When a Lie Leads to Truth

(Chapter Seven)

The silver tray dropped to the ground with an angry clatter. Needless to say, Kagome was livid.

"Will you marry me…Kikyo?! Will you marry me Kikyo!?!" Her voice grew to a defeaningly loud decibel and Inuyasha clapped his hands to his ears in pain. It was only a matter of time before they began bleeding at this rate.

"Kagome…I…" he stuttered gesturing weakly. "I didn't mean…"

"That's right," Kagome sniffed blearily, her terrible rage dissipating as a terrible sorrow took over. A stream of tears cascaded, smearing her mascara. "You didn't mean you loved me. You never did. You've always mistaken me for Kikyo!" Inuyasha growled.

"NO! That isn't true, dammit! I love you Kagome, not her! The cake's just messed up. When I get my hands on whoever did this they won't have guts left to pull shit like this…"

But Kagome wasn't listening. Instead, she bunched up her calf-length skirt and ran full-stride out of their secluded eating booth. She didn't stop either. Inuyasha's jaw dropped at his predicament and he stared at Ayumi in askance.

"What the hell is going on?" the dog demon flustered. Ayumi shrugged but was sympathetically tearful.

"Go after her, Inuyasha-kun. I'm sorry we messed up somehow but you're the only one who can make her happy!"

"But who the hell did this to me?! To Kagome!" Ayumi shook her head doubtfully.

"I don't know Inuyasha-kun. But I promise we'll get revenge for you."

"Thanks." Like a blur of white-sheened fabric, Inuyasha was off. He bounded over the rose-and willow barrier and within moments, out the glass lobby doors. As he took his leave, he did not notice a certain high-ranked politician whom sat at one of the tables near the kitchens reading his paper. Perhaps it was the fact that he was lacking his striking heel-length, platinum-white hair. Or perhaps it was because he had suppressed his aura. But Inuyasha never noticed as Sessohmaru took off a pair of shades- an extra precaution born of the moment to ensure the hanyou did not notice him. Sesshomaru had never dreamed that his younger brother's past self would show up here tonight. Nor, he reflected with a wicked smirk, would he have believed to have been given such a great opportunity to get back at him for that birthday party last week. Rin hadn't been speaking to him ever since she found out about that birthday cake with the stripper in it. Yes, Sesshomaru thought to himself, for once karma was sweet. With one clawed hand he reached for another piece of his favorite cheesecake with the oddly inscribed letters "KAGO" in green icing.

Meanwhile, Ayumi blustered into the kitchens looking around purposely. She was back by Eri and Yuka, and they were venomous.

"All right Mr. Bisneti," Eri scolded pointing a finger at the first person she saw, along with Yuka. "What did you do to our friend Kagome?!" She suddenly noticed that Mr. Bisneti was looking much shorter than usual. And greener. And since when had he started wearing a tall chief's hat?

"Ahem!" said the small… err person below them. The mixing ladle he was using looked like a staff in comparison to his small stature. "If you're looking for Mr. Bisneti he's gone home sick today."

"Oh really?" said Eri somewhat nullified. "Maybe you should go home too. You're looking pretty green." Jakin scowled.

Eavesdropping on every word from his seat conveniently poised by the kitchen, Sesshomaru smiled. "I really must give Jakin a pay-raise for being such a devoted henchman. It reminds me of the good old days."

Meanwhile, Inuyasha splashed out onto the concrete poured street. He encountered rain, flowing in a torrent sheet from some forgotten cloud which after rolling onto Tokyo, had wept in envy of the moon destroying it. All traces of Kagome was gone, and her scent so strongly detectable and dear to him was lost to the tires of the taxi which had ferried her. It was Inuyasha's misfortune for them to have been near a taxi stand. Nor was he fortunate in that he did not know it.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha called out in a panic-stricken tone. "Kagome!" Disregarding the rain as it ran into his collar, he ran down the sodden street hoping to find the girl of the right name.

