A/N: I just want to thank everyone for the amazing reviews. I know things kind of took a turn in that last chapter and you're continued support and helpful reviews are truly what motivate me to keep writing. I know that for some, what happened in the last chapter can be upsetting. But it's a terrible fact of like that it happens.
I want you guys to understand that I don't include such things to exploit them or for shock value, but because it's integral to the story. That being said, things as graphic as that won't be common in the following chapters. I might reference or allude or vaguely describe something, but it's not going to be that extreme.
Also, I want to mention something I've noticed ya'll asking about a lot. Inuyasha is indeed very immature and driven by emotions and instant gratification. At this point in the story, he's only nineteen/twenty years old. I only have my own personal experience to draw from, but I've noticed a common theme in guys that age of having those selfish traits. I'm not trying to make him a bad person, but he is flawed and will grow up and become a more mature person as the story goes on. Everyone has to go through a few changes and metamorphoses in their lives, and he's no exception. So please, I know it can be tough to read now, but just hang on and see him change for the better.
As always, feel free to share your thoughts and feelings with me. I'm like every other writer and enjoy seeing my work get reviews and being able to answer questions or fangirl with you. And, as always and forever, I love ya'll!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
AND ANOTHER THING! The song Inuyasha sings at the radio station is 'Somewhere Only We Know' by Keane. I'm not creative enough to makeup songs on my own and the songs I reference and use in this fic are incredibly important to the story. Give the song a listen! It's beautiful!
Chapter Forty-one: Time Marches On
"Miss Taisho, I have today's mail for you. I also found an envelope stuck inside of the mailbox. I'm not sure how long its been in there though. Is there anything else you need before I go home?" The voice was very quiet, not daring to speak above a whisper while there was someone peacefully sleeping nearby. Blanca, Izayoi's trusted assistant and friend, had been asked to resume her work in the days following Kagome's abduction and Touga's hospitalization. On that terrible night, Izayoi had feared she might lose not only her daughter, but her husband as well. The emotional stress of Kagome's abduction, coupled with the guilt that he could be partially at fault for it, caused Inu-Taisho to suffer from sudden stress cardiomyopathy; also known as 'broken heart syndrome'. When the doctors gave it that name and explained the reasons behind it, Izayoi nearly broke down laughing at the cruel and accurate name. Thankfully, the condition was not as severe or damaging as an actual heart attack, for which she thanked the heavens.
It had been upsetting and confusing, to say the least, trying to balance caring for her husband while also aiding the police in their investigation. She could not add to Inu-Taisho's stress by going to him with every prying question they might have, but at the same time Izayoi had felt completely overwhelmed by it all. If there was one positive thing that could be taken from the terrible situation, it was that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had learned to set aside their differences. Each brother had to assume one half of the role their father once held on his own. It was the only way assure the man wouldn't suffer additional stress. Even though they were both still grieving from the guilt and sadness over Kagome, the brothers understood that their feelings had to be put aside to prevent their world from falling in on itself.
With Inu-Taisho incapable of running his company, Sesshoumaru stepped in without complaint or hesitation, taking lead so that the business didn't fall into complete mayhem and chaos. All of the employees and board members were aware of the tragedy that had befallen their CEO and President's family, and were naturally worried what it could mean for the company's future. In classic Sesshoumaru style, which was confident and controlled, he released a statement reassuring them that nothing would change and to continue working as they had been; if not even harder to make Inu-Taisho proud. Everyone looked to the twenty-three-year-old for guidance and answers; trusting that the son of Touga Inu-Taisho would make the best decisions on behalf of his father.
Kagura had become a common figure around the house as well. She had completed her bachelor's degree and chose to take time off from school before studying for an associate's. So, to occupy her time and be of help to Sesshoumaru, she accepted the offer of becoming his assistant. Outside of his family, there was no one else in the world that Sesshoumaru trusted more. With such similar work-ethic and dedication, she found her stride alongside him very easily. Going above the call of duty, she also became a companion to Izayoi. She wasn't the most demonstrative person in the world, but when Kagura offered her condolences and sympathy, it was always completely genuine. Sesshoumaru had bought a ring for her a little over three months prior, but now withheld the proposal until their lives returned to some sense of normalcy and peace.
