Disclaimer: Inuyasha is sooo not mine.
Chapter 13
The next morning when Yuki woke up, he lay motionless for several long moments, remembering the events of the day before. The joy of advancing yet another year today seemed dim in comparison to the horrible revelations that had been brought home to him.
He was disfigured, quite possibly for life. His looks, his perfect face and body...ruined. There would be pain, too. Pain in his right leg would be great without any painkillers.
Of course, Yuki asked if his leg could be fixed with surgery, and Akira told him that there was a good chance that after having corrective surgery, his leg would heal completely.
"I understand how hard this must be for you," Akira had said, for once without a trace of malice, "but overall, it isn't that bad. You were really very lucky, you know. Most people in your place would either have been killed on contact or horribly disfigured for life."
"But I am horribly disfigured for life," moaned Yuki tragically. "Look at me, Akira. Honestly, would you date someone who looks like me?"
Akira's lips twitched slightly, but his eyes twinkled with supressed laughter. "Honestly? No. I prefer brunettes and besides, you're not my type."
"Oh my god, you're gay."
His cousin rolled his eyes. "Oh, for pete's sake, Yuki, you know very well that I'm not gay."
Yuki glared at Akira and flapped his hand in his direction. "But enough about you. This isn't about you. This is about me. Talk about me. What can I do about my face? How soon can I get cosmetic surgery? Today? Can I get it done today?"
"No, you can't get it done today, baka. Look, your facial scars can slowly fade over time. Now, I can get you this excellent over-the-counter cream--"
"Over-the-counter?! Fade over time? No, I won't accept that, Akira. I want them gone now. Do you hear me?"
Leaning back in his chair, Akira crossed his long legs and glared at his cousin. "You know, if you weren't so obnoxiously conceited, more people other than Hiro and Kagome might actually like you."
"Kagome likes me? Really?" Yuki blinked, surprised. "She likes me? I thought she was just being nice to me. Did she tell you that? What did she say?"
"She didn't have to tell me anything. The look on her face when she spoke of you spoke volumes." Akira sighed, his eyes sliding up so his gaze was trained on the ceiling. "She's such a sweet young woman. I hope she finds a man worthy of her one day."
"Oi! What are you talking about, Akira! Don't say such things!"
Akira's steady green gaze slid down to Yuki's red face. "Don't say what? That I hope she finds a good man someday? You're not wishing her ill luck are you, Yuki? Or is there another reason you don't want her looking for happiness elsewhere?"
Yuki's face darkened. "Actually, no, I don't want her looking somewhere else." He leaned back against his pillows, arms grumpily crossed over his chest. "I want her looking right here for her happiness."
"You? Make her happy? You're joking, right?" The doctor laughed heartily.
"Shut your face, asshole," Yuki snapped angrily. "I can make her happy. Just you wait and see."
After staring at Yuki for a moment, Akira burst into laughter again. "Oh my god, are you making an attempt to be serious? That's just..." Fresh laughter filled the room.
"I am serious," said Yuki quietly. "I've never been more serious in my life, Akira." He looked down and uncrossed his arms to study his right hand. "I've acted terribly towards Kagome in the past and I know that I don't deserve her kindness now. But when I'm with her, I feel so..."
Impressed by his cousin's rare display of tender feelings, Akira stopped laughing and listened intently. "You feel so...?" he prompted gently.
Yuki looked at him, some powerful emotion glowing in his eyes. "Complete," he said, frowning a little as he did so, as if he couldn't believe what he was saying. "I've... never... felt like this before with anyone. It's a weird feeling." He was silent for a moment then asked, "She really likes me?"
Akira nodded, sending a small smile Yuki's way, causing the blond to blush like crazy. "Wow. I mean... wow. Really?"
The doctor leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Yes, really and before you say anything, I believe that she'll see past your wounds. A girl like her doesn't judge people like you tend to do at times... no, scratch that. Like you do all of the time. Just keep doing what you're doing and she'll warm up to you even more."
"No, don't raise my hopes like that," whimpered Yuki, covering his face with his hands. "I couldn't bear it if she was disgusted by me."
That was when she walked in. He hadn't been prepared to show her his face yet and suddenly, he felt incredibly afraid. What would she say? How would she react when she looked at him and saw him?
