Disclaimer- I do not own Inuyasha.
On her way out of the building, Kagome had taken her hair out and beautiful waves of black were cascading down her back. She had also put her baggy pants back on. Then Sango asked with a voice full of confusion, "What are you doing?"
"I'm putting my clothes back on. I've felt naked all day." She replied and Sango just looked at her with skepticism.
They were all surprised. She hadn't been naked at all. Miroku looked at her in thought and tried to cheer her up.
"Trust me I would have noticed if you were naked." He said with what he thought was a helpful smile. Inuyasha's eye twitched. Everyone looked at him and groaned. That was when he continued, "Listen Kagome, you looked good today. I saw the looks on those who say they're innocent. They thought you were hot! Why do you hide?"
Kagome thought of a good excuse and said, "Well… um… I have strict parents."
'Ha, that's an understatement.' Kagome thought.
"Oh," Sango said with an understanding nod of her head. Then Kagome continued dressing. But, she made a minor mistake when she was putting on her over shirt. Her turtle neck went up a bit and showed her bruised stomach. Sango gasped and the boys went all serious, "What?" Kagome asked.
"What happened to you?" Sango asked as she went over to Kagome and winced at the sight of her stomach as she lifted Kagome's shirt. It was a horrible sight to see! Miroku groaned in disgust and Inuyasha just looked at Kagome, trying to figure out what it was that she was hiding.
"Hey, it's nothing, really. Don't forget, I'm kinda nerdy and was beat up yesterday." Then she added quickly, "I don't know their names or who they are. I passed out very fast, you know, almost right away."
"Kagome, that's too horrible of a beating to be done by teenagers and if there was a fight I would know about it. Miroku and I are pretty popular don't forget. No, we're not the ones to throw the punches first or second, but we watch the fights and you were never a sad victim of them." Inuyasha said with a shocked look on his face. He wondered why she was lying to them.
Tears were starting to fill Sango's eyes as she spoke desperately, "Kagome is something going on at home? Are you being beaten?"
"No," Kagome answered softly.
'Come on Kagome think!' Kagome thought. 'Hey, I could pretend I did it to myself… Nah they'd know I was thinking of excuses!'
"Kagome we're all going to my house," Miroku finally said while calling Kouga. He felt that Kouga should know about what was going on. They all had become like friends so it seemed natural to call him. Kagome nodded her head and they all followed Miroku to his car. Inuyasha had his own car parked next to Miroku. He had a black Porsche with red flames along the side. It was the best car all around. He asked Sango and Kagome if they wanted a ride in his car to Miroku's place. Sango said she'd drive with the pervert and Kagome said she'd have a ride with him knowing he would feel pretty bad if they both declined his offer and said no. Then they were off.
"Listen Kagome, you have to tell us what's been going on." Inuyasha said seriously while looking at the road intensely.
"Yeah, but there's nothing to tell you." Kagome said. There was no emotion in her eyes and voice when she said this. Inuyasha was frightened by what she said because of the fact that her emotion had disappeared, like she shut herself off.
'What's going on?' Inuyasha thought desperately in his mind.
"Inuyasha you're all getting way too far into this. It's nothing, truly nothing. I wish you would just leave it alone. This is something I have to deal with and me alone." Kagome said forcefully.
"So there is something going on?" Inuyasha asked with a raised brow.
'HA! You slipped yourself into this one, Kagome!' She thought to her self. 'Inuyasha will obviously suspect something NOW!'
"Hellooo! Earth to Kagome!" Inuyasha said while waving a hand in front of her face. He was getting nervous. She seemed so far gone, like there would soon be no way to bring her back to reality.
She didn't notice him, she was too busy shutting him and the rest of the world out.
"Kagome you're freaking me out! Stop looking all zombie-like and shit, it's weird." He growled under his breath and then screamed, "WHAT'S GOING ON, FREAK?" right into her pale face, stopping the car for a moment.
Kagome was soon out of her trance and looked at him.
"What?" She asked, emotion in her eyes once more. She was truly confused; wondering why he had yelled.
