AN: So after about 7 weeks I finally get around to updating.  I really do apologize for making you all wait.  To be honest, I had this chapter completely written a few Wednesdays ago, but then when I reread it for a third time I realized how completely pointless it was.  If I kept writing chapters like that one then there would be no story, ne?  So here's the new chapter, the better chapter.  Answers to questions are at the end.  Don't forget to review! :)

Disclaimer: I have never owned Inuyasha, though in some sick perverted way I suppose it would be nice to *grins* … my, my, my, aren't I the Miroku?

Sex and Drugs

Chapter 4: Another dark secret

Kagome woke the next morning to the sound of harsh rain still slamming against the dirtied window.  Her eyes didn't want to seem to cooperate and kept opening then closing, as if in protest.  Then she realized why she didn't want to wake up.  It wasn't even morning, the sky was still black, a foreboding color that made her wary.

Lightening flashed, briefly illuminating the room highlighting objects and creating creepy shadows on the wall.  You know, the ones you see as a child, the ones that makes a person believe there really is a witch in the bedroom with them.

Thunder soon followed, and Kagome winced at the loud noise and wondered vaguely what time it was.  She had no recollection of what had happened only hours before but was beginning remember something.  It was almost a déjà vu type of feeling.

She glanced around the room and as a streak of lightening flashed across the sky once more she saw a dark figure in the chair by the window.  It was Inuyasha, this she could tell immediately by the long, white, messy mane of hair that fell to his mid-back and the two ears that were perched on top of his head.  He wasn't wearing a shirt like earlier that day but he looked infinitely scarier, and – she was afraid to admit – powerful because of the dark shadow he was in.

He didn't look up as she approached the chair, her feet shuffling across the floor, her mouth wide open in a yawn.  His ears twitched slightly in her direction acknowledging that she was awake but still he said, and did, absolutely nothing.  Her sense of foreboding increased.

Thunder crashed again, this time so loud that it made her jump, yet he still did nothing.  It was only when she was standing directly beside him that he spoke. 

His voice was disturbing… strong and powerful, and angry.  "Why did you have that panic attack?"

"What do you mean?"  She was taken aback at first, not really knowing what to say or think.  Had she had another episode? She prayed that she didn't… not in front of the person that seemed to despise everything about her other than her figure.

"Don't be stupid. You had a fucking panic attack and I want to know why." He spoke calmly, though she could still detect anger with each word he spoke.  Why was he angry?

And then it hit her.  The movie, then the flickering of the power, the blackout, the shortness of breath, the feeling of overwhelming terror griping her very soul, and then she remembered nothing; it was as if someone had clonked her over her head with a mallet, like in cartoons.

"Oh. That."

"That?  That's all you have to say?" His voice steadily rose with each word.  He forced himself to take a deep breath.  He would never be able to get the answers he needed if he yelled at her.  "That?!"

"It happens from time to time.  I can't really… help it."

"What caused it?"  He continued softly. All this time he remained almost impassive by staring out at the city.  He couldn't look her in the eyes.  It would be too dangerous, he decided, to look her in the eyes.  If he did then he knew he wouldn't be able to hear her say it.  He had to know if what he had read in the little black book he found, behind the book shelves, was true. If it was true, her father was dead.  He would kill him.

"Just… bad memories, really.  From when my mother died, mostly.  She died a while ago in a car accident." She tried to explain.  Her mother hadn't really died in a car accident all those years ago, but Kagome knew she couldn't tell Inuyasha how she really died without raising suspicion or asking questions.

"Liar."  He gave a soft disbelieving chuckle then stood up.  He loomed a full head above her and stared at her with fire in his eyes.  "She didn't die in a car crash, and you know it.  She died because of him didn't she?"

Kagome stared at him with wide eyes.  He knew about her father, but how?  There was no way of him knowing unless Miroku had said something but he was gone, so how did Inuyasha know?  "What?  What are you talking about?"  She lied, trying to avoid the situation.

"Your mother died because of your punkass drunk father.  He's abusive, isn't he?  He came home one night drunker than any other night and came on to your mom, only she wasn't in the mood so she told him no.  But he didn't appreciate his wife denying him something he truly wanted, did he Kagome?"

Kagome shook her head with shock.  Old memories came flying back with a vengeance, and though they were past the point of hurting, Kagome could still see the fear in her mother's eyes.

