Okay, so I know you're probably wondering what took me so long to update. Or maybe you don't care at all, but I'm going to tell you anyway.
You see, it's getting harder and harder to find inspiration for this story. The characters are so OOC, and the plot is so cliche, and school is being so hectic...
...So yeah. I haven't given up writing yet. I'm basically trying to get the story over and done with before I DO give up on it. I'm also writing a SasuHina story, but I'm trying to focus on Take a Bow moreso than Hikage and Tsukikage as it just gets too confusing, so for now that's just something to keep my inspiration going.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
The more time Kagome spent with Inuyasha, the less pressing Houjo's words seemed to be. Whenever their eyes met—which was quite often—Kagome could see nothing but love and care for her in their beautiful golden depths. There was no way she would allow herself to believe Houjo's word over his.
By the time the bell rang signalling the end of the school day Houjo's warning had all but disappeared from her thoughts, remaining only as a small nagging at the back of her mind. She, Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango had agreed to meet at the mall an hour after school let up, which gave them plenty of time to drop off their bags and change out of their school uniforms. Kagome couldn't help but feel excited.
The last time she had been on a double date was not a particularly fond memory. It had been with Abi, who had hooked up with an American with an impeccably small Japanese vocabulary. They had spent the entire evening making out. Kagome's own date, a muscular jock whose entire brain had somehow converted to testosterone and vanity, had spent the entire night trying to do the same thing—flirting, feeling her up, and being a genuine jerk.
When they reached the Higurashi household Kagome groaned inwardly, for there parked in the driveway was a sleek black Mercedes. Her mother was home… and obviously not alone.
She was suddenly very, very grateful that Inuyasha had agreed to go to his own house and get changed rather than walk her home. Korari had never given up her advances on the poor hanyou, being so flirtatious it was sickening. If there was one thing that could make the young Higurashi's blood boil, it was her mother hitting on Inuyasha.
When she reluctantly opened the door the first thing she saw was the couple lying on the couch, one on top of the other, both in a heavy lip-lock and yet to realise that they weren't alone.
She didn't know what or why, but in that instant something inside her snapped. Before she knew what she was doing Kagome had removed her shoe and had thrown it so it collided with her mother's head. A little dazed and more than a little drunk, Korari squinted at her daughter from her place still on top of her 'partner'. Her cheeks were flushed and she was out of breath.
"What was that for?!" she finally snapped, sitting up properly while the man beside her continued to run his hands up and down her slim body. That only made Kagome angrier.
"You're disgusting." She spat venomously.
"Oh, come on. We all know that you're not the innocent little angel you pretend to be."
"So bringing home another one of your sex buddies and making out in front of your daughter makes you so much better?" Kagome shrieked, her voice rising an octave or two.
"Who's this, babe?" the anonymous man slurred, obviously a great deal drunker than the woman beside him. His hands, Kagome didn't fail to notice, never stopped moving up and down her mother's body.
"No one, honey; she's nobody." Korari cooed in reply.
"No one…?" Kagome choked. Traitorous tears were building in her eyes, but for once she didn't bother to hide them. She let them roll freely down her cheeks in big, salty drops. "Nobody?"
Her mother didn't hear her. She was already leaning down; her arms wrapped around the stranger once more with her tongue in his mouth and her legs straddling his. For a long moment Kagome could do nothing but stare, her feet glued to the floor by her mother's cruel words. It hurt… it hurt so much. Why? It wasn't as though Korari expressing her lack of affection for her daughter was unusual.
But still, nobody…
Her feet moved on their own accord. One by one, one step at a time, they crossed the room and climbed the stairs. They carried her straight to her room, straight to her bed, where she lay down and allowed every salty drop her tear glands held to drench her pillow.
"No one, honey; she's nobody."
"No…" she whispered. "No… no, no, no, no, NO!!"
She kicked out, sending the papers nestled beside her to fall off the bed in a soft rustle. She glanced down at them.
Sheet music. Mrs. Michaels had given it to her the other day, when she had asked about guitar and piano duets for herself and Inuyasha.
