Uhm, sorry it took me so long to update, I've had a bunch of awfulness to deal with. Anyway, I kinda really like the first paragraph of this one, I think it's like a narration of Sango's thoughts or something. I dunno. Enjoy!
Why can't anything ever be simple? It is perplexing how chaotic the world is, how humans thrive on each other's misfortune. From the instant they utter their first cry to the last seconds of their lives, it is a constant fight for power, wealth, success, and even love. It is extraordinary how having love in one's life can make the struggle all worthwhile; A reason to wake up in the morning with a smile on your face for no particular reason, a motive to face the day and to laugh off the bothersome things rather than dwell on them, someone to ease the burden when things are too hard to handle. How strange, that something as pure and beautiful as love can be so easily tainted.
The sun shown bright through the window of the shack, a radiant blanket draped itself delicately over the sleeping Taijiya. She squinted as it touched her face and she rolled over seeking shadows, but found only light. She gave up and opened her eyes, though she did not want to face this day. On this morning, she had no reason to smile. The sunrise only brought back troubling thoughts caused by particular complications often entwined with love. She had not talked to Kagome in hours, they did not share a bed as they usually did, and now as she sat up in the quiet room, she discovered the Miko had already woken and left. They did not have a disagreement, but something was certainly wrong between them, an unspoken tension. She wanted to know what was going through Kagome's head. Was she feeling guilty about Inuyasha too? Was she ashamed of her emotions? Was she second-guessing her feelings for Sango? Sango crawled off the mat and rose to her feet; she wanted to find Kagome before the men woke and decided to leave as they had planned the night before. It was going to be much harder to get her alone now that Sango was no longer bed-ridden. Kirara mewed as she saw her master rise; Sango whirled around to hush her. It was then when she noticed that the Hanyou was also missing. Sango cursed, had they left together? She didn't like the idea of the couple being entirely alone. She was abruptly jealous and angry, even though she knew deep in her heart Kagome hadn't promised her anything. They never discussed the extent of their relationship. Sango just assumed Kagome no longer loved Inuyasha when she admitted her feelings to the Taijiya. What if she had believed wrong?
Sango snuck out of the hut and headed down to the river, where she was confident Kagome and Inuyasha would be. However, there was no one at the river when she reached it. She didn't even know what she intended to do or say when she found them. What was the point anyway? She knelt down beside the water and looked at herself in a still puddle beside the rapids. It was the first time she'd seen herself since before the battle. She saw a small bruise beneath her eye, all that remained of the black-eye the wolf demon had given her. The gash was healing fine too; it would be gone in a few more days. The mist from the rapids soaked her face, but it felt good. She reached into the river and cupped water in her hands. She splashed it against her skin and let it trickle down her cheeks. Again, she reached into the water and doused her face and hair, she repeated this action several more times as if she was trying to wash off some invisible stain, a mark only she could see, perhaps a result from her guilt. She continued until she was dripping. She stood up and shook her head; wet hair tossed about and fell onto her shoulders. She was just wondering where Inuyasha and Kagome could be when she saw a red blur in the corner of her eye on the other side of the river. Startled, she almost fell into the water, but she crouched down behind a rock instead. It was Inuyasha, walking along the banks. Behind him, holding his hand, trailed Kagome. She looked bothered, focusing on his feet as he dragged her along. Finally, he sat on a rock beside the waterway and Kagome sat beside him. She leaned on him, and Sango felt her face getting hot. They seemed to be in deep conversation, but Sango couldn't hear their words over the current. Out of nowhere, Kagome kissed Inuyasha. Sango was shocked, she felt her stomach knot and she wanted to throw up, to scream, to do anything to stop what was happening before her. She was envious and furious, but mostly she felt betrayed; she got up and went back to the shack without speaking to either of them.
"W-what was that for Kagome?!" asked Inuyasha, startled as she leaned on him again.
"What did you feel?" she asked.
"I-I dunno." He stuttered.
"Did you think of the Priestess?" she whispered. Inuyasha coughed and looked at her questioningly, but did not speak. "I thought so…I'm just not certain if we should continue to be together." She said, even though her grasp on his hand was tightening.
"But why?!" he insisted, angrily.
