Growing Up or Growing Apart? Chapter 4, an inuyasha fanfic

Hi everyone! I work at a daycare, and today, guess what happened. This little girl PEED on me. Oh, the horror. Needless to say, it's a job I sure could use a break from. So, with that in mind, forgive me for taking a vacation. I might be gone a week from now, but I promise I'll update again before I go. So if you don't hear from me for about a week or so, I'LL BE BACK.

LOL, anywho. Here's the chapter. Hope you like!

Reviews:

daisy31 - Here's the chappie! silver-angel-sakura - Loved the review! Very kawaii. : ) angicakesisinuyashasluvr - I know, Inuyasha can be thick-headed. Kagome M.K. - Here you go! karine - It's okay if you're crazy, I like 'em that way! Aisu-Hime - It's an I/K fic, just going through a couple rough spots right now. I would love for you to beta my stories. I finally got them mapped out for about the next seven chapters! Yay me! You live in Texas? What area (you don't have to tell me, just curious) anime-lover-forever2007 - .:hides from you:. I'm sorry! I know it's sad! Don't kill me! randomthoughts666 - Here you go! MidnightAngel17 - It's happened to you? Terrible. Have a cookie - they solve life's problems. VcChick - I know, pretty gross, that's why I didn't write it! LOL Neya - Updated same day you reviewed! Here it is!

Sango's mom brought Kagome home early that morning. With puffy eyes, and an aching heart, she exited the mini-van and unlocked her front door. She slowly climbed the stairs that lead to her room. Her eyes teared up when she passed Kikyou's room, but she just held her head higher, refusing to let them fall.

She went into her room quietly. She knew her sister and aunt were still sleeping. She sat her overnight bag down by the door, closing it without a sound. She sat down on her bed.

She looked into her vanity mirror, directly across from the bed. Her hair was rumpled, her eyes were swollen, and most importantly, her heart was broken.

I am just a pale shadow in Kikyou's wake. Kagome stood up, turning to the side. She cocked her head, looking at her figure. No curves to speak of, my hair isn't as glossy or tamed. My eyes aren't that beautiful dark brown.

I am so pathetic. I could never win over anyone's heart. Especially not...Inuyasha's. Her eyes began to spring tears like faucets once again.

The feeling of being crushed was immense. Defeat was not even the proper turn How could I be defeated when I didn't even stand a chance?

God, did she resent not appreciating Inuyasha. How could she just treat him as a friend. She had never thought of Inuyasha as having a girlfriend.

She laid down on her bed, burying her head. She muffled her sobs in the worn down pillow she had owned since childhood. Inuyasha was her everything. He was her life, since she was four years old. He had been there through every tough moment. Inuyasha was the most loved person in her life.

Now he had chosen Kikyou over Kagome.

She looked again in the mirror at her red, tear streaked face. This time, her gaze wandered down, to her throat. The locket. The locket that Inuyasha had given her for her birthday so many years ago. She had always worn it. Inuyasha had though tshe just like the jewelry. Kagome though, had worn it as a reminder of his affection She knew he would never admit that he really liked having her around.

I no longer have his affection, she thought bitterly. She slowly pulled her hair over her shoulder. She reached her hands back and unclasped the chain.

Giving the locket one last look, she placed it on her dresser, then crawled onto the bed, curling her body around her suffering.

Kikyou waltzed into her sister's room, cheerful and light-spirited.

"Hey lazy!" she shook her sister's shoulders. "Wake up. You'll never guess what happened."

Kagome sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. "What?" Kagome asked, not really caring.

"You know how you hang out with that guy, Inuyasha?" she asked, smiling.

"Yeah." Kagome mumbled, knowing what was coming.

"Well, last night, at Miroku's party, you where there, right? Well, anyway, me and Naraku really got into it, you know? He just wouldn't pay me enough attention. Like, all he wants to do is sit around and brood. So, I told him we couldn't go out anymore," she waited for a reaction.

For her Kikyou's sake, she tried to appear like she was shocked.

Satisfied by Kagome's reaction, Kikyou continued. "Well, so I was crying, and Inuyasha came over to me. He asked me if I had seen you, and I said I thought I saw you go into one of the bedrooms. So I led him up there. When he realized you weren't in there, he sat down on the bed. He was angry and asked me what the deal was," she gave a wicked smile. "So I sat down on the bed beside him, and made my move."

