. Go after him and tell him.

TBC!

A/N: Hee hee I'm sorry it took me so long to update, I suck I know. Stupid school, stupid History papers! Forgive me and don't forget to review pretty please!