So...I got a scholarship for my writing to my Master's Program! :D I know I left on a depressing note last time but I'm so happy and did everything I said I was going to do.

But I'm writing non-stop for class.

Master's...kicking my ass...

I thought yall would be like blazing in the comments about my absence. lol Like bitch you lied! You said you would write but you didn't!

I was afraid to read the reviews and log in! I haven't logged in ages! But I was amazed at the kind notes and support everyone gave.

Thank you so much FF community for your kind words, patience, and just overall support. It amazes me how blessed I am to have found my corner of the internet and have such an amazing interaction with ppl across the world that read and support my stuff. If anyone is going through anything, please reach out. I cant do much but I know whats it like when you just need someone to just listen and yall gave me that.

So from the bottom of my heart...thank you and many blessings and love to everyone.

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Chapter 41: Lemonade

"Knock Knock Knock"

Heavy eyelids fluttered against the grey cotton of the soft pillow cushioning his lucid dreams. Comfort began to detangle itself from the clutches of strong tanned arms and sharp rigged claws against the silk fabric of the sheets. The buzzing of an enraged cell phone demanded attention on the nightstand nearby. The blue light of the glowing screen shined bright in the shrouded darkness of the large room. Its body hummed loudly against the wood of the nightstand it occupied.

"Knock Knock Knock"

A low growl ripped between pointy canines. A handsome face contorted into annoyance before angry bright brown eyes shined among the darkness of the bedroom.

"Fuck off!" Yelled the disgruntled demon attempting to flip over from his belly to his side towards the covered window. His hands gripped the blankets and pulled them up roughly around his head in an attempt to escape back into REM state. His sensitive ears could pick up on the subtle presence looming right outside the door that lead to his penthouse.

Another knock sounded at the door along with the buzzing of his phone on the nightstand again. Fed up, the demon kicked off the blankets with force. A clawed hand came up to push back his long black hair before dragging down the front of his face. Quickly, his clawed feet hit the cold surface of the wooded floors with a heavy thump. His hands pulled up the brown cotton pajama pants that rested dangerously low around his toned hips. A rant of senile dogs and threats of violence spewed from his thin lips in a tandem as he made his way from the tranquility of his bedroom towards the front of his abode.

Tiredness wailed in his soul as his mind began slowly catching up to the present. He was finally able to find that deep sleep he had missed when he would lay his head on his lover's belly. Sleep once cocooned him in her arms during the nights when things were simple and he was free. It was growing forever hard for him to sleep in Paris these days. The little sands of sleep evaded him frequently now since he had to let go of the things that bought him joy. A sigh escaped his lips and his fists bunched at his sides with each step he took towards the front door. His feet took him down the hall and through the slight maze of furniture and random knickknacks laid about everywhere.

The shadows and moonlight danced around the contours of the large windows in the living room. The scent of dog became stronger as he approached the white ornate wooden front door. Kouga slammed opened the door with his lips fixed to yell. "What's the emerge-" He immediately tripped back into his living room as a thump of pain hit him on the side of his jaw. Stumbling back from the force, he gripped his jawbone in shock and opened his mouth to test the workings of his tender tendons.

"What the hell Inuyasha!" He roared with one fist raised to counter attack. The remnants of sleep and peace had left him only to be replaced with agitation and pain in his jugular. He clutched his fists tightly and launched forward towards who he thought was his friend.

Inuyasha growled and rushed into the room. His hand quickly slammed the door shut before he managed to barely duck Kouga's attack. "You prick!" Inuyasha spat, throwing up his arms in a practiced defense position.

"What the hell are you talking about, flea bag! What the fuck are you doing!" Kouga yelled angrily while flexing his jaw to shake off the pain and stepping back to put some space between them. His focus narrowed on the rather ruffled Inuyasha standing near the front of his living room. Something was off about the hanyou. His face was contoured into a dark grimace. His clothes were slightly wrinkled and he smelt of the fainting scent of alcohol, cigarettes, and another familiar scent that he couldn't quite pinpoint. Kouga's heart now raced in his chest as adrenaline poured through his veins. Already his demon blood began working on healing the damage he took from Inuyasha's fist and numbing the pain. He then looked over to Inuyasha and rushed him without a second thought. Clawed hands started swinging and jabs to the chest and abs were thrown.