"You were dead. Well, not literally, but your face, it held no emotion or anything. It was like you were shutting me out. Like you were turning me off and everything didn't exist for you. Frankly, I started freaking out. I can't stand it when I talk and no one replies, I hate it." Inuyasha said, his hands tight on the wheel.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I do that sometimes when I'm thinking or trying to at least. You just had to interrupt my thoughts, didn't you?" She asked with a small smile on her face. "You know, I've been smiling a lot today." Kagome mused. "It feels so good to be happy..." Inuyasha glanced at her out of the corner of his eye but still watched the road as he drove. I think I'll tell you what's been going on." And with that she had a perfect plan.
At Miroku's House
"Here we are!" said Miroku as he got out of his car. Kouga had pulled up right behind him, taking off his sun glasses as he got out of his car.
Miroku had a nice sized house. Actually, it was a beautiful house. The house was white with two large windows in the front and vines that went all the way along them in all the right places. It had a nice walk way that was brick and flowers went all along the sides of it. (Think of the beautiful house that I wish was mine that was on Father of The Bride one and two) Kagome and Sango gasped.
"Oh, it's wonderful!" Sango said with a huge smile and sparkling eyes.
"It really is something. Miroku I love it!" Kagome said. Inuyasha and Kouga just smirked and looked at him. Miroku smirked back. His house never looked like that. It was usually a horrid mess. He had a ton of parties there.
'His parents must be home from their business trip.' Inuyasha thought as they all made their way to his front door.
"Oh, and don't worry my parents are out at the moment. Oh great, another gift for them to make up for not being there." Miroku said halfway under his breath as he opened the front door to discover a present. Inuyasha almost burst out laughing. Then he heard what Miroku said after and felt bad. His parents were always gone, away and what not.
"You guys can have a seat in the living room, I'll go get some drinks." Miroku said, regaining his happy mood.
"Okay Miroku, as long as it's not an alcoholic beverage." Sango said with a slight tinge of sarcasm. Even if she did mean it.
"Sango, my dear, why would you think I'd get you a drink like that? Maybe I'd get Inuyasha and Kouga something like that, but never you." Miroku said.
"Yeah, thanks buddy." Inuyasha said, a tone of annoyance in his voice.
"Hey, you know I like a beer now and then but I ain't a heavy drinker." Kouga said in defense. There were girls around and they didn't need to know squat. Then the boys smirked to themselves.
"Vodka, lots and lots of Vodka!" Kagome said seriously as the boys looked at her, laughing nervously to themselves as she gave a small, crazy smile.
"Hehehe… I was just kidding," Kagome said after a few moments of silence, "Mostly." Kagome muttered, even more seriously. Everyone just laughed awkwardly.
"Riiiiight. Ok, just uh, tell me what you guys would like." Miroku said and for some odd reason he had a small notebook and pen in his hand.
"Hey, what? I have to help with my share of money so I got a horrible job at the diner." He said with a roll of his eyes at their surprised looks.
"You mean the one right down the street from my house?" Sango asked in surprise.
"Yes. Now, can we please just get on with this?" Miroku asked.
"The one we usually go to hang out at? Dude, tell me your joking." Kouga pleaded.
"Nope sorry, I work there." Miroku said to Kouga's dismay.
"Wait just a sec, you gotta say it man, come oooon... say it!" Inuyasha said in an excited puppy voice so that Miroku would cave in and say it to make him stop. Miroku hated that stupid voice.
"Hi! My name is Miroku welcome to THE DINER. May I please take your order Kiddies?" Miroku said miserably. They all laughed at this and told him what they wanted.
"Okay, um, I want a Cherry Soda." Sango said.
"We don't have that." Miroku said.
"Okay, then a Cream Soda." She said.
"Also, don't have it. Can't you say a drink that's normal?" Miroku asked starting to get annoyed.
"Fine I guess I'll have a Coke." Sango finally said.
"Ok, now what about you?" Miroku directed the question to Inuyasha, Kagome, and Kouga.
"Oh, um…a coke would be good." Inuyasha said as if Miroku was their waiter.
"Listen, I'm not your waiter so stop acting like I am." Miroku said half laughing and half scowling.
"I'll have a beer," Kouga looked around and said nervously, "you know what I mean, a Root Beer."
"I'll just have some water Miroku, thanks." Kagome said.
"Okay, just give me a sec I'll be back soon. Oh and by the way I'm getting myself a Root Beer too they're in those beer-like bottles! I'm sooo excited." Miroku said sarcastically.
"Hey, Root Beer is out of the norm! I was gonna ask for that after Cream Soda!" Sango whined, processing what Kouga and Miroku were having.
