Chapter 6: Out From Underneath

"Honey, it's good to see you and all, but I thought you were staying at Inuyasha's place?" Kagome's mother said from across the table. The older woman looked at her daughter with kind eyes, as she sipped her hot tea. It was her first day off in weeks and she couldn't think of a better way to spend it than with her daughter. But the moment Kagome walked through those doors Ms. Higurashi knew something was up.

"It's nothing mama, I just wanted to come see you. We haven't gotten the chance to talk since Inuyasha and I came over for dinner." Kagome said, throwing on her best smile for good measure. The truth was it'd been almost three days since her and Inuyasha's almost drunken mistake, and he'd had yet to come home. The truth was she was going crazy sitting alone in that big empty house.

She didn't want to go to Sango's because she didn't feel like talking about what happened, which is exactly what she knew Sango would've made her do. Kagome knew she wasn't fooling her mother, by a long shot. But her mom also knew when and when not to push, and now was certainly a 'when not to' situation.

"I know. That dinner seems like forever ago. Has anything changed since you've been away?" Kagome cringed though the question was harmless enough. To the untrained ear it seemed her mother was simply making conversation, but Kagome knew better.

"Mama...I'd rather not talk about it, okay?" Mrs. Higurashi reached across the table to give her daughter's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I understand dear, let's talk about something positive. I know you had a job interview a few weeks ago, did you ever hear back?" Her mother said excitingly.

"I did actually, the free clinic hired me as a nurse practitioner. I start next week." In all the chaos in her personal life Kagome had totally forgotten about her new job. Her mother's dramatic round of applause and proud smile, caused Kagome to laugh and squeeze out a smile of her own. It was nice to feel like she had something to look forward to again.

"In celebration how about I make your favorite for dinner?"

"Thank you Mama." Kagome said quietly, and by the look on her mom's face, Mrs. Higurashi knew her daughter wasn't just talking about dinner.

"Anytime sweetheart."

Kaede sighed in contentment as she took in a breath of fresh air. She was in the most remote part of the park around the corner from her school. There was a path behind the swing sets that lead to a large clearing filled with dandelions and other wildflowers. She remembered when she first discovered this place. She'd seen a rabbit run down the path and went chasing after it, Kikyou hot on her heels. Kaede remembered begging her sister to bring her here, just so she could make crowns out of all the flowers.

The young girl opened her eyes and watched as the clouds moved soundlessly through the sky. She turned her head and swore the earth was moving in time with her heartbeat. Or maybe it was the drugs sitting on her tongue, causing her heart to race and making her feel alive.

She smiled and dug her toes deeper into the grass, this definitely beat sitting in ancient Japanese history. Hearing the sound of a camera shutter Kaede quickly sat up, ready to give the creepy perv in front of her a piece of her mind.

"Higurashi?" She said puzzled by the boy standing in front her.

"Uh hi, sorry." He said clumsily, "I can delete the picture if you want." Kaede looked at him skeptically before holding her hand out in an expectant manner. Souta quickly handed her the camera and planted himself across from her, silently hoping he'd sat far enough away that her hand couldn't reach his face, in case the urge to slap him overcame her.

Kaede gingerly looked at the picture and was surprised by how...happy she looked. Her arms were above her head, causing her black tank to rise and expose only a sliver of her flat tummy. Her toes were hidden by the grass and she had various red and yellow flowers dancing in her dark hair.

Though the most stunning part of the photo was clearly her smile. It was so genuine and sincere, so unguarded and carefree. As if the demons that haunted her had finally disappeared, and she could hear angels singing in her ears.

"It's nice. You can keep it I guess." She said simply.

"Um, thanks. I wasn't really expecting anyone to be out here, shouldn't you be at school?"

"Shouldn't you?" Kaede said lifting a brow.

"Touchè." Souta said laughing at his own stupid question.

When he looked up their eyes met and Kaede sucked in a breath. There it was. The same look he was always giving her when she caught him watching. She knew what that look meant, what it had the power to do to her, and she didn't have time for it. He leaned forward, to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, and she jumped because she hadn't seen him move.

She smiled sadly at him and caught his hand. Standing slowly Kaede brought the confused boy to his feet and took a step forward, never letting go of his wrist.

"You don't want me Higurashi." She kissed his palm and took another step forward, so their chests were touching. "I'm damaged goods, I ruin everything I touch, and you? You're one of the good ones; too good to spoil."

Rising to her toes Kaede placed her small hand under his chin, pulling his face down toward hers.

'Is she about to kiss me?! Alright Souta get your shit together, fuck did I brush my teeth this morning? I know it's gross but sometimes I forget and-'

His rampant thoughts came to sudden halt when he felt her lips touch his skin. She pulled away and instantly he missed her warmth.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow Higurashi." Souta watched as Kaede gathered her things scurried out of the clearing. Turning to face the spot where she'd once been standing, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as his fingers touched the spot, still warm and slightly wet, where her lips had just been.

'A forehead kiss?' It wasn't what he was expecting, but then again when did Kaede Hayashi ever do anything he expected?

Kagura knew this was a bad idea. As she sat in the very back of the dingy resturant, the young woman flagged down a waitress and ordered a gin and tonic. She needed something to take the edge off. She couldn't stop her knee from bouncing against the table, or stop herself from chewing on her nails as she waited for her drink and her guest.