Inuyasha ducked one hook and managed to roll his way further into Kouga's suite almost knocking over a leather chair. On the rise from his knees, Kouga caught him with a cleverly launched fist to his shoulder. Inuyasha's legs pushed backwards onto the modern wood coffee table, flipping it over onto its side as he flew into the black leather couch.

"Now start talking Inuyasha." Kouga spat as his muscles flexed and his fist clutched again. Bright blue eyes glared down at the half dog with a mixture of emotions. His blue eyes cut like hard diamonds at Inuyasha while his lips twitched ready to speak in his defense. The tension in his body moved his spine into alignment and his muscles flexed, growing off his adrenaline.

Inuyasha growled lowly before flexing his arm to see if it had moved out of its socket. His clawed fingers stretched from the blow he dealt earlier as he glared daggers through the dimly lit living room suite back at Kouga. "Feh." He huffed. "Either fix your shit or leave her the hell alone!"

"What!" Kouga asked as his hearing picked up the sounds of concerned patrons in the hotel down the hall. His eyes glared holes into Inuyasha. His words weren't completely registering what the dog was so bent about.

Inuyasha rotated his arm and stood putting Kouga on immediate defense. Despite his anger, his aura had stayed relatively stable indicating to Kouga that there was no real hazard. "Kagura." Inuyasha simply stated and crossed his arms over his chest defiantly.

Kouga's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. His attention now completely focused on Inuyasha. His own aura flexed in a violent warning. His eyes scanned the dog as a threat and really looked at his disheveled demeanor. Something clearly had happened that night. Curiosity gripped him along with a brewing concern for the woman whose name had been spoken. "What's wrong with Kagura, flea bag?: Kouga demanded with a sudden urgency. "Spit it out! Did something happen to her?" The panic in his voice along with the threat of severe pain mingled into the ears of Inuyasha.

Inuyasha sighed in frustration and shook his head. He did not want to alarm his friend, but too much damage and time had passed. He had never had to deal with so much in his life since the World Wars of the nineteen hundred's. And usually he was the one stumbling through emotions and complicated situations. He tumbled a lot while trying to navigate relationships and deal with demonic instincts and human emotional intelligence. But he felt rather pleased with himself that at least he had some foundation to work upon unlike Kouga and most demons for that matter.

How thick headed could the wolf be?

Inuyasha dropped back into the cool seat of the leather sofa and glared at Kouga with sharp golden eyes. His heated emotions were dissipating and just a smidge bit of pity bubbled forth. He didn't really have a plan when he ran over to Kouga's. Truth be told, it was beyond the middle of the night. He just came over hoping that Kouga would hear him out and that Kagura will at least get something at the end of this night instead of the mistreatment his best friend bestowed upon her. Either commitment or freedom, is what she deserved. She also deserved better than even that to be honest. But he knew when people were set on something, it was damn near impossible to bend them.

So here he had come. With nothing by his own righteous fury and Kagura's loyalty, fueling him. To give back to Kagura as thanks for the tidbit of information she had given to him regarding his own relationship plunders and foolery. And obviously to physically knock some sense into Kouga while at felt like a win-win to him as he walked over. Inuyasha ran his long fingers through his silver mane in thought. "Look I'm going to make this quick." He started before shifting his weight forward in his seat to lean his elbows against his knees. "What you're doing to Kagura isn't right. She's suffering you know. Either be with her or let her go."

Kouga looked away. "That's none of your damn business, Inuyasha." He mumbled. "You lucky I don't skin you for this."

Inuyasha shook his head in disbelief. "It is my business when Kagura made it mine. You're hurting her."

Kouga gave him his full attention. He took a threatening step forward towards Inuyasha. "What happened, mutt?" He demanded as his mind raced with all kinds of scenarios that could have caused this reaction from his best friend. "You got something you want to tell me?"

"Naraku told you to stay away from her and look at you." Inuyasha pointed accusingly. His mind was running hundreds of miles per minute in his head. His weight shifted back in his seat so that he was sitting up. "You're here." He stated plainly holding his hands out wide and looking around the condo. "In Paris. Living practically next door to Kagura's joint. You're not even supposed to be here. And how is Kagura supposed to get over you if you keep getting in the way?"