Inuyasha had taken it upon himself to lead the search for Kagome. He organized their friends into an impressive task force, each member anxious to find their dearly missed friend; or at least find the answers that would bring an end to their search. Most agreed that it was the not know if she was dead or alive that caused the most torment. They put up flyers, created a website dedicated to her, and hounded the police and news stations to keep her story alive.
Though it was a painful decision, it was not a difficult one to make; Inuyasha announced that he would take a hiatus from his music career. Ultimately, it was for two reasons. The first being that his hand was broken and needed to heal before he could pick up a guitar. The other was that it allowed him the opportunity to devote more time and energy towards finding Kagome. When others began to lose faith for the cause, he only became more motivated and desperate to find the truth.
Surprisingly, Kikyou was one of his most avid and vocal supporters. She was always at his side, working just as hard as him in order to bring Kagome back. She played the role of the gracious and supportive girlfriend very well, while also making sure that Inuyasha's parents were aware of her contributions. The moment Sesshoumaru proposed to Kagura, Kikyou intended on urging Inuyasha to do the same; that would need the blessing of both his parents. At night, when she laid in bed with him, stroking his hair as he slept against her, Kikyou rejoiced in sick pleasure of watching everyone lose interest in solving the mystery of Kagome's abduction. No one suspected she was the mastermind behind it all, or that she knew very well how Kagome was fairing in captivity.
As Inu-Taisho took the following weeks to recover in the hospital, which he only did at the extreme behest of his doctors, Izayoi remained at his side faithfully. While the two were grateful that he was no longer in a dire condition, they could not celebrate when Kagome's fate was still unknown. Only two weeks ago, the investigation was still hopeful and media groups were eager to report on the heinous crime. Friends and family came to their aid, promising they'd never stop searching and demanding answers until Kagome was found. There was a great deal of momentum at the beginning; but as days turned to weeks, and then a month passed by, steam inevitably began to die down.
With each day that Kagome wasn't recovered, the chances of her being found at all (dead or alive) became that much less likely. News crews stopped airing her picture and name as other stories caught the city's attention. The police seemed to lose initiative as well, and their once frequent updates became non-existent. Kouga had gone into the police academy nearly six months ago, and tried to use whatever connections he had to keep his friend's case open as long as possible. But he was always met with resistance and denial by superiors, stating that he was too new to the force to be asking for favors and sticking his nose where it didn't belong. It had been decided that she was a lost cause, merely one out of the many missing persons' cases left to be unsolved. This was a hard pill to swallow for everyone who still desperately missed her.
Christmas and New Years passed by without the family even noticing; how could they open presents and ring in the New Year without Kagome? Everyone ignored the ornamented tree and unopened presents for weeks after the first of the year. No one wanted to job of taking it all down. It would mean that they no longer expected Kagome to walk through the front door and want to open her gifts; it meant that their last thread of hope would be severed. That's when Blanca was brought back. She had it all taken care of while Izayoi remained beside her husband upstairs, the two relying on each other while they waited for the decorations and presents to be taken away. By the time the boys came home from work, all traces of the forgotten Christmas were gone.
That night at the dinner table was one of the most awkward and bitter occasions that any of them ever experienced. No one had the appetite to eat. Hope was dwindling down to a trickle. With the last bit of their optimism destroyed, how would things change going forward? Would they consider her dead? Host a funeral? What was the other options? No one could say for certain if Kagome was still alive or not, and the family was torn in what they wished for. If she was alive, and had allowed this much time to go by without contacting them, the chances that Kagome was safe and happy were slim-to-none. Everyone knew the horror stories of when beautiful girls went missing or were taken against their will; and those thoughts often brought Izayoi to sudden bouts of tears. Maybe it was better to assume Kagome was dead; at least then they could imagine she was out of harm's way and no longer in pain. But, was that selfish on their part?
It was the first week of February, a Tuesday, and fifty-one day had passed since Kagome's abduction. Blanca was preparing to leave for the day, as she'd begun dinner preparation for Izayoi to finish later that evening. Her final task was to put the mail in Izayoi's hands. Currently, the depressed and apathetic woman was in her bed, sitting up against the headboard, while a sleeping Inu-Taisho rested his weary head in her lap. It wasn't often that either of them slept so soundly, and she didn't have the heart to wake him from the sweet reprieve from their Hellish life. With a beckoning waive, Izayoi watched with reserved eyes as Blanca came forward to place the envelopes in her hand.
