Chapter 7
"What did you do now?" my father nearly growled at me as he got into the car.
"I didn't do anything," I stated icily, glaring out the window.
"You've been expelled from school Kuae," he said, shaking his head, "I had to come home from my trip early to pick you up. And look at you! You're covered in bruises and your knuckles are scabbed."
I rolled my eyes at his explanation. I knew what I looked like, and I didn't care. I was glad that his trip was ruined.
"… So what," I shrugged, my brows furrowing, "Just because I got in a fight doesn't mean that I started it."
"Who was it this time?"
"Some loser being a dick," I stated emotionlessly, "Why does it matter?"
"It matters because the boy's in the hospital."
"Good," I scoffed, shrugging again, "He deserves to be there."
It wasn't like my father had any concern for my at all. All he cared about was his reputation and how things worked out for him. I was just an inconvenience he had to look after.
"I can't take this anymore," he hissed.
"…Why not? I get my selfish attitude from you," I stated with a small laugh.
I was sure he would have realized that by now.
"That's enough Kuae!" my father shouted, slamming on the brakes, "You're going to live with someone else. If they can't handle you, then you're on your own."
Shaking my head, I scoffed. I had been on my own since my mother had died. Being shipped off to someone else wasn't any different. I always knew that no one else would be bothered to care.
I grunted at the ache in my ribs. It burned each time I tried to reach too far. My ribs and my shoulders hurt the most. Everything else seemed pretty minor.
"Where are you planning on going?" his stern voice questioned from behind me.
My jaw tightened at him disapproving. I could still walk on my own; I didn't need help.
"I have to pee," I told him with some frustration.
I wasn't used to having someone being so watchful on what I was doing. In all honesty, I found it annoying.
"I can walk you know," I continued, slowly walking down the hall, "It's not like my legs don't work."
"I would prefer if you would ask for help," Sesshoumaru sighed, taking hold of my hand.
I paused, turning to look at him with a small scowl.
"Don't look at me like that," he told me, gently wrapping his arms around me, "I'm merely worried for you."
"Then why not believe that I'm fine?" I questioned quietly, "I might be going slowly, but at least I'm going."
"It would be a lie," he nearly murmured, resting his head against mine.
My expression fell with his words. He knew I was pushing myself to move; trying to keep myself going.
"I'll have to get home somehow. I'm sure my aunt doesn't want to see me limping around," I half laughed, shaking my head.
Everything was so complicated. I would have to continue to lie. I would have to make up something to cover up my black eye. I wished that things weren't so difficult. It seemed unfair that we couldn't share our time together.
"I know," he stated, letting me go and playfully pushing me toward the bathroom.
I made a face before waddling in.
…
His brows pushed together when there was a knock on the front door. He hadn't been expecting anyone.
"Jaken?" he wondered as he opened the front door.
"Greetings master Sesshoumaru," the young man stated with a bow, "How is your day fairing?"
"Better than expected," he said emotionlessly, "Why have you come here? I wasn't expecting company."
"You called my house well after midnight. It is when something like that happens, I know that something is bothering you."
His eyes narrowed at the man. He wasn't used to having someone analyze the things he did.
The toilet flushed in the background; a sound that grabbed Jaken's attention. The man's brows pushed together with some confusion.
"Do you have someone here master Sesshoumaru?"
He didn't answer, knowing that Jaken would figure it out on his own.
"Did Rin come back?" the man questioned, "Did you decide to take her back?"
"No Jaken. I will not allow that woman to come back into my life," he nearly sighed with some annoyance, "Her actions and attitude are not excusable."
Jaken made a face with those words, "Then who is here?"
"Sesshoumaru, can I have a glass of water…" her voice questioned as she came around the corner.
Looking back at her, he nodded his head before going to give her his hand.
He smiled to himself as she decided to take his help.
"Do you want me to go somewhere else?" she asked him, raising a brow, "If it's important I can-"
"Don't be foolish," he told her, grabbing a glass of water, "It is unimportant."
"If you're sure…"
"You stay here. I can discuss things with Jaken later."
By the time Sesshoumaru actually let me go home, my aunt had been less than impressed. She was watching me intently everywhere I went.
