Chapter 20
You know how something will be right under your nose but you won't actually see it for how it is? And then suddenly, at some random point, everything will click together and it'll be like your eyes have cleared up or something?
I just got that.
After school I tried to corner Kagome and force her to tell me about her bruise, but she was no where in sight. So I went home, thinking about her the whole ride there. Though, as soon as I stepped through my front door, I got it. The puzzle was solved.
Kagome, not wanting to go home when her father is there. The yelling and banging sounds from inside her house. The coldness of her father when I asked to speak to Kagome. Her bruise. Everything makes sense now.
Her dad hits her.
When I finally went to bed, my mind was spinning like crazy, thinking of a million different things I planned on doing the next day. Confronting Kagome. Saving Kagome. And kicking her good for nothing father's sorry ass.
As soon as I woke up I sped to get ready, getting out the door in record time. When I got to school I hurried and made my way to Kagome's locker. She was leaning against it, laughing at something Hojo was saying to her. I joined them.
"Oh, hi InuYasha."
Kagome gave me a small smile then looked down and began to wipe some invisible dust off of her jeans.
"Kagome, I need to talk to you."
She glanced up.
"About?"
I was about to talk when I noticed someone unwanted was still standing there, his full attention on me. I glared at Hojo.
"Do you mind?"
"What?"
"Piss off, we're talking!"
"InuYasha!"
Kagome scolded, a frown tugging at her lips.
"I-I'll catch up with you later."
Hojo waved a pathetic goodbye to Kagome then rushed off. I faced her again.
"You didn't need to be so rude, you know."
"I want to know where you got that bruise."
Her face paled and she looked completely taken back.
"W-what? Why?"
"Where'd you get it from Kagome?"
"InuYasha, it's nothing. Mind your own business."
She tried to turn away but I clasped her elbow and spun her back around, facing me again.
"Did someone hit you? Is that what it is?"
"InuYasha, stop."
"Someone did hit you. Okay then, who was it?"
"InuYasha!"
I lowered my voice and stared deep into her eyes.
"Was it your dad?"
Her mouth dropped open. And then she slapped me. Before I could yell at her for it, she started getting mad at me.
"What the hell is your problem? Do you usually ask people these questions? My father? My father? InuYasha, listen to me. My dad loves me very much and he would never cause me any pain! Geez, why the hell are you so God damn nosy?"
"Because I'm scared for you."
I whispered, making her stop glaring at me.
"You're what?"
"I said I'm scared for you."
"Why would you be scared for me?"
"Because Kagome! Think about how this is for me!"
I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.
"First I meet a girl who I really like yet she won't tell me anything about her. Then she refuses to go home because of her dad, there's yelling sounds from inside her house, and she comes to school with a fucking bruise on her face! Of course I'm going to be scared for you!"
"When did you hear yelling sounds…?"
"When I dropped your car off. You're dad was pretty keen on keeping me away from you. Trying to hide something he did maybe?"
"InuYasha! My father does not hit me!"
"How can I be sure?"
I dropped my head down. This girl is making me so incredibly paranoid with confusion and fear and she doesn't even know it.
"Trust me. He doesn't."
"Then where's the bruise from?"
"I just got in a small, careless accident. It's not even that big of a deal."
"…I'm not going to believe that all the way, but I won't argue this anymore."
I shook my head slowly and turned around, making my way away from Kagome.