Summary: Kagome used to be the popular and happy girl in school. Everyone loved her, until summer break. Now, returning to high school, no one regognizes her. Will someone be able to find out why she's vanished? Inuyasha's POV.

Rated M for the following: Cutting, mention of suicide, adult situations (Miroku's fault this had to be put in), and foul language... If these bother you, then suck it up and read, or leave.

Alright, everyone's been asking me what happened to Kagome. You'll find out all about it in the next chapter. I know you must want to kill me for keeping it hidden this long (and keeping it hidden so well), so don't do it until next chapter.

There were a lot of comments on Inuyasha finally getting some brains and figuring out it was Kagome. Well, give him a bit of slack. I mean, we all know he isn't the brightest in the world! (He mistakes Kagome for Kikyou and he's oblivious to the chemistry between Sango and Miroku) So, stupidity must carry on to fanfictions wtih him in it!

Heart of Pain
Chapter Ten: Joking Around

But I don't understand how she can think I would let her down. She knows that I'm worried about her. Maybe... Maybe someone hurt her enough for her not to trust anyone again. It'd have to be someone close to her if she became afraid of everyone. It couldn't be her brother. From what I know, they're close. Maybe... Maybe it wasn't done to her, but she experienced something that she didn't want to experience.

But, what happened and why won't she tell me?

- - -

I lean against the wall, eyes closed. Winter break came and went within the blink of an eye. I hate it when that happens. You'll think that you have two nice, long weeks to relax. And then WHAT happens? The day of school comes around much sooner than it should have. Drives me insane, and I almost didn't come today.

But, I did. Kagome will be here, and I'm hoping she held up to her promise. Even though she hasn't hurt herself a month before the break, I'm worried. The way she asks to hang out with me longer hints towards problem at home. And she spent over two weeks at home. So, I came back to make sure she held up to her promise.

I take in a deep breath, wondering if I should even be hanging out with these friends of mine. Sure, we met up right before the break, but I don't like them much. They're always talking about women as if women are possessions. I can't help it if they have their own opinions, but it bothers me. I want to change their minds and their views on women, but I can't. That must bother me just as much as them owning women.

I half-listen to them talking. They're only my 'friends' because no one else was there the last day of school. Therefore, I had lunch with them. Now I feel like I'm stuck with them until someone comes to save me.

"Hey, did you all hear about those emo kids? I heard one got in trouble for cutting." Someone says. I look over at them, one eye open. They shouldn't callt hem emo, and they shouldn't be acting like it's funny. Still, a part of me feels like it might be Kagome. I open the other eye, my full attention on the conversation.

"Those emo kids are funny. They don't even know it." Someone says. I raise an eyebrow, not sure if I should hit him or wait for him to finish his joke first. He pulls out his pen, acting as if it's a knife.

"Oh, look at me! I'm going to cut msyelf! Oh no! My hermit crab died!" He acts as if he's cutting his wrist, and I hold back a growl.

"Stop." I say. Everyone looks at me, before they look back at the actor of the group. He must think that I'm joking, since he continues to smile.

"Oh no, a teacher has found out that I cut! What ever will I do?" He asks jokingly. I growl at him, but he doesn't seem to take the hint. Either that, or he's just finding it amusing to piss me off. After a while of him continuing, I turn around to leave. Right in front of me is a teary-eyed Kagome. I watch as she runs, before my feet begin to move.

"Kagome!" I call out. I don't care if people do think I'm crazy since they do think she's dead.

"You lied!" She shouts at me. I grasp her arm when she gets out in the fields by gym. She turns around, glaring at me with pain-filled eyes. It makes me feel bad for not leaving sooner.

"I didn't lie, Kagome..." I try to tell her.

"You did! You said you'd stand up for me and you let them tease me like that!" She snaps.

"You don't cut yourself, though! And I did get mad at them, but they thoughts I was playing along!" I reply.

"You were playing along!" She screams at me. By now, we have a small audience. There's no doubt in my mind that Sango and Miroku could be watching this right now.

"Listen to me. I didn't encourage them. I told them to stop and he thought I was playing along as a teacher or whatever. I growled at him, but he didn't change his opinion. So, I turned to leave." I tell her. She's had enough of my excuses, and my flesh instantly stings.

I drop her hand, realizing what had just happened. She's staring at me, and I wish she were the type to apologize after hitting someone. She glares at me, and I'm completely oblivious to the crowd around us now.

"What was that for?" I ask. My face still stings, since women can hit harder than they think. She looks at the ground and begins to cry. I feel horrible for making her cry, but she doesn't trust me enough to do it right now.