Twenty minutes of traffic later, Kagome stealthily slid open the papered screen door of Higurashi Shrine. She shook off her brown dress coat in the dull foyerlight to drape it from a hanger. With what only in mad hope was secrecy, she tiptoed up her creaky staircase to her room and peeked cautiously inside. Only after she was certain that no motion stirred within her room, she swung the door open. Taking in a deep breath of relieved oxygen, she hastened to the closet and slung the door open hitting Buyo. With a murmured apology she took out her yellow book bag and began cramming everything she could in it. Approximately fifteen minutes later, Kagome jumped down the well. The miko disappeared to the past with a bright glimmer of blue sparks

Miroku and Sango were polishing their weapons. The peaceful lull of the late evening surrounded them and the crackling of Kaede's fire warmed them. They talked quietly. The topic of discussion was one of their many demon slaying adventures and soon, the mild sound of their whispers ceased. It was replaced by the creak of floorboards and the rustling of blankets as they lay down, prepared to sleep soundly beside old Kaede and young Shippo, both of whom had been adoze for hours.

Miroku and Sango had been up for hours waiting for Inuyasha and Kagome's return from the other side of the well. However, it seemed fated not to be and too weary to stay up another minute, both turned in, to await their friends' return in the morning. What they did not expect in the least was that Kagome-sama would return on her own, in the middle of the night no less.

It was nearly midnight when Kagome stumbled into the entranceway of Kaede's hut, panting slightly. She had run the entire way from the Bone-Eater's Well to Kaede's hut so she arrived winded. All occupants of the hut sprung up, roused from their sleep by her gasping and the panicked aura which flared around her.

"Kagome-sama!" said Miroku. "What is the matter?" Kagome ran to Sango's arms with a guttural sob.

"Oh, Sango-chan, it was horrible!" she cried out. Sango wrapped her arms consolingly around the young miko but could not help but raise an eyebrow in askance. Gently, she led her friend outside to where they could speak privately under the honesty of the stars. With a sigh, Sango told herself to be patient. She knew Kagome and herself were in for a long talk, all of it probably about Inuyasha.

Eight hours later, Sango shook her head as she retraced her steps to the hut. A touch of pink placed its tongue upon the sky, heralding the morning. It had indeed been a very long night for both of them. Some of the things that had happened Sango did not fully understand, such as going to the "moving pictures" and taking a "taxi cab" but she understood one thing clearly. Inuyasha had messed up again. Now it was time for her and Miroku to take action.

"Miroku!" Sango hissed to the not-actually-sleeping monk. He cracked an eye open and regarded her with a most serious stare.

"Yes Sango?"

"I'm sure you overheard that Inuyasha messed up again."

"Not at all, my dear Sango. I was merely making sure that no harm came to you two lovely ladies as you sat in consulting."

"Save it Miroku," Sango answered briskly. "Look, I need you to do something. Stay here and wait for Inuyasha. Tell him that Kagome and I have gone to visit my village to tend to the graves. We'll be back in a week."

"And? What am I to do with an angry hanyou for all that time?" Sango shrugged.

"You could try and see if you can talk some sense into him. If anyone can find a way to get us all out of this mess, you can Miroku."

"Why thank you, Sango-dearest. Your confidence in me is flattering." He moved to clasp her hands in his but she shook him off.

"Quit it Miroku! Now, I'm counting on you. Don't let Inuyasha follow us okay?"

"You can count on me, Sango." Sango nodded. She picked up Kilala whom mewed curiously as well as Kagome's forgotten backpack. Then the two of them left Kaede's.

Miroku looked out the hut doorway to see the fully empowered fire-neko soaring across the sky with both girls on her back.

"Well, there they go," he said mournfully. He rubbed his temple. "Something tells me it is going to be a long week."

Somewhere in Tokyo Japan, Inuyasha stopped and folded his arms, livid. He had been running all night and so far all he had been able to find were several hundred dogs, two demons, and a pastry chief tied up and dumped in a dumpster swearing something about green monkeys. He was wet, tired, and most of all broken hearted. He had done everything he could have to make Kagome his and now- he had failed at it. It was as though his fragile heart was rending.

Kagome would never be his. This he felt certain of. She hated him now, without any uncertainty. And yet, hate him or not Inuyasha had to convince her to marry him. It was for her own good. Even if they had to live without love, he would see to it that she was alive and cared for. It was the least he could do for her.

Crouching down into a back alley, Inuyasha scowled. He shook off some of the beads of moisture that clung to his body. Beyond him, a stray alley cat hissed and a trash bin fell over. There was the sound of an angry voice shouting and dogs barking beyond closed doors. Lifting his ears, Inuyasha spun around and took off again.