"Where were you last night?" she asked me, her arms crossed, "And more importantly, what happened to your eye?"
I sighed tiredly as I took a seat on the living room couch.
"I was at Sana's last night," I explained, trying to look apologetic, "We got so carried away that I forgot to call. She ended up calling when I fell asleep."
"What were the two of you doing?"
"We were playing a game and it turned into a wrestling match," I laughed nervously, "She accidentally punched me in the eye. It's no big deal."
I could tell that she wasn't really buying it. Her suspicion ended though when she nodded her head and sighed.
"Next time, call me before you're going somewhere," she told me, shaking her head, "Who knows what you could get into."
I laughed and nodded my head. I had gotten myself into a lot of things in the past; a lot of things that I wasn't really proud of anymore.
"Everything's fine," I promised, forcing myself to smile, "It was only an accident, and I'll make sure you hear where I'm going from now on."
"You be good," she threatened non-menacingly.
"I have been good," I laughed, "I haven't gotten in trouble in almost a year."
My aunt sincerely smiled at me before placing her hand on my head.
"I'm proud of you Kuae," she said gently, "I honestly didn't think you would conquer your anger. You're a different person since your father left you here."
"Yeah," I scoffed, turning my head downward, "No thanks to him."
"He loves you Kuae, whether it seems like it or not. He'll always be your father," my aunt told me with a small smile.
'I seriously doubt that.' I thought as I stared at the floor.
My father had never been there when I had needed him most. When my mother had died, he had been away on his own for three weeks. By the time he had even gotten home, he had missed her funeral. He never said he was sorry… he never even shed a tear. It was like he didn't care at all. So I grew up raising myself and going against him. If he had started to care about me now, it would have been too late. I resented him for everything.
Getting to my feet, I walked to my room and flopped onto my bed. My body hurt, my brain weighed heavily, and my heart clenched with each thought.
'I think that's the first time anyone has told me that they were proud of me…' I laughed at the thought.
It seemed ironic for her to tell me that when I was doing something very wrong. There was no turning back from this wrong though. I knew that I wouldn't be able to now.
After what had happened, I had started to cling onto Sesshoumaru's existence. He seemed like the only thing I could focus on to keep me sane. I felt like if I didn't hold onto him, then I would drown.
"Kuae, the phone's for you," my aunt called from down the hallway.
With a sigh, I reached for the cordless phone.
"Hello?"
"Ku!" Sana's voice shouted into my ear, "Are you okay? What happened?"
"I'm fine Sana," I assured her, "Please don't shout. My head hurts without loud noises."
"I'm sorry. I've just been so worried that I couldn't wait anymore," she explained, her tone full of worry, "What happened?"
"Apparently Shiro's got a gang behind her," I started lowly, putting my forehead in my palm, "They ambushed me out of jealousy."
I had to laugh at my own words; at how pathetic it sounded. They were all fighting for a man no teenager should even be able to have.
"It's not funny Ku! They could have killed you."
"I'm still here though," I stated, grabbing my bangs tightly, "Nothing's broken. I'm just bruised."
I wasn't about to let something like this bring me to my knees. I would push through it… one way or another.
"Do you think Mr. Taisho will say anything to the school about what happened?" Sana wondered, her voice almost sounding cautious, "Would that make things worse?"
"I don't know honestly," I murmured, "He never said anything about school."
"But are you sure you're going to be alright? Do you need someone to hang out with?"
My jaw tightened at the suggestion. I didn't really want to go anywhere. I just wanted to sleep in my bed for the rest of the day.
"I'm sorry Sana, I don't really feel like it right now," I apologized into the phone.
I honestly didn't want to do anything.
"It's okay. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Thank you Sana. I'll talk to you later."
"Feel better."
Sighing, I fell back onto my bed. I stared blankly at the ceiling. I tried to think about what I was going to do. There were so many things that were mixing in together. School was trying to mold itself into my home life. It was starting to affect everything all around. When would these ripples leave my pond?
He sighed as he stepped out of his car. Jaken had told him that his mother's relatives demanded to see him. They had wanted him to come see at least one of the women they spoke of. He tried to refuse, but they wouldn't take no for an answer.
