…I am lazy, lazy, lazy! Okay- so I'm also addicted to 'Sex and the City,' so sue me …
"What's your favorite color?"
"Can't you think of anything better?" Inuyasha huffed.
Kagome smiled genially, "I'm fading you in, letting you get used to the game."
"It's not like I haven't played before, you know!" Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest indignantly.
"Oh fine…um…"
Kagome tossed her head from side to side wracking her brain for a random question. Inuyasha finally quit pacing and sat beside her, but not too close. Kagome gave him a sideways look and realized he was giving her space, which she appreciated. This wasn't easy. She was sitting next to not only an ex, but the second man to break her heart.
The scenery was beautiful though. It was a quiet Saturday night, past midnight. The stars winked at her from afar. Kagome bit her lip knowing that some of those flirtatious glitters would be dead or dying by the time their next flash reached her. Still the sky was dusted with tiny highlights and a thinning crescent moon. Its curve would be gone the next eve and Kagome would miss the shining guide as she did every new moon.
"Did you ever miss me?"
Kagome spoke quietly almost wishing she didn't have to ask the forbidden, but it was something she needed to know for herself. To move on and truly leave their past where it belonged, in the past; Kagome needed to hear it from Inuyasha's lips.
The swing creaked in the pregnant pause. The wooden love seat size behemoth was large and bulky. It was what Inuyasha would label 'manly' and despite its obviously homemade appearance the thing was rather comfortable. Inuyasha was leaning against the rail not five feet away with his back to the open sky. His arms rested at his ribs and his long hair was tied back for once. He was wearing a grey tee shirt with some iron-on picture on the front that was so worn Kagome couldn't tell what it was. Inuyasha's pants were low on his hips, without a belt, and medium blue with bleached streaks. Kagome smiled as she glanced down. His bare feet were something she had become accustomed to long ago. Inuyasha despised shoes; they cramped 'his style.'
Inuyasha's face was what caught her attention though and kept it. His brows tilted downwards towards the bridge of his nose. His eyes closed and his mouth open. Kagome leaned over on her knees. She turned her head to the side and looked down below at the grass. This was a second story balcony, but there was a simple block stair case down. The entire place was fenced in and it was quaint, very simply and very Inuyasha. Beyond the fence was an unruly field of wild grasses and flowers then forests. There was a road, gravel and dirt that Inuyasha himself made leading up the mountain side. He had refused any help from anyone and created the entire place by his lonesome. The house, the fence, and the road were all his, only his. This was one reason why Kagome always felt somewhat on edge staying here. She was sure the roof would collapse one day or a wall would just fall in on her when she was sleeping.
"Yes."
Kagome didn't move, she didn't sit up, but she did feel tears prick at her eyes. All this time she had thought Inuyasha didn't even think about her. For a year Kagome had convinced herself that she didn't matter to him. Even when she said this inside her head though somewhere deep down her heart knew this was a lie. Kagome had lied to herself just to be able to get by because otherwise the hope that maybe, maybe he would change his mind would have overridden every logical thought.
Without her notice one drop slid down onto her knee and absorbed into her jeans.
"Did I break your heart…?"
His question wasn't hesitant, but it came out sounding more like a statement than anything else. His voice didn't waver and when Kagome peeked over at him his gaze hadn't moved. Inuyasha still stared in his window at the cabin that was lit like a birthday cake. Side table lamps littered everywhere like candles in the darkened rooms.
"Yes."
"I didn't-"
"Mean to, yeah I know." Kagome interrupted.
Inuyasha looked down at her for the first time in a long while and really saw Kagome as Kagome. Her long hair pulled to the side and braided down into one thick, clean weave. It fell down beside her knee with her head turned towards it, but looking beyond it. Her arms were wrapped around her knees and one ankle was crossed over the other. Her eyes blinked slowly and often. A small smile was on her lips despite the fact that he knew being here surrounded by the memories was painful.
Kagome was so compassionate. She came because he asked and he felt like it was partly his fault that she had suffered once again. If only Inuyasha had spoken with Kikyo and told her from the beginning that it had always been her maybe Kagome wouldn't have been 'kidnapped' by that bastard. It hadn't been the first time either it would seem. Apparently Kagome and Naraku dated when she was in high school, but he really didn't know more than that he had hurt her, and very badly.
"I'm sorry."
Kagome was shocked. Hearing those words from Inuyasha was more surprising than Sesshoumaru doing the Macarena, if he would ever do that of course. Kagome snickered.
-That'll be the day Sesshoumaru really loves me. He would do something so ridiculous like the Macarena or the electric slide.-
She laughed softly again while sitting up. The position was comfortable for everything, but her breasts. Kagome paused at her previous train of thought. The day Sesshoumaru would love her, the sun would be eclipsed. For some reason this saddened Kagome even with the truth ringing clear behind it.