There was only one place to go now. It finally dawned on Inuyasha as he fled there in necessity that Kagome might have already returned to the shrine, or even the well. An almost-prayer filled his heart as he took one momentous bound and dropped down to a shorter rooftop. He practically flew on his way to the shrine.

Soon, there it was. The Bone-Eater's Well beckoned to him like a cave in a hailstorm. He bolted through it, allowing his tense muscles to relax slightly as the familiar circle of blue surrounded him, enfolding him in its reassurances that Kagome was his. Why else would it let him through as it did?

At the other side of the well, his nose perked up. Here, no dust or scent of rain obscured Kagome's odor and it trailed, fresh, just as he hoped it would all the way to Kaede's hut. He tore back the curtain with a bang. Only to find Miroku seated alone in the hut sipping green tea.

"Miroku, where is Kagome?"

"Inuyasha, there is no need to get your hackles risen."

"Damn it, where is Kagome?"

"Spending some quality time with Sango. Sango needs to do some mourning and I asked Kagome-sama to watch over her to ensure she does not grieve too much."

"Keh."

"Why don't you sit down Inuyasha?" The half-demon's only reaction was to slide down the wall in an audible slump. He crossed his arms sourly, cradling Tetsusiaga.

"Inuyasha?"

"What is it monk?"

"If you want to win Kagome-sama's affections, why don't you do something that someone of these ages would?"

"You mean ask her parents?"

"No, no," Miroku waved his hand. "I mean give her the big surprise. Not that one," he amended at Inuyasha's scowl. "But if we go up the hill this way, a few meters from Kaede's hut, you will find that there is space for one more structure."

"Keh." Inuyasha watched carefully as Miroku inscribed the dust of Kaede's lower floor with the illustration of a small hut. He hopped down to the dirt and brushed it away with a flourish.

"Kagome's from the future, Miroku. She wouldn't want a house like that." With a look of concentration, he began to draw his own diagram with a clawed finger.

Even with the help of Kaede's faithful villagers, it took them a full week to finish building Kagome's "surprise". In fact, a mere week was a miracle since Inuyasha had insisted that instead of a small hut, they build Kagome a miniature palace with four separate rooms and even the unimaginable the luxury of a scholar's study complete with alcove and furniture. The skill behind the manor was at best, rustic. The villagers were by no means the artisans of palaces whose craft was jealously passed down generation by generation. They had no rice-paper frames to offer, no sheets of glass to make the walls transparent with. But they did their best to comply with Inuyasha's barking orders, being infinitely grateful when Miroku took him in hand. Left to their own devices, and with the brute strength of Inuyasha to fell heavy trees and maneuver all beams in place, the one-story structure rose with a startling quickness. It became a masterpiece, the most affluent home of all the village. All the village women grumbled in envy.

Soon, all villagers were shooed away and Miroku placed a special barrier to protect the homestead. Inuyasha had chosen to build it nearly a mile away from Kaede's Village, where there was privacy and a clean spring to draw water from. With an anxiety that made everyone around him nervous themselves, he darted about planting flowering shrubs he had found in the "public forest" of Kagome's time. He filled the storage full of fresh game and brought over blankets, bedding, and clothes from her world. Inuyasha even dared to make a neat stack of her beloved "textbooks" on the desk that had been made just for her. As a final touch, he dug up fresh vegetables and herbs and hung them to dry from the ceiling. It made the villa feel like a cherished home instead of a waiting structure. Still, Inuyasha was nervous.

Two days later than a week, Inuyasha detected the aura of a neko demon coming from the sky. He looked out from Kaede's hut where he had been waiting and gulped. Kagome and Sango were back, looking somewhat joyous. But immediately at seeing him again Kagome's lipped tightened and her eyes thinned. Fortunately, Miroku saved all of them.

"Kagome-sama," he said grabbing a hold of her arm and steering her. He let go at Inuyasha's insistent growling. "Please, allow me to show you the most remarkable thing. I am sure you would be astounded by it."

"What is it, Miroku?" Kagome asked blindly.

"Now if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise would it?" He winked at her. Looking directly behind him, he winked at Inuyasha too and the dog-demon took the hint. They had rehearsed for this after all. He vanished.

Kagome, Miroku, and Sango plodded on. They followed a barely discernible trail along a small stream and onto the side of small hill. Ripe berries abounded and birds flew up in a disconcerting whirr. Finally, reaching the cover of dense trees again, they came upon a blue barrier. For a moment, Kagome's heart squelched at the thought that might be Kikyo come back from the dead yet again, but then her fears were scattered as Miroku reached up and pulled a small spell scroll from where it been plastered to a tree trunk. He tucked it casually in his pocket and halted to allow her to go forward.