"That's none of your business!" Kouga roared making his way towards Inuyasha's seated position. Inuyasha immediately stood up in defense. The two men found themselves face to face. Pink eyes stared angrily into resolute golden ones. "Kagura is my woman! I can see her and do as I please." He growled out flexing his own claws dangerously. "And fuck Naraku! I didn't cower when he came to me with his threatening bullshit then and I definitely don't give a fuck about your threats either." His tone was void of warmth as he squared up with his best childhood friend. His aura sweltered hotly and struck Inuyasha with a warning of what was to come if he did not drop the subject.

"Is she yours?" Inuyasha scratched his chin in thought, uncaring of his precarious situation. "Because last I checked you were rolling around in the mud with that princess A-"

Kouga lashed out and gripped his claws into Inuyasha's shirt, pulling him forward. "Shut the hell up!" He grounded out through sharp teeth. His pink eyes were slowly darkening into rich rubies. "You don't know anything."

Inuyasha's own aura swelled hazardously, finally considering the danger he was in. His eyes grew colder as he looked upon his best friend with his own outrage regarding Kouga's selfishness. His hands came up and gripped Kouga's, pushing him off with force. Kouga's claws snagged his wrinkled shirt and ripped it in a few places. "I know enough, wolf breath." Inuyasha spat. "I know that you're yanking her around, Kouga! Kagura was crying over you!" Inuyasha growled out not feeling threatened by Kouga's demeanor. "I'm not going to watch as she suffers even if that means helping her find someone new or helping Naraku kick your ass every day until you get it through your head. Leave her alone." Inuyasha warned. He turned around and paced in a circle unsure of what else to say to Kouga. His breath had left him after that. He paused in mid-step and pointed to the window as if Kouga would see from his rooftop the physical manifestation of the devastation he's caused. "She's tired man." He finally said with a defeated sigh. His arms dropped to his sides in exasperation.

Koga's cerulean eyes widened at this. His fisted grip slacked leaving his hands to drop like weights at his side. A puzzled expression etched across his face as Inuyasha's words began to sink in. "Crying? Because of me?" He asked as he stepped back in disbelief. Kagura was a strong woman. One of the strongest that he had ever known. Hearing of her crying; let alone seeing the act was one legends and folklore. And to hear that he was the reason behind it…

Inuyasha's body began to slowly relax. The tension and the fight had left him. His mind took him over the details of the hell of a night he had. Down to the trinket scents of Kagura's salty depressive tears. How the remnant streaks were still visible on the side of her cheeks when she sat against the window under the light of the moon telling him off about his lack of sensitivity regarding Kikyo's situation. "Yeah man. I walked in on her by accident tonight. She was by herself, sitting in the dark. She was crying. And she only cries about you. Most likely she had cried before I got there but you know…Kagura is not one to talk about her business." Inuyasha didn't need to confirm. Koga ran his fingers through his course thick hair and his friend regarded his reaction. Inuyasha's eyes watched the wolf pace back and forth now as he began to stress over the consequences of his actions.

Koga's mouth mumbled profanity and his lips released a low aggravated growl every so often. A tight pain in his chest bloomed and squeezed on his lungs. His guts felt like they would spill out and his stomach quivered. Frustration, anger, and sadness swelled in his veins and pulsed to his nerve endings. The tension in his fist were visible as they shook, and his knuckles bent. Without so much of a warning, his fist punched the adjacent wall nearby. The white paint cracked around the hole he created. "Damnit!" He growled keeping his fist in the wood as he pushed forward. His eyes closed tightly, and his nostrils flared.

Inuyasha exhaled and shook his head unknowing of what else to say or do. Kouga's reaction was not one he thought he would receive. He hadn't ever given pause to Kouga and how he felt really. He assumed Kouga was doing the good ole boy routine and operating off of his responsibility to his birthright and inherited duties. Putting the clan's desires first and his own second. But clearly this weighed on the wolf's shoulders heavily, maybe even for a while. Maybe equally so like that of Kagura's emotions. But Kouga seemed to put himself on autopilot and just went through the motions. By the looks and feel of how irked Kouga was, Kagura's tears messed with his sanity. There was more to the Kouga and Kagura's relationship than he realized.