"Then, he started pushing her around and yelling."  Inuyasha's face scrunched up in anger and he took a step towards Kagome.  She took two steps back, not from fear… no, she was not afraid of him… it was because of the memories that were flooding back, and the truly angry voice that sounded so much like her father's.  "Your mom started yelling back, didn't she?  But she wasn't strong enough and was forced against the wall like some whore."

"Stop!  That's enough, Inuyasha! I get it! I lied! I'm sorry!"  Kagome yelled out, but he continued his advance.

"Then your mom neared the stairs, crying no less… blinded by tears I suspect.  And then your bastard of a father smacked her across the face.  She tried to regain her balance but slipped on the rug and went flying down the stairs!  Didn't she, Kagome?"

Kagome started crying again, silent tears from the past made their way down her cheek.  Inuyasha immediately felt guilty.  He realized he made her relive a horrible memory that she would have been better without, he felt like an ass.

"Gods, yes! He freaking killed her, but it wasn't intentional! He hit her not realizing the stairs were behind her!  She fell! That's all it comes down to you bastard! She fell!"

Inuyasha reached out to wipe away a lonesome tear but Kagome smacked his hand away and took another step back.

"Kagome, I'm sorry…" he started.

"Don't say that to me!  You're not sorry, an ass like you could never be sorry.  You're too arrogant and proud… safe in your own little world, blissfully ignorant of everything else that goes on.  Don't you dare say sorry to me unless you know what it feels like! to have your own father, your own flesh and blood, do something that terrible!" Kagome yelled. 

The tears in her eyes had dried, leaving only blotchy red patches on her cheeks and puffy pink eyes to remind Inuyasha of the pain he inflicted on her. He had no right to feel sympathy for her, he knew that.  But it wasn't sympathy he felt.  It was something close to admiration.  Admiration for the way she had dealt with her father for all those years and still managed to find happiness.

He let her continue ranting and screaming about her father and what he had done to her and her mother until her voice was hoarse and her throat sore.  When she had calmed down considerably, quite a few minutes later, he continued.

"Why didn't you tell me?  Why didn't Miroku tell me?"

"What was I supposed to say, Inuyasha?" She started. "Hi! My name is Kagome and I'm coming to live with you because my father almost raped me and unintentionally killed my mom! Nice to meet you!"  She said sarcastically.  "I didn't want Miroku's friend, or anyone else knowing that some poor girl with a tragic past was living with them.  I didn't want the sympathy.  I didn't want the 'I'm sorry' or the 'is there anything I can do?'.  I didn't want that!  I just wanted to live like a normal teenager, with friends, a social life, possibly even a boyfriend.  I feel SO much better now that I'm out of that house, and for the first time in my life I feel safe and secure knowing that I'm rid of him forever."

"But how can you go on… just like that?" He snapped his fingers to get his point across.

"It's not easy, Inuyasha, but I'm working on it."

"But-"

"No buts! No more buts.  I had a bad childhood with a terrible role model who dubbed himself a father.  That's all there is to it.  Please, just try to forget about all of it, I know I'm trying to.  Don't burden yourself with my hurts that are pretty much gone.  I was hurting for a long time, but now I'm almost all better because I'm away from the source of all my pain. So please, don't feel sorry for me."

"But what about the scalding hot showers and the flinching and the-" Kagome interrupted him once more.

"I told you, I'm working on it.  Wouldn't you feel like taking hot showers to get rid of the dirty feeling?  The feeling that you won't ever be clean?  Maybe I won't ever stop taking hot showers or flinching when people unexpectedly touch me on the shoulder.  Maybe I won't, but that's for me to deal with.  If you think that's bad you should have lived in that hell hole of a house with me."

The both of them fell silent not really knowing what to say now that the truth was out.  In full honesty, Kagome realized how much Inuyasha had actually helped her.  He listened to her scream about the past eighteen years without question.  She felt as if a lead weight had been removed from the bottom of her stomach.

When Kagome raised her head she saw Inuyasha give her a small, warm smile.  The first true smile he had ever given her.  It made her feel all funny on the inside.  She didn't know if she liked that feeling.  Kagome returned his smile uneasily but the smile soon disappeared when he took a few steps forward and closed the gap between them.

And as his arms wrapped around her small, fragile form, in a friendly hug, Kagome felt the tension melt away.  She hugged him back and buried her head in the space between his neck and shoulder. For an odd, awkward moment Kagome felt safe in his arms before she pushed him away rather scared of the intimate moment.

The both of them decided to go back so sleep since it was only two in the morning, but when they laid down on their beds neither of them could seem to shut their eyes and put their wandering minds at peace.