"Fine, dear Sango, fine." Miroku spoke with mock exhaustion.
Soon Miroku came back with all the drinks on a silver platter. It matched the cozy, maroon living room perfectly and he walked in like a true waiter should! They were all sitting on a leather couch that was a beautiful tan color that also matched the living room. Once the drinks were passed out, everyone was serious.
"Okay, now let's get down to business. Kagome we have come here to make sure everything is okay at home." said Miroku seriously.
"Yeah, Kagome tell us what's been going on! Please, I consider you my friend and no one messes with my friends." Sango begged her.
"You all have to know that if I told you I know what you'd do. I consider you my friend too Sango, wow, but you have to understand that if I tell you it is vital you say nothing, to the cops to social securities to anyone." They all understood. They would have to keep it a secret, a deep secret.
"Hey, is this real deep cause I won't be tied down like that. Sorry Kagome but…"
Kouga began but was interrupted by Inuyasha who said simply, "Can it wolf!" and Kouga shut his mouth. Kagome took a deep breath before she started.
'This is a perfect lie! Wait, why won't I tell them?' She thought before she said:
"Ok, well about three days ago my uncle came down to visit me and my family. He turned out to be a really horrible uncle. He… um, he beat me… and I just wasn't going to tell anyone." Kagome stammered on with a lie that would hide the truth, "I tried to s-stop him but he wouldn't! He called me worthless and pathetic!" Kagome sobbed, forgetting they were there. Sango just stared at her tears running down her own cheeks at her new friend's pain.
"I hate Him! He hates me too…" Kagome started to yell then went down to a whisper and was rocking back and forth. "I wish that for once someone told me I wasn't pathetic or stupid or worthless! I wish that for once someone loved me!"
"Hey, Kagome, I thought this only happened once. Did it happen more than once?" Inuyasha asked her. Kagome gasped and brought her hand up to her lips.
"Um, no it only happened once," Kagome said while choking back a sob. She had never broken down in front of people like that.
"Kagome just calm down. You know you can stay here tonight if you're too freaked to go home." Miroku said. Kagome panicked; she had to go home. If she didn't her mom would surely be killed.
"Yeah, we're here for you now." Kouga said sincerely.
"No thanks Miroku, that's wicked nice but I have to go home… uh Dad's birthday is tomorrow." They all looked at each other and nodded.
"Okay, we'll see you tomorrow then." Sango said.
"Inuyasha, Miroku, or Kouga can one of you give me a ride home? Sango I would ask you but it seems you don't have a car." Kagome asked while smiling. Inuyasha said he'd take her and she thanked him.
In The Car
On the way home Kagome kept thinking, 'Why didn't I tell them?'
"Kagome, Kouga's right. Now that we know, we'll be there for you. We'll be there for you as therapy, as a home, as a shoulder to cry on. Even if you are kinda nerdy." He joked and she smiled softly. "I can't believe just this morning Miroku, Kouga, you, and I were in a huddle trying to think of ways to try and hide you. Now I'm thinking of ways to help you and not hide you." He shifted slightly in his seat then continued. "Today lunch was great." Kagome's face brightened.
"Really?" She asked with a small gasp. He chuckled quietly then nodded his head.
"Yeah, I didn't have sluts hanging on my neck and I didn't have people making bets with me. You think we could sit with you again tomorrow?" Inuyasha quickly glanced at her and saw a small half smile form on her lips. He found it so pretty.
'Hey! What are you thinking? She's just a friend.' He thought.
"Sure you guys can sit with me tomorrow but only if you want." Kagome said. She looked at him happily.
'I wish I stayed at Miroku's a bit longer. We all could've talked.' Kagome thought to herself.
"We're almost there, could you drop me off at the bus stop?" She pointed to a corner where her destination was.
"Yeah, sure. Hey, you want me to walk you home?" Inuyasha asked her before he unlocked her door.
"Oh no, thanks though. I had a really nice day because of you all and it wouldn't have happened if you didn't ask me for number seven on the math homework." She giggled and went out.
"Bye Kags." Inuyasha said, using the nick name he used for her that morning.
"Bye Inu," She laughed at her own joke when she said his name like that but it felt right, so right.
A/N: YAY! Another chapter! HAHA! Well please READ and REVIEW!