Awkwardly, Inuyasha sank down on the wood flooring, sitting in Indian style and rested his hands in his lap. His back leaned against the leather couch for support as he hung his head back a bit. The habit of sticking his arms in his sleeve wouldn't allow his arms to rest anywhere else. "Yeah wolf. She's hurtin." He mumbled before looking back over to his friend. "You got to let her go."

Kouga pulled his arm out of the hole and spun to face Inuyasha. His fist showing white caulk residue from the insulation of the wall "Shut up you mangy mutt!" He yelled out angrily. His aura lashed out knocking a few random frames and knickknacks off their resting pedestals.

A phone rang loudly in the back of the penthouse. Both turned their heads towards the back of the hall where Kouga's room nestled the ringing device. Kouga walked briskly to the back to answer it. Part of him wanted to believe it was the woman of the hour, calling him. Selfishly, he hoped it was Kagura. Her voice smooth and sly in tone. That she would call to request his presence. Hell, he would even take the cruelty of whatever insults she would have for him at this moment. Anything that would come from her lips alerting him that she was ok. That she still connected with him in some way. That he hadn't royally screwed up their relationship. And that he was needed. His feet sounding like boulders as he stomped aggressively to check the cell. With a rough attitude he answered. Clearly not collecting his wish.

Inuyasha's soft ears swiveled to catch the conversation. A clipped, "I'm fine" followed by a random fictious description of events spilled out to pacify the security personnel on the other side of the line.

It wasn't long before Kouga had hung up and took a breather in the back before returning to the darkness of his living room. He strolled over to the spot across from Inuyasha and sat crossways from him in a similar fashion. His tail twitched from the anxiety of his own thoughts and the truth Inuyasha came to deliver. The turmoil inside of him rolled and tumbled. Instinct versus circumstances were clashing. The desire to run to her and make sure she knew to whom she belonged…to know the demon that would protect her sizzled underneath his skin. But his brain would logically counter that with the reminder of his duties and what was required out of him. Not to mention, Ayame would make a scene if she knew where he was and why. His mouth was dry and it took his will to keep the contents of his dinner down. Both demons sat quietly for a minute caught up in their own thoughts. If one was to look, it would seem like all they needed now was a fire pit blazing in front of them to make camp.

"I want her to be free and…I want her to be by my side." Kouga voiced, staring down at his clawed hands with frustration. "I swear…I never wanted to hurt her. Ever."

Inuyasha just looked at him watching the wolf descend into his own grief and reality.

"You know I want that woman by my side more than anything." Kouga expressed with base in his voice.

"Could have fooled me!" Inuyasha responded with a scoff. "I'm pretty sure even petty wolves don't treat their intendeds the way that you did. I've seen your pack mates literally pick their choices up and run away with them. Men and women!" He explained before shivering at a distant memory of almost being captured himself by a very tenacious wolf demoness.

"I can't have her!" Kouga responded unable to look up.

"Bullshit." Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as a sly smirk came to his lips. "You were about to take her before if it wasn't for that old ass rug you call clan elder telling you about duty and shit."

"You're one to talk dogbreath!" Kouga countered, snapping his attention to his friend. "Aren't you pining over that cooking momma human and using her kid to slide into her pants? Why haven't you taken her yet? Too far out of your league mutt? Is she allergic to dog shit?" He jabbed. "And what about your asshole brother? He's following his duty and romping with the town's skank."

Inuyasha smirked at Kouga's words causing confusion to replace the grin on Kouga's face. "You're really reaching." The hanyou leaned forward as if sharing his darkest secret. "I don't want Kagome you inbred animal. And Rin is like a little sister to me." He watched as Kouga's nose twitched trying desperately to sense a lie but failing to find one. "And my brother is currently trashing tradition and has broken up with that town skank!" Inuyasha's grin grew as he watched Kouga metaphorically eat shit after realizing he had no leverage in the conversation. "Ha!" Inuyasha childishly yelled and pointed with triumph. "Sucks being that stupid isn't it? Turns out you're the one that doesn't know shit. And if you talk about Rin like that again…"

Kouga growled and rolled his eyes. "Fine! Fine! Kids are off limits. I know." His tail flickered behind him in a telltale sign of his inward ego sulking. "Whatever." He muttered while using a sharp index finger to scratch the side of his face. His eyes roamed the bland white walls of his makeshift home until they landed on the hole in the wall. "But you were all about Kagome. What changed?"

