Blossom
Story by WarmPeach
Chapter 5 - Kagome's heart
Kagome walked around school by herself. Inuyasha had gone to the library and she was meeting him there after class. As for Sango and Miroku, they were being held back in class for fighting. Again.
As she walked down the hallway, she saw Kikyo walking towards her. Immediately her heart went stiff. Kikyo's face looked as stoic as always.
Kagome was going to walk past her and hope not to have to interact.
However, Kikyo had other plans. She grabbed Kagome forcefully by the arm. Pulling her into an empty classroom.
"Kikyo that really hurts!" Kagome told the girl, who had her arm in a vice-like grip.
Kikyo spouted, "Be quiet." Kikyo checked the hallway and then closed the door, sealing them inside. She turned around and Kagome's heart started to pound.
"What do you want Kikyo?" Kagome asked nervously.
Kikyo responded in a dead tone, "I need you, to help me with Inuyasha. I need him back."
Kagome reluctantly asked, "And why do you need him back? He doesn't want to be with you after what you did."
Kikyo said frustrated, "I know that dip shit! I want him back okay. I can't stand him not being mine."
Kagome shook her head, "Well that's not your choice to make. Inuyasha will have to decide if he even wants you back."
Kikyo laughed a little and then uttered, "That's why I need you Kagome. You and Inuyasha have become good friends. He trusts you. If you try and convince him to take me back. Or just say how nice I am being to you. Maybe he will accept me back."
Kagome Immediately said with firmness in her tone, "No, I am not going to do that. You haven't ever been nice to me Kikyo. Why would I lie to him for you?"
Kikyo stood still for a moment, then she walked over slowly. Kagome began to back away, trying to create distance between herself and Kikyo. Kikyo backed her into a corner and forcefully grabbed Kagome's hair pulling it harshly. Kagome screamed, but Kikyo put her hand over her mouth to muffle the noise.
"You do what I say. Because I have dirt on you. Do you remember when your poor ol' daddy got attacked and killed by that rampaging Yokai?"
The mention of Kagome's dad made her tense up. Tears starting to form in her eyes. Kikyo shoved her hand harder onto Kagome's mouth to shut her up further.
"Well, after that happened, you went to court to give evidence. As you witnessed the attack. You were the girl that made the comment. That Yokai were dangerous beings." Kikyo's words haunted Kagome.
Flashback
12 year old Kagome, walked along the side of the road with her dad. It was a snowy night and the moon was full. Beautiful and peaceful.
"I'd say that was a good day out." Kagome's father said happily. Holding Kagome's hand tightly.
Kagome nodded smiling brightly at her father, "Souta is going to love his birthday presents!" She said proudly, holding the bag filled with new toys.
"I hope so. Cost me a fortune!" Her dad laughed. "My wallet is dry now."
Kagome laughed along with her dad. They walked further down the road and made it to the park, that was the short cut to their house.
It looked darker than usually, the street lamps were not working. Which gave the park a more eerie feel. Kagome stopped and said frightfully, "Dad, should we go around. The park is really scary."
Her dad shook his head and gave Kagome a small hug, "It's okay Kagome. It is just the dark. If you hold my hand, I promise you will be okay." He reassured her easily. His voice was warm and soothing. She nodded, wiping her fears away.
Holding her fathers hand, they entered the park.
Half way through, Kagome heard a noise. It sounded like a low growl. Kagome's father paused, gripping his daughters hand tighter.
He then mumbled, "We better walk a little faster Kagome okay?" Kagome nodded and they started to pick up the pace.
The noises started to get louder and they could start to hear foot steps behind them, getting closer and closer. Kagome looked behind her and then let out the biggest scream of her young life.
"DAD!" She bellowed. Seeing a large raging Yokai jump towards the pair.
Her dad pushed Kagome out of the way and got tackled by the enraged Yokai. Her small body hit the ground causing her her yell in pain.
Kagome watched as the Yokai stuck it's claw like hands, into her father's stomach. Her father screeched, blood coming out of his mouth as the demon dug deeper.
The blood, seeping out of her fathers wound. Staining the white snow red.
Kagome screamed loudly, tears cascading down her fast. Her fathers face, draining from it's colour. With his last few breaths he screamed to Kagome.
"Kagome...RUN NOW! RUN AND DONT LOOK BACK!"
Her father's words. His last words. Kagome couldn't move. He told her to run but she was frozen in place. Watching the horror unfolding in front of her. The Yokai turned his head at the young girl, still with fear. It's eyes, red and blood thirsty.
As if by some miracle, Kagome decided to move. She ran, ran quicker than her legs have ever carried her before. She ran, panting and crying. Screaming as she made it out of the park. Sirens could be heard as she made it out. The screams from herself and her father, must've alerted someone near the park to call the police.
A police car pulled up and Kagome ran towards it. Crying so frantically the man couldn't make out what she was saying. The blood that had been splattered on her, made it clear what had happened.