But, as usual, she treated him with kindness even though in a moment of panic, he'd pushed her away. Kindness was something he really didn't deserve, considering all he'd done to her in the past several months. He'd been so cruel to her. He even remembered the little maid comment from that day he'd first come to her house to look for Hiro. The look on her face had only made him laugh on the inside. She looked so weak and was so dependent on Hiro, that he couldn't help but hate her for being such a wimpy, clingy creature. Of course, that was before he'd discovered what had gone on in her past.
His thoughts were interrupted by a nurse bringing in his breakfast. "Good morning, birthday boy. How are you feeling?"
Yuki looked at her as he sat up, giving her one of his sexy smiles. "I'm fine, thank you and very well rested."
The nurse laughed. "Getting tired of being in bed?"
"You could say that." Yuki liked this nurse. She was an older woman, charmingly plump and always so cheerful.
"Wow, so you're thirty-one today. Such an advanced age."
"Agh, don't remind me!" Yuki exclaimed with a pained expression. "I'm positively ancient."
"Nonsense. So, is your lovely young lady coming to see you today?" she asked conspiratorily, placing the tray in front of him on his overbed table and rolled it to him.
He nodded as she raised the head of his bed so he could sit upright more comfortably. "Yes, but I wish I could truly say that she was my young lady."
"Oh, look at you! You're a handsome devil with a smooth tongue and you haven't managed to snag her?" She laughed heartily and shook her head. "What are you waiting for? Ask her out already! A sweet girl like that is bound to have men scrambling over each other to capture her and with you holed up here--"
Wincing, Yuki lifted a hand to stop her. "Yes, yes, I get it. I'll ask her out as soon as possible." He picked up his glass of cranberry juice and stared down into it. "I hate to admit it, but I'm afraid."
"You? Afraid? Of what? You're a beautiful young man with confidence dripping out of every pore. Who wouldn't want you?" She reached over and ruffled his unruly golden hair. "I can't believe that you're unsure of yourself. Personally, I've never met a haughtier, cockier man than you." She shot him a grin and a wink.
"Thanks," he muttered goodnaturedly, trying to hide his smile. "You've been talking to my cousin, haven't you?"
"Well..."
"That means you have, but don't let him fool you. Akira's just as bad as I am." He grinned over at her.
oooo
As the day progressed, several bouquets of flowers arrived, along with cards and balloons. They filled the room which cheered Yuki considerably. But he didn't want flowers, cards and balloons. There was only one thing he wanted... and she hadn't arrived yet.
Around one o'clock, Kagome finally made her appearance. Hiro and Akira had already come and brought Yuki's strawberry cake and buttercream icing topped with pink buttercream roses; his favorite childhood dessert. Hiro had ordered an extra large one so that everyone on that floor could have a piece if they wished. For once, Yuki didn't mind sharing.
People drifted in and out of Yuki's room for hours, some of them friends, some of them colleagues, some of them hospital workers or patients. Hiro and Akira helped Kagome cut up the huge cake and hand the slices out while Yuki talked and laughed with his friends.
Eventually, everyone left, leaving just the four of them. While Yuki was opening up his last present, Hiro and Akira looked on and realized while Kagome looking away, cleaning up some wrapping paper off the floor, the patient was watching her with such an expression of desire and longing that Hiro grabbed his cousin by the arm and propelled him out the door.
"Did you see that?" Hiro hissed, flabbergasted.
Akira nodded. "Yes, I saw. It's a good thing, you know. That girl has helped him heal faster than we expected him to. If he's falling in love with her, then I'm all for it... from a medical standpoint, of course. Since she's been here today, he hasn't once complained about his scars, and you know he loves to complain about any little thing."
"Yes, I know," Hiro agreed automatically, "but there's one snag with your plan to hook them up."
"And that is?"
Hiro frowned. "Kagome has a boyfriend already. A boyfriend, I might add, that is head over heels in love with her."
"Hmm." Akira looked away for a moment, a thoughtful frown on his handsome features. "That may be, but I don't think she's in as much love with him as he is with her."
"What do you mean?"
Intent green eyes shifted in Hiro's direction. "You didn't see the way she kissed Yuki yesterday," he replied smugly.