So there he stood, about to go into a restraint they had chosen. He had only come to decline the offer in person; to make himself clear. As he walked inside, he could see the two women standing in the lobby.
"Oh there you are Sesshoumaru," his relative greeted with false pleasantness, "It's good to see you again."
"Let's get this over with, shall we?" he suggested, walking forward.
"Please follow me," a waiter greeted, leading the way to a table.
His golden orbs inspected the woman that his relative had chosen. Her hair was long and it shone in the darker lighting of the room. Her skin was on the lighter side, wearing a cocktail dress. He had to admit that she was on the attractive side.
There was something about her though; something that he didn't quite enjoy. She looked like she would be obedient. He was sure if he told her to do something, she would have done it. There was no fire, no disobedience; nothing to fight for.
"I would like you to meet Kanna," the woman introduced her companion.
Kanna smiled and nodded her head, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
He nodded his head in agreement before turning his eyes back to his relative. The woman was smiling, seeming content with her own actions.
"I do not intend to stay long," he stated, his eyes intent and serious, "I have only come to make something clear."
"Jaken has told me that you have no intentions of allowing us to force you to marry," the woman said with a calm tone, "I thought we were being fair in allowing you to choose which woman you would desire."
His eyes narrowed on his relative. They knew not of what was being fair and honest. They only lived to please their own wishes.
The woman laughed before a small smirk formed on her lips.
"Though I hear that you have found a replacement for Rin."
His jaw tightened at her amusement. She would not take it as seriously as it actually was.
"Do you honestly think that a young girl could bring you the justice you deserve?" his relative questioned with a raised brow, "She has nothing to offer you. That girl will bring you no happiness in the future."
"You know nothing of what you speak," he nearly growled, "You live your life for what benefits you and your life."
"You will not honor your mother this way."
"I do not live my life trying to honor my mother. I do not live my life trying to honor the dead," he stated icily as he rose to his feet, "Leave your business to your own life. It does not concern me."
School had been painful. Everyone watched where I went; all of them murmuring to their friends. The only thing I could do was glare at them. What I looked like was none of their concern.
"Just ignore them," Sana told me, glaring at others as well, "They're just being stupid because they don't understand."
"I know," I sighed, shaking my head, "I'm sure that the fan-club hasn't been saying pleasant things lately."
"I haven't seen very much of them lately," Sana said thoughtfully, "Do you think they got caught?"
"Caught doing what?"
"Caught being little divas that do nothing but cause trouble."
"So being bitches," I mused with another laugh.
"Pretty much," she agreed with a wide grin.
"Yeah, maybe."
As we walked down the hallway, my eyes caught sight of Shiro's face. She was angry, a scowl clear on her face. My brows pushed together at the sight of her. I could feel it; the anger and hate as it grasped onto my heart.
"Ku, what's the matter?" Sana questioned from beside me.
My jaw tightened in frustration. There were so many things that I wanted to say.
"Nothing," I nearly muttered as we continued walking down the hall.
There were too many people crowding the halls. If something happened and I started it, then it would just cause problems for me.
That was what I thought anyway, until Shiro grabbed my shoulder and threw me against the wall. I let out a gasp of pain as my ribs started to violently burn.
"Are you happy now?" she growled at me, grabbing my collar tightly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I hissed, my brows furrowing.
"Ku, are you okay?" Sana asked, trying to pull Shiro away.
"It's fine Sana, just don't get involved," I stated, staring intently at my attacker.
There was something in Shiro's eyes that caught my attention. She was angry… but she looked like she was scared.
"This is all your fault," the girl continued angrily, "You should just disappear and stop getting in the way!"
"I never did anything to you," I said with frustration, "All I did was mind my own business and you came along and beat the shit out of me. Whose fault is that?"
Shiro pulled me back and pushed me violently against the wall.
People were staring; all watching the scene unfold.
'Why can't people just mind their own business?' I thought, wincing at the pain through my body.
"You were getting in the way," Shiro stated hatefully, "And now because of you I've been expelled from school!"
"I never said a word to anyone about what happened. I'm not the kind of person to go running for a teacher for help," I explained icily, "If you were expelled it's because of what you did and the choices you made. Don't just pawn the blame onto someone else."
Her face became hateful with my words and her grip tighter. It was a stare down between the two of us.