"I'm in lo-" she paused and decided to choose her words more carefully, "..I don't think..we are right for each other. Besides, you're still in love with Kikyou." replied Kagome.
"But I want you! My relationship with Kikyou is…different." Inuyasha argued.
"Then tell me, if she came to you tomorrow and told you she wanted to be with you, that you would turn her down for me." Once again, Inuyasha did not reply, he knew he would follow Kikyou anywhere in a second. Kagome saw his reaction and took her hand from his. "See, I told you… this isn't going to work out, I won't wait around for you to get over her…because it will never happen. And, when I kissed you..I thought of someone else too." Inuyasha grimaced and looked at Kagome beseechingly, wanting her to explain, but she was unwavering. She thought of Sango, laying in her arms and kissing her cheek. Being able to give herself completely to Sango, heart, body, and soul, without holding back because of Inuyasha, was enough to make Kagome happy. Maybe when she knew that Inuyasha was no longer a romantic part of Miko's life, the Taijiya would be more willing to take their relationship further, maybe they could always remain together. Kagome did not even care about sex; she just wanted to do everything and anything to keep Sango by her side. She looked at Inuyasha, "So…it's settled. I'm breaking up with you, Inuyasha."
"What does that even mean, Kagome? Who did you think of? Was it that idiot Kouga!?" Inuyasha asked, raging. Kagome did not respond this time, she just watched the rapids.
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I just don't love you anymore." She said softly. With that, she got up and left. For once, the Hanyou was completely silent, even his eyes and face were vacant. By the time Kagome returned to the shack, everyone was awake and ready to move. Inuyasha arrived shortly after the Miko, quite irritated, confused, and wanting to leave right away.
Miroku glanced at Inuyasha, "Are you ready to get going?"
"Yea, yea…" that Hanyou muttered, "let's just get out of here." Shippou climbed onto his back as he stared at Kagome, not sure what to expect now, but he did not want anything to distract him from his revenge on Naraku. He tried to shrug off the feeling that his heart was breaking, the same feeling he had when he thought Kikyou betrayed him. He frowned, why didn't he tell Kagome he would choose her over the priestess? …because he would be lying to her.
Kagome grinned when she saw Sango getting ready to climb onto Kirara's back and ran to her. "Sango-chan!" she yelled, "Sango-chan I have something important to tell you." Sango did not turn to look at her; instead, she froze upon hearing the Miko's voice. She touched the Taijiya's shoulder; who flinched away from her hand. "Sango?"
Sango turned and looked at her with cold eyes. "Why don't you ride with your Hanyou, huh?" she hissed bitterly, whirling away from her and leaping onto Kirara.
"W-what?" Kagome was stunned, she staggered back as Kirara took off into the sky. Kagome's mind was reeling, what the hell was going on? What would possess Sango to say something like that to her? Then she noticed that the hand she had touched Sango with was wet. She realized Sango's hair was soaked as well...Kagome gasped, Sango had seen her with Inuyasha at the river. She felt sick. "Sango! Wait!" she cried, but the Taijiya did not reply. She hovered about the group on Kirara's back, waiting for them to move. Miroku's face looked just as surprised as Kagome's, and Inuyasha was oblivious as always.
"Whatever, get on Kagome." He said, pulling Shippou off his back and handing him over to Miroku. Kagome didn't move, Inuyasha had to walk over and grab her hand. "C'mon Kagome, I know you're mad at me, but we gotta go." She shook her head, but he wasn't paying attention. He picked her up. "Just hold on or something." She dug her face into Inuyasha's back and grasped his robe tightly. Had Sango seen Kagome kiss Inuyasha? Or maybe she was upset about Kagome not sleeping beside her the night before? The Miko could only hope it was something so simple. She just wanted to talk to her, to explain and make everything ok. What was she supposed to do?
I hate the fact that I ended this chapter with a question like that. I feel like it's so cliche and I apologize. I just can't think right now. Haha. I'm going to sleep. Happy 4th of July everyone! Next update on Sunday because of the holiday. It'll be a good one to make up for all the angst, promise! Review Please? :) love y'all.
*EDIT* here's the thing, I could've posted Sunday as I promised, but it would've been a shortish chapter. I want this chapter to be really good, so I'm working a little harder on it, it'll be worth the wait.