"Thank you, Blanca. I'll see you tomorrow." Izayoi's voice was hoarse and low as she spoke to the helpful woman. Blanca simply nodded and quietly left her employer's bedroom, shutting the door behind herself gently. Letting out a restless sigh, Izayoi flipped through the envelopes in her land. Most of them were bills or junk mail, which she tossed carelessly to the floor, but there was one that caused her chest to tighten upon recognizing the gold emblem. It was the letter from Juilliard that Kagome had been so anxiously waiting to receive. Izayoi bit her bottom lip and traced the edge with her unmanicured nail. Was it right to open Kagome's mail? She'd be back soon to open it herself, right?
Unable to come to a decision, Izayoi became overwhelmed and dropped the letter onto the mattress, careful not to rouse her sleeping husband. Her fingers rubbed her tired eyes that hadn't gotten nearly enough sleep in fifty-one days. But it was hard to sleep when her dreams were plagued of terrifying scenarios Kagome could be victim to. Izayoi's brain was muddled and confused, forced to use reserves of energy that she hadn't been aware of before. Looking down at her husband's calm face, Izayoi couldn't ignore the years that had been added to his life due to the trauma he suffered. Her warm hand came to rest atop the soft crown of his head, then began to stroke the beautiful hair that was as gorgeous as when they first met.
Izayoi wasn't naïve or delusional, despite what her family might suspect sometimes. She knew that soon it'd be time for them to resume their lives and move on. Others had suffered the same tragedy and gone on to live productive and successful lives; and it was only a matter of time before they fell into that category of people as well.
However, every time Izayoi found herself finding joy in something, or momentarily forgetting what had happened to Kagome, she instantly felt guilty. Kagome's life had been stolen from her, and she had been stolen from the people who desperately loved and missed her. When Izayoi thought to the future, about Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha one day getting married and having children, there was always an uncomfortable nagging at the back of her head. It seemed relentless in reminding Izayoi that her daughter, her Kagome, might never know such joy.
"Oh, my poor baby…" Izayoi whimpered as she thought of the last moments she had with Kagome. It was outside the theater, after her astonishing final performance. There had been stars in Kagome's eyes as she looked towards a bright future. On that thought, Izayoi glanced back at the letter from Juilliard. It was the physical embodiment of all Kagome's future possibilities and the culmination of her life's work. Curiosity got the better of Izayoi and she quietly ripped the envelope open. A single sheet of paper slipped out and the nervous mother unfolded it, her fingers trembling as she scanned the words. It didn't take long for her to spot the sentence that began with, 'we are pleased to inform you…'.
Unable to read another word, Izayoi let the paper fall from her hands and covered her face. All of Kagome's blood, sweat, and tears had paid off in the end; Juilliard had accepted her. But her daughter was not able to rejoice or take that chance of a lifetime, and it broke Izayoi's heart. Unable to contain it, Izayoi took in a shuddering breath and began to sob. It wasn't long before her husband heard this and opened his eyes.
"Izayoi?" He asked softly, a little disoriented from the much needed rest his body finally got. Turning his head to look up at her, Inu-Taisho drew his pale brow together with concern. He sat up to pull her into his arms. "What started it?" Izayoi was reluctant to answer, and eventually just handed him the letter. It took Touga seconds to understand the significance of the message, and that it only made their loss all the more unbearable. Knowing his daughter had finally achieved her lifetime goal, and yet was incapable of enjoying the fruits of her labor, was depressingly unfair. He continued to hold his brokenhearted wife, refusing to let her suffer the brunt of their pain alone.
Things were finally running smoothly at Taisho Inc. For a while, it felt as if there was an abuntant amount of catastrophic possibilities that just hung suspended in the air, waiting to come crashing down with terrible consequences. There was a risk of their stock plummeting or clients pulling out of contracts, which would have just kick-started a downward spiral into bankruptcy and employee layaways. But Sesshoumaru was not the sort to allow that. Over the past year, he'd not only proven to the company that his knowledge and leadership was top-notch and unquestionable, but he also proved it to his father. Inu-Taisho had taken a permanent step down from his role as CEO, though he did retain the title of President. Sesshoumaru had been successfully running the multi-billion-dollar organization without the need for constant guidance from Inu-Taisho. Everyone's expectations of him had been exceeded.