Kagome was taken in by the police and taken to the station, where she could be safe. She sat in the back of police car, sobbing the whole way there.
End of flashback
Kagome's memory flooded back to her. After the ordeal, she had blocked the memories from her mind. Never thinking about the brutal attack against her father again, after the court case was finalised. Those memories had been pushed deep inside her soul, locked away. Kikyo had used a key to open the chest that sealed the demons from Kagome's mind.
"I...I was upset. And young. How was I supposed to know they would use my words and plaster them all over the news." Kagome said muffled by Kikyo's hands.
Kikyo rolled her eyes, "It doesn't matter. You think Inuyasha will forgive you for making his life hell? For making everyone hate Yokai. Your words Kagome. You were the one that categorised all demons are violent and dangerous. The public heard a young girl cry out and they started to revolt against the demons. Because of you."
Kagome pushed Kikyo off of her, making her fall to the ground. "Inuyasha will understand! Any traumatised child would say something stupid, when they're talking about their trauma!"
Kikyo laughed menacingly, "Want to bet on it. Tell Inuyasha that you are the young girl that made that statement. The statement that the news and all the people who want Yokai dead, use as a reason for their despicable acts against demons."
She walked towards the door. "Go tell him if you are sure he won't resent you. If you are sure he won't attack you for ruining his life."
Kagome couldn't say anything back. It was as if Kikyo had stolen her voice box. She began to shake, thinking about all the possibilities that could happen if she were to tell Inuyasha.
Kikyo sighed and then spoke calmly, "Look. If you help me. I won't tell Inuyasha you were the anonymous girl." She stepped back towards Kagome, pulling out of her pocket and sharp metal object. She aimed it at Kagome, making her freeze. Kagome's eyes wide and frightful.
"If you tell Inuyasha I hurt you. He will not only attack Naraku and ruin his whole life for you. But, I will tell him your secret." She spat on Kagome's shoes and then walked away, placing the sharp object back in her pocket.
She left the room, slamming the door.
Leaving Kagome to slump to the ground. Kagome put her head in her hands and lightly sobbed. She couldn't stand this. "He wouldn't hurt me. He wouldn't." She started to panic. Thinking about how he might react to what Kikyo would tell him.
The images of the raging Yokai that killed her father, ran through her mind once again. A flash and the face of the Yokai looked like Inuyasha. The fear rushed through her body and she shook her head vigorously. "No. No!" She cried to herself.
After a few moments. She collected herself. Taking deep breaths, to calm herself down. She couldn't tell Inuyasha that Kikyo was being cruel to her. Or he would take his anger out on Naraku, believing him to be the reason behind her actions. She couldn't tell him about her past. She didn't want to loose him as a friend. She couldn't lose him.
"I'll just have to help Kikyo." She said quietly. Her words felt like another betrayal to Inuyasha.
She thought, 'Inuyasha clearly still loves her.' She remembered his reaction to Kikyo's apologetic note. 'I don't want him to be with her.' Kagome felt sick to her stomach. Thinking of Inuyasha with Kikyo.
Suddenly the realisation hit Kagome.
"I like Inuyasha."
It was like a ton of bricks coming down on her at once. The weight of guilt and responsibility hung on her shoulders.
If she told him the truth, he may never speak to her again. Or end up in a violent rage. But if she kept it a secret and helped Kikyo. He would be with a woman who only views him as a tool. She couldn't tell him Kikyo's violent behaviour, or that would just lead to a fight. Inuyasha would be expelled and loose everything. Possibly even go to prison.
She took a deep breath. With a heavy heart. She decided, she would have to help Kikyo.
"Maybe. Maybe she can truly love him this time." She thought hopeful. Fooling herself that this was the best decision to make.
In reality, she knew she was being selfish. Aiding Kikyo. So she could keep her beautiful friendship with Inuyasha.
Kikyo had left Kagome in that room. She felt relieved she had finally completed the task Naraku wanted her to do. She headed over to meet him. He was stood there with this look in his eyes. As if he was preparing to be disappointed in her.
"So?" He said, arms folded.
kikyo smiled, "She's panicking. She definitely would rather help me than risk losing Inuyasha. She isn't going to think logically now she has her past memories fresh in her mind."
Naraku pulled Kikyo into an embrace. stroking her lightly. "Well done Kikyo. I knew I could count on you."
Kikyo leaned into the embrace.
"Now we can move onto the first phase of my plan. To rid this school of Inuyasha. Expose the public to the true nature of demons."
Kikyo pulled away and witnessed the truly wicked expression Naraku was making. She did not know whether to feel afraid of his insanity, or find it attractive.
He continued, "First stage. Make Inuyasha fall for you again. Once we have him in the palm of your hands. He will be easier to manipulate." He rested his palm on Kikyo's face. "Thats where you'll come in."
Kikyo smiled and kissed Naraku on his cheek, "I will do anything for you." She said. Blind to the insanity that Naraku harboured.
