The Bride Chapter 6

He waited another moment and then knocked on the door a third time. And she ignored him.

"Stop blubbering already, answer the door."

"I'm not blubbering." Her voice cracked.

She couldn't let him see her looking like this. Kagome stayed in bed a moment longer and wiped her tears. She let out a disgruntled sigh, extracted herself from her sheets, walked over to her door, and unlocked it. With one last internal scream, she silently cursed herself and opened the door.

Inuyasha was standing in the doorway looking the same as always, except the sword, he usually stored in his shack was fastened to his waist.

"Ok, crying."

"I am not crying." Kagome lowered her gaze so he couldn't see her bloodshot eyes.

"Are too." She could tell he was getting irritated, his voice was getting louder and his tone cross. Anger was fine, she could handle anger, she was angry.

"I am NOT!" She was adamant now, she wasn't crying, proof be damned.

"You are so!" He growled, "Just shuddup, this is stupid. Goodbye." He turned and began to storm off.

Kagome's heart dropped, but she tried her best to remain composed.
"Wait, what do you mean goodbye? You show up, start an argument, and just leave?"

"I didn't start nothing!"

"Are you leaving now?" Her voice was squeaky, it was the only sign that her world was crumbling.

Inuyasha grunted.

"Because of what happened this morning?" She held the doorframe tightly, her knuckles began turning white as she waited for the words that earlier she was so desperate to hear. The words she thought would provide her some semblance of closure.

"Keh."

Kagome was unaware that a heart could shatter twice in the same day, much less that it could be done by the very same man. She wasn't at all delighted to have figured out it was possible through experience.

"Will you come back again?" She shook her head. "Nevermind, forget I asked. You've made your decision and I said I would respect it." And for what was likely the tenth time that day, Kagome could feel the tears in her eyes. She just wanted to be near him, why was this so hard?

Inuyasha was watching as her face displayed each emotion that ran through her head.

"I wish you nothing but happiness with her," Kagome offered him a smile as she wished for him the exact opposite of what she was feeling. Sure she wanted him to be happy, but she wanted to be the one to bring him happiness. For a brief moment, she wished the Countess would vanish. She stopped that line of thinking. Had she really become that despicable?

Her internal dialog was interrupted.
"Would you shut up? You're pissing me off."

Kagome glared, Inuyasha glared right back. She really had no idea what was going on and he appeared to be getting angrier. Instead of snapping at her, he untied his sword and shoved it at her.

"It's useless."

Confused Kagome pulled the sword from its scabbard. The blade was battered and rusted, nicks lined the steel. Was it steel? It didn't feel like steel. As she held the sword she could feel the fabric loose in her hands, it was fraying. Despite its deteriorated appearance, there was something about the sword that Kagome couldn't put her finger on, it almost felt alive.

"This sword feels really awesome!" She was smiling as she handed it back to him.

"It's an old rusted stick. The only reason I've kept it is because it belonged to my old man. When he had it, it was powerful. I've got to figure out how to use it and to do that I'll travel to Kyoto to find the swords creator."

"You're already strong. Why do you need more power?" Kagome questioned.

"Half-demon, remember? Not really a demon; not really human. I'm not either. That's all. There is no place for me, so I have to make one myself."

"Make a place for yourself?" Kagome hadn't realized how he had felt, she should have tried harder. "You already have a place here!"

"The hovel?" He scoffed. "A woman deserves more, her own farm near the shrine."

Her eyes widened, how could she forget? He was into someone else.

"While the sentiment is nice, I am not entirely sure she will be content with a farm near a shrine. Have you seen her clothes? I can only assume she would want to be near a big city." Kagome was rambling. She was trying her best to be supportive, but she wasn't sure if this was something she could continue to help him with.

After a moment Inuyasha shook his head and sighed. "Is your brain broken or something?"

Kagome was flustered at this point. "It really is a poor choice."

Inuyasha growled. "A poor choice for the Countess, yes. For a dimwitted human miko, no."

Kagome shook her head in agreement as she repeated his words back to him, "Yes, that does seem like it would work for a dimwitted hu-" When she realized exactly what she was saying she stopped. "Wait, what?" Kagome didn't dare get her hopes high.

Inuyasha's cheeks were red now. And he quickly went back to looking at his feet.