It wasn't long before he proposed to Kagura as well. They had just moved into a lavish apartment together, within the city and closer to the office building. Sesshoumaru had invited Kagura to the same restaurant they always went to for special occasions. What others might see as cold and distant behavior on their part, was actually a relationship built on mutual understanding and respect for their boundaries and comfort levels. After dessert, Sesshoumaru calmly slid a small, velvet box across the table towards his stunning girlfriend. The entire interaction played out more like a business transaction, but was quite romantic for the two. The ring had been his mother's, and Sesshoumaru professed that he refused to go through life without Kagura by his side. Kagura had instantly agreed, smiling brightly and unabashedly, as her fiancé came around the table to be near her. For the love of his life, Sesshoumaru willingly stepped out of his comfort zone to capture her lips in a kiss. Neither of them were fans of public displays of affection, but they made an exception that night.
It was the first event in a year that truly lifted the Taisho family's spirit. Of course, they all wished Kagome could have shared in the happy milestone of Sesshoumaru's life; but they couldn't continue to wallow in pity over her absence. Izayoi relished in the excitement of helping her friend Karin plan their children's wedding. It was quite the relief for her because Izayoi's mind seemed to be losing track of the past and present. She relied on her husband to keep her sane and grounded most days. He worried that his first marriage was doomed to repeat itself, because Izayoi's mental health was beginning to deteriorate. She was often found sitting on Kagome's bed, holding her beloved pet cat, and speaking into the empty space as if their daughter was there too. She was forced to take medication and see a therapist multiple times a week just to keep her stable. It put a heavy toll on Inu-Taisho's shoulders, but he refused to make the same mistake twice. All he could do was use his freedom of time and deep pockets to make her days as pleasant and distracting as possible.
A few nights after Sesshoumaru announced his engagement, he decided to come home one evening and share a meal with his family. Kagura was with her mother and friends, most likely dealing with wedding arrangements, and there was no food left in their own home. He shared thoughts and ideas about the business with his father while they ate, and by the end of the meal, it had been a pleasant experience. Still, there would always be the missing element of spontaneity and excitement that only Kagome could provide. After dinner, Sesshoumaru took the opportunity to get a few belongings from his old room. The last time he'd been there was to pack up clothes to bring to his new apartment.
This was the room that he and Kagome spent so much of their time in, and he couldn't help but think back on a few of the fond memories. Sesshoumaru released a slow breath as he moved towards the bed he once slept on. As he lowered himself onto the mattress, Sesshoumaru thought back on the times Kagome drew him pictures, asked for his help on her homework, or just kept him company in his darkest hours. Sesshoumaru hadn't allowed his family the privilege of seeing him cry. He preferred to do that on his own, especially now that his best friend was gone. With fingers lacing together, Sesshoumaru hunched over and pressed his bent elbows against the tops of his knees. One might think he was praying, with the way he held his lips against the back of his knuckles, but Sesshoumaru didn't believe that any kind of God existed. If there was one, it was a ruthless and cruel being who derived pleasure at the expense of innocent and undeserving victims.
After drawing in a few controlled breaths, his eyes having to shut tightly before tears could even start forming, Sesshoumaru relaxed and looked around the barren room. He'd never been one for posters or paintings, but at one point there had been a collection of Kagome drawings pinned to these very walls. Where had he put them? Standing back up, Sesshoumaru went to his book shelf and began sifting through the texts and boxes that had once been useful. Somewhere, among the clutter, he knew her drawings lay hidden.
Eventually, after rummaging through each item one by one, Sesshoumaru came across a flat box that once held a stack of fine linen paper for special printing jobs. Dust had collected on the cardboard surface, but its contents were untouched by time. Sesshoumaru stood there, eventually taking to leaning against the wall, as he ruefully went through each of Kagome's past drawings. Nostalgia and sadness caused a terrible pressure to form in his throat upon being reminded just how deeply Kagome adored him as a younger girl. She really couldn't draw to save her life, but the sheer amount of pictures made it abundantly clear that each one was a gift from the heart.
There was a gentle knock on the other side of his bathroom door, and slowly it opened to reveal Inuyasha standing there. He still dressed like a slob, which he insisted was the popular style now, but Sesshoumaru no longer cared enough to be bothered by it.