*           *           *

Relief came with morning after hours of relentless tossing and turning on both Kagome's and Inuyasha's part.

Yet though Kagome was thankful that morning had come she made no move to get out of her bed.  She only wished for the privacy of a bedroom so that she wouldn't be disturbed once Inuyasha decided to get up.  And she couldn't help but wonder.

How had he known?  There was only one answer, and that was the little black book that was hidden behind the bookcase, a place she was positive neither Miroku nor Inuyasha would discover.  Especially since every lost item seemed to have ended up back there.

If he did read my diary, Kagome reasoned, then I'll beat him to an inch of his life, hanyou or no hanyou.  Kagome knew she should be furious with him.  He read her diary!  Her personal book that had every hope, dream, secret, desire and woe that she contained!  She should be enraged!  So why wasn't she?

After living a week with the mongrel (Kagome giggled at the thought) she had discovered him to be a rude, insufferable, arrogant, perverted, know-it-all jerk.  He had awoken a temper in her that she never knew she possessed. And he argued against everything she said or believed in!  It was like having an older sibling.

Yet another part of her, deep within her subconscious, she knew that she had made a friend. There was just something about last night that made her realize that Inuyasha had a soft heart, no matter how hard and uncaring he seemed on the outside.

The damp linen sheet on top of her began to make Kagome's body itch so she kicked it off and spread out all of her limbs to let the humid air dry her sweat laden legs and arms.  Her long raven tresses clung to her sweaty face and her cotton tank top was sticking uncomfortably to her back and stomach.  She groaned in misery.

"Why does it have to be so freaking hot!?" She half said, half whimpered out loud to the invisible person next to her.

Then the door to the apartment opened and in stepped Miroku.  Oh so now he decides to show up… after all the soap opera-y drama that has happened…. Kagome thought sarcastically.

"What the hell happened to you?" He asked.  He too looked irritable and sweaty in his ruffled, messy, rented tuxedo.  "You look like you were just ravished." Miroku's eyes narrowed, Kagome knew immediately what was going through his one-track mind. Lecher… has no faith in me, does he? "You weren't just ravished… were you? It was Inuyasha! I know it!"

Immediately a vein began to throb in his left temple and he barged through the doorway and into the hall.  Kagome made no attempt to stop him for two reasons. 1. It was too bloody hot, and 2. it might prove to be interesting.  Miroku made a fist and began to pound furiously on Inuyasha's door.  Some slight cursing could be heard above all the pounding.

Kagome grinned and prepared herself for what could be considered World War III when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye.  She turned her head and saw a girl (a woman actually), a little older than herself, standing in the doorway with a mixed expression: curiosity and amusement.

She nodded in the direction of Miroku and Inuyasha (who were now yelling at each other) and raised an eyebrow in question.  Kagome grinned and shook her head 'no' then broke out into laughter with the stranger.

The yelling soon subsided so that Miroku and Inuyasha could watch the two girls laughing hysterically and in tears.

"What's so funny?"  Inuyasha growled out, his fist raised in the air just in front of Miroku's face.  Miroku peaked out from behind his fingers (his hands were covering his nose) and whimpered something that sounded like "Fango?"

Kagome stopped laughing first and wiped away a tear from her cheek. "You two.  Getting ready to kill each other because I'm hot and sweaty since it's over 90 degrees in here.  Nothing funny about it really, but it's just funny as hell!"

"Huh?" replied Inuyasha unintelligently.  He dropped Miroku and went back into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him while rolling his eyes.

"You must be Kagome. Miroku told me a lot about you last night during dinner and in the car. I'm Miroku's girlfriend, Sango, by the way.  From what I hear about you we'll get along just great and I was thinking that later on maybe we could do something?  I'll be in town for a while, on business for the family dojo at the moment, but I have some free time if you're up to it."

Kagome smiled and nodded then motioned for Sango to sit down.  They immediately began to talk, and Miroku, who realized they would be at this for quite a while, shrugged and made his way to the bathroom.  He needed a nice, long, cool shower to calm his rattled nerves after nearly being killed by his best friend.  They may be best friends, but Inuyasha was sure scary as hell when he was truly angry.

An hour had past rapidly while Kagome and Sango talked about anything and everything.  Inuyasha remained in his bedroom, silent (a very odd thing for him), and Miroku had gotten out of the shower and started to make strawberry daiquiris, despite the fact that none of them were allowed to drink, legally anyway. **

Not too long afterwards Inuyasha thundered out of his bedroom and into the bathroom, the door once more slamming behind him.  It was obvious that he was in a foul disposition.