Inuyasha…
A strange mix of emotions washed through her heart; ones that blocked out the misery her mother had provoked. She remembered the way Inuyasha looked at her, with those beautiful gold eyes so loving and tender. She remembered the way he touched her when he knew she was upset; the way he held her and made all the terrible memories wash away…
He loved her. He loved her in all her entirety, with all her faults and misgivings. He'd given her his mind, body and soul in return for her own.
"No one, honey; she's nobody."
She wasn't. She wasn't nobody. There was someone out there, right at that moment, who cared about her more than the world. She was someone's everything. How could she possibly be a nobody with that kind of love and support?
The thought made her laugh. At first it was just a giggle, but soon it had bubbled into hysterical cackles that left her sides aching and gasping for air. Joy coursed through her like warm water from the tips of her toes to her hair. How many times had she sunk onto this bed and cried herself to sleep because of that emptiness; the emptiness that can only be achieved through lack of love? How long had she spent trying desperately to convince herself that she didn't need love, despite the holes her mother's spite drilled deep into her heart?
She'd almost believed herself, too. She'd almost come to believe that she didn't need someone who would treat her with the affection most received on a regular basis. Almost.
Then Inuyasha came and showed her that very love she had been shunned from. It felt wonderful, like sunlight on a withering plant that had been living in the shade for far too long. It was what she had always wanted, what she'd always dreamed of…
…What she had always been denied.
Her mother's love, which had secretly always been yearned for, was no longer important. Not now that she had Inuyasha.
And now, she decided, it was time to cast away the remaining sorrow that clung to her shoulders. Her mother's neglect would take its place beside all of the other memories that had once plagued her and make way for her new life; a life with Inuyasha.
And so when her fit of laughter had ceased and her tears had dried, she got to her feet and flung open her wardrobe with a purpose. Nothing, not even the occasional squeal from downstairs, would impose on her happiness.
She wouldn't let it.
-
-
"Kagome?" Inuyasha called out as he stepped into his girlfriend's bedroom. Korari had greeted him downstairs with the usual flirts and suggestive comments that made him feel tired and abused before the evening had even begun. Not that he would show it, of course. That was the last thing Kagome needed.
"Hey, Inuyasha." Kagome greeted as she stepped out of the bathroom down the hall, fixing the small hoop earring to her left ear as she spoke. She had dressed simply, as they had decided, in dark jeans and a simple white peasant top with pockets at either hip, a string of black beads looped twice around her neck. "It isn't time to go already, is it?"
"We've still got a couple of minutes."
Kagome frowned and walked over to the power point at the opposite wall, where she had been waiting for her straightener to heat. "Guess I'd better make this quick… what to do though…?" she muttered to herself.
"You could just leave it the way it is." Inuyasha suggested.
Kagome snorted. "What, like this? All wavy and messy? I don't think so."
"It would be quicker."
"It wouldn't look nice though."
She went to run the iron over her hair, but just as the hot metal was about to touch the first strands a clawed hand caught her own. Her eyes widened and her heart began beating much faster than usual as she suddenly became very aware of how close Inuyasha's body was to her own.
"Please," he murmured, "Please leave it like it is."
Kagome hesitated.
"You don't need all of this to look pretty," the hanyou continued, "You're already beautiful as it is."
"I guess… it wouldn't look so bad if I left it…" even as she spoke, Inuyasha was lifting the straightener from her hand. She didn't seem to notice.
Gently, Inuyasha took her other hand and spun her around to face him. Their bodies were awfully close now—Kagome's nose came close to hitting Inuyasha's rather solid chest.
"You know you're the most beautiful girl in the entire world, straightened hair or no." Inuyasha murmured as he leaned down so his lips were hovering over hers.
"Says you." Kagome muttered, but she allowed Inuyasha's lips to press against hers.
Just as the innocent kiss began to grow more fierce and passionate Inuyasha's cell phone rang. They both jumped apart with inhuman speed—normal in Inuyasha's case, not so normal for Kagome—with cheeks red from embarrassment, neither looking at each other as Inuyasha fumbled for the cursed device in his pocket.
"Hello? Oh, hey Miroku. Yeah, we're just about to leave. I'm at Kagome's house now."
There was a pause. Then Kagome got to watch Inuyasha's face turn a very interesting shade of purplish red.
"Miroku! No, we were not doing anything perverted! Get your head out of the gutter!"