"Kagome-sama," he said not moving and catching Sango by the shoulder. "Please, go on by yourself. Inuyasha-sama has worked hard to create this surprise for you." Kagome's eyebrows crinkled.

"Okay," she said doubtfully. She moved forward, with Mirkou and Sango following at a respectable distance.

What Kagome saw made her heart stop. There, lain out in the forest was a newly carved clearing. Across rows of bushes and dancing butterflies stood a house, reachable by a little bridge that flowed over a cold stream, deep and transparent. Kagome looked downwards to spy little fish dancing in the waters below, the same sort of trout they customarily ate on their travels. With a nervous gulp, she crossed the wooden bridge, the rubber heels of her leather shoes clacking across the boardwalk. Then, finding herself nearer to the intimidating house, she turned to get her bearings. The path continued around the house to the left and up onto a covered veranda which stretched out along its southern side. With trepidation, Kagome left the gravel path which crunched under feet for the resounding hollow thump of smoothed floorboards. A humble door stood before her.

With quavering fingers, Kagome pulled back the door. She stepped inside and explored the four rooms within. It was shadowy, without the benefit of light since it lacked windows but Kagome had no doubt in her mind that it would be warm. There was a firepit in every room and to her amusement, what looked like a mimicry to her bathroom at home. Kagome noted wryly that she would have to bring back a composting toilet to replace the private pots.

Then, Kagome was outside again. She closed the door behind her and raised a hand to block out the sun which seemed immense compared to the interior of the house. She waited for her pupils to dilate and then, she looked out across the manmade meadow. Her heart stopped again.

Inuyasha stood only a few feet from her in the most enchanting part of the woodland garden. A butterfly soared by to land on his ear and he teased it off with a flicker. He looked almost peaceful. With arms folded defensively, his next words came hesitantly.

"So, do you like it?" He asked.

"I… do like it," Kagome breathed. "Is it for me?" Inuyasha seemed as though he was about to say "keh" again. But he changed his mind and said "yes" instead.

"It's a present," he explained. "I ur, want you to live here with me Kagome." Inuyasha blushed as deep red as his kimono. Kagome's hear thumped. The blush continued as Inuyasha reached for something behind him and she saw to her startlement that it was Shippo bound up from head to toe in ribbon. He set the kitsune down on the ground before him and glared at him. Shippo gulped.

"Er, Okasaan!" he blurted out his rehearsed line. A soft nudge to his tail caused him to hasten before things could get ugly. "Otosan says that I can live here with the two of you as a family!" Shippo held out his little arms to lifted by the miko. She surprised them all by taking a step back.

"No," Kagome muttered shaking her head wildly. A few tears clotted the corners of her eyes. "I never thought that all of you would try to trick me. I won't ever be a replacement to Kikyo!" Inuyasha stiffened angrily.

"Damn it, Kagome, you're not a replacement! You're everything in the world to me!" But Kagome only shook her head sadly and began running. Clenching his robes and doubling up as if shot in heart with an arrow, Inuyasha leapt away to find the confines of some tree to sulk in. Dumbfounded by the recent turn of events, Miroku and Sango stayed where they were before Sango went to chase after the girl. Little did they know that small amount of time was all it took for Kagome to disappear on all of them.

To say that Kagome did not enjoy Kouga's visits to her would be lie. True, they were always a little stressful because Inuyasha and Kouga would always fight and the wolf was always trying to romance her. But at this solitary moment in time, she had never been so grateful to see a whirl of wind dusting across the horizon. When it stopped, she looked up into Kouga's cobalt blue eyes lovingly and- launched herself at him.

"Kouga!" she said happily squeezing him. Kouga was startled but pleased at the same time.

"What is it my love?" the wolf demon purred out.

"Take me away from here! I can't stand being here any longer!" Kouga's eyes sparkled and her returned Kagome's embrace fully.

"Anything for you, my love," he purred before sweeping her up into his arms and beginning the long trek back to his den in the mountains.

Author Notes: No, this is not a Kouga/Kagome pairing. I'm just setting things up for Inuyasha's next attempt to make Kagome his. They both have some thinking to do. Later.