"Hey, whatcha doing?" The younger brother entered the other's room respectfully, making sure to not unintentionally upset him. Sesshoumaru looked back down at the stack of drawings in his hand, his face one of anxiety.
"I found all the drawings Kagome ever made for me. I forgot just how many there were." His tone was far-away and distracted, but Inuyasha understood why. He folded his arms and approached Sesshoumaru, peering down at the childish images in his hand.
"It's unfair. She only gave me one. And she was like, ten years too late with it." Inuyasha smiled at the memory of the two of them standing in the hallway on that fateful night. It was strange to think it had only been two years ago. For some reason, it felt like a lifetime had passed since then.
"She always liked me more." A glimmer of Sesshoumaru's past, sarcastic self flashed briefly. It caused the two to exchange a look before they both broke out into confused laughter. Why were they laughing? Some say it's the body's natural response when it's confused and doesn't know how to react to unfamiliar stimuli. However, the nature of their laughter stemmed from the past rivalry the brothers once had; and that they now realized how juvenile they once were. But their tender moment eventually faded into a somber one as the two turned their thoughts to Kagome.
"Do you…Do you think Kagome's dead?" Inuyasha asked softly, his eyes never leaving the pictures still held in Sesshoumaru's hand.
"For everyone's sake, I hope so." It left a bad taste in Sesshoumaru's mouth to say those words, but they were the truth. "I don't want to think about what could have happened to Kagome, or that she might still be in a place that she can't escape from." He didn't need to go further, as the meaning behind those words was clear and unimaginable. The older brother sighed and placed the rectangular lid back over the box that housed Kagome's drawings. He was about say something else when a strange sound came from Inuyasha.
In a matter of seconds, the soon to be twenty-year-old had been reduced to silent tears. His face was pulled down and away from Sesshoumaru, and one hand had come up to cover his weeping eyes from the world. But Sesshoumaru saw the quiver of his bottom lip and the way his shoulders jumped involuntarily. It was such a raw display of emotion that Sesshoumaru was unsettled at first. He remained quiet though, trying to be sensitive to his brother's feelings.
"There's so much I never got to tell her." He finally choked out, voice weak and ragged. "We were so mad at each other back then. And it was such a stupid fucking thing too! I hurt her so badly and never got to make it up. I-" It became too much for Inuyasha to handle as he finally broke down in front of his old brother, one of the men he most desired to be like. Inuyasha pulled his head back to look up at the ceiling, his eyes bright with tears, and looked as if he wanted to hurt someone or break something. "I miss her so fucking much. She was so damn clumsy, and stubborn, and amazingly weird."
Sesshoumaru got the sense that there was a deeper meaning to Inuyasha's anguish, but he refrained from questioning it. Now that he no longer resented his sibling, there was room for Sesshoumaru to feel actual sympathy and even love for Inuyasha. After putting the box back in its place, Sesshoumaru stepped towards Inuyasha and put a strong hand against his shoulder.
"Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru wasn't sure what to say in this situation. Kagome was always the one who knew what people needed to hear when they were upset. What would she say now? "I think you need to forgive yourself. I'm not sure what exactly happened between you two, but it's been a year and I'm sure Kagome wouldn't want you to keep suffering." The words had come out surprisingly easy. Sesshoumaru gave his brother's strong shoulder a squeeze, drawing Inuyasha's attention finally. He looked absolutely destroyed. At a loss for something else to say, Sesshoumaru relied on Kagome's ace-up-the-sleeve; hugging. He drew Inuyasha's shorter frame against his body, allowing the resolve and acceptance he had already found to comfort the other. "Let it go. Let her go." He whispered sadly, and held on tighter when Inuyasha tensed angrily. "Let her go."
Finally, though it went against his every instinct, Inuyasha released the grip that guilt had on him. His hands came around to press against Sesshoumaru's back, fingers desperately digging into the muscles there as if he might slip away. It was the most excruciating relief he'd ever experienced, but this was a necessary part in coming to terms with the fact that Kagome wasn't coming home.
