Turn On Me

Chapter 4-Gleaming Auction

You're the one with the attitude
Don't try and make me out
To be the root of the evil in
The whole rotten affair
Lie back and suffer now
We've both earned our reward

Gleaming Auction by Snow Patrol

We were halfway down the driveway before I managed to wrestle my arm out of his hold. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I screeched. He smirked at me.

"Ah there's some of the old Kagome coming back." I glowered at him.

"Give me one good reason to not walk right back into the house," I demanded, anger filling my entire being. Who the hell did he think he was? I don't care if he's some sort rock star now, he could not just drag me out of my sister's house and not expect a fight.

"Because I need to talk to you without ears listening in on the conversation," he said, exasperatedly. I rolled my eyes.

"No one in that house would be listening in on our conversation." He scoffed.

"Your sister is a busy-body. She was hovering around the entire time I was waiting for you." I stared at him skeptically.

"She lives there, Inuyasha. It's her house! She would not listen in on our conversation. She respects me too much to eavesdrop on me."

"Oh yeah? Then what about the fact that she's staring out the window now looking at us." I twirled around and was shocked to see that he was telling the truth. Having been caught, Sango's face was red. The curtains were quickly moved back into place. Sighing, I looked back at Inuyasha.

"Okay, so what did you want to tell me that is so important that my sister couldn't hear it." I stood with my arms crossed over my chest, my hip cocked out to the side. The frown on my face told everyone who saw me that I was annoyed.

"Seriously? You're mad at me?" he asked me, shocked. I rolled my eyes again.

"Yes, Inuyasha, I'm angry!"

"Of course. God, this is so typical of you! Getting angry at the stupidest things. Jumping to conclusions and not letting the other party speak. You won't even let me explain myself!" He exclaimed.

"Typical of me? How about this is so typical of you! Forcing me out here like a Neanderthal without ever considering that maybe I don't want to talk to you."

"I was just trying to help," he spat at me. "Guess no good deed really does go unpunished."

"Oh stop being so dramatic. It's not like you were trying to save my life or anything. Besides, I fail to see how dragging me outside to 'talk' is helping me in any way at all!"

"Well, considering the warm welcome I got last night, I'm going to assume that your sister and your friends don't know." I pressed my lips together until I'm sure they turned white. This is not what I wanted to do the day after meeting up with the ex I never really got over; I did not want to talk about this with him.

"So?" I asked, defensively.

"Well, we need to air some things out. I thought you might not like your loved ones to find out from our screaming." We stared each other down for a few seconds. I didn't say anything in response. "Thank you isn't that hard to say, is it?"

"How considerate of you," I spoke dryly. "You're such a gentleman I don't know why I ever broke up with you." He grimaced.

"God, when'd you get the stick up your ass?"

"About the same time that I stopped being pretty," I answered bitingly. He colored slightly and cleared his throat, looking the other way.

"You weren't supposed to hear that," he whispered semi-apologetically.

"I gathered. Still doesn't change the fact that it was a shitty thing to say about anyone, let alone someone that you haven't seen or spoken to in four years."

"Well, whose fault is that? I didn't want you to break up with me. Hell, I actually thought I was in love with you."

"Stop playing the victim!" I screamed, running my hands through my hair in frustration. "You act like you were the only one hurt by the breakup. I assure you, I was just as much in love with you as you were with me!" He laughed, although it wasn't a happy sound.

"Clearly not because you broke up with me," he said with barely restrained anger. I myself was seeing red. I didn't say anything, just glared at him with the most murderous look I could muster. He took a deep breath and let it out, his body shuddering in defeat. "Look, I didn't bring you out here to fight. Hell, it's actually the opposite. I wanted to call a truce. I realize that we're in some really awkward situations. I…just want to get through the next few weeks incident free."

"You want a truce?" I asked him suspiciously. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. He nodded.

"I'm not suggesting we turn into best friends or anything. But we should be able to be in the same room with each other without letting on that we had a failed relationship."

