Disclaimer- eh. No need. If I did own Inuyasha, do you think I'd be here?
Chapter Five: Broken Apart
Sango and Miroku sat in Kaedes hut sad, alone and confused. After what seemed like many sleepless and unbearable hours Sangos voice pierced the mournful silence, causing Miroku to jump. "Why do you think Kagome left without saying goodbye? She was our friend…..friends don't do that to each other, right?" Miroku turned and looked thoughtfully at her before answering. "Maybe something happened and she didn't have time to come and bid farewell. Whatever the reason, we should not think lowly of Kagomes actions." He slid over to her side and rubbed her back comfortingly, knowing in Sangos grieving state now was not the time to be a lecher. She laid her head on his shoulder, silent tears running down her cheeks. "But that's just it…..what if something bad happened?" "Do not worry yourself, Sango; I'm sure Kagome is alright." She looked up at him with fearful eyes. "You think so?" Miroku smiled warmly down at her. "I know so."
Just then Kaede and Shippo walked in, not bothering to question the position Sango and Miroku were currently in. "I want Kagome to come back…..why did she leave?" Shippo sobbed as Kaede tried to comfort him as best as she could. "Now now child, ye need to calm yourself! I'm sure our Kagome will come back soon!" "Really? Do you really think so?" Shippo looked hopefully up at Kaede and she smiled down at him. "Yes, yes I do." Sango and Miroku looked at her, but she only sent them sad eyes and glanced once more at Shippo before sighing hurriedly and began to prepare their meal. Shippo hopped into Mirokus lap and smiled, "did ya hear that? Kagome will come back soon!" "Yes, we heard, Shippo." He smiled down at the little Kitsune and then looked over at Sangos sleeping form, her brows were furrowed and she was shivering. Wrapping his arms around her tighter Miroku sighed and settled his head on top of hers, closing his eyes and waiting for sleep to take him. 'She'll come back, won't she? She must come back soon, because it's tearing poor Inuyasha up inside with her absence, even though he tries to hide it.' Shippo curled up in Mirokus lap contentedly, a small smile gracing his lips. A young little fox demon like him didn't understand that Kagome was really gone, and not even Kaede thought she would come back soon, but they had to have hope, even if it was in the form of a little demon boy.
The next morning was greeted with sad and tired faces, for no one except Shippo had a good night sleep. They were all too worried about Kagomes disappearance, and what would happen to the Feudal Era now the she and the jewel shards were gone. Well, Naraku wouldn't be able to create the Shikon Jewel now, that was good, right? Who were they trying to kid! Kagome was gone and the Feudal Era was still in turmoil! No one really cared much about Naraku now anyway. The forlorn remainder of the once happy group spent the day helping out around the village and Kaedes hut, to preoccupied by the recent events to even think to stop and eat until Kaede dragged them into her hut for a meal. At least they weren't all alone, though. Inuyasha and Kagome were nowhere to be found and they had to deal with the sorrow of separation! The gang knew neither of them would be taking this well and worried for their mental health (well, mostly Inuyashas).
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Mrs. Higurashi was fretting over her daughters' condition. Not only did she simply forget to eat breakfast, but she was paling and her spirits were lower than dirt! How could she help her to overcome her heartbreak? The whole family knew Kagome liked Inuyasha more than a friend, and now that they were apart her health was deteriorating. What could they do? "Bye mama, I'll see you later." Kagome waved limply and turned towards the school. "Goodbye, Kagome dear! Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you could stay home sick today if you'd like…" Kagome turned back to her mother, putting on her best fake smile. "Really mama, I'm fine! Now you should hurry, you've still got to drop off Souta!" remembering her son in the back seat Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "Yes, yes you're right, but if you don't feel well promise me you'll call? I'll be in my office most of the day!" Kagome nodded and walked off to find her new friends. "Goodbye, mama!" And with a final worried glance at her daughter Mrs. Higurashi drove off.