"Good evening New York City. The time is five-fifty-five PM and you're listening to eighty-six point three, A.R.T.E. I've got a very special guest in the studio with me today, and I know all you loyal listeners are excited to pick his brain. From silver spoons to plastic tip jars, this guys had one interesting start to his career. Inuyasha, welcome and thank you for coming down tonight." They were inside the office of a popular radio station, seated at the desk with professional grade microphones and radio equipment all around. A glass window allowed the station manager and other employees to observe the radio personality, a thirty-something-year-old by the name of Bradley, as he kept listeners engaged and entertained. Inuyasha sat at the other side of the table from Bradley, a large microphone positioned towards his face, and smiled kindly. This was his first radio appearance since the year-long hiatus, and already the phone lines were lighting up with incoming calls.
"Thanks man. I'm really excited to be here." He responded in kind, feeling very relaxed and comfortable in the setting. Bradley nodded and leaned in towards his own microphone, looking down at a spiral notebook on the table.
"So, how's it being back on the club circuit? I've heard great things from people who watch you perform. Are you going to go back on tour with any bands soon?" He was going to rattle off a few more pre-determined questions before callers were permitted to voice their own. Inuyasha shifted his leg as he thought of a good response.
"Well, obviously it feels great. My hand is finally back to normal so I can play like I used to. I really missed performing for my fans and getting to share my music. I've got a tour lined up later this year too. I'm gonna be the band's headliner and we'll be going as far as Tennessee. So, checkout my twitter page for updates on that!" So far so good.
"Yeah, I was sorry to hear that you'd broken your hand. Glad to see you're getting back into the swing of things." A moment passed by without either man talking, and Inuyasha noticed that Bradley seemed reluctant to broach the next subject on that sheet of paper. "So, lets address the elephant in the room. We all remember last year when your sister was abducted and there was that huge investigation all over the news. I'm sure your fans, and everyone listening, are curious to know if there's been any updates." Bradley finally looked up from the paper, sending Inuyasha a sympathetic, yet pleading expression. It caught the younger man off-guard.
"Um…I mean her case is still unsolved if that's what you're asking." Inuyasha cleared his throat and glanced over at the window, where a familiar face watched sadly. "She's still missing and we haven't heard anything from the police in over nine months. At this point, my family is trying to move on and find some closure." His tone seemed to insist that the conversation end there. Bradley nodded and looked over at the motherboard of buttons and dials to his right. A row of red lights flickered demandingly.
"Well, I certainly wish the best for you and your family. Let's hear from some of your fans now. Hello? Yeah, what's your name?" Bradley asked after pressing the first red, flickering button. A girl's voice filled the small studio. She was excited and couldn't stop laughing between her words.
"Hi Inuyasha! My name is Jennifer and I'm so happy you're back! Me and my friends listen to your music all the time!" Finally, the atmosphere was taking a lighter turn, and Inuyasha relaxed in his seat.
"Thanks so much, Jennifer. Tell your friends I say hey. You got anything you wanna ask?" The girl squealed eagerly at his friendly acknowledgment.
"Yeah! Are you working on any new music yet?" Bradley leaned to the side to watch Inuyasha pick his guitar up from where it'd been leaning on the wall.
"Yeah, I am. I actually brought my guitar to play something later." As she began squealing again, Bradley decided they'd suffered enough and cut off the line connecting her call.
"Thanks so much Jennifer. Caller number two, you are on the air with Inuyasha! What's your question?" This time it was a woman who sounded to be around Inuyasha's age this time. She was much more mellow than Jennifer had been.
"I'm Kristina and I was just wondering if you're gonna play at the Cliff Hanger Bar this week? Cuz I'm back in town and someone said you're playing there regularly again." Inuyasha laughed softly into the microphone.
"Yeah, I play there on Friday's now. Are you gonna come up and say hi?" He asked teasingly, making her gush and giggled softly.
"Of course! I'll be the blonde in a red skirt. Bye, Inuyasha!" Her line was cut off as well.
"Thank you, Kristina. Alright, onto the next!" For about ten more minutes they went through a handful of callers wanting to pose their questions for the returning musician. It felt good to have so many people supporting him and eager to hear him play again. As the interview came to a wrap, Bradley announced that Inuyasha would debut one of the songs from his next EP. "Take it away, Inuyasha."
