AN: Yes... yes... I know I'm horrible about updating... hard to believe I used to update once a week, huh? Now it's...what... once a month? If even?... Again, it's all an issue of time and a rapidly thinning source of inspiration. Thank you so much for being patient. I'm breathing sighs of relief that I don't have any reviewers flaming me for taking to long... you guys rock!
By the way, this chapter would not have been updated tonight if not for helmet-head, and her request for an update as a "Get well" present for her knee surgery. So I dedicate this chapter to you!
hEyKyRa13
Protect Me
Chapter 13
Inner turmoil and Ramen
"Well, well, well," the old woman clucked, eyeing the newcomer as she dried a coffee mug, minutes before the shop was about to close. "Look what the cat dragged in… literally. You look horrible."
"Well, in case you haven't noticed, it is raining. What's your excuse?" Inuyasha replied sourly, brushing the water droplets from his coat as he took a seat at the bar.
Kaede smirked. "You'd do well to respect your elders, boy."
"Considering the fact that my life's pretty crappy anyway, I don't see how 'doing well' will improve anything."
The woman shrugged. "As you wish."
Inuyasha eyed the woman curiously but did not say a word, secretly surprised and somewhat disappointed she didn't attempt some brilliant comeback as he had expected. He needed a good fight with someone to ease some of this tension, and his normal prime subjects, Kagome and Sango, were in no mood to entertain him. Concealing his disappointment from the old woman, though, he rolled his eyes, heaving a deep sigh.
"Ah," Kaede murmured knowingly. "So it be one of those days, huh? I think I may know something for that."
The hanyou shot her a questioning glance, but the woman either did not pay heed or did not notice as she disappeared into the kitchen.
When she returned, she surprised him by setting down a bowl of ramen noodles and a pair of chopsticks in front of him. She smirked as she watched him stare at the bowl, then up at her with a confused expression.
"Ramen? Isn't this supposed to be a coffee shop?"
"Ah, but you forget."
"What is that?"
"This is my coffee shop."
His eyebrow quirked. "Uh huh. And this is supposed to cure what, exactly?"
"Your inner turmoil," she told him.
"My inner what?"
Kaede quirked an eyebrow of her own. "I thought dog demons were known for their superior hearing?"
Inuyasha ignored her comment. "So what, were you a Psychology major, too? Back in the Stone Age?"
"Very clever," she replied dryly, but not without humor in her tone. "Yes, back before the computer and the pencil sharpener, when I had to use dull pencils to drill holes in my patients foreheads so their memories could spill for my pleasure."
Inuyasha grimaced. "I was going to eat, you know."
The old woman chuckled, returning to her mug. "This is a coffee shop, boy. And this is a very small town," she explained.
"I hadn't noticed," he muttered, slurping up his noodles.
"Put two and two together," she continued. "Everyone comes here to share their grief and their troubles."
"So you feed them noodles and they lay back on your hidden little reclining couch, telling you how their day went?"
"Something like that."
"Hmph," Inuyasha snorted, draining the last of the bowl's contents, smacking his lips. "Well, I'm sorry to say I doubt I'll be confessing any deep, dark secrets anytime soon."
"You can't deny that that was some pretty good ramen, though, right?" Kaede replied confidently.
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, smirking. "You're just fishing for a compliment, aren't you?"
"Maybe."
"Well, you're not getting one," he informed her, getting up from his seat.
"And where might you be going?"
"Home. Why? Do you have a problem with that?"
Kaede threw him a stern look. "Will they let you come back?"
Inuyasha's eyes widened only slightly before he glared. "You heard," he replied in a low voice, more of a statement than a question.
The woman's eyes crinkled as she grinned wickedly. "One doesn't need dog demon hearing when what you're hearing is that loud."
The hanyou snorted. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
Kaede shrugged. "Fine. I'll pretend I didn't say it, but the question still stands- will they let you come back?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he made his way to the door. "You say that as if they have a say in the matter."
"Whatever you say, Inuyasha," the woman said quietly, clearly unconvinced.
Hepretended to not noticeand swung the door open, exiting before she had the chance to make him feel any more uncomfortable than he already did.
Kaede watched him through the storefront window as he stalked across the street, his pace slowing the closer he got to the apartment building. She chuckled as he hesitated before entering.