Inuyasha glanced to the ceiling in thought. He knew his feelings shifted somewhere between spending so much time at Kikyo's loft and having play dates with Rin. Not to mention, his perception at seeing how Sesshomaru and Kagome interacted all the time. He could take the hint and tonight was a big billboard to the face of exactly where his brother's interest lay as well as Kagome's. Then his mind fluttered to the source of his desires. Kikyo. He needed to see her before she shut down again. "I just found someone for me that's all." He responded, not entirely sure he wanted to put all his business out there just yet. He had some things to work out with the priestess and he wasn't going to give up until he got it.

Despite the banter between Inuyasha and his best friend, Kouga's mind still focused on the hurt that he caused Kagura. A pain in his chest still burned and his psyche was pushing a will on his body to comfort her. His heart pained at the thought of Kagura somewhere crying because of him. Hurting deeply because of him. He was supposed to be her source of strength and comfort…not this.

Inuyasha closed his eyes in thought for a minute. "You can still lead your pack Kouga but live your life your way."

"It's not that simple, mutt." He muttered dejectedly.

"You hate Ayame." Inuyaha responded, looking for holes in Kouga's supposedly resolution. He needed Kouga to snap put of whatever delusional vision he created and look at his freedom.

"She's annoying but I don't hate her. I just-" He tried searching for the words. "I just don't want her. I don't want her as my mate or anything of the sort. She's a great demoness. Loyal, smart, and reliable. She's trying just like me to stick to our traditions. I can't fail her. But I can't just throw Kagura away either."

Inuyasha shook his head in the negative. He had seen and experienced clan politics. Hell, his Pops was proof that things can be worked out. But he could see the point was mute. He took a hard-raking look at his friend. Nothing else could be said. Clearly Kouga was stuck in the vicious cycle of clan politics, fear, and ego. With a heavy sigh. he stood up knowing he had done what he came to do. Done all he could for that matter.

Kouga looked up to see Inuyasha stand up and stretch. Inuyasha scanned the puncture wounds in his shirt before once again smoothing it down with his hand as if it would make them vanish. Inuysha shrugged and strolled towards the door leaving Kouga to sit on the ground. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his cell, checking for messages as well as possible damages to his phone from their short little tussle. He moved forward and opened the door to let himself out. Before closing the door completely, he stopped. He wanted to say something. He really did. But nothing else would come forth. With a grunt of a see you later, he closed the door behind him and left Kouga to himself.

Kouga watched the door close. The sound echoed in the halls and in his chest. The repercussions of his actions were already at play and it took a punch to his gut from his friend for him to realize it. Kouga growled out in annoyance. "Damn you, Inuyasha!" He growled out slamming his fist on the floor. Everything was fucked up now. Everything was always fucked up. He just couldn't run from it anymore.

A longing for the old life brewed inside of him. A life where he was free. Free to roam and go about his business as he pleased. Back then, he only had his clan in the mountains to protect and worry about. Now he had several clans, policies, programs, customs, and traditions to watch over.

Kouga pushed himself up on his knees and then to stand on his feet. His head snapped to the windows in his living room. He walked over to the ledge and lifted the window up with a forceful pull. As soon as the window was free from its bondage, cool air blew onto his face. The gentle caress of the breeze against his cheek reminded him of the soft touches of the wind demoness. Kagura was free and fun. Beautiful and strange. That always brought him to her. The attraction was there from the start.

She would appear before him and like the wolf he was, he would give chase to her. She carried the scents of the earth and the sky everyplace she went. She lived her life on her terms. Never staying in one spot too long. She was like a legend or some great myth that spoke of her appearance on nights where planets aligned, and the sun eclipsed. She would be there for a blink of a second and then she would vanish, never to be heard of again. But he always found her. She always let him find her. And it went on like this until hearts and ideas mixed, binding them together.