"Nani?!" Hiro's eyes bulged from his sockets.
Akira nodded. "I know. It floored me, too. But when I took her out for a bite the other day--"
"Damn it, Akira, what else have you done with Kagome?!" he squeaked furiously.
"Calm down, Hiro, it was only lunch. Poor girl was hungry. Besides, it was fun to watch Yuki practically lose his mind as I dragged her away from him." Akira chuckled gleefully at the memory.
"Oh, my god," Hiro groaned. "I can't believe Kagome kissed him. That isn't good."
"Well, other than the boyfriend, is there any problem with that? I mean, I hate to admit it, but those two are perfectly suited to one another."
Hiro rubbed his eyes wearily. "Yeah, there's a problem, alright, and his name is Morikawa Sesshoumaru."
Akira looked startled. "The businessman? That Morikawa?"
"That Morikawa," replied Hiro, paling. "Damn, if he finds out about this..."
"About what? Kagome and Yuki? Why, what's wrong with that? I mean, Yuki's not in line for sainthood, but--"
Grabbing his cousin by the arm, Hiro hissed in his ear, "If he finds out, then Yuki is fucked, okay? Sesshoumaru, with his vast network of informants knows about pretty much everything... even that foolish bet."
"But what has that to do with anything?"
"Sesshoumaru is Kagome's guardian, remember and he too is crazy about her. Like, crazy in love with her, kind of crazy."
"Oh." As Akira pulled away, the situation finally sunk in. His eyes widened. "Oh! Well, that's not good, is it?"
"No, it's not. Hey, come on. I'm in desperate need of a smoke."
oooo
In the room, Kagome wondered where Hiro and Akira went to. Her thoughts must have shown on her face, for Yuki grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. "Forget about them. Come and give the birthday boy his birthday kiss."
As usual, Kagome protested, and as usual, Yuki ignored them. His arms went around her and pulled her onto his lap, smiling contentedly into her eyes. He blinked once and his gaze fell to her lips. Leaning forward, he let his tongue dart out and lap at her lips. "Mmm, icing. Wait a second."
He reached out with his left arm and dragged the tip of his index finger along the bottom of the cake, which sat on the overbed table that was near his bed. Turning back to her, he ran his icing-coated finger over her lips, completely covering them. Licking his finger clean and with a seductive smile, he bent his head and kissed her lips, letting his tongue run lightly over them.
Kagome lay stunned in his warm embrace. How he could make her feel this way, as though her entire body thrummed like a high voltage wire? It blew her mind. All he did was put icing on her lips and kissed her tenderly.
She felt a large, gentle hand bury itself in her hair and she whimpered into his mouth. Her hands, which seemed to have wills of their own, wrapped around his neck and her fingers ran through his cool, silken hair.
At last, she broke away, panting. "N-no more, please. Yuki, this has to stop. Let me go."
Heavy-lidded eyes watched her languidly. "I don't want to stop. I want more, Kagome. Much, much more."
She shook her head, feeling uncomfortable with the look that burned in his cool, emerald eyes. "No, Yuki. Please release me."
He shook his head. "Nope. I won't do that, Kagome, sorry. I want you."
Upon hearing those words, Kagome knew she was in trouble. "Don't say something you don't mean, Yuki-sama."
"I do mean it, Kagome."
"No! Let me go! I need to leave." She struggled in his grip and seriously considered calling for help.
"But I want you to stay," he murmured, lowering his head to nuzzle the side of her neck. "Please stay with me and never leave me, Kagome. I go crazy when we're apart, you know that? It feels as if you take a huge chunk of my soul with you when you leave. I want you to stay, so I can feel whole. Please... make me feel whole," he whispered, his hand reaching for her shirt and sliding beneath it.
Her panicked heart slammed against her ribs. "No!" she cried and shoved herself away from him. She scrambled out of arm's reach, trembling with fright and anger. "I won't do this! He loves me!" The second the words left her mouth, her eyes flew open and she clapped hands over her mouth.
"Nani?" In his bed, Yuki sat completely still, his face darkening with anger. "He?"
Kagome felt the blood drain from her face. Had she just gotten Kouga into trouble? Hiro had warned her how cruel he could be when Yuki didn't get his way. She couldn't do that to Kouga!