I could hear the people murmuring around us as they all watched. A voice stood out then, one that made my eyes widen.
"That is enough," he growled; his tone intimidating.
"M-Mr. Taisho," Shiro stuttered, letting go of my shirt collar.
I let out a gasp of air at the release of pain on my ribs. If I had fought back, then I was sure it would have been worse.
"Towe, you are to be emptying your locker, not causing trouble in the halls," he continued, before turning his piercing gaze onto me, "Abukara, I would like to see you after class."
I sighed and nodded my head before going to Sana. She took my bag from me and carried it to class.
"That was weird," she murmured lowly, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I half laughed, "I'll be alright."
My mind was too busy thinking about what had been said instead of the physical pain. What had she meant by saying that it was my fault she had been expelled? What exactly had been happening the last few days?
"Why didn't you let me help?"
"She wouldn't have hit me in the middle of the school hallway," I told Sana with a small sigh, "Why do it in a place where you'll just get caught?"
"Yeah I suppose that's true…" she trailed off thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't worry about it," I continued, my brows pushing together, "there's nothing else that she can do to me."
'Now Sesshoumaru is probably mad at me…'
Shaking my head, I could only wait for this day to be over.
He raised a brow as he looked up from his desk. He had caught her scent standing outside the doorway and she seemed to linger for a few minutes. He had started to wonder as to why, until she had come into the room. She wouldn't look at him or meet his gaze. During his lecture he had found her eyes lingering on the window across the room.
"Please shut the door Abukara," he asked, watching as she came into the room.
"You wanted to see me?" she wondered, looking at his desk.
"Are you alright?" he wondered, his tone concerned, "I could see you wincing."
"Yeah," she let out a laugh, "I think everyone could see it."
"That doesn't answer my question."
There was silence for a few minutes before she nodded her head.
"I'm fine," she told him; meeting his gaze, "I'm just wondering why you would want to see me inside of school."
He understood why she had taken so long to come into the classroom. He could tell that she had been worried; scared that he could be upset. He had to admit that seeing her being attacked made him want to intervene. He wanted to protect what was his to keep safe.
"To make sure you were well and to apologize for not doing more."
She became thoughtful for a moment before her brows pushed together.
"You told the office, didn't you?" she wondered.
"I told the office of her actions," he admitted, nodding his head, "Then Towe gave up her friends' names and their fan-club was disbanded. Such actions were not allowed at the school."
He had merely done what he thought had been right. It seemed like a fair trade for what they had done.
"Don't you think that's going to make things worse?" she asked him; sounding frustrated, "Don't you think they're all just going to blame me even more?"
"Do not be foolish. They would have no reason to blame you."
"How would they not blame me?" she questioned, her tone rising.
"Kuae, Towe sold out her members. If they would blame anyone, it would be her," he explained to her calmly, his eyes meeting hers.
She turned her head away from him before turning toward the door.
"I have to go home," she stated.
Getting to his feet, he took a hold of her wrist and pulled her against him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and embraced her protectively.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he whispered into her ear, "You are the most important thing to me."
"I feel like you're treating me like a kid," she said lowly, "Like you think I can't take care of myself."
"Is it wrong for me to worry about someone I cherish?" he asked her, his mouth next to her earlobe, "Is it really wrong for me to hold you so dear?"
He felt her cool hand against his cheek as he head leaned against his.
"If you were wrong… then I would be wrong too," she murmured, turning her head up to him as best she could.
Taking hold of her chin, he pulled her into a kiss; feeling her soft lips against his. Everything felt as it should have. It felt like things were in the proper place and were at peace.
"Then we'll be wrong together."
He felt her body go rigid at his touch and he released her; afraid he had caused her pain.
"I'm fine," she laughed; a smile on her face, "It's nothing that won't get better."
He went to his desk, grabbing a sheet of paper.
"What's that?" she wondered with a raised brow.
"Your permission form for that camping trip," he explained as he handed it to her, "Unless you want your aunt to know."
Taking the form, she read over it.
"Where are we going to go?"
"It's a surprise."
With a gentle smile, he placed a kiss on her forehead. He would be damned if he would let anything ruin what he had with her.
End of Chapter