Now it was Kagome's turn to blush. Oh Miroku, if only you knew…
Inuyasha and Miroku conversed for a couple of minutes until they eventually said their goodbyes. Then Inuyasha turned to Kagome.
They stared at each other for a moment
Then Kagome started giggling, which of course made Inuyasha chuckle. Before they knew it they were both doubled over laughing at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
"Come on, we'd better get going." Inuyasha said when their laughter eventually died down.
Kagome just nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
-
-
The foursome greeted each other outside the mall and, after a small incident involving Miroku and his wandering hands, went inside a small restaurant that Sango proclaimed cooked the best onigiri in Japan. She wasn't wrong. Kagome had never tasted something so delicious.
When it came to what movie they were going to watch, however, they had a slight dilemma. Miroku wanted to see a horror film, Inuyasha was eager to see a comedy, Sango wanted to see a soppy romance and Kagome… well… she didn't know what she wanted.
"Come on, Kagome," Sango encouraged, "Just pick one! We'll see whatever it is."
"But… I don't know which one!"
"Are there any you don't want to see?"
Kagome paused. "Well… I don't really like scary movies…"
Miroku sighed. "Okay, so the horror film is out. Bummer."
"We'll go see it next weekend." Sango told him, which managed to lift his spirits a little. "So it's just the comedy and the romance. Which one, Kagome?"
"Well, well; what do we have here?" a familiar voice sneered. The four of them turned to see Kikyo, hand in hand with a skinny twig of a nerdy boy who still looked a little dazed; as though he still couldn't believe he was holding hands with the Kikyo.
"Kikyo." Kagome greeted stiffly with all the warmth of an ice cooler.
"So what movie were you planning to see?" Kikyo continued, pointedly ignoring Kagome's greeting. "We were planning to see the romance, weren't we Tom?"
"My name's Tim." The twiggy boy responded, momentarily coming from his dazed state before Kikyo shot him a dazzling smile that sent him under once more.
"We were actually planning to see the comedy." Inuyasha stated, taking Kagome's hand, his eyes never leaving Kikyo's. Kagome looked from their interlocked fingers to Inuyasha's determined face for an explanation, but none came.
Kikyo's grin widened. "Oh, then we'll come with you. Won't we, Greg?"
"It's Tom." The dazed boy said again.
"That's what I said."
Miroku cleared his throat. "By all means, we have no wish of interrupting your plans. Please don't change them on our account."
But Kikyo was persistent; with absolutely no intention of changing her plans. "Nonsense. We'd better get those tickets—the movie's about to start!"
And so they entered the cinema, Kikyo and Tom/Tim/Greg in tow. Kikyo spent the entire time chattering away, all through the credits up until the start of the movie and even then she whispered and giggled as loudly as she pleased, ignoring the irritated looks from the people around her.
Inuyasha's hand sustained its vice-like grip around Kagome's. She could hear Houjo's words echoing in her head.
"How long do you think Inuyasha will last after she starts advancing on him?"
Suddenly she found herself gripping Inuyasha's hand just as hard as he gripped hers. She needed him. If Kikyo took Inuyasha, then it wouldn't just be the hanyou that would be lost—it would be her heart; her very soul. Every tiny fragment of her shattered life had been stuck back together around him. If he left, what little support her life had would break once more.
A quick glance at Sango and Miroku proved that they were also suffering from the tension, but whereas Kagome was fighting not to let Kikyo crush her heart Miroku was fighting to keep Sango from attacking the still chattering teen. Sango's face held all the rage of a mad bull while Miroku's held all the terror of a mouse caught between the charging bull and its target. Kagome probably would have laughed if she wasn't fighting back tears.
The movie passed ridiculously slowly. Whereas the rest of the audience laughed, Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango only winced at Kikyo's shrill giggles. Kagome considered walking out of the cinema, but Inuyasha was still clutching her hand with no intention of letting go and she couldn't bring herself to withdraw from him.
When the movie was finally over and the overhead lights brightened Kikyo stretched herself and sighed. "Wasn't that movie just brilliant?" she asked with that same wide, fake smile.
"No, it was horrible." Sango countered, still carrying the bull-about-to-charge expression on her face.