"Don't be. You were following your heart." Kagome said distantly.
She did mean what she said, but her mind and heart weren't in it because they were already somewhere else. However Kagome did continue the game seeing as how it was her idea and this was the perfect chance to get the dirt on Inuyasha's love life. Kagome grinned; she was too nosy for her own good.
"Did you know you're getting married March 19th?"
There was a short pause which was filled with Kagome trying to contain her 'church' giggles. She tried to cover it behind her hand and was almost successful in calming down, but that was before Mt. Inu erupted, almost literally, shattering the blissful peace of the night.
"WHAT!"
…With Miroku and Sango…
Kohaku was at a friend's house studying. The couple was both happily alone and spending the Saturday night on the couch watching old movies. This was one of the strange qualities of Miroku that Sango would never have guessed. He got them all from Netflix or Ebay. Of course from Netflix, he'd rent then copy them, but it wasn't exactly illegal because he never sold them. Sango had rolled her eyes at this when he told her, not really approving of it, but not feeling up to scolding him about the subject so she let it go.
Now they were watching, and enjoying, an old classic, 'Singing in the Rain.' Sango was curled up with her head resting in his lap, one fisted hand on his thigh and the other snuggled against her side. The fingers of this hand were intertwined with one of Miroku's while his other dished at the Junior Mints Sango had grabbed from her 'secret' stash. It wasn't very secret because practically everyone knew about it since it encompassed two whole slide-out drawers in the kitchen. No one dared touch it though afraid of the death sentence that would befall them should they even consider taking just one tic tac.
The other night had been special or as special as sex can be when with Miroku. He had been anxious because he thought it was her first time. Sango had laughed at his innocence. It wasn't his either obviously, but it was just funny that Miroku saw Sango as prude. Well, not prude, but not experienced either. She'd proven him wrong for certain. That night had been a serious step for them as a couple. Sango knew she didn't love him, not yet anyway, but felt she cared more for him now that her connection was even closer.
Sango had felt how deep she had buried under his skin and somewhere along the line had entered his lecherous heart as well. Sango became more than just a grope and a pair of breasts. Things between them weren't as awkward and jumbled anymore. It was comfortable and intimate. Miroku had wanted her that night and Sango hadn't refused his amorous intentions. Sango was no virgin and that made it better because it was still their first time together. There wasn't any pain, a little discomfort, since it had been awhile since she'd had to deal with anything more than a tampon.
Sango sighed. It had been nice and afterwards lying in his arms before falling asleep. Even now Miroku was a little bolder, but in a good way. He still groped her in public which only served to get him slapped, but this was different. He'd touch her softly, gently as if he was afraid he'd break her. Like right now his fingers had disentangled with her own. Miroku was now smoothly running his fingernails up and down her forearm. It tickled more than anything and Sango didn't suppress the giggle.
"Miroku…"
"Yes Sango?" He looked away from his movie.
His eyes were soft, but serious. This was the secret side of him that he didn't show to just anyone, but he gave it over to her freely. Sango blushed. Every time he looked at her like this it was like there was nothing else, but the two of them here and now. Sometimes women twice as pretty as her would walk by and he wouldn't even notice. Those were her favorite circumstances because it was always a wonderful surprise to see that his attention was solely captured by her. Sango felt her heart leap into her throat. Maybe her thoughts had gotten away from her. Her stomach fluttered anxiously. Was it possible that she did love Miroku? It seemed so impossible, but then again anything was possible when it came to love.
Sango reached up and traced the shadow on Miroku's cheek with her fingertip. The television made the highlights and shadows jump, converge, and separate with the movements on the screen. Sango followed each one serenely. Miroku smiled and detained Sango's hand in one of his own abandoning the candy for now. He placed a kiss on each tip and then the palm. He leaned down and left a chaste peck on her lips. Or at least that was the plan until her other hand told hold of his pony tail and deepened it. After a few seconds, Sango let him go, but he remained hovering above her. His nose nudged hers and Sango smiled contentedly.
This was the scene Kohaku walked in on. He was so sneaky quiet sometimes. He shook his head and ignored the fact that he had seen his sister making out because of the smile that was present on her lips. Miroku had some difficulties understanding the basic laws of decency and personal space when it came to women, but the man did have a good heart. If anyone could straighten out his ways it would be his sister.
Kohaku trudged silently up the stairs and sighed with relief when the two continued to watch the movie. His sister was always beautiful, in his eyes anyway, but Sango was never an active dater. So this was just a little strange to Kohaku. He'd get used to it; it wasn't that big a deal after all. Sango deserved someone in her life that could comfort in ways that he, her brother, could not. Kohaku could hug her and kiss her cheek, tell her everything would be alright, but he couldn't give her the companionship she needed.