"I wrote this song while I was in a really dark place. It's for my friend, Kagome, who I miss every day and I hope that she gets to hear it; wherever she is. The song is called 'Somewhere Only We Know'." Looking down at the guitar in his lap, Inuyasha brought his hands into position and began plucking a somber melody with deft fingers. He sang with a soft voice as the simple lyrics shed light on emotions he'd been feeling not long ago. It was a song that desperately asked for the return to a place of familiarity and security, begging to be reunited with someone who Inuyasha believed to be dead. Bradley, and those in the hallway, were gifted with the first live performance of a song that would become his first single; and they were left speechless when it revealed the sadness he still felt towards Kagome's abduction.
"Wow." Bradley was at a loss of words as he watched Inuyasha sit back in his chair, obviously emotionally spent from bravely performing such a personal song for the world to hear. "That was awesome, man. Thanks for choosing A.R.T.E. to debut such a great song. For those just catching the end of it, the song is titled 'Somewhere Only We Know' and will be on Inuyasha's next EP. Thanks so much for the interview. The best of luck to ya. And now, a word from our sponsors."
"You were good in there. I haven't heard that song before." Kikyou walked beside her boyfriend as they ambled down the sidewalk, heading towards a laid-back venue that functioned as a café during the day, and bar at night. The time was a little past six-thirty, and they were meeting some friends to relax and enjoy each other's company. It was the month of March, and Inuyasha was officially twenty years old. It felt exciting to no longer be grouped with the teenage crowd, but he was still not an adult yet. Inuyasha smiled and glanced at Kikyou before taking her hand in his.
"Thanks. I was pretty nervous about playing it, but none of the other songs I've written are ready." A silence blanketed the couple as they continued, each lost in their own thoughts. It was still chilly at that time of year, so they had dressed appropriately. Inuyasha had on a pair of tight jeans that had been worn down through the years to fit perfectly. He was still loyal to his Adidas brand shoes, just like in high school. He was wearing a white, button up shirt and a red, leather jacket that seem tailored to fit his athletic frame perfectly. And, like every day since his graduation, the string of dark beads hung around his neck. Silver locks were pulled up into a half pony-tail, allowing the majority of his hair to hang behind his shoulders. It was an attractive look; but then he could make anything look good.
Kikyou was dressed in a pair of black leggings and brown, ankle booties that added a few inches to her height. Above it, however, she wore a flowing linen blouse that seemed to completely swallow her upper-body, extending well past her mid-thigh like a sun dress. Her sense of fashion had changed over the years, and was now much more mature and reflected an image she wanted people to believe was the real her. Her black hair was left in its natural state, with straight bangs and parted down the middle. She had softened over the past year, in both appearance and behavior. Inuyasha saw it as an encouraging development.
The old gang was together again. With so many different schedules and routines, finding a time that worked for all of them was a rare treasure. The six friends did their best to ignore the very noticeable and distracting absence of one very important member of the group. They were all seated outside, enjoying the cool weather, and relaxed environment. So far, they'd been filling each other in on the current events of their lives. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the years they shared lunch tables. Inuyasha was glad to learn that his friends were finally content in their relationships.
Kouga was now a junior detective at the precinct, and was working incredibly hard to fast track his career. His arm was thrown over Ayame's delicate shoulders, obviously delighting the eighteen-year-old as she smiled her infectious grin. She was the same as before, just as outgoing and enthusiastic as ever, only with a better hairstyle and minus the braces. Out of everyone in their group, she was most similar in personality to Kagome; it probably had something to do with their shared love for the performing arts. And though Inuyasha didn't let on, he took comfort in having Ayame near. it was almost like Kagome was sitting next to him.
Miroku was leaning back in a comfortable chair, dressed in dark clothing and sporting prayer beads around his wrist. Sango was seated sideways in his lap, looking as lovely as ever in a purple sweater, while her arms circled Miroku's shoulders. He had dropped out of college last semester, but was currently in classes to become a certified yoga instructor and holistic life coach. Sango, on the other hand, was about to ride a lacrosse scholarship for the next four years in college. She and Ayame were graduating high school in just a few weeks, and they were understandably excited to be attending the same University.
"I heard you on the radio today, Inuyasha." Ayame chimed in, nudging him playfully with her shoulder. "I'm so glad you're making music again! I'm getting tired of your first EP." Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her tactless words, but didn't dwell on it.
"Yeah. I've been working on a few songs this past year. That one I sang today is the only one that I've finished though." At the mention of his new song, everyone's minds automatically remembered who he dedicated it to; and a dark cloud hung over their heads. Sango and Ayame looked up at each other, each knowing what the other was thinking; nothing felt right without Kagome. Miroku could sense his girlfriend's sadness and gently rubbed her arm, offering gentle support and affection. No one seemed eager to speak again, but finally Kouga broke the silence.