"And you won't tell my family?" He nodded again.

"I'm sure you have a reason for not telling them. Hell, I wasn't even aware that you were close with your younger sister." I shrugged.

"It's a somewhat new development. It's only happened in the past few years." I commented, bringing my arms in tighter around my torso and looking the other way.

"But…I mean…why wouldn't you tell them? I told my family." I laughed at this.

"Oh, I'm well aware. Your brother was sending me death glares last week." He colored at this statement and it made me smile. Good. Be embarrassed. Jerk. "I didn't tell them because well…there is no real reason. I just don't like to talk about it. They know there was someone, but they don't know specifics," I admitted.

"Oh. So you don't care about them finding out?" He questioned. I shook my head.

"If you had brought this up before you met them, although I don't know why you would have, I would have said I didn't. Now though…the only purpose our failed relationship serves is to put distance between our two families. And I don't want to do that. Sango really likes Rin. Eri and Ayume are practically in love with you. Hell, even Miroku is enjoying having more lively company than the rest of my family." He laughed.

"I can't see why. I mean, your family is rather amusing, in my opinion."

"Only to mock and from afar," I remarked. "After you actually have to spend time with them, the amusement quickly fades, I assure you." We laughed together, easily, as if we hadn't just been at each other's throats, as if I my actions hadn't left a wake of destruction between us. It was nice. It was more than nice. It was addicting, like a drug. The minute it ended, I wished I could go back and keep laughing. I wish that my entire life was spent laughing with Inuyasha about my family and enjoying each other's company. And then the next minute, I was quashing down the regret. It happened a lot. I would imagine what things would be life if I had said screw it all and married him. Or I would imagine what a moment in my life would have been like if I was married. It was a terrible, taunting game my mind played on me. I was usually better about making sure the regrets didn't get to me. It was dangerous if they did. They would be followed by another and another until I was bogged down with 'what ifs' and 'could have beens'. But being so close to Inuyasha was making it harder. Silence descended over us, comfortable, not awkward, and I allowed myself to relax slightly. "I heard you on the radio the other night," I admitted.

"Oh? Which one?"

"WECT. The song was really good."

"Feh," was his only comment. I assumed he didn't want to talk about it. It was odd, but who was I to question him at this point? "Tell me something, did you ever write a book?" I flushed slightly, embarrassed to admit that I hadn't done any sort of writing at all since I graduated.

"No. I work in a publishing company though."

"Really?" he asked, shocked. "I bet your some hot shot literary agent or a highly sought after editor or something," he continued, speculating. My blush intensified.

"Actually, I'm the administrative assistant," I said, barely above a whisper. God this was so embarrassing. Here we were, four years later, and not only was Inuyasha successful, he was nationally known at this point, and I had to admit that I worked a dead end job that pretty much anyone could do. Life just couldn't cut me a break.

"What exactly does that mean?" he questioned.

"I, uh, answer the phones and set up appointments. You know, that sort of thing."

"You're a secretary?" he stated, shocked and skeptical. I shrugged in agreement.

"I suppose some would see it that way." Myself included.

"If someone had told me five years ago that I would have a recording contract and that you would be working as a secretary, I wouldn't have believed them. Why aren't you writing? What happened?" I shrugged.

"I just…didn't want to write anymore. Besides, unless I get published, I don't get paid. And the thought of not being able to pay my rent and having to move back home terrifies me."

"Can't you work and write?" I shrugged again.

"When I find something worth writing, I'll do it. Until then…" I trailed off, not really sure how I wanted that sentence to end. This time, the silence between us was awkward.

"Yeah…uh…have you known Eri long?" I tensed.

"Since high school. We were in the same class. We spent a lot of time together, especially when I was over hanging out with Miroku."

"What?"

"We went out when I was like sixteen," I answered, in what I hoped was a nonchalant voice.

"And then he married your sister?" I nodded.