And the day when she rode away on the back of her feather was imbedded in his brain forever. The bombings had started. They were transporting people as quickly as possible out of the area. The sirens and drums had already warned of the coming of fire and death. The Americans were taking aim and had warned of their strike to Japan but the idea of the land of the free and the brave demolishing civilian people was absurd until it happened. He stayed to help people escape the area. His speed and agility were put to use in getting those that needed help to get out. But the humans and some of the demons weren't capable of leaving and some wouldn't leave. Some were desperately holding on to traditional homes and ancestral heirlooms.

The sound of sirens and bombs could be heard going off in the far distance. He watched as Kagura sat with a feather full of children and a few mothers crying as they were departing from the madness and into an unknown future. Before she parted, he held her face between his hands to memorize her, unknowing if he would see her or if the war would rip them beyond measure. He didn't kiss her. He didn't whisper words of affection. Maybe it was death igniting his feelings but it was then he realized she held his heart. Another sound echoed in the distance and his fingers trembled with hers as he let go.

She peeled away to race off on her feather. He could only watch as she ascended out of sight beyond the hills and mountains. The sound of mourning ripped from his throat long after when everything was decimated, and the stench of body decay, chemicals, and poison flooded Japan. The sound filled with the loss of his land, the loss of innocent people, and the loss of his love.

He touched the ledge of the window and looked down where her bar was. How foolish he must look to be this fixated on the wind. He searched for her after those dark times. But she was never found until one day of tiredness he stumbled through the city of love where he found her. As soon as he made contact with her calloused silky hands, his words spilled forth to tell her everything he was enduring. His excitement and relief mingled with his pain and insecurities. His body and mind were filled with doubts and fears of disappointing and leading his people into tragedy. Already he was at war with other clan leaders because his way of thinking and doing things were much too liberal than their tastes. He felt like leash was tightening around his neck and thus he was suffocating.

But the more they conversed, touched, and related…the less extreme everything else seemed to be. The reminder of her warmth flooded his body and her logic gave him perspective. The memories of things shared and who they were, soothed him. In that moment, he knew he never wanted another. He took his leadership roles in stride while having Kagura fill the void of intimacy in his life. Nights turned into mornings, which turned into days, and suddenly they were just together without a name. All he wanted was his pack, his wolves, his cave and his Kagura. But he couldn't. Unless he was willing to give up everything. But who would lead then? Who was trusted enough to take care of everything? Who could protect his clan better than he did and do the job potentially better?

He never wanted Ayame or even to be king of the wolves. He was happy with his lot, his clan and businesses. But people now depended on him. His birthright caught up with him and demanded that he step forward now that the elders were up in age and passing. He had a duty to fulfill. He couldn't give that away. He had more mouths to feed. More people to protect. And a potential mate that was equal involved in the clan's progression as he was. Ayame couldn't do it by herself. But even as he tried to be the golden wolf, he couldn't. He had followed the wind back to Kagura.

He tried initially to stay away from Kagura. He did. He gave it his best effort. The damn spider threatened him enough to put an extra consequence if he didn't. He even tried to make it work with Ayame. He felt terrible watching Ayame try her hardest to capture his interest only to be turned away. Her fake smiles and doting nature just irked him as she tried to be what Kagura was to him. But Ayame couldn't. Even when she reached out to him for affection, it would be returned cold and often times, empty of sentiments. He couldn't even touch Ayame without his insides plummeting to his feet. And Ayame knew too. She was a demoness, of course she knew. She wasn't a complete ditz. Actually, she was intelligent when it came to pack relations.

If she wanted to, she could rule. Ayame would be great for it by herself. She could rule on her own. She was confident, strong, knowledgeable. Whenever they went into a meeting, she knew more details and read ahead of all the interactions proceeding the meeting. She could run the world with her eyes closed and be successful. Not to mention, she wanted to do it. He however was the one dragging his legs, hating every minute of it. "I don't see why she can't just do it herself." He muttered before his eyebrows went up at the thought.

Inuyasha's words played into his mind as he stood up quickly and winced at the sight of the wall. "Need to fix that." He said before urgently rushing to his room. He grabbed his phone and thought first what he should do. Making his mind up, he dialed a number that would lead him to a starting point. He just hoped he wouldn't lose both women in his attempt to recapture the heart of one and protect the other.