A minute later then toilet could be heard flushing and then the water from the sink.  Then everything after that happened in a matter of seconds.  There was an odd, loud humming noise, the gurgle of pipes, the rumble and shaking of the floor beneath their feet.  Somewhere in the bathroom Kagome heard a muffled "What the fuck?"  then an explosion that knocked Kagome and Sango off of the futon and on to the floor with a loud thud.

Water began spewing out from under the bathroom door and the floor in the living area and the hall was immediately soaked. Kagome stood up and tried to make her way over to the bathroom but succeeded in only slipping and falling smartly on her behind again.

Then the telephone began to ring and the people living below them began to shout and pound on the ceiling, the water obviously leaking through the floor.  It was now ankle deep.

The bathroom door opened and a tidal wave of water came splashing out.  Three heads (Kagome, Sango, Miroku) peered in and saw a rather shocked, and soaked, looking hanyou staring back at them.  Behind him was a geyser where the toilet had once been, and it was spraying water down on him like rain.

"I swear to god, I didn't do it! I didn't even take a crap!"  Inuyasha said astonished pointing towards the geyser.

Then Miroku grinned mischievously. "Question.  Why is it called taking a crap when you're actually leaving one?"  Sango bonked him on the head with a lamp that magically appeared in her hand.  "OW!"

"Don't be sick, Miroku." She snarled.  Kagome giggled.  "Call the plumber, moron."

"The plumber!  Why!?  We should call the police!  Our toilet has been sabotaged!" Inuyasha said hurriedly.  This time it was Kagome who magically procured a lamp and bonked him on the head.

"Don't be dense, baka."  She said while Inuyasha rubbed the newly forming bump on his head.

The next few hours passed in confusion.  As it turned out the pipes just below the apartment had begun to rust over a few years back and the superintendent had neglected to get them fixed.  But of course it required three cop cars, one ambulance, one fire truck, and a plumber to figure this all out.

The neighbors below the apartment had threatened to sue Miroku and Inuyasha at first, accusing them of being teenage hooligans without any sense of decency but once they found out that it was the superintendent's fault they went on to blame him.  They claimed they knew it was his fault all along and that they had been swindled out of money and repairs for years.  Miroku had made the comment that they were from California, USA.**

At the end of the day, when the sun was bloody red and setting just below the horizon, the four of them stood in the doorway of the ruined apartment.  Everything was ruined and, as Miroku pointed out, it was a miracle they were alive.  What would have happened if a plugged in wire was busted?  They would have all been electrocuted.

Kagome sighed.  The apartment was now empty, all furniture had been cleared out, like the rest of the building, until everything could be fixed and cleaned up.  But how long would that take?  And where would they go?  I would rather sleep in the park in the middle of a hurricane or winter storm than go back home. Kagome thought.

"Excuse me."  They all turned around and saw a young boy, of no more than twelve or thirteen, looking at them nervously.  "Are any of you Kagome?  Kagome Higurashi?"

"Hai, I'm Kagome." She replied.

"This is for you."  He held out a small envelope which Kagome took immediately.  The boy didn't wait for any response before sprinting down the hall and towards the stairs then out of sight.

"Who is it from?" Sango asked.  Kagome shrugged her shoulders then began opening the envelope, she was only vaguely aware that everyone around her had begun talking about some place to stay.

It was only a short handwritten message, but it was enough to drown Kagome in fear.

I've found you. And now there's no where to hide.

There was no doubt in her mind who it was from. It was in his handwriting and everything.

Inuyasha watched Kagome as she opened the envelope a few steps away from them.  He couldn't help but think about her and her dilemma.  How could she still be so composed after years of torture?  Inuyasha decided he needed to know more about her. More about her past. More about her father.  And then he could help her in any way that he could.  He couldn't explain this feeling, this need to protect her.

And then he felt her heart speed up and then he saw her hands grip the paper until it crumpled beneath her touch.  Her faced was drained of all color and her body shook with fear.

"Kagome? Inuyasha? Is that okay with you?"  Inuyasha spun around and focused in on Miroku and Sango.  They were waiting for some kind of answer.

"Hn?" He asked, his senses still in tune with Kagome.

"Weren't you listening?  Sango offered us a place to stay at her family dojo provided we work there and train there as her apprentices.  We'll probably have to quit our jobs since it's so far away.  What do you think?  Free housing? Free food?  Some exercise and the smell of fresh pine?" It was obvious Miroku wanted to go.