"Heya, Kagome! How's it going?" Kyana grinned as she hopped beside Kagome, with Rhea walking quietly on the other side. "Oh, I'm good!" Kyana cocked her head, "you sure? You're looking' kinda pale!" Kagome sighed in exasperation. "I'm fine! I'm just a little homesick, okay?" Kyana grinned deviously and nudged Kagome in the ribs. "You missing a boyfriend from back home, huh?" Kagome replied by poking Kyana in the side and making her jump. "No! I just miss my old friends! Is that a problem?" "Okay! Okay, no need to get all defensive about it!" Kyana put her hands up and laughed. "So Kagome, are you enjoying the school? I mean, you get to meet all new people and stuff, it must be so exciting!" Rhea piped up quietly beside Kagome, getting this faraway look in her eyes. "I wish I could move around and meet new people, I've lived here all my life and frankly, these old faces are starting to bore me!" She looked around and huffed, earning a laugh from Kagome and Kyana. "What? What did I say?" She quirked an eyebrow at her laughing friends, and when she got no reply she decided to give it up.
After surviving her second day at her new school Kagome walked outside and saw her friends by the gate waving her over. She smiled and started towards them, but was stopped when someone stepped in front of her. He was taller than she was, so she had to look up to talk to him. "Can I help you?" Kagome asked politely. The guy had jet black hair and strange green eyes that glittered softly, and a winning smile to boot. "Oh yes, I'm Senshozsu Osumura, pleased to meet you!" he extended his hand in welcome, and Kagome shook it and smiled. "Kagome Higurashi, pleased to meet you too." He nodded at her and continued talking. "I was wondering if you'd like to hang out sometime, I mean, I'd like to get to know you better, and a lot of the people I've talked to say you're really nice." He blushed slightly and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I'm not quite settled into this place yet, so maybe another time, okay?" She smiled warmly at Senshozsu as his face fell. "Oh, okay. Maybe later then, Kagome!" He smiled and walked off.
Shaking her head Kagome caught up with her friends and they began to bombard her with questions. "Oh my God! Senshozsu just talked to you! What'd he say? Did he ask you out on a date?" Kyana squealed and jumped up and down excitedly. "Yeah, did he ask you to be his girlfriend?" Rhea piped shyly. "Well, he did ask me if I wanted to hang out, but I said no." "WHAT?" both of the girls in front of her screeched in disbelief. "No way! You're joking! You MUST have another boyfriend or something to turn him down!" Kyana yelled, throwing her hands up. "Yeah, no one has ever turned down Senshozsu before! Well, actually it's usually other people who ask him out, but still!" Rhea sighed. "I told you! I do NOT have a boyfriend! I'm just not interested, okay!" Kagome barked hotly. Her two friends just smiled and laughed, shaking their heads. "What? What's so funny?" Kagome steamed as the girls laughed harder, holding their sides. "Ugh! You two are impossible!" She threw up her hands and sighed. After all that Kagome was beginning to act like her normal self again.
"Kagome! It's time to go!" Mrs. Higurashi yelled from the car and waved. "Coming!" She turned back to Kyana and Rhea and scowled playfully, "see you later guys!" and ran to the waiting car. "Bye, Kagome!" the two shouted and waved as Kagome left. Mrs. Higurashi smiled as she headed for Souta's school to pick him up. "You're looking better, Kagome! Have a nice day at school?" "Yeah, I guess I did!" Then Kagome remembered her encounter with Senshozsu and her face fell as she thought of Inuyasha again. Looking in the rearview mirror Mrs. Higurashi noticed this and furrowed her brow. "Is something wrong, Kagome? You look upset!" Kagome sighed and looked down at her hands. "Well…….today after school the popular guy asked me if I wanted to hang out…." Then her mother sighed and realized who she must have been thinking about. "Oh…" They picked up Souta and headed for home, Kagome just stared out the window and sighed as she remembered the first time Inuyasha had seen a car. 'Why can't I just stop thinking about him? Maybe I should go out with Senshozsu……he might help me forget…..'
Upon arriving at the house Kagome trudged upstairs and began the long process of decoding her math. 'Stupid math….I hate it! And it just HAS to be the one subject I get the most homework in!' After completing her despised homework Kagome went straight to the attic to write. It seemed to help her if she wrote down all the good times she had back home and in the Feudal Era. But every time Kagome wrote about one of the few sweet moments she had shared with Inuyasha, she got the uncontrollable urge to cry. After she finished writing Kagome looked up at the walls. No longer were there pictures of unicorns and ogres, huge dragons and demons, but instead the walls were covered with paintings of home and the Feudal Era. Sighing sadly she went to bed, deciding that if Senshozsu were to confront her again she would accept.