Inuyasha stood rather giddily outside of the door leading to the place he loved the most. He looked down to his torn shirt, cursing his lack of foresight to fix himself up before he made a mad dash to his car and towards the woman he wished to confront. He finger-combed his silver mane back now that he was consciously aware of his rumpled demeanor. He gave a shake to his bangs as if it would help shape them into looking somewhat less wild and more refined. Giving up, he took a deep breath and flared his aura knowing the woman on the other side would sense him.

He listened to the sound of any soft footsteps behind the door. His heartbeat sped up as it donned on him what was to happen. He hoped he could mentally prepare himself for a minute before she answered the door, but it was hard to determine her presence. If Kikyo was born a century ago she would have made an incredible geisha just by her ability to walk without going noticed. Maybe even better yet, a ninja. He could definitely see her assassinating her opponents quietly with kunai or some other deadly weapon like her bow.

A shiver passed through him before the door was slowly opened and the object of his latest thoughts, stood before him looking rather tired and defeated. The sound of his own heart drummed in his chest as he took in Kikyo's appearance. For the first time, he took a close look at her. Kikyo's features were delicate from her slender neck to her elegant jaw and cheekbones. Her hair hung like rivers of glossy ink bathed in twilight. She moved with grace, even in her torn black tank top and black cotton shorts. Her eyes were wide like her sister's but held an almond shape to them. It was there he could see the tired lines underneath her eyes and the hollow shells of her pronounced cheekbones. She was beautiful. And she was exhausted.

Heat rushed to his cheeks and his ears flickered as he looked away shyly for a second. The words he wanted to say to confront her, had left him. Embarrassed and a little ashamed, he looked up and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He watched her simply stand to look at him as if she was contemplating something. Besides her eyes looking at his face, she stood there before him regal, elegant, and calm as ever. How she was able to keep her emotions in check, he never knew. She was strong. Too strong.

Kikyo grew a little uncomfortable standing there at the door. She was happy that she didn't ruin her relationship with her friend and thus she accepted his invite over to her place at such a late hour. When she came home, she cried for a little bit and did her best to shower the remains of her shame away. It was during her shower that she realized that pushing him away wasn't the best and that it was possibly grounds for ruining the already fucked up situation she had with her sister. She just had to accept that once again, she was left with nothing and to just try to be happy for those around her. She even decided to she would just be a great friend to Inuyasha no matter how much it hurt to see him pine for her sister's affections.

A gruff was heard and Kikyo was reminded that Inuyasha was still just standing in the hall. She mumbled a greeting and stepped back to allow him entry. Her words and things that were to be said came forward all at once. She needed to fix this before she loss him completely. She had to give him something to explain her outburst. Already forming her story, she watched him step through the threshold into her sanctuary. Before the door could close all the way, Kikyo jumped into her apology.

"I'm sorry about earlier…" She muttered softly in the darkness. She closed the door, sealing it shut before braving to face him. Looking at him with piercing brown eyes she continued. "Today…was just a lot." She muttered as she cast her expression downward. "I just had so much to deal with…and with the possibility of my sister being in danger, I just lost it." She explained running her hands through her hair. "I'm sorry for taking it out on you. You didn't deserve that."

Inuyasha's sensitive nose picked on the scent of tears and remnants of alcohol in her loft. More or so near the door and the washer where her closes sat in the far corner. He knew she had come in and made it only to the front before she broke down. His chest was heavy with worry and sorrow for her. Her apology registered but her actions spoke of something different. Of course, she was upset about the events of the night but something definitely had happened that made her break. He walked forward towards her couch and sat down as if nothing was wrong. Kikyo followed but still stood close to the couch with her arms crossed over her bosom. He pulled the blanket that he called his own closer to his body and opened it up.

He was calming down as her scent surrounded him. Being so close to her and having the knowledge of seeing her in this new way was rather comforting. Soon his nerves calmed as he got comfortable and watched her stand there as if she was ready for a fight. The truth and the lie mingled together but he couldn't separate one from the other. She was telling the truth. However, he could sense there was more that she wasn't telling. He wanted to know what she was thinking. She was always pondering. Pondering too much.

"Why are you still standing?" He asked nonchalantly. "Come sit down so we can have this adult conversation." He threw at her with a condescending smirk.