Quickly, she went to gather her things. "G-gomen nasai. I have... have to..."
"Don't you dare leave, Kagome," Yuki uttered quietly, carefully suppressing his fury. "He, who, Kagome?" Her back was to him and he saw that her slim shoulders were trembling. His anger abated and he went on, "I'm not mad at you Kagome, but could please tell me who he is?"
She shook her head. "Iie, its nothing. Sumimasen." Taking on last look at him over her shoulder, she said, "Happy birthday, Yuki-sama." Then she was gone.
oooooooooooooooooo
Kagome bolted from the room and ran down the hallway, tears streaming from her face. Thankfully, Hiro and Akira were no where to be seen, so she was able to escape from the floor unnoticed and subsequently from the hospital.
As she drove out of the parking garage, Kagome wondered if she should call Hiro and explain what happened. Her hand went to her cell phone, but pulled it back. No, she couldn't bother him with that. Besides, he'd probably already said goodbye to Yuki by now; he had another date with his young lady tonight and he needed to go home to get ready.
Likewise, she couldn't call Sesshoumaru. He was extra busy right now and this wasn't important enough to disturb him with. Besides, he intensely disliked Yuki as it was and something like this would only anger him.
That left Kouga, Sango and Miroku. Kouga, obviously was out of the question. How does one go about telling one's boyfriend that they had been kissing another man?
As she reached for her phone, more hot tears fell and she ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. She could still taste the icing...
Sango picked up on the third ring. "Moshi-moshi?"
"S-sango-chan," Kagome managed through her tears, after forcing herself to pull her car over as her guilt and sobs overwhelmed her.
Her friend was instantly alarmed. "Kagome! Oh my god, are you okay? What's happened?"
Kagome did her best to explain what happened and eventually Sango got the full story. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry! But it wasn't your fault! I'm sure if you explained it to Kouga, he'd understand. He worships you, Kagome-chan."
On the other end of the phone, the sound of an upset male voice speaking to Sango could be heard, followed by the sound of a door opening and shutting. Kagome asked who it was. She didn't want anyone else other than Sango to know about her disgraceful behavior.
"Oh, that's just Miroku. He won't say a thing, I swear."
"What?" Kagome felt her insides clench up. "How does he...?"
"He overheard the whole conversation, Kagome. I had you on speaker phone when he came out of the shower. That's okay, right? Besides, you and Miroku have been friends longer than you and I have. He cares alot about you and he won't say anything about it. Funny, though. He seemed really upset about something. Said he needed to get some air. A headache, I think. He's been getting alot of them lately."
"I see. Of course," Kagome mumbled automatically. Her head felt numb and she desperately wished to get out of the city. "Um, I have to go now, Sango-chan. I need to stop and...grab something to eat."
"Oh, okay. Well, call me later, alright?"
"Of course," she said again. "Bye, Sango-chan."
Kagome didn't get anything to eat. Instead, she stopped for gas, paying in cash and headed out of town. She drove for over an hour until she reached a lovely scenic spot that overlooked a dark, mist-covered forest that had not yet been touched by spring's greenery. Mt. Fuji lay in the background, grand and imperious, like a wise old matriarch.
After finding a nice, comfortable boulder on which to sit, Kagome situated herself and pulled her legs up to her chest and sat like that for a very long time. She watched as the overcast skies began to darken and even as the temperature dropped, she shivered slightly but still, she did not move.
Her mind continuously went over Yuki and the buttercream-flavored kiss, only to send her thoughts straight to Kouga and guilt crushed her soul a little more each time.
Should she have said anything to Sango? In hindsight, probably not. Heaven knew that she was a burden on so many people already... why should she bother Sango-chan with her personal problems?
She shivered again, a little more violently. Perhaps she should have brought a heavier coat with her. But then, why shouldn't she suffer? Hadn't she been unfaithful to Kouga, the man who loved her and made it a point to let her know every single day? He told her once that he was afraid that if he died, she would never know how he felt about her so he began telling her each day that he loved her.
The tears began to flow again and she lowered her head so that her forehead touched her knees. She didn't deserve him. Not after allowing Yuki to touch and kiss her like that...