"Actually, I'm the one that introduced them. It's a little odd, I know, but they're made for each other. They're quite happy. As for Eri and Ayume, well, I can't say they've changed much since I've known them. Ayume's got a steady boy-something and Eri is currently single. So you should go for it," I commented. No. No you shouldn't go for it. Eri is a shallow, two dimensional diva that will do nothing but drag you down. Pick me, pick me, pick me!

"Go for what?" He questioned, his voice high with surprise or embarrassment, I wasn't sure. I rolled my eyes.

"It's obvious that you're into her. You wouldn't be asking about her if you weren't. If there is anything you aren't, it's subtle." He smirked slightly, his face tense and strained. I attributed it to the fact that he was embarrassed about his crush.

"I'm that obvious huh? So you think I've got a shot?"

"Does a bear shit in the woods?" I retorted, a forced smile on my face. "She's practically in love with you." No she wasn't. She was in love with your fame, with your money. She doesn't love you. I love you.

"Okay then," he said, his voice breathless and airy. "I should probably be going."

"You probably should." The fake smile stretched wider on my face.

"See you around, Higurashi!" He gave me a small wave, finished walking down the drive, and was off on his way before I could respond. It was almost as if this whole thing hadn't all happened. I almost wished it hadn't. Had I really just pushed Eri at Inuyasha, the man that I pined for these past years? Well, shit.

I trudged back up into the house, raking my hands through my hair absently, nervously. The minute I closed the door, Sango pounced.

"Well?"

"Well, what?" I responded, unsure as to what she was getting out.

"What did he say?" She all but screamed, "Oh gosh, did he ask you out? I hope he did. Wouldn't that just be so cute? He's been pining for you all these years since you met at college and only just now got the courage to ask you on a date." She sighed dreamily. I rolled my eyes.

"Before you start planning my wedding, you should know, he didn't ask me out."

"Well, then, what the hell were you discussing that was so secret?" I shrugged.

"Nothing in particular. He was asking for information about Eri. He didn't want to be overheard by anyone. It's a secret crush and all that." Sango laughed.

"Well, so much for it being a secret." I stuck my tongue out at her. "But really, Eri?" I shrugged.

"She's not so bad." Sango fixed me with a look. I sighed. "Okay, so, she can be a little shallow. But she's not a terrible person."

"She's after him for his money. If he wasn't famous, she wouldn't look twice at him," Sango said. "I like him. He seems to be a good guy. I'd hate for him to get in too deep with Eri and then get burned." I shrugged. Sure, I would've liked it to be me, but I knew it would never happen. We were done. That chapter in our loves was finished. If he wanted Eri, then I would wish him the best of luck. If he'd moved on, then perhaps I could finally let him go.

"He's a big boy. He can fend for himself. Besides, I'm a little more worried about Eri. He's got a love 'em and leave 'em reputation." I didn't know this for sure, but from what I could tell from the tabloids, in the past year alone, he was linked to six girls. Sango frowned a bit.

"I didn't get that vibe from him at all. And I'm an excellent judge of character, you know." I rolled.

"Sango, you'd think Charles Manson wasn't evil, just misunderstood. You want to see the good in people so badly that you refuse to see their faults." Sango bristled at my comment, her lips pursed.

"Yeah well, you're not perfect either!" She snapped. I laughed.

"Oh believe me, I know," I commented. "Look, I think I'm gonna get my stuff and head home. Thanks for letting me crash."

"Kagome, wait!" she called out to me as I mounted the stairs. I turned back to look at her. "Aunt Kimi called while you were outside. She wants to see you the first chance you get." I sighed.

"Great." I looked down at the dress I was wearing, debating whether or not it would acceptable to go home and get some clean clothes, but I knew that Auntie K would be upset at having to wait so long. At least I hadn't stained the dress or anything. It was still relatively clean, even though I had donned it around 24 hours ago. I continued to climb the stairs and popped into the guest room to gather my purse. I told Sango good bye then got in my car and drove to my Aunt's house.

