Somewhere Beyond This
(Co-written with LoversKagXInu)

Chapter 2: Running From the Past

"I'm not sure," I sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that day. I was at mine and Sango's dorm room fixing my hair into a pony tail.

"Well, we have to figure out something," Ayame replied from her place on the bed. She was lying on her stomach flipping through a magazine. We were trying to figure out what to do in order to come up with the money needed. "Maybe we can hold a garage sale."

I glanced at her through the mirror, watching her curiously. "Are you serious?" Her innocent gaze found mine and I had to hold back a laugh. "We don't have anything to sell. What college student does?" I stepped away from my reflection and took a seat in the chair accompanying my computer desk.

Ayame sat up and flipped the magazine closed. Good, I've finally got her attention. "Well, what do you suggest?"

Sango, Rin, Ayame, and I all decided to work together in order to come up with the money. Although Sango's father would have no problem handing over what we needed, he had taught his daughter to work for what she wanted. Stupid parents and their stupid morals. "What about a bake sale?"

Ayame scoffed. "Can you cook?" I shook my head slowly and shifted my eyes to the window. "Neither can I. Unless you want to burn down the kitchen, I say we scratch that one off the list."

I groaned. Can anything be easy? "Well, I guess we can't do much until Sango and Rin get out of class," I mused, remembering why our two friends weren't here in the first place.

"Guess you're right." Ayame got up from her place in the bed. She stood in front of the mirror and redid her scarlet hair into two low braids.

"Want to go for a run?" she asked, glancing my way while proceeding to slip on her gym shoes.

I shrugged in agreement before getting off the chair and rummaging through my closet for my old running shoes. I've always loved the thrill of my feet hitting the pavement, the wind whipping through my hair, the burn in my chest from lack of oxygen. But with college classes and exams, I haven't had much time for any thing these days. "One time around the campus?"

She smiled before walking over to the mini-refrigerator Sango and I managed to sneak in. Taking out two bottles of water, she set them down on the nightstand and waited for me to change. As usual, Ayame had come over in a tank top and running shorts. She had always been the athletic type. "Let me change real fast," I mumbled, grabbing some clothes from the closet and drifting into the bathroom.

I came out moments later in a grey sports bra and a pair of shorts. I slipped a white towel into my waistband so it dangled out to reach the middle of my thigh, copying Ayame's look. Taking a final glance around the dorm, I grabbed my cell phone before walking out the door with my friend in tow. "So, who else do you know is going on the trip?" she asked as we walked towards the stairs of the building.

"Well," I replied hesitantly, looking back in my mind over the others in my class. "I know Rin and Sango are going, meaning Miroku is going to go, too." I smiled in remembrance of this morning's events. Although the class was in chaos and Inuyasha practically strangled our teacher, I still recalled my lecherous classmate's systematic behavior. He's going to get himself killed one of these days.

"And Kouga?" she asked after noticing my long pause.

I glanced over and detected hurt in her usual shining emerald orbs. My heart clenched, realizing that look mirrored my own feelings five years ago. "Yeah," I replied softly, pulling my eyes from hers. Before Kouga and I had gotten together last year, she had been pining after him. She was unsuccessful, though, because Kouga had been following me around like a puppy dog. I had repeatedly told him I wasn't interested, but he wasn't the kind of guy to give up so easily. Finally, I gave into his charm and, with Ayame's consent, I agreed to go out with him. Although I never wanted to hurt her, she seemed to come to terms with me and Kouga's relationship. "Anyone else?" I asked, trying to change the subject. I don't truly believe she ever got over Kouga's feelings for me.

She glanced away for a moment in thought and when she looked back, the spark had returned to her eyes. "Well, I think Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi said they were going. And of course there's Mr. Totosai and Sesshomaru." We paused a moment in conversation to open the doors. I had to squint my eyes against the intruding sunlight as it gave warmth to the land.

I had forgotten Inuyasha's older brother was going to supervise us. Even though I thought that we were old enough to take care of ourselves, there were certain people who needed to be watched at all times. Inuyasha would be one of them. "Oh, that's right." We began our run as soon as our feet touched the cement.

Ayame gave a slight smile. "Yeah, it was kinda scary in class today with Inuyasha and Mr. Totosai." Her lips parted, allowing a light giggle to flutter in the air. "I thought that someone was going to have to call security!" Now it was my turn to laugh.

"It wouldn't surprise me," I sighed as we rounded the corner of the Eastern side of campus. "Inuyasha was always the kind of person to have the attention on him, and only him." I smirked in order to cover up how much pain that one sentence gave me. I shook my head to clear the thoughts. "He hasn't changed much in the past few years.

Suddenly, Ayame stopped. She stood a moment, allowing her breaths to even out as her hair shifted in the breeze. "What is with you two, anyways?" She rolled her eyes. "It's been like five years. I say you just get over yourselves and get along. Who cares what happened in the past?"

Ouch. That one hurt. I can't believe she actually said that, knowing I don't like to talk about him. "It's complicated. Let's just finish our run."

"No," she argued. "You never told me what happened between you two. I even tried talking to Sango about it and she doesn't have a clue either. I mean, one day you're together, the next you guys hate each other's guts." Damn, she's not as dumb as she looks.

I rolled my eyes and