A slight sound came from behind her and as she turned to see what it was, a large, very warm leather jacket was draped over her shoulders.
"Are you alright?"
Kagome nodded, feeling her heart squeeze painfully when she looked up at Kouga. His gentle azure gaze ran over her, taking in her appearance until she had to look away. Yuki's handprints were all over her and she felt as though they had been burned past her clothes and into her skin.
He let loose a weary sigh and sat beside her on her rock. "Hiro called me," he said without preamble. "He was worried sick when he and Akira discovered that you were gone."
She hung her head. "I didn't mean to upset anyone. I didn't even think they would notice my absence."
"Well, they noticed."
Silence fell and they sat, not speaking, for several moments. Kouga was the first to speak.
"Are things so bad that you can't even talk to Hiro about it?"
She shook her head. "I didn't want to bother him, or anybody else for that mater. It's my problem, after all."
"Kagome, I... I know about what's been going on. Between you and Yuki. I know he's kissed you."
"How?" Her eyes slid shut. Oh, please no...
"When Hiro found you gone, he went in to see Yuki, who was sitting up in bed, cursing himself up and down. It took awhile, but Hiro finally got him to say what happened. Needless to say, Hiro was livid. He threatened to never speak to Yuki again if something happened to you."
Turning to him, Kagome cried, "I'm sorry, Kouga! I wanted to tell you, to come clean... but I couldn't because I couldn't bear to hurt you! Now I know that you know... but all this could have been avoided if I'd only... You must hate me now--"
Kouga's arms went around her and his lips pressed against hers, silencing her. Swallowing her sobs, she melted against him, and grabbed hold of the front of his t-shirt. The heat from his body began to warm her from the inside out.
I do love him! I do...
He pulled away slightly and stared down at her. "Don't cry, beautiful. I thought you knew by now."
Confused, she blinked up at him. "Kouga?"
Brushing a light kiss against her lips, he smiled sweetly down at her. "Hey. Have I told you I loved you today?"
His face became a huge, watery blur and she bowed her head, her face crumpling. "N-no. T-tell me."
She was instantly enfolded in his arms. "God, I love you so much. So very much." He kissed her forehead. "I'm so freakin' in love with you. But it was only a few kisses, right? Perpetrated by him."
I can't lie to him. I have to tell him...
She shook her head. "No. There was one--"
"Yeah, I know about that one, too," he answered sadly. "Akira said that he saw you lean over and kiss him. But Yuki wanted to see if you thought he was disgusting and seeing how kind you are to everybody... Well, of course you would oblige him."
His arms tightened around her. "There was something else Yuki said to Hiro. He said... he'd never meant to scare you, but he couldn't figure out another way to tell you that he loved you and wanted to be with you."
Her heart began to pound frighteningly fast in her chest. "Yuki... loves me?"
Kouga could feel the beating of her heart speed up when she spoke those words, and hearing the hope in her voice wrought a devastating blow to him. Ever since the night of the accident, he felt her begin to slip away from him and it terrified the hell out of him. He hadn't known the reason until last night when he discovered that Yuki had called her numerous times and it made him think. When had she ever trusted Yuki enough to give him her number?
Something must have happened between the two of them for her to give out her number and for Yuki to call her so persistently. Had more than kisses passed between them?
And then... today. Hiro told him that Akira had witnessed her willingly kiss Yuki, allowing him to hold her close against him...
Just like he was doing now...
So, swallowing his emotions as best he could, Kouga tightened his grip on her. "If you love him, you should let him know."
"Huh?" Kagome wrenched away from him and stared up wildly at him.
Taking a deep breath, trying his damnedest to ignore the feeling of his heart being ripped to shreds, he went on. "You aren't in love with me, are you? I know you're not, so please don't lie to me to spare me the truth. He--" Kouga paused, feeling his eyes tear up. "He told Hiro he can't live without you. I... completely understand how he feels."
Kagome was shaking her head slowly. "No, Kouga, don't do this! I do love you. I do!" She threw her arms around him and buried her face against his neck, tears streaming down her cold cheeks. "I never meant--"
"I know, beloved," he interrupted quietly, "and I enjoyed every minute we spent together. But don't think that once you belong to him that I'm going away. I love you, Kagome, and nothing will change that. If you ever need me, I'll be there for you."