Hesitantly, I knocked on the door to my Aunt's study, her "inner sanctum" if you will. "Enter!" she called, her voice angry. I didn't really want to, but I opened the door. She whirled around, ignoring the man that was standing in front of her. Her face lightened slightly as she saw me. "Kagome!" I walked forward and hugged her.

"Hi Auntie. Am I interrupting something? I can wait." She shook her head.

"No, you don't need to. I'm done here. We're done here." The last statement was directed at the man. I gazed at him and frowned. Something was off about the man. He wasn't ugly. In fact, he was rather good looking. Shoulder length, black, wavy hair, deep brown eyes, an athletic build. Most women would consider him handsome. He was dressed in an all black suit and exuded such an air of nonchalance and cool that I was slightly intimidated. He gave me a quick once over and frowned before turning his attention back to my Aunt.

"Good day, Ms. Higurashi," he replied, his voice calm and silky. He picked up his briefcase off the floor and quickly left.

"Who was that?" I asked. My aunt shrugged.

"No one important. Just an incompetent fool. Would you like some tea?" Without waiting for a response, she poured me a cup. I sipped it politely.

"You wanted to talk to me?" I prompted after a couple moments of silence.

"Oh yes. I did." She paused, looking for the right words. "I just wanted you to know that I'm aware of who is staying in your mother's house." I shrugged.

"That's good to know, Auntie. I'd be concerned if you didn't thoroughly do a background check on Sesshoumaru and Rin, at the very least."

"I'm not referring to the renters. I'm referring to the relative that is freeloading with them." It dawned on me then why she wanted to talk to me.

"Oh. This is about Inuyasha." I took another sip of tea, purely for something to do that would keep me from saying something I shouldn't to my aunt. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for her for everything she's done for me, but the issue of Inuyasha is not something that I wanted to discuss with the woman who convinced me to say renege on my decision all those years ago.

"Of course this is about that miscreant," she told me, exasperated. "I'm sure it's not good for your health to be around him so much. I've got a conference to go to on Wednesday that will take me away for around three weeks. You are welcome to come with me."

"While I appreciate the offer, Auntie K," I started, hesitantly, "I can't take you up on it. I can't get three weeks off of work this quickly." I was hoping that excuse would be the end of it. But things with Aunt Kimi were not that simple.

"Give me your boss' phone number," she demanded. "I'll talk to him." I sighed.

"Really, it's okay. I'm fine. I barely have any contact with Inuyasha. And by the end of the summer, he'll be gone." Aunt Kim frowned.

"If you're sure…" I nodded.

"I am." I downed the rest of my tea. "Look, Aunt Kimi, it's lovely to see you, but I have to get going." She smiled at me.

"Of course, of course. Be sure to call me! I'll send you a post card from my conference." I nodded and smiled.

"Great. Bye." I stood up and hugged her before leaving, without looking back once.

When I arrived home, I dropped my purse by the door, kicked off my heels and went into the kitchen. The bottle of red wine was calling my name. I poured myself a glass and wandered over to my stereo, turning on some old Billie Holiday. And then I did something I hadn't done in a long time. I turned on my computer and opened a new document. For once, when I looked at the document, I didn't see it mocking me, taunting me about how much or how little was there. Instead, I saw the endless possibilities I had seen when I was twenty one. Without another thought, I placed my hands on the keyboard and began to write.

A/N: Oh my gosh. This chapter seems waaaay longer than the 3,200 words it is. It has taken me forever to write, sentence by sentence. I've been way too ADD lately to focus on writing. I've got a lot going on. Finishing up at work. Working out logistics for school (which is only 12 days away!). Dealing with Customs information and responsibilities for the fall. But I promise you, I'll have another chapter out by labor day at the latest (Sept. 7 for all my non-US residents). Which means that I'll be writing a bit during the beginning of the school year, but that will be it, really. I wanted to get this to chapter 5 before I go on hiatus for a while, while school is in session. Because after chapter 5, things are going to start picking up. I'm really looking forward to getting farther into this story.

I'd love to hear what you think. So review. Until next time,

Emily
NaP