With a knowing shake of her head, she finally put the mug down and picked up another, kneading its surface with the cloth expertly. Never had a single glass mug or plate fell beneath her experienced fingers. She always knew what she was doing.
"The ramen is already kicking in."
Why in the world should I feel bad? She asked for it. Trying to act all friendly like that. She was just sucking up to me so I wouldn't try to kill her again. Was it my fault she had to be so damn nosy on the night I turn hu- weaker? I was only acting out of defense! If she blabbed to anyone…
She wouldn't.
She blabs enough to those two officers. 'Inuyasha always does this' and 'Inuyasha always says that'.
Does she say anything bad?
…
What, do you expect her to strike up some friendly conversation about her family and friends? Her school? Her dead boyfriend? The practically perfect life she left behind?
I would.
Liar.
Inuyasha scowled. How was it possible that, even when arguing with himself, he lost? It seemed the more he tried to blame Kagome, the more he ended up defending himself.
"Stupid wench," he muttered, standing outside his door, debating whether or not he should enter. Even he was at fault, which, of course, he firmly believed he was not, he blamed Kagome for all the guilt he felt. All the guilt he shouldn't be feeling, considering he was innocent.
"Why am I even standing out here?" he wondered aloud. "I didn't do anything wrong. I should be the one kicking her out!"
You ran out, idiot.
"I didn't run," he argued. "I walked. And besides, she forced me leave."
She's a human. How could she force you to do anything?
Inuyasha struggled to come up with a logical answer, or an intelligent comeback, but was able to produce nothing more than a defeated "Shut up" as he reached forward to grab the doorknob. But he couldn't. His hand just hovered above the brass knob, confliction and arguments leaving his poor mind aching and very confused.
Was he to blame or wasn't he? One side of him argued he was faultless, that it was all Kagome. She's hated him from the very beginning, that day when they first met. She was always there, ready to defy him, insult him, do something to piss the hell out of him.
Did you ever give her a reason to be nice to you? asked the more rational side that was slowly gaining momentum, making the other voice he was used to siding with sound less and less convincing.
"Well…"
Besides, in spite of it, wasn't she nice to you anyway?
Don't listen! She was always rude to you! She's never been nice!
What about the little things? The coffee she always had ready for you every morning? The 'thank you's' she gave after every time you picked her up from work?
"But…"
She didn't last night.
You were yelling at her the entire time, and she didn't even know why. And what about the way she cleaned your room? And made the effort to help you while you transformed? She gave you water, made a place for you to be more comfortable, even sat and talked with you. Don't forget how she defended you this morning, after everything you did and said to her.
It was all her attempts to suck up to you! All she needs you for is to keep her alive for a few more months. Then, the trial will be over and she'll go back to being her annoying little self.
Would you stop that? Is all you ever think about simply yourself? Remember where that got you last time?
"Don't go there…"
All you ever think about is Inuyasha-
"Stop it."
Inuyasha…
Inuyasha…
"Inuyasha."
"STOP IT!" he screamed, shaking his head to silence the voices. His hands clamped over his ears, hoping that would solve something. "Just shut up! I've had enough!"
"Inuyasha, are you alright?"
Suddenly, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder and he spun around, growling out of habit.
Kagome gasped and shrunk back, muttering apologies under her breath.
It took him a few moments to register what had happened while he was preoccupied with listening to the debate going on inside his head. For whatever reason, Kagome had opened the door and found him standing there, muttering to himself. She called his name, but when, instead of responding, he suddenly cried out in what looked like pain, she rushed forward, trying to help him.
Again, reminded the voice smugly.
Shut up, he told it as he faced Kagome who had finally stopped trembling and slowly straightened. He no longer had that frightened expression, but was still left looking somewhat confused as he stared at her, brows wrinkling in frustration.
The two were able to do little more than stare, both wary of each other, waiting for the other to make the first move.
Inuyasha sighed. They weren't getting anywhere.
"Look, can I-"
"Do you want to come in?" Kagome spoke up at the same time.
Inuyasha blinked. Wasn't she the one who kicked me out in the first place? And now she's inviting me back in?
And to think, he didn't think his confusion could get any worse.
"Sure," he replied stiffly.
Kagome moved aside, allowing him to walk past her and into the living room. He was unsure as to what to do next, so when Kagome turned back around from locking the door, she found him standing next to the couch, his face mirroring his uncertainty.