The rest of the week flew by, and on Friday Senshozsu asked Kagome out again after school. She smiled warmly at his twinkling emerald eyes. "Sure Senshozsu, I'll hang out with you tomorrow!" "Wow, really? I'm glad you're finally used to the place!" "Yeah…I guess." She sighed softly as Senshozsu continued, "So where do you live? I'll come and pick you up at you're house if you'd like!" "Ah…" Her eyes flickered back into focus and she blushed furiously, mentally kicking herself for zoning when someone was talking to her. "Yeah, sure." Kagome smiled and nodded, fidgeting nervously in the awkward silence. "Well?" He laughed and quirked his eyebrow, and for a split second Kagome thought of Inuyasha. "Are you gonna tell me where you live or do I have to get the address from your friends?" Kagome blushed ever so slightly and mentally kicked herself again for being an idiot. She was acting so weird! But not because the school hottie was asking her on a date, no, it was because her thoughts kept lingering back to Inuyasha and how guilty she felt for going out with Senshozsu, even though she knew the stubborn hanyou would never return her affection.
"Hey, Kagome! I saw you talking to Senshozsu again!" Kyana narrowed her eyes slyly, attempting to get Kagome to spill without any begging. "Yeah." Kagome walked on, only half listening to her friend as she zoned and stared at the drifting clouds. "Well? Are you gonna tell us about it or not?" Kyana elbowed Kagome in the side playfully. "Did he ask you out again?" "Yeah Kagome! Tell us what happened!" Rhea giggled and got a starry look in her eyes. "I wish someone as gorgeous as sweet as Senshozsu would ask me out!" "Heh, it'll never happen if you keep being so shy and never talk to anyone but us!" Kyana rolled her eyes at Rheas romantic daydreams. Then remembering how this had started she turned back to Kagome and grinned. "Come on Kagome! Tell us what he said!" Snapping back to reality she looked at her friend and furrowed her brow. "Huh? I'm sorry Kyana, I wasn't really focused, what did you say?" "We want to know what Senshozsu said! Now spill!" With that Kyana began to tickle Kagome relentlessly, vowing that she would never stop unless Kagome told them what they wanted to know and Rhea just watched and laughed at her friends' antics. "Okay! Okay! I give! I'll tell you what he said! Stop tickling me!" Kagome gasped through her laughter and it took her a few moments to regain composure after the tickling torture.
"Now…" Kyana rubbed her hands together and a mock evil grin spread across her face. Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes, 'huh. Maybe I should've gotten some friends who don't live off of prying in another friends business…' After explaining the whole ordeal Kyana giggled girlishly. "Aw…that's so sweet! He must like you or something, huh Kagome?" "Sure…" she nodded distractedly as her thoughts ventured back to Inuyasha once more. "Hey Kagome!" Jolting back to reality she saw her mother waving from the car by the gate. "Hi mama! Bye Kyana, later Rhea!" "See ya Kagome! Tell us how your date goes with Senshozsu!" before she got in the car she shot Kyana a warning glare. "You better not spy on me, Kyana!" Rhea laughed and called back, "Don't worry about it, Kagome! I'll keep her in line!" Waving her last goodbye for the weekend Kagome plopped down into the passenger seat and her mother smiled sweetly. "A date? My little Kagome is going on a date!" "Mama! It's no big deal! He only asked me if I wanted to hang out! So technically it isn't a date!" she rolled her eyes and then mumbled, "Senshozsu is picking me up tomorrow at six to go see a movie." "Ooh! My daughter is going to the movies with a boy! That's so sweet! Now Kagome, no romance movies or horror flicks, I don't want anything happening that is unnecessary, okay? And remember to be polite, if he wants to buy your ticket thank him, if you go to a restaurant DON'T share spaghetti….." her list went on and on, but Kagome wasn't listening.
Her gut was rolling in guilt, even though she had nothing to be guilty about. She just couldn't stop thinking that she was cheating on Inuyasha, although technically she wasn't because they weren't going out to begin with. It just felt weird going on a date, ah! Scratch that, 'hanging out with' someone she didn't have any real feelings for. Sure, Senshozsu was cute, but he still wasn't Inuyasha. And what tore Kagome up even more was that the hanyou didn't even harbor the same feelings she had for him. They were all for Kikyo! That clay bitch who wanted to drag Inuyasha to Hell with her, that wanted him to become human for her when she was alive! Couldn't he see that the only way he would make her happy was if he changed who he was? Kagome sighed, knowing Inuyasha would never realize she cared about him no matter what form he was in. She loved him for being a hanyou and nothing else. And now he would never know because she had left that life behind, left him behind, and was starting again here.