"But your next girlfriend won't like that very much, I'll bet," she murmured softly.
"What next girlfriend? I honestly don't see myself having one. Oh, I bought you something today, but it doesn't make much difference now." He stared down at her gravely and slipped his hand into the right pocket of his jacket that covered her. From the pocket he pulled out a small velvet box and opened it, his blue eyes staring disconsolately at its contents. He turned it around so that she could see.
It was a platinum and diamond engagement ring.
While Kagome was stunned into silence, Kouga told her, "Last night I made up my mind to ask you to marry me before I lost you completely. I wanted to take you away from him; far, far away so you'd never have to look at him again. I guess I was too little, too late, huh?"
Now completely overwhelmed and feeling more wretched than she'd felt in a long time, Kagome fell forward against him and wept inconsolably onto his chest, soaking the front of his shirt.
He swept her up and sat her on his lap so he could hold her closer. "Shh. Please don't cry." With a gentle hand, he wiped away her tears. "If you find that he's not the man for you, I'll be waiting for you. Okay? I'm not going anywhere and whether you want it or not, I'm yours... heart and soul, mind and body. All you have to do is say the word and I'll be by your side."
Listening to his warm, soothing voice, Kagome felt comforted and soon, her sobs subsided. Several minutes had passed before she spoke. "I... don't know what I feel about him. When he tried to... slide his hand up my shirt, I was scared and... I didn't want to betray you." Shifting her gaze up to look at him, she reached up to touch his face. "But I'm telling you that I do love you, Kouga. You're the first man who made me feel sexy... and desirable. Do you really think I'd move on so easily? Everything you felt from me, every emotion, was real; very, very real." She pulled his head down and kissed him.
It took all his willpower to break her entrancing kiss. "Baby, there's another reason to break it off between us, although even if he found out, I personally could care less."
"What? Why?" she panted, allowing him to nuzzle her neck.
"Yuki's demanded that his associates find out everything about all of the people you've come in contact with. Apparently, not knowing the identity of this mystery man you spoke of is driving him crazy and he's out to get rid of the competition by any means necessary. But don't worry, Kagome. I also discovered that I was correct in thinking that you have a friend in his organization. This friend contacted me today and told me that not only is Yuki planning on having your secret admirer rubbed out, but he feels that someone has been lying to him to keep him in the dark about what's really going on with you."
"Oh no! Kouga! What are you going to do if he--"
Kouga pressed a finger to her lips. "He won't. Your friend is just as ruthless as Yuki is and has managed to... persuade the others to say nothing about the two of us. The friend wanted me to stay away from you for awhile, just until Yuki's investigations are over with."
"So, you're doing this to protect us?"
He nodded. "Yes, but this is mainly to protect you, Kagome. I don't think Yuki'd come after you for refusing to tell him that you were seeing someone else, but I'm not going to take that chance. If he did anything to hurt you out of revenge, I'd kill him without batting an eye." Before she could protest, he silenced her with a quick kiss. "But never mind that. Come on, it's getting dark. Let's get you home."
As they neared her car and his motorcycle that sat right beside it, a thought struck Kagome. "By the way, how did you find me? Did you follow me?" she asked, slipping her hand from his.
"Nope. Ginta did. He just happened to be filling up at the gas station at the same time you were. He called out to you, but you didn't seem to hear him and then he noticed how upset you looked, so on a hunch he decided to follow you just in case something happened to you. When you stopped out here, he called me and of course, I had to come when my lady was feeling sad. Couldn't let you be alone, now could I?" He pulled her close and leaned back against the side of her car, his hands gripping her waist.
A long, passion-filled moment passed and Kouga crushed her to him when he raised his head. "Yuki may have eyes in all sorts of places, but he can't see everything. I'll find a way to be with you, Kagome." He kissed her again. "Damn, I can't seem to leave you alone, can I?" he asked with a rueful smile.
She smiled wistfully up at him and shook her head. "But I wouldn't want you to leave me alone, Kouga." Her arms wound around his neck and she sighed, feeling so safe and loved in his arms. "Hey, have I told you I loved you today?"
Kouga grinned down at her. "Yeah, you did, but tell me again."
"I love you, Kouga."
"I love you too, sweet cheeks."