"You lied to me. Then you tried to force your excuses into my mind. I'm not stupid, Inuyasha. I know I see and I believe it! You turned around since you smelled me, not because you were going to leave!" She shouts. Even though my ears are ringing from the tone of her voice, I don't cover them. I don't attempt to make her believe me, since she won't.

"If that's what you want to believe, then I won't stop you." I mutter. I can't believe this has happened. I was feeling like Kagome was my best friend, but this happened. Figures that we'll fight the day we get back from winter break.

"I don't want to believe it, and you know that." She says bitterly.

"How can I know that when you're pushing me away like some damn virus?" I ask sharply. Rather than answer me, she leaves. I don't stop her, since I doubt she wants my help right now. The bell rings, as if to give me another reason not to help her. I want to hold her close and apologize, but she won't hear it.

I walk to the math class, my feet dragging slowly. It feels like everyone around me is staring at me for one reason or another. I'm guessing that those who think of women as objects are cheering me on. I encouraged a "worthless" kid to suicide. Others who think women should be respected probably hate me and everything about me.

I didn't mean for it to turn out that way. Why won't she believe me? Something's on her mind that's making her critical of everything she hears. I rest my head on the desk, not even looking towards the teacher. I look towards the wall, away from the rest of the class, and let a few tears out. I won't admit to crying, but right now it seems suitable. Someone I care deeply for hates me and won't believe a word I say.

If we were friends like I thought, she should've believed me. Maybe she really is upset over something and that's altering her opinion. Or she expected me to let her down and jumped at the chance she had to prove herself right. Who would want to be right about something like that, though?

I doze off, hearing something about triangles and strait lines. When I wake up, it's not to the customary poke in the ribs. I was starting to get used to that, and found out it was Kagome's doing. Since she's mad at me, it makes sense that she'd leave me like this. Instead, the bell woke me up. At least something did.

I walk quietly to the next class, feeling like I'm in a dream. Everything is moving so slow, and everyone is so boring. Suddenly, my entire history class is laughing. As I look around, I realize that someone said a joke. I look at Kagome's seat, and she's slouching. At least she's here. If she left to the bathroom, then I'd be suspicious.

Before long, it's lunch time. I tell Sango and Miroku why Kagome and I won't be joining them for lunch. Sango agrees that I should go set things strait with Kagome, while Miroku stares at me.

"You screwed your chances up with her again." He informs me.

"No shit, sherlock." I growl at him. "But, if this is like those romance movies I've seen, then things will be fine!" I try to cheer myself up, but it's not working. And I think both Sango and Miroku are aware of this pathetic attempt.

I walk away from the table, glancing back once to see Miroku's hand on Sango's ass. I face ahead of me, hearing a 'pervert' shouted and the sound of a slap. Amazing how nothing changes, even if you're not there. All the same, everything changes whether or not you're there. Like Kagome's trust in me.

I walk to the courtyard, and she's heading towards her car. I have no doubt that she has a "relief item" in her car, or at home. She lives close enough away to cut and come back without anyone noticing.

"Kagome." I call. She ignores me, and I pace after her faster. I stop in font of her, causing her to collide with my chest. She falls backwards, and I catch her by the wrists.

"What!" She asks. She pulls her wrists in attempt to free them, but I strengthen my grip. Even though I don't want to force her to do anything, I don't want her hurting herself. I know she will if she gets a chance to.

"Listen to me... I didn't play along. I did tell them stop and I did growl at them to get them to stop!" I tell her. She looks away, and I can sense her anger growing.

"Then why didn't you smell me!" She asks.

I pause, wondering the same thing. My sense of smell and my hearing are usually very good at picking up on things like a woman's presence. So, why didn't I smell her? I don't even remember being able to smell things that usually my nose can pick up. I take a sniff, but I can't smell the flowers that the school is filled with. Funny, I can normally smell them really well... Oh no...

That would explain quite a lot, but Kagome won't believe it, with my luck.

Next time on Heart of Pain...
Inuyasha attempts to apologize to her, but it's no use. She continues to turn her back on him and get away. He nkows she'll hurt herself if he lets her, so he presses on. After a sudden outburst, Inuyasha realizes what's going on with her...

I'm going to have someone edit all my chapters once I'm done with them. That means that you'll have one less review for each chapter, so ya'll will have to review even more!

And I know I've been saying ya'll a lot. I'm not southern or nothing, I'm just tired of lacking any accent at all.

I need 100 reviews before anyone can get the next chapter...

- Lonely Bird