"Hey, do you guys remember that day, like twenty years ago, when Miroku got Kagome to say dirty words? It was at Sango's lacrosse game and he was taking their picture." They all remembered that day and how naïve Kagome had been back then. Smiles tugged on a few of their faces, but no one was moved enough to laugh.
"I remember this one time we were having a sleepover at my house. It was in like, eighth grade, and she snuck her mean cat into my house so he could meet my new kitten." Sango finally cracked a genuine smile as she looked at the curious faces of her friends. Ayame perked up when she remembered the night as well.
"Yeah! And he got loose outside and we spent an hour looking for him in your backyard! And they he got stuck in a tree and your dad had to get a ladder to get Buyo down." The girls began doubling over with fits of giggles, their spirits lifted by the amusing and precious memory. It was strangely cathartic to be sharing stories of their missing friend, rather than willingly ignoring her absence. Eventually Inuyasha felt inspired to share something from his and Kagome's past.
"So, this was when we went to Japan. Kagome had never been on a plane before and she was getting really nervous. Well the flight attendant had just told us to turn off our electronics, but Kagome didn't know why. So, I convinced her that the electricity could make the engines shut down and we'd crash. She starts freaking out and crying and tried to take my stuff away, because I wouldn't turn it off. I thought it was funny. Of course, she ran over to Sesshoumaru and he ruined the joke." Inuyasha's amused grin shifted into a nostalgic smirk. Everyone had been listening intently, easily imagining the two bickering inside a plane, and waited for him to finish the story.
"Then what?" Ayame urged curiously. Inuyasha glanced at her, then at the faces of his friends, before chuckling softly.
"They we tried to keep each other entertained on the longest flight ever. I tried to teach her math and she kept hogging the arm rest. I think we eventually passed out against each other." The fond memory was a dear one to Inuyasha, as it had been the beginning of their friendship. His eyes took on a far-away look, which caused Kikyou to furrow her brow. Something in his tone unsettled her. Snaking her arms around his, she pressed her cheek against Inuyasha's shoulder sweetly. She had nothing to contribute, except for all the dirty details of what Kagome's life had been reduced to now. Kikyou allowed her depressing friends a few more moments to dwell on their annoying feelings. Over a year had passed and they were still acting like it only happened yesterday!
Time marched on, refusing to leave people behind as life continued to progress. It was nearing the second anniversary of Kagome's abduction; which the Taisho family now regarded as the day she died. Izayoi had recovered somewhat from her near mental breakdown during the previous year, and Inutaisho was back to his old self, heart stronger than ever. He still enjoyed the retired life, and often whisked Izayoi away on a whim for some spontaneous vacation or extended weekend to themselves. The house was almost always empty, and Inuyasha had started living with Kikyou in her apartment near the college she attended. It was as if no one wanted to stay in the house anymore.
Sesshoumaru and Kagura's wedding day came faster than expected, as they didn't want a long engagement. It was a small affair, with only twenty or so guests, but had been planned and decorated beautifully to fit the Japanese theme they intended for the ceremony and reception. Inuyasha had been made the best man, and Kagura's young cousin, Kanna, had been her only bridesmaid. After their short vows had been exchanged, Sesshoumaru and Kagura sealed the promise with a chaste kiss. Everyone applauded and cheered happily, but Inuyasha had mixed feelings. While he was incredibly proud and happy for Sesshoumaru, he couldn't help but wonder who he would be standing with on his wedding day.
Kikyou sat in the pews beside his parents, looking radiant in a bright red dress, and caught him looking at her while Sesshoumaru led Kagura down the aisle. She smiled sweetly and blew an affectionate kiss his way, which Inuyasha playfully pretended to catch in his hand before tucking it into a pocket. Was this the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with? There were so many signs telling him to accept the inevitable, but something kept him from making a definitive decision. Whenever he imagined what his wedding day might be, nothing stood out more than the sight of blue eyes looking back at him and beautiful lips pulling back into a dimpled smile. Dammit! It'd been almost two years now and he still couldn't shake the way she still made him feel. How long would he suffer before his heart was free to love someone else?