"Um, do you want to sit down?" she suggested, echoing his tension. "I could get you something to eat. Or drink. Do you want-"
"No," he replied curtly, finally taking a seat. He sat in silence for a moment before he suddenly changed his mind.
"No, thank you," he corrected in a slightly gentler tone. His gaze skirted to her from out of the corner of her eyes, wondering absently if she noticed.
To say she did was a bit of an understatement. Her eyes widened slightly and she merely stared at him, as if wondering if what she heard was real or just her imagination. After she convinced herself it was the real Inuyasha who said that, she offered him a genuine smile, whether of approval or gratitude he wasn't sure, and moved to sit on the other side of the couch, folding her hands in her lap and staring at her feet.
Once again, the two were locked in a tense silence, minds rolling over thoughts of what to do or say next, of the other's reaction, of what the other was thinking right now. Inuyasha's eyes kept wandering, from his feet, to his hands, to Kagome, to the kitchen, to the entertainment center, to Kagome, to the front door. His thoughts were no less stable. Nonetheless, he felt compelled to do or say something, regardless of the fact that he had no idea of what that something may be. At least the voices weren't screaming at him, although, at the moment, he wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed. He could use some advice on what to do right about now.
Whatever it was he had planned, if anything at all, Kagome beat him to it. He braced himself for the worse, but suddenly felt caught off guard at the two words she whispered so softly yet sincerely.
"I'm sorry."
Inuyasha spun around to stare at her incredulously. Whatever he had prepared himself for, her apology was certainly not it.
With her attention completely focused on her feet, Kagome didn't notice his expression of absolute astonishment. She was too nervous to look up at him, too afraid she'd find him scoffing at her, or, even worse, for whatever reason even more angry. She had a lot to say, and she knew if she looked up at him, her stubborn pride would get in the way and she'd end up saying something that would make the situation even worse.
Taking his silence as an encouragement, she continued.
"This morning, I guess I said stuff I really didn't mean. Just cause I was mad. That's not right, and I'm sorry."
If Inuyasha thought he had felt guilty before, it was nothing compared to the wave of shame washing over him now. He frowned. The feeling was certainly not foreign to him, and he hated it. Of course, there was only one way he knew to ease the feeling, but he was not sure his pride would allow it.
Screw your pride, suggested the now dominant voice.
Inuyasha bit his lip. If you say so…
"I sort of deserved it," he admitted quietly.
Kagome broke all of her own rules by looking up at him, surprised. Luckily, neither anger nor smugness greeted her. Instead, contrite honesty looked back at her through his golden orbs, ears drooping slightly, a fang chewing his lip nervously. She almost giggled. He really did look cute.
"Maybe just a little."
Inuyasha's eyes widened, then narrowed, no longer looking so cute. She was teasing him.
Sounds like she's back to normal, then.
He opened his mouth to throw a clever retort back at her, but Kagome spoke first.
"But that doesn't justify it," she added. "What you said did hurt me... a lot," Inuyasha's ears drooped slightly at this, "You had no right to say it... but... I was still out of line, and I apologize. I could have handled myself much better. It was wrong of me."
Great. Right when I was all prepped and ready to start another fight, she had to go and say something like that to take the fun out of it!
Inuyasha sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, you're sorry, so can't we just say we were both at fault and go back to arguing with each other?"
Kagome pouted, but not without a smile playing on her lips. With a playful glare, she reached over and poked him in the arm.
"So is that all I am to you? A source of entertainment?"
Inuyasha caught the humor in her voice and felt pleased. He didn't bother to contemplate why as he leaned over, smirking. "That and my morning coffee," he told her. "I'd say you were good for making breakfast, but with you, it takes too much effort on my part to get the food."
"Oh yeah?" Kagome challenged, not backing down.
"Yeah."
The two locked gazes, suddenly finding themselves engaged in an intense staring contest, neither giving in. Inuyasha was a half-demon, with superiority in everything over Kagome, and felt confident in his victory. What he didn't realize, however, is that growing up with a little brother like Souta added its own merit to Kagome's ability, resulting in a shocked Inuyasha blinking down at Kagome's smug grin.
"I win," she said simply.
Inuyasha rubbed at his eyes, frustrated at his loss, and yet amused at the same time. "I don't think so," he claimed stubbornly. "I want a rematch."
"Maybe some other time," she replied, still light-heartedly but with a hint of distraction in her voice as a thought suddenly came to mind.