Am I really having to listen to this?

"Me and Inuyasha are going out!" Kikyou squealed happily.

Kagome gave a weak smile. Damnit all.

"Isn't that cool?" Kikyou chattered on, oblivious to the hurt she inflicted on her sister.

"Like, he's a really good kisser. Why didn't you tell me?" she looked back at Kagome, "oh yeah, you didn't date. Anyway, like, he's pretty cool. I mean, like, I'm the ultimate good girl. Cheerleader and all that, and like, now I date a total rebel!" Kikyou clapped her hands together. "Naraku's going to be so jealous. I can't wait for Monday!"

Kagome got out of bed and headed for the restroom. I think I'm going to be sick, she thought.

Kikyou stared at the doorway. Hmph. Stupid girl. It's not like he was her boyfriend anyway. She looked around the room, and the glint of silver caught her eye.

Oooh, pretty, she thought.

Monday at school, everything was going as planned.

For Kikyou, that is.

Naraku had heard the rumors that Kikyou had hooked up with Inuyasha. Confronting her in the hall way, she just smiled, and reminded him she was no longer his girlfriend.

Yes, Kikyou was certainly happy.

Kagome sighed. Sango had been at her side every moment today, and Miroku was flocking around too. She couldn't decide if she would be happier alone or not. She had seen the little scene between Kikyou and Naraku earlier.

Classmates kept approaching her, asking if Inuyasha and Kikyou were actually dating, instead of asking Inuyasha. He sat beside her through most of her periods, but he hadn't spoken a word to her at all. He had looked at her when she had come into class, but their gazes were quickly averted. The day passed on awkwardly.

Kagome, Sango, and Miroku sat together at lunch. Inuyasha had joined Kikyou's table. He didn't look happy among the jocks and cheerleaders, and they looked as uncomfortable as Inuyasha.

Inuyasha turned to look back at his friends. Maybe this was all a mistake. He wasn't sure how he felt about Kikyou. She seemed alright. She wasn't the best conversationalist, not that he was either. He found it odd that she seemed to show him off, like a prize or badge. She hadn't had the attitude of 'look at my freak', but rather, 'isn't this impressive?'.

Kikyou had loved the fact that they didn't travel in the same social groups. Or actually, that Inuyasha didn't belong in a clique. However, Inuyasha liked having a girlfriend. He had Kagome as a friend, but found it much different compared to having a girlfriend.

Kagome meant a lot to him, but secretly, so did acceptance. With Kikyou, he may finally be welcomed into the head of the school.

He knew he had caused Kagome a lot of grief by making her a social pariah by being her friend. Perhaps if he was a little more accepted, it might be a little easier for her. Kagome might stop having to defend Inuyasha to everyone, and they would go to parties. They would be invited to hang out. They would have polite treatment, instead of ridicule and exclusion.

As he turned to say something to Kikyou, he noticed something.

His mother's locket.

Kikyou was wearing his mother's locket.

His surprise at seeing her don his gift to Kagome, what he had given out of love, was evident on his face.

"Inuyasha?" Kikyou asked, touching his face.

"Where did you get that necklace?" he demanded, closing his mouth.

"Oh, this old thing? Kagome gave it to me. She thought I should have it," Kikyou smiled warmly. "She's such a sweet girl."

Inuyasha nodded.

He gave Kagome's table one last look. If that's all it meant to you Kagome, that's what it'll be.

Oooh - I'm so creeped out right now! I'm half-watching a scary movie, and there is a thunderstorm going on. Yikes. Well, I hope you guys liked it. By the way, before anyone asks, Inuyasha DID love Kagome, but like a friend. She was his lifeline, and now he's feeling betrayed because Kagome 'gave' Kikyou his mother's necklace. Eesh. Stupid Kikyou. By the way - this IS an I/K fic, and don't worry, things will eventually get better. I feel so sorry for Kagome! Well, I'm fairly happy with this chapter, though it was sad. I promise, things will cheer up eventually. Patience, my little reviewers. Hope you liked it!

P.S. - Big thanks to Aisu-Hime, who has been a big help from the get-go on both stories! Much appreciation!

-ac06