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Inuyasha had been a sulking wanderer ever since he left Kaedes hut. He never slept, and only ate enough to keep himself alive, so in turn he looked like the living dead. His eyes had become hollow and dull; his hair had lost its silvery sheen, making it look gray and limp. From lack of sleep he had great dark bags under his eyes, and his skin was pale a fallow from lack of nourishment. Yes, he truly looked like someone dead that had come back from the grave, and maybe that's why all the demons who saw him stayed well away, and when passing a through a village the people would hide in their homes and lock their doors, praying to God that he wouldn't curse their crops or bring disease to the town and its livestock. There was nowhere for him to go, no one to comfort him in this time of heartbreak and sorrow. 'No, there is one place…..one place that will accept me….' He thought as he passed through yet another village that rejected his sorry self. Turning around he took the forest way, avoiding any villages and unnecessary contact with other living beings. He was going back to Kaedes, back to the only friends he had.
Leaping lifelessly from tree to tree Inuyasha was already halfway there, because he didn't have Kagome or any of the others tagging along. 'Kagome….why did you leave?' He had to get back to Kaedes, maybe she had returned! Well, he knew for a fact that wasn't true, but he needed companionship, he needed the others to help him keep his sanity. Upon reaching the village he stopped. Was he really going to return? Stay in the place he had first met Kagome, talk to the friends he had made because of her help? Yes, he would stay, but the talking could come later, he didn't need it. He just needed to know there were others out there who cared about his well being, who didn't want him dead or hate him for being a half-breed. Inuyasha walked silently on, ignoring the villagers whispering and gossip. They knew him, they knew he wasn't a bloodthirsty demon, but they were disturbed at seeing him in such a state.
"He looks so pale!" "Shh! He'll hear you! He might be the walking dead; I've heard demons don't die as easily as humans!" "They say he's been this way since Lady Kagome left…" "Do you think he's so lifeless because she took the jewel shards with her, and now he can't use them?" Inuyasha flexed his claws and turned toward the gathered people, anger burning clearly in his eyes. "SHUT UP! If you have something to say, why don't you say it to my face? Anyone? I'm sure that whatever you're whispering is said in consideration to my feelings!" He glared hatefully at them, the silence thick with their fear and his rage. The commotion was heard inside Kaedes hut, and Shippo peeked his head out curiously. Darting back in he jumped excitedly on Mirokus shoulder. "Miroku! Inuyasha is back! Come on!" Everyone set down their food (they were currently eating supper) and stepped outside the hut to take a look.
Sure enough, said half-demon was standing there, glaring at the villagers who were quickly dispersing and heading back to their own homes nervously after Inuyashas outburst. Shippo bounced up to him and hopped on his shoulder, grinning widely. "Hey Inuyasha, welcome back!" the silver-haired hanyou shoved him off tiredly, not bothering to respond. "Are you feeling better, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, and raised his eyebrows in shock when Inuyasha lifted his head, showing his living dead appearance. "Come, you must eat! You look like you haven't eaten a decent amount of food since you left!" The monk dragged him inside and handed him a bowl of soup that Kaede had made. He drank it down and stared at the empty dish, almost wishing he hadn't come back. 'Feh…it's not nearly as good as Ramen…' Maybe that was why he hadn't eaten, because every time he did he'd think about Ramen, and then he'd start thinking about Kagome. He got up and walked slowly over to the corner of the hut and laid down, feeling the gaze of everyone else follow him.
"Ya got a problem with what I look like?" he growled dangerously, and smirked in satisfaction as he sensed the eyes boring into his back turn away hastily. Now that he had some decent food in his stomach and people who cared about his safety around him, he let the overwhelming urge to sleep take him, thinking maybe, just maybe he might feel better when he woke up.
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Okay, okay, I'm sorry for taking such a long time! I was having some trouble staying focused on writing this because it's getting kinda slow. But no worries! Kagomes date with Senshozsu is coming up next chappie and something interesting happens back in the Feudal Era! And I'm also sorry that this was so short, but it was more of a filler chapter than anything else just to get the ball rolling again! Please review and tell me whatcha think! I'm open to any constructive criticism, but please no flames! I will also consider any sweet little ideas you might have for this fic, so don't hesitate to tell me about them! Until next chappie, later days!
Mistoffelees Shadow