With his eyes still closed, he felt the couch cushion move as she stood and walked around him.
"Where do you think you're going?" he wanted to know as he finally opened his eyes and looked around, spotting her just before she disappeared into the hallway, an expression of intense concentration.
"I just thought of something," was all the answer she gave him.
Inuyasha frowned, wondering what in the world she meant when a he heard a door open and a triumphant "Ah hah!" from the girl in question. His confusion was quickly resolved, however, when he heard stumbling and slapping follow.
"Kagome! I thought you were-"
Kagome laughed. Judging by her smug tone, he could picture a satisfied smirk across her face right about now. "I was wondering where you two had gotten to, but I never expected this!"
Inuyasha leaned back into the couch, content to merely listen. Besides, he thought with a grin, I prefer leaving the visuals to my own imagination. It's much more fun that way.
A bit of scrambling around preceded Sango's pathetic defense.
"Now, Kagome, this is not what it looks like…"
"And what on earth would you imagine it looked like, Sango dear?" Miroku asked innocently, his voice laced with a sly undertone that suggested otherwise.
As Inuyasha had expected, a slap quickly stemmed any further additions to that statement, followed by Sango's furious exclamation. "Shut up, pervert! Stop trying to make it sound like anything other than what it really was!"
"Then what was it?" Kagome wanted to know.
"We were just… playing a game, that's all," she replied quietly. Inuyasha imagined her face to be growing warmer by the minute, and for a moment, was tempted to get off the comfortable couch if only to see it for himself.
"If it was just a game, then why does Miroku look as if he just got you to agree to marry him?"
"Sadly enough, Sango refused to carry the stakes that high," Miroku admitted, disappointment clear.
"What were you playing, strip poker?" Kagome asked.
"Again," Miroku replied, "I suggested it, but Sango decided Blackjack would be more appropriate."
Kagome chose her next question very carefully. "And might I inquire as to the stakes?"
A pause followed, then a second slap and someone scrambling to their feet. "Don't even think about it, Miroku," Sango warned. Suddenly, the woman emerged from the hallway with Kagome behind, a contented grin still on her face, with Miroku holding up the rear, his hand rubbing his thrice offended cheek, yet still grinning wickedly.
"You better wipe that smirk off your face. All of you," she added, throwing a glare in Inuyasha's direction. The half-demon did nothing to hide his amusement as stretched, lying back on the couch with his hands folded behind his head. It wasn't often he could find amusement at Sango's expense. He wasn't prepared to ruin a perfect opportunity, now. "You had better not say a word," she told him.
"Wasn't gonna say a thing," he replied, lying through his teeth.
"You I will talk to later," she said to Kagome, easing her glare slightly, but not completely. Kagome nodded. She wasn't immune to Sango's threats, afterall.
"And me?" Miroku asked cheerfully.
Sango's frosty gaze turned to him slowly. He shivered out of habit. "You ought to go jump off of a bridge. A very high bridge. Into shark-infested waters, preferably."
Miroku gulped. "I'll take that as my cue to leave," he muttered to himself before walking around her, offering Inuyasha a quick nod of acknowledgement. Within a few large strides, he was at the front door, pulling it open rather quickly.
"Oh, Kaede! Hi!"
All three faces swiveled to the front door where Miroku stood, Kaede standing just inside to wave at the apartment's occupants.
"Hi, Kaede," Kagome called out.
"Hey, Gram," Sango added.
Inuyasha offered no greeting. He opted, instead, for watching her warily.
"What are you doing here?" Miroku asked, glad for the distraction from Sango's fury.
Kaede's gaze fell on Inuyasha as she grinned. "Well, I just got back from the grocery store and seemed to have accidentally picked up a package of instant ramen. Shippo must have bumped it into my bag by accident. I'm not a fan of this particular flavor and wondered if any of you might be interested?"
"Sure, we'd love-"
"No, we would not!" Inuyasha suddenly snapped, leaping to his feet and coming beside Miroku to glare down at the old woman, who was still grinning. His frown deepened. She was taunting him.
Suddenly, it fell into place. She knew he patched things up with Kagome. She thinks it was all thanks to her and her ramen that they were back to normal again.
Kaede saw the realization dawn on him and chuckled. "Sure you don't want any, Inuyasha? You never know when it might come in handy."
"No, thank you," he hissed, eyes narrowing. He did not like being made a mockery of.
