Man, I remember a year ago, I would freak out if I went a week without updating. Of course, I'd like to think my writing has improved some from one year ago. I'd like to think I've improved a lot, but I doubt that. But anyways, the point is, I'm really REALLY uber sorry I left it like that. I feel really bad.
I should inform everyone that I've gone of some weird, quazi hiatus for the time being. It doesn't mean I won't be updating, I just thought I should make it official that my updates are going to be spurratic. And it's not that I don't want to write, because I do, I always do. I always have new ideas for stuff, that fact gets annoying after a while really, so trust me, I want to write. But I want to write when I don't have the time to, or I get distracted or have writers block. And when I have the time, the ability and no distractions, I'm too lazy to do it. I feel guilty as hell for that.
And now, school has started. This is my final year, it seems like it'll be pretty much an easy ride for me, but I want to make sure I get as good of marks as possible. I'm going to need them. The things I want to do are being laid out for me, people are telling me what I should go into for the future and I think about what I want to do and... well, lets just leave it as it's a bit of a stressful time, as I'm sure it is for most people my age. So yeah, I have to focus on school and all my possible career choices.
So yeah... thats that.
Just a quick note here, this chapter won't be very long. Not because I have writers block. It was meant to be short. Sorry.
To everyone who wants Riku's head: -tosses voodoo Riku doll into the air- FREE FOR ALL!
Review Responses!
Beautiful Massacre: indeed... very much so a lot of drama... that made sense, I swear... shifty look
c-orruption: lol, when I first wrote this review, you had another different name... that just shows I really gotta wait to do these, eheh.
Shadowww15: (see little note above) he's not comin back. have a go!
skatergurl2005: heh, I'm not THAT fast at writing. I'm glad you like it. Though... I'd think if you loved it that much you'd remember it in a weeks time...Oo
jade eyed neko: yeah, she'll be fine... eventually. And again, I refer you to the note above on the Riku situation. I uber sorry for the long wait. Summer got hecktic then school. ugh
kagomes pup: lol, both very good plans, but Riku isn't going to be making any more appearances, so they won't have the opertunity.
kouga'snumba1girl: I'm really sorry for the long wait. I regret to inform you that this chapter will not make you feel any better.
Sorano101: Lol, thank you. I try not to make a boring story if at all possible. I like twist... the unexpected curveball. muahahaha! Sorry for the long wait. .
Anyways, on with the story!
--
It took hours to settle the redhead down; hours before the tears stopped flowing, before her breathing regulated and she stopped whimpering pathetically. The girls sat in the living room with her the whole time, patiently rubbing her back, bashing men, and offering kind words and ice cream and alcohol. The minutes ticked away slowly, turning into hours and before they knew it the sun was setting. The sky turned dark, overcast with dark storm clouds. There were no stars shining down on them that night.
--
With lightening crashing outside and the power long since out, Ayame leaned back against the couch, exhaustion beginning to consume her. Her eyes were puffy and red, her nose was stuffed up and still running slightly. Her mind was hazy from the small amount of alcohol in her system. She hadn't drank very much, just enough for a slight buzz. She figured it best not to get drunk again for a while... a long while. She watched the candle on the coffee table as it flickered lightly. She felt warm, a contented look etched upon her features.
Kagome, Sango and Rin were rambling, trying to keep her mind of the entire situation or just being out right mean to the male population. It felt good to know she had such good friends. They'd be on her side no matter what. They'd defend her no matter what... even if she didn't deserve to be defended or have any one on her side. Even if she didn't want it.
The truth was, she paid very little attention to them. Sure, she snickered at a few of the things that had come out of their mouths, but she had a lot on her mind. Riku and what he'd done to her... not just the night before, but through the entire time she knew him. And Kouga. How did he feel for her? How did she feel for him? Why did he have to get involved in all this? And the way he had stared at her... like she made him sick. That image was imprinted in her mind and she couldn't get it to go away.
"Ayame?" Kagome's voice came from beside her, forcing her out of her thoughts and back to the real world. She looked up at her raven haired friend, who was sitting on the couch behind her. "Are you ok?"
Ayame blinked, suddenly noticing that all eyes were on her, everything silent. "Uh... y-yeah..." She sputtered, scratching the back of her neck sheepishly. "Sorry, I was lost in thought, what were you guys saying?" She gave a nervous laugh.