When her drink arrived she downed it in two gulps and ordered another.

"This seat taken?" Said a masculine voice in front of her. Kagura pushed her dark sunglasses to the top of her head as she took in the sight of her new companion.

"Could you look anymore like a cop? Seriously, what's with the fucking blazer?" The agitated woman rubbed her face in exasperation, God this was a bad idea.

"What? I thought I looked pretty casual." Koga sat down and ordered a sandwhich when the waitress returned with Kagura's second drink. "Okay, let's get down to business yeah?"

Kagura eyed him warily, "How did you find me? There's no way you traced the 911 call back to me."

"You're right, believe it or not I recognized your voice. I wasn't certain at first until I realized the connection between you and Naraku."

"Look ask me whatever you want, but I'm not going to be an witness or testify or any of that shit. If this goes to court you keep my fuckin' name out of it. My father's always questioned where my loyalties lie, if he finds out about any of this I'm dead."

"Of course, I just need you to answer a few questions." Kagura gave him a suspicious look and took another sip of her drink.

"Tell me about the night of Kikyou's murder." Kagura ran a distressed hand through her hair as she took a calming breath, where was she even supposed to start?

"Kikyou was in tight with me and my dad. She was young, living on her own and trying to take care of her little sister so I offered her a way to make some quick cash. I was naive back then. I knew the type of shit my father was into, the kind of business he handled. I've seen him do so many fucked up things, but even still I chose to believe that even he had a limit, that there had to be some lines that even he wouldn't cross."

"Do you remember the day everyone at school was buzzing about how much of a mess Kikyou looked? I tracked her down that day, assuming her breakup with Inuyasha was what was keeping her in her funk, but it was more than that. My father raped her...and instead of being there for her I turned on her."

Kagura wiped an anxious hand across her face and downed the last of her drink, flagging down the waitress for two double tequila shots. When the waitress returned she drank them both in quick succession and continued with her story.

"She told me she was going to the cops and I couldn't let that happen, so I warned my dad. I thought he'd rough her up a bit, scare her and convince her to leave town. I'd never thought he'd kill her." Her voice cracked and Kouga place a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Did he say anything to you after it happened? Anything is helpful, nothing is insignificant at this point."

Kagura simply shook her head in the negative, "he never spoke about it. Honestly if the school counselor hadn't told us I don't think I would've ever known."

"Alright I think I have more than enough, thank you Kagura."

"Don't go back on our deal Lang. If I end up dead because of this know that my blood will be on your hands, just as Kikyou's is on mine."

Kouga gave her a solid nod and threw a fifty on the table to cover her drinks. He was out the door in five strides quickly slipping into the night.

Kagome came home after spending all day with her mother. She felt a lot lighter after being in her mother's presence. She'd gotten her mind off the drama in her life for a few hours, and it honestly made a world of difference.

'But it doesn't make it go away.' Kagome sighed to herself as she slipped off her coat and shoes. Maybe she'd call Sango tomorrow and they could have a girl's day. It'd also give her the opportunity to get some things off her chest.

With plans to call her friend, Kagome headed up the stairs to find Inuyasha's door open. She heard movement coming from inside his room and took a stealthy peak inside. There was a small duffle bag sitting on his bed, and she watched as moved from drawer to drawer grabbing shirts and boxers and stuffing them in his bag.

Gingerly she knocked on his door before she could lose her nerve. He turned sharply towards her, obviously startled by her sudden appearance. They simply stared at each other, both not knowing what to say.

"Can I come in for a sec?" Kagome said quietly, her hands taking refuge in her back pockets to hide their shaking.

"Uh, I was just on my way out." Inuyasha replied dumbly, stuffing the last of the clothes in his hands into his bags.

"Inuyasha...please talk to me." She said taking a few small steps in his room. She reached for him and he took a step back, her heart clenching at his reaction to her.

"What I'm not allowed to touch you anymore? Are you afraid of me or something?" She said suddenly angry.

"Yes! I mean-" He cut himself off, running an anxious hand through his hair. She didn't say anything, trying to give him a chance to get his thoughts together.

"I'm not afraid of you Kagome, just of what you have the potential to do to me. What happened the other day can't happen again at least not until you decide what you want from me. You can't tell me you love me while you're still wearing Hojo's ring."

Kagome's eyes misted as the pain in his words washed over her. How could she be so selfish, to only think of her own pain and no one else's? She stepped towards him again and was relived when he didn't move away from her. Putting her arms round his waist, she laid her head on his chest and let her tears fall. Only when he felt the wetness of her tears through his shirt did Inuyasha reciprocate.

"I'm so sorry." Her voice straining against the burning in her throat. "I was selfish and unfair and I never meant to hurt you. Please don't leave again." She squeezed him as she ended her speech, hoping it'd been enough to keep him here even if it was only for the night.

"I won't leave." He said squeezing her back, relishing in the feel of her in his arms. He stroked her hair as her tears slowly came to a stop. Pulling back she looked up at him and smiled gently but genuinely, and he placed a small kiss on her forehead.

Kagome Higurashi would certainly be the death of him.

To anyone still interested in this story, thanks for sticking around. A review to tell me what you think would be lovely.