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Yuki, you can't leave yet! Akira said it wouldn't be wise for you to--"
"Fuck Akira and what he says! I can't stand to be cooped up in here anymore! Here, start packing my shit!" Yuki flung his overnight bag at Hiro.
Hiro caught it easily, looked at it, scowled and flung the bag on the floor. "I'm not your fucking servant, Yuki! Just listen to yourself! You're not following your doctor's orders. Akira specifically said that he wanted to keep you here until your casts come off in a few weeks. He wants to make sure your leg--"
"Fuck my leg!" Yuki roared. "Look, the woman I plan on spending the rest of my life with is out there, right now, with some... some... man who wants her too! If I stay here, I'm out of the loop and I can't afford that anymore if I'm going to find out who he is. So, as of tomorrow, I'm taking back control of my empire and that means," he said, jerking his thumb towards the door, "getting the fuck out of here. Make sense now?"
"Oh my god, you're obsessed," Hiro moaned. He glided towards the chair beside Yuki's bed and sank heavily down upon it. Inwardly, he was panicking. When Yuki regained total control, there would be no way to keep Kagome's relationship with Kouga a secret. Yuki would find out and destroy Kouga. He couldn't allow that to happen! Despite Akira observations, Hiro knew without a doubt that Kagome loved Kouga and if he proposed to her right now, she would accept. "I'd hoped and prayed it was just a phase."
"Nope, not a phase. I'm completely and utterly obsessed. She's mine," the blond man muttered stubbornly, "and I won't have some two-bit loser standing in the way of getting what I want."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Miroku was furious. How that bastard Yuki managed to live with himself while destroying other people's lives was beyond his comprehension.
So, he wanted full control back, huh? He could have it... along with all the headaches it brought.
And as for Kagome... damn it, that really chafed his ass! Poor girl was perfectly content with Kouga until he had to go feel her up and steal kisses from her. Overhearing the part where Yuki tried sliding his hand up her shirt made Miroku see red. Kagome didn't deserve such disgusting treatment.
After he'd left the apartment, he drove downtown to a payphone and from there called Kouga to relay the news. Kouga, as usual, took everything in stride and agreed that temporarily ending the relationship would be the best course of action. He didn't want to do it, but for her sake, he'd do anything to protect her from Yuki's wrath.
As he drove home, a thought hit him. Yuki had no idea that Kouga and his friends were close with Kagome. Sure, Yuki had witnessed the guys being friendly to her that day in the mall but that was all. That was nothing new, Miroku thought with a smile. Kagome was nice to everybody.
Yes... he could talk Yuki into allowing Kouga and his boys to be around her in the pretense of protecting her from the mysterious man who loved her. Yuki would think it was alright, since Kouga was exactly like him when it came to women. Or rather, Kouga used to be like him, but thanks to Kagome, he'd become human, along with Ginta and Hakkaku.
Thinking back, Miroku remembered the first time he groped Kagome. She told him it wasn't nice to touch women's bottoms, but that he was such a handsome young man that he didn't need to get a girl's attention that in that manner. When she said it, she gave him such a sweet, angelic smile that he could never bring himself to feel her up again. He didn't think he'd ever grope again... until Sango came along, that is.
But when Kagome had admonished him like that, she became the first woman who he'd ever completely respected. He had deserved it and was well aware of it, but he'd been instantly entranced by the girl with the sad brown eyes. Instead of walking away to find another bottom on which to feel, he hung around and little by little, they became friends. He'd even gotten together the nerve to ask her out, but she gently refused, telling him that he could do better than she but that she would love it if they remained friends.
They had... and there was no way he'd let her suffer at Yuki's hands for anything in the world, even if he found out about how his guys had been manipulated and bullied into silence by him. Miroku would rather face Yuki's wrath than see Kagome cry.
He only hoped that the mens' silence and Yuki's memory loss held.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
A/N: I hope everyone out there remembered Pearl Harbor on December 7. It was 65 years ago that day when many, many of our brave soldiers perished so horrifically. Over 2,300 lives were lost that day. Even though it was perpetrated by Japan, I do not hate them. I love and admire the nation of Japan and its people (especially its anime!).
Thanks! I had to to mention this, for it's important to me.