"I said it's late," Kagome informed her. "We should probably go to bed soon."
Ayame looked down at her watch, seeing that it was nearing 11. Not really that late, but with the power out, there was nothing better to do than sleep. "Yeah you're probably right..." she said, slowly pushing herself up and stretching. As she did so, she noticed the cautious and concerned looks on her friends faces. Guilt stabbed at her gut harshly.
Relaxing her muscles, she looked down at her feet. "Look guys..." She started, not really knowing how to say it. "I..." She looked at them looking at her. Tears burned behind her eyes, but she didn't let it show. "I can't..." She stopped, rethinking her words.
"You can't what?" Rin asked, her big, innocent, brown eyes looking up at the red haired woman.
Ayame swallowed and continued, averting her gaze. "I have to leave."
The three women exchanged confused looks. "What do you mean, leave?" Sango asked with a questioning eyebrow raised.
"I'm going to move back home with Gramps and Shippo." She stated, the burn behind her eyes intensifying. She held up a hand to stop the protest she knew were coming. "I have to. I've messed up a lot, and all I'm doing by being here is messing up your lives too. I can't do it anymore. You guys don't deserve to have to deal with all my ... shit." A few tears escaped her as she blinked. "I j-just can't... I won't. Not anymore."
"Ayame..." Rin stepped forward, her eyes pleading, her voice gentle. "We want to help you. We want to stand by you and protect you. We want you here." Sango and Kagome both nodded in agreement.
"I know... but it's not fair of me to drag you into my mess." Ayame choked out, tears coming full force.
"Ayame please-" Kagome started, but Ayame shook her head stubbornly.
"No." She said firmly. "I won't do it anymore, I won't!" She stepped toward them, her eyes appologetic... whether she was sorry for leaving or for everything she'd done, none of them were sure. "We can still get together... and... I'll call." She reasoned. "And I'm sure Gramps and Shippo would love to see you if you guys ever wanna visit."
"But Ayame-" Kagome persisted.
"I need to get back on my feet." Ayame explained. "On my own. All by myself. I just... I just need time to do that, ok?" The three looked at each other, their expressions giving away their uncertainty. "Please? Just let me go." Ayame asked.
Shocked at how vaulnerable... how scared their friend sounded, the girls nodded sadly. They would miss her.
--
She stood before the her friends, in front of the house, her car packed with her stuff and ready behind her. A light breeze blew her hair, which she'd left down, lightly to one side. What would she say? What would they say? There was only silence and solem looks at the moment, none of them could find the right words. Finally, in a sudden burst of courage, Ayame stepped forward to Rin first.
The girls looked at eachother for a moment, before the brunette consumed her in a giant bear hug, tears staining her cheeks. "Be careful," Rin muttered as she pulled back, sniffling lightly.
"I will be," Ayame nodded with a sad smile, turning to Sango. They too embraced. Sango telling her that she was only a call away if the bastard ever showed up. She'd be there in a heart beat. She turned to Kagome, giving her a hug too. They all stood back again, just staring at each other.
"Call us when you get there." Kagome said.
Ayame nodded, and with one last sad smile, she turned back to the car, getting in. And with a wave, she pulled away, leaving the white house and her friends behind.
Kouga stepped out of the house just in time to see the packed car leave, the redhead who had haunted him for weeks now driving, tears falling down her cheeks. Confused, he turned to the neighbouring yard, only to see the girls with similar expressions. "What's going on?" He called before they could go back inside.
Sango turned to him, her face the most stoic of the three. Looking sympathetic, she answered him. "Ayame's moving back home. She just left." With a sad shrug , the woman turned and went into her house, leaving Kouga to stand there in shock.
She was moving back home...
She was ... gone?
Kouga ran to the side of the road, looking after the car, but it was gone. Slowly he backed up and headed back into the house.
---
AN: And now you all hate me. Tada!
LOL. Sorry. I know it's really short. There was supposed to be another little scene but I just decided to put that in the next chapter, because it fits better there. Anyways, the next chapters should be longer. And the big fluff action will begin. I don't know when the next update will be... but it should be good.
I'm sorry for spelling mistakes and what not... I don't have word on this computer still... I should get on that, lol.
Well, I'm tired. Night all. R & R