"Inuyasha!" Sango exclaimed, surprised. "Stop being so rude. Grams, we'd love the ramen. Don't mind him. Right, Kagome?"
Kagome made some mumbling noise that Sango interpreted as agreement, but the girl was more interested in watching the heat between the woman and half-demon. Obviously, it was more than mere ramen.
Little did she know, it really was about the ramen.
"No, no," Kaede replied, slowly retreating, but certainly not due to a loss by any means. On the contrary, she felt rather victorious as she replaced the small, innocent-looking package into her bag. "I'm sure Shippo will like it, anyway. He's a growing lad, after all. He needs his nourishment."
"If you say so," Sango said doubtfully, still exchanging confused glances with Miroku who had no more insight into the situation than she. Kagome still stared at Inuyasha, understanding that some sort of battle had just taken place under their noses, and assuming by Kaede's confident smile and Inuyasha's irritated scowl that her roommate was not victorious.
"I'll see you bunch later, yes?" Kaede called out before disappearing down the hallway, leaving a bitter Inuyasha growling under his breath.
"What was that about?" Sango demanded, waltzing up to him defiantly.
Inuyasha, however, didn't notice as he slammed the door shut and stalked off to his room, muttering something or other about ramen and inner turmoil.
All three watched him go, some form of bewilderment on each of their faces and a somewhat similar thought running through their minds. Two-thirds of the party, anyway.
What on earth was that about?
I wonder what that was all about?
I wanted that ramen…
AN: ducks flying tomatoes I know! I know! Kagome was waaaaayyy too soft on him... but I swear, there's a purpose behind it... I believe it was koinu-no-aiwho first mentioned how Kagome was taking this whole situation a little lightly... but she's not as easy-going as she seems... she still suffers a lot behind closed doors... I promise, in the future, you'll see why... but please don't be upset with her lack of response for this chapter.
On a side note, all I have is one other chapter after this one, chapter 14, and after that, I'm stuck. I need a few filler chapters to get Inuyasha and Kagome closer, so if you have any ideas or requests, please let me know. A few good ones should put me back on track, so please, feel free to share! I promise I'll credit the creator of the ideas when the chapter is written, but I still need them. Inspiration is still running dry, so any help would be appreciated!
Review Responses:
Inuyasha'smistress: giggle hee... I'm glad I followed the rules to your liking... and technically, Kagome should be transferred to someone else... but would this fic be as interesting if she had to go and fall in love with some other random ex-convict?
RoseFire246: sigh I don't think Inuyasha will ever learn to control his temper... he wouldn't be Inuyasha if he did... but he'll learn a few other things... from Kagome, of course... I'm pretty confident you'll be satisfied, nonetheless...
Peppermint Shivers: offers toothbrush back You'd probably want to sterilize that first... or toss it and buy a new one... or sell it on Ebay as something that actually touched Inuyasha's head... yeah, I suggest the latter... cuz then you get money instead of spending money... turns back to Inuyasha, glaring Not that you didn't deserve it, mind you... on the contrary, you deserved a toothbrush and toothpaste thrown at you... But I appreciate the compliment on my writing style!
misguidedangel:sigh I'm afraidKagome does forgive him... but like I said, it's all part of some unforseen, cosmic swirling plan that you don't know yet... but will soon... or, relatively soon... give me a few... months... or so... heh...
Keyo-Red Angel of Hope: glare You HAVE neglected to review... but the hot chocolate offering is accepted and my forgiveness bestowed... just make sure it never happens again... sip and as for Naraku being Kagome's number one threat... sip hmm... I suppose that COULD be arranged... heh... sip (add cookies next time... .)
yuyufreak77: A newcomer, eh? Well, welcome! Thank you very much for the compliments. I'm happy you enjoy this!
helmet-head: I wanted to let you know, just because you're always such a great reviewer, I DID update this just for you. I saw your review in my email, and thought I would update it just for you. Thank you for the sympathy, and I offer my own in return. Hope you get back to tip-top shape quickly!
(looks up Wow... I got a lot of reviews, didn't I?... Dude, I think you
guys are on crack... I'm not that good... grins but if you insist, please,
don't let my rambling stop you...)
Next Chapter: The Wagings of War
Another "day-in-the-life" scenario... battles are fought... victories are won... truces are formed over a plate of cookies, and Miroku suddenly develops a taste for processed beef?