Kikyo remained unfazed. "I guess that depends on who you ask. You have to look deep into the plot, past the dry humour and the racist comments, to the heart of the characters. Although I can't really blame you for missing it—not everyone can look into movies with real depth."
Sango was fuming now. Miroku, looking fearful, grabbed Sango's hand and whispered something in her ear that sounded like, 'she isn't worth it'.
"Simon, could you be a dear and put my popcorn box in the bin?" Kikyo asked sweetly.
"It's Tom." Tom, whose dazedness had completely worn off by now, was looking more than a little annoyed. Kagome couldn't blame him. Yet despite his irritation, he still grabbed the box from Kikyo's hands and stormed over to the trash can over in the corner. Then he walked out the door, exiting the cinema without a single glance backwards.
"Let's go." Kagome muttered. All she wanted was to leave the theatre once and for all; for them to turn their backs to Kikyo and continue the jokes and laughter they had shared during dinner together.
"Actually," Kikyo interjected, "I was wondering if I could have a word with Inuyasha."
For a moment, the entire world seemed to freeze. Kagome felt as though someone had shoved a tonne of ice cubes down her shirt. Her stomach churned. All of her emotions twisted and turned and bucked and swayed inside her, but her brain didn't register anything.
"Fine." Inuyasha said. Kagome could feel his hand, so warm and comforting, sliding from her own. Suddenly she wished the hand-numbing death grip from earlier would return. "I'll see you guys outside."
For a moment Kagome could do nothing but stare from Inuyasha to Kikyo. Then she turned on her heel without a word and walked out, willing the tears to stay in place until she could find a suitable toilet cubicle.
"Kagome, wait!" Sango shouted as she hurried to catch up with the retreating teen. Miroku moved to follow them, but one pointed look from Sango made him stop and turn on his heel, moving in the opposite direction so he could give the two their privacy.
"Are you okay?" Sango asked. She moved to place her hand on Kagome's shoulder, but the girl flinched away.
"Look, is this about Kikyo?" she asked softly. "I know you two don't get on, but neither do any of us. You know that, right? You're more important to us, you know?"
Kagome took a deep, shuddering breath and shook her head. "No, it's not that. It's… it's more complicated than that…"
Sango looked at her quizzically for a moment, but didn't broach on the subject. Instead she sighed and rubbed her temples.
"I can't believe she ruined our date! It was going to be so fun, too. Just the four of us…"
Kagome couldn't help but give a bitter chuckle. "Well, that's Kikyo for you."
Once again Sango looked confused, but she didn't pry. It seemed that Sango had the attribute of knowing when to speak and when to remain silent; an attribute that Kagome was grateful for. She already knew that Sango was a wonderful person, but she wasn't ready to pass her heart to another person; especially when it meant voicing her concerns about Inuyasha and her cousin.
"That poor guy, Tom…" Sango giggled, "Do you think she dragged him off the street?"
Kagome imagined the snooty Kikyo, who always prided herself on being surrounded by admirers, dragging the ugly Tom by the arm while silencing his questions and protests. The thought brought a smile to her face.
"Maybe… or perhaps it was her cousin who she bribed into coming with her."
They continued their guesses about Tom's identity, each suggestion becoming more ridiculous than the last, until they could say nothing at all; they were laughing so hard.
Only then did Sango reach out and take Kagome's hand, squeezing it in a warm show of affection. "Kagome, you're so much better than your cousin. You know that… right?"
Kagome swallowed the growing lump in her throat and blinked a few times to keep her tears at bay. Why was it that after sixteen long years, people had suddenly become so… touching?
Or perhaps there had always been people like Sango, but she had never actually noticed.
"Thank you." she said truthfully, flashing Sango a small yet completely honest smile.
"S'okay." Sango replied with a smile of her own. Stretching, she gave a loud yawn. "I guess we'd better find Miroku. If we don't then I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and your cousin may find herself lacking a head."
Kagome laughed despite herself. "Okay, let's go."
-
-
"What do you want, Kikyo?" Inuyasha asked gruffly as soon as the others had exited the cinema. He was in no mood to talk—not after his date with Kagome had been ruined by the likes of her cheating, lying, brat of a cousin.