"Yes! Let's go! How generous of you Sango! I'm so happy I'll be able to get to know you better!"  It was Kagome who spoke, anxiety evident in her voice.  Inuyasha nodded almost reluctantly, still aware that her heart was beating too quickly, her face was pale, and the smile on her face was forced.  "What do you think Inuyasha?  Isn't this… great!?" She asked suddenly chipper.

"Yeah… great." He stared at Kagome in the eyes, his gaze burning into hers asking questions that she could not, would not answer. She turned her head away from his penetrating stare, refusing to confirm his beliefs.

What's going on?  What's this all about, Kagome? It can't have been from him, could it?

**I am not sure as to what the laws in Japan are concerning alcohol consumption.  In the USA the legal drinking age is 21 or older, but if anyone has any information concerning this let me know and I'll revise the chapter.  I have no time to actually research drinking laws in Japan at the moment.

**Please not that I have absolutely nothing against Californians. I, in fact, love San Diego and the rest of California.  I just find it funny that California tried to ban Oreo's and then try to make Ebonics an official language… not to mention other ridiculous stories…so please, don't flame me saying I'm biased or prejudiced.  I'm not. This is purely comical and meant to make people snort with amusement :P

AN: I know, a page shorter than last time, and it took a hell of a lot longer than the last chapter as well ^^; But that's life.  Thank you, all of you, for your wonderful reviews, ideas, and help.  I promise that the next chapter won't take as long for me to put up.  I already have it planned out, and guess what?  It's got fluff!!  Ahh, fluffy good-ness! *giggle*  Below are the answers to some questions and comments.

Chapter 5: The Days to Come

Minna: I've received quite a few reviews that say something along the lines of 'you're such a good writer! I wish I could write like you!'  And while I'm so unbelievably happy that my talent is appreciated and beginning to become acknowledged in the world of FanFiction I want to let all of you know that you can write too. It takes patience and practice and a lot of sweat, worry, and many writer blocks, lol.  I've only been writing for a few years but I've seen a steady improvement in my writing.  If I were to post one of my earliest stories…well, let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. Don't discourage yourself from writing just because it seems hard or you don't get a lot of reviews.  You just have to aim a little higher and motivate yourself to become better and better.  Write whenever you can, seek outside resources for inspiration and help. Be all that you can be, and never give up.

Kawaiipie007: He learned about most of the BIG secret in this chapter, though there are still a few he doesn't know about.  Those won't be introduced until later.  Kagome's evil father will make an appearance.  I'm not sure if he will make one, or more, or possibly something else will happen.  That will be towards the end of the story, after much angst and romance.

gatogirl1: No, Sango will not move in with them.  The reverse will happen, lol.  They will move in with her for obvious reasons.  And no, Sango will not be another "helpless chick". She'll be a kick ass chick that helps Kagome defeat her father.

nYo: lol, don't worry, there will be more fluff next chapter, I promise.

blondechik736: I'm not entirely sure if I e-mailed you with my reply ^^;  So why don't you e-mail me when you have time.  I would e-mail you now, but my internet connection is very unstable and causes my computer to crash at any given moment.  It's best if you e-mail me first.

Hana-maru285:  Inuyasha is a little ooc?  Well… so is Kagome, Miroku, Sango… this is an AU where anything can happen.  In this story I am God (lol, I don't mean to offend anyone) and I can change this story and twist it any way I like.  The personalities remain mostly the same, but you're right, there are some qualities about them that make them ooc, especially Inu.

Rhaminika:  You shouldn't be telling me that you're only 13!!  . That's not good! LoL, why would you being male and being a stalker matter? Haha!  That was funny, brightened my day!

Kagome-Gangsta: Ack!  Another 13 year old!  Noooo!  You shouldn't be reading this! You're too young! *sigh* Well, since there's nothing I can do to stop you… at least you're enjoying yourself.  Just don't let your parents find out ^^;

butterflygurly10: rofl!  I will definitely use that banana idea if it's alright with you!  I was nearly dying when I read your comment!

StarFlare: lol, if it's okay with you I'd like to use "The truth shall set you free, but first it's going to piss you off." (To Inuyasha) and "One day your prince will come. Mine just took a wrong turn, got lost, and is to stubborn to ask for directions.". As long as they are your own quotes anyway. Let me know!

lazydoll06: That's an interesting thought.  Having one of Inu's "toys" call.  Could I possibly use that?  Very funny :) It's a pet peeve of my own as a matter of fact.