Kohaku would always be her brother, but someday he would have to leave for college, etc. He wanted to travel abroad too and he couldn't do that knowing she'd be all alone with no one, but Kagome to talk to. Sango didn't make friends easily and didn't trust many people because of her past. The loss of their parents had hit her hard besides all the new responsibilities she had. Sango was afraid of losing the things she loved and so she tended to be overprotective. Many people were put off by this or scared away. Only Kagome had stuck by her and actually seemed to appreciate the security of Sango's friendship. Kagome then in turn was the impulsivity that Sango needed to get out in the world. They certainly were a pair and now with Miroku maybe Sango could get over her issues with abandonment, at least a little. Maybe Miroku could heal her old wounds and help her to see a less cynical side of the world.
Kohaku could only hope as he laid down into bed. He'd changed quickly and was soon lying awake. His thoughts turned to Rin as they had lately. She seemed distracted and worried. When Kohaku asked her about it Rin said it wasn't anything that important. Her eyes spoke differently though. Rin would just never want to burden or bother him. Maybe he could ask Kagome because she seemed to be getting quite close to Rin and Sesshoumaru. That was what Sango said, but she had winked afterwards and the action made Kohaku uneasy. A winking Sango could possibly mean trouble and mischief. It was a rare side of her and for that Kohaku was thankful. She never did anything too rash or absurd, but still it always ended up being trouble.
…With Sesshoumaru…
"Rin, please leave."
Rin sucked in a quick breath and ducked back out of the room. He had said 'please,' which meant that even in this gloomy state he was trying to be his stoic self. His back was to her and all she could see was the high back of his desk chair. She knew that she probably wouldn't want to see his face, but that made her want to all the same. Rin's pure heart wanted nothing more than to cure her Sesshoumaru of his painful past. She couldn't do anything by herself though; she didn't know where to start. So Rin walked slowly, at a gruelingly sluggish pace back to her room looking back over her shoulder often. Should she go back? Would a hug help her father, her idol?
-Probably not…-
This was the harsh reality. She could do little to make him feel better and every year was the same. It was one of the only days Sesshoumaru wouldn't go to work. He'd seemed so happy last week too. He said something about the company her inherited truly being his now. Sesshoumaru had come home serious even as they rode the elevator up the rest of the way to their home. As soon as the door was shut and locked it was like a dam broke inside of her father. He swept her up into his arms and buried his face in her hair. Rin had been surprised and had merely sat there in shock.
Sesshoumaru shifted back and his eyes were shining more brightly than Rin had ever seen. There was a gleam of triumph, but also happiness cleverly hidden within and under his success. Rin didn't have much time to get a better grip on his neck because the very next second Sesshoumaru spun an about face. He set her down on the floor by the door and kneeled down in front of her. They hadn't even taken off their shoes yet. When he looked up again his face had melted. The pronounced contours of his face widening as the grin grew on his face and he laughed! Takarashi Sesshoumaru had laughed!
There were times when Rin was absolutely certain her father was laughing on the inside and even rarer times when he would chuckle. However this began as a mere shaking of his shoulders and his eyes grew bright like a fire fly's glow. Then those orbs closed and his lips parted. Out came a deep, melodic laughter that diffused through the apartment and warmed the entire interior. Rin was suddenly not leaning against the door, but swept into the sound like sand down a rushing river bank.
This occasion was also another first. Rin full out broke down in front of her idol. The tears started slow, but their downpour could not be muted. Rin had rubbed at her eyes with her fists, but with a sob she had thrown her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck. Her small body trembled against his still laughing form. It was odd that they both ended up on the floor shaking. Sesshoumaru's chest vibrated with his settling mirth and her joyful tears began to dry. Rin's force had knocked them over though she doubted Sesshoumaru hadn't even attempted to stop the inertia of the action. He could have done it easily, but there they were. Sesshoumaru had been lying on his back with Rin on top and to his side.
Rin shut the door to her room and curled up into her bed. It was still early to go to sleep, but her spirits were weak this evening. That night had been one of the most spectacular times of her entire life. Sesshoumaru's laughter was like seeing not only unicorn flying in the sky, but a pink one at that with bright blue wings and purple mane. Rin doubted she would ever witness it again. At least she had the chance to hear it once. Now there would be no such things occurring, not with Valentine's Day fast approaching. Two days from now, she would leave for school and her father would not even see her off. His study door would be locked and Sesshoumaru would not leave once until dusk if not longer.
…With Kagome and Inuyasha…
"I have to go."
"Just can't wait to get away, huh?"
"Inuyasha…"
"What? Spit it out already!" He turned his back to her crossing his arms in a fake huff.