Kikyo's eyes stretched at his backhanded demand. She had just apologized and all he wanted was for her to sit? Did he not hear her? Was he mentally ill? Her eyes narrowed as he used her words against her. Usually she was the one chastising him about using his words and adjusting his tone to have an adult conversation. "Where do you get the nerve?" She asked incredulously as her attitude began peeking through. "What is your-" Before she could finish, she was pulled down onto the couch and into his arms.

Her cheeks shaded scarlet and she questioned rather or not the alcohol still burned in her system. It was normal for them to sit casually on the couch and talk but not normal for them to sit so close in this way. Usually, she was at the other end of the couch and vice versa with them sharing the plush blanket Inuyasha used for nights when he slept over. His earthy scent and the mix of his cologne tingled her nose and wrapped her in a world of security and safety. His arms held her as she wiggled to get comfortable while mentally berating herself to not get wrapped up in him. That he belonged and will always belong to another. That he would only ever be just a friend.

When she finished adjusting and attempting to put some space between them, Inuyasha spoke. "You're lying."

Kikyo's eyes widened and her head snapped up to look at him. He had his eyes fixated on the window outside as he smirked and held onto her tightly, as if to prevent her from escaping. Everything that she was…a composed, cold, hard as nails woman, flitted out the window. She cursed inwardly at her own inability to keep her wall up after having those drinks and being emotionally just drained. She didn't say anything knowing to respond regardless, would only prove him right. It was best to let him doubt himself before chastising him and defending herself.

Inuyasha looked down at Kikyo again in his arms. His eyes glowing in the darkness of the room. "I know you are lying but its ok. When you're ready to tell me the truth, I'm here. I'm never going anywhere." He vowed as he held onto her and just sat with her underneath the covers. "And you don't need to apologize to me. Whatever happened, I'm sure when you tell me it would put everything into perspective."

Kikyo sighed as her eyes swelled with moisture. She closed her eyes in an attempt to keep her emotions at bay. She wanted so desperately to believe his words but she knew he was not to be hers. That his heart belong to another. Her sister. Her sister who also hated her for staying. Who probably hated her too for their parent's death and the shame she put on their family name. Inuyasha would soon join her in her hate eventually when he realized how much of an embarrassment she was. She shook her head as she fought to war against these thoughts that collided with logic. She knew better but her heart thought otherwise especially after hearing her sister's words and witnessing Naraku's actions.

She shook her head against him. "You're lying." She countered back at him. Her nose nuzzled his chest as she moved her hand up to anchor her to him. "Don't lie to me like that." She muttered bitterly. "You will eventually leave me too. It's ok, Inuyasha. I'm just cursed to make a mess and be alone."

Inuyasha's eyes widened at her statement and the need to toss her on his lap filled him. He wanted to grab and shake her. To make her see differently and know that he was a demon that meant his word. He especially meant it having concluded with himself and his instincts that he wanted her in his life, indefinitely. His hold instead tightened on her and he turned his head to nuzzle his nose into her hair affectionately. Forgetting his place, he rubbed her shoulder with the aid of the blanket as he just held her. "Well I guess I need to prove you wrong, don't I. Feh." He spoke as if it was nothing major.

Kikyo smiled unsure of how to take his statement. She wanted to believe he meant so much more than what he was saying but she knew so would be a fool's errand. She would take what he offered but nothing more. She would relish in the moments he spent with her in her home and tattoo onto her brain the scent of him and the thrum of power he projected when he walked into a room. Kikyo would cherish it all before he would eventually leave her. She would not engage with him further after tonight. She needed to fix her relationship with her family and that included keeping her heart as far away from Inuyasha as possible.

Her hand came up to grip the front of his shirt as she relaxed. The comfort he offered was more than she could ask for. Her fingers managed to rub gently the cotton of his shirt before it snagged in a hole. She moved it again and noticed that there was another snag. Blinking in curiosity, she lifted the blanket from them and looked down at his shirt. She looked up at Inuyasha with raised eyebrows as he scratched the back of his head.

"What the hell happened to you?" She asked not remembering him looking so rough when he came to the bar.

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders and tucked her back underneath his arm. "Go to sleep. I'll tell you all about it in the morning."