If Kikyo noticed his annoyance, she made no move to decrease his agitation. Instead she smiled that innocent flash of teeth the hanyou had once found so charming. "Oh, I just wanted to say hello."
Inuyasha snorted. "Because of course people's exes tag along uninvited when they're on a date… to say hello."
Kikyo's smile vanished and her nostrils flared in anger; her eyes gleaming with fury. "Be very careful with what you say, Inuyasha," she hissed, "You may just find yourself in a very… distasteful situation."
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that your little friend would find herself heartbroken," Kikyo told him coolly, "Because the truth is, although you may call me a cheater and a liar, you are no better than I am."
"I am nothing like you!"
"Oh, but I think you are—do tell me, what exactly were you going to tell Kagome about this conversation?"
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, but no sound escaped his lips. As much as he hated to admit it, Kikyo was right. He had already run through all the possible excuses for his talking to the hated cousin.
The guilt must have showed on his face, because Kikyo now wore a triumphant smirk. "You see? You can say you're better than me, but in reality you'll just be lying."
"What do you want?" Inuyasha repeated through gritted teeth.
Kikyo looked straight into his eyes, hers the same blue-grey as Kagome's—although Inuyasha had now come to think of Kagome's as prettier. "Come to my house tomorrow night."
"What?"
"There's something I need to say, but I can't do it out in public," Kikyo continued, "It's too embarrassing."
Inuyasha snorted. "So you're willing to follow me and Kagome on our date, ruin it for the both of us, admit that you plotted against your cousin and that you are both a liar and a cheat in public but whatever you want to tell me is too embarrassing to talk about in public?"
"Just do it. Then it'll be over."
Inuyasha hesitated. "So if I come to your house tomorrow night… this will all be over?"
Kikyo nodded solemnly.
Inuyasha knew it was plain idiotic to trust someone like Kikyo. He wasn't stupid—she definitely had something up her sleeve. But whatever it was, he could handle it.
And then it would all be over.
"Fine. I'll meet you at 8:00."
"See you then."
And with that, Inuyasha stalked out of the cinema. He completely ignored the others' questioning looks, muttering a small 'let's go' before heading toward the exit to the mall.
"What was that all about?" Miroku asked; the first to put all their emotions into words.
Inuyasha glanced at Kagome. She was staring at him, her eyes wary—the way they'd been when they had still been in the awkward stage before he gained her full trust.
"Nothing," he lied, "She just wanted to dish out some threats towards Kagome. She really hates you, you know."
Kagome's expression changed to one of understanding and relief, almost to the point of happiness. Inuyasha had never felt so guilty to see her happy. How could he be honest with her and keep her happy at the same time?
An image of Rin glowering at him with her hands on her hips, demanding that he tell Kagome the truth filled his mind and he shook his head to clear it. Rin may have thought that he was being selfish and cruel, but what she didn't understand was that he was doing it for her—for Kagome.
He took Kagome's hand, squeezing it gently; relishing in the beautiful smile she gave him in response. She still seemed a little bewildered, but happy—not broken or sad, as he had feared she would become. He wouldn't let her break. He couldn't let her break.
So whether it was from Kikyo herself or from the truth about Kikyo, Inuyasha vowed to protect Kagome with everything he had.
...Reviews...
iluvSokka46: Thanks! With enough luck, her plan should appear in the next chapter... maybe two :)
EmoRocker girl: Shall do! -salute-
Kiddie_Kat369: :( Yeah... my updating skills SUCK. But thanks for your awesome review! It's good to know there are people enjoying my story... especially when I'm not tremendously happy with it myself.
Say0mi Saki: Lol I'm an Aussie, born and bred. What about you?
Kattana: Hehe thanks :)
TiffanyM: Dark Blue was awesome! I haven't heard the other song and it isn't on youtube, but I'll definitely take a listen when I get the chance. Have you heard the song Those Nights by Skillet?? It is the epitome of awesome. So is You Found Me by The Fray :)
shaneallix: Thank you! :D
Death101-Fox Version: Sorry I didn't update sooner :(
BoredGirl17: Lol oh you'll find out soon enough
Pink Priestess: I wish I could kill her :( but unfortunately the story needs her, so I'll have to wait until it's finished.
-