"It's Valentine's Day tomorrow, that's all."
Inuyasha turned his head towards her. His bangs covered his eyes, but Kagome knew how sad they would be. Last night after she'd brought up the wedding and that had in turn moved on to Kikyo. This was apparently the reason why he'd asked her to come up. Kagome, of course, had already known about Kikyo's involvement with Naraku. She didn't know how far it went back and where exactly it stemmed from. Kagome surprised herself during this escapade into the past.
She didn't feel the least bit guilty for hurting Kikyo. After all she'd dumped Inuyasha and he had been fair game at the time. Kikyo could have taken the high road and acted like an adult by just dealing with the fact that the love of her life had fallen, or rather was with someone else. Not Kikyo though, no, the woman had to exact revenge. It was so ridiculous that Kagome actually found herself getting mad. Kagome hadn't thrown a tantrum when Inuyasha broke up with her to go back to Kikyo again. She'd watched him walk away with tears coursing down her cheeks. Kagome had cried an ocean with Shippou and Sango's help she'd built her bridge. She got over it.
Now her love was lapping at familiar shores, but in a completely different sort of tide. Her feelings were friendly and platonic. For months afterwards she'd wanted to see Inuyasha and be friends, but she knew that she couldn't do it because her heart still ached. It was this trip that showed her how much ground she'd covered in her recovery. Inuyasha's damp eyes only brought out sympathy and a little bit of pity. This man had the same lot in love that she did. They were certainly a pair. It was all drama and a tragedy at that. It was ironic because Kagome found this funny.
Last night Kagome made her thoughts very clear. Kikyo would not be forgiven for her childish acts, but then Kagome couldn't hate her. She couldn't hate anyone, not even Naraku himself. Inuyasha had found this unbelievable of course, but it's Inuyasha. What more could Kagome expect from him? Naraku, in Inuyasha's eyes, forced himself on Kikyo and black mailed her. Kagome knew Naraku well enough that he played every card in his hand and cashed in on all of his favors at one time or another. Kagome didn't reason with his ways, but really what was Kikyo thinking? That this would all blow over and be a happy ever after? That wasn't how the world worked.
Kagome felt she'd finally discovered a common ground with Kikyo. Kikyo had shown she was human and would do anything for love. Kagome had done the same thing long ago. It was just with the wrong person where as Kikyo's was with her soon-to-be husband. Inuyasha hadn't found that joke very hilarious. It was in over a month. He and Kikyo were at odds. This might not be a hugs and kisses, love forever type of occasion. One thing was for sure though. Kikyo and Inuyasha were meant to be together. No matter what troubles and arguments they went through. Break-ups and make-ups galore! They always came back to each other and that was something.
Kagome smiled, "Talk to her Inuyasha. Make her see what you see because obviously she just doesn't get it. She's striving for perfection and failing."
Inuyasha scowled at the 'failing' part, but nodded anyway. Kagome walked over and hugged him noticing how he stiffened a little. Kagome pulled back and pushed his bangs out of his eyes. They were dark and troubled still, but the mist in them had lightened. Kagome kissed his cheek, squeezed his shoulder, and walked out the door bag in hand. Kagome left the house to the awaiting shuttle she had called to come up and get her. She took a deep breath and with one last look at the cabin she got in the van. Cerulean caught a flash of silver at the screen door. There was a glare on the glass of the door behind it so she couldn't see too well. She put her hand up flat on the window and saw Inuyasha lift his hand in return.
Well that was one thing the two half brothers had in common. They both never waved. They lifted their hands, but didn't move their fingers or wrists. Inuyasha always used to say it was too girly. Kagome never realized it was until Kouga had wagged his fingers at her once when he caught sight of her at a restaurant with Sango. Kagome had stifled a giggle and played it off as happiness to see him. It was so funny that she had almost spit up the water she had been drinking.
The ride would be long, but she would get there before nightfall hopefully. Maybe she could stop by and see Sesshoumaru? Kagome closed her eyes and dug out the book she had brought. This was the perfect opportunity to settle down for some catch up. They hit a bump in the road causing Kagome to look up suddenly. The fields were a blur and the mountains sung proudly in the background as they drove away. The trees were in bloom and the sky was a clear azure. It was a magnificent warm Sunday. With luck Sesshoumaru wouldn't be at work. Kagome bit her lip. They should do something together. Her eyes lit up as an idea came to her.
-A picnic would be perfect!-
A list of food already began to form in her mind and a surprise lunch brewing along with it. Kagome opened her book and fell into the mystery/romance of the tropics.
…I HATE TECHNOLOGY! Just so you all know…my internet refused! to work for like two days! So forgive the lateness. Oh- in the next chapter or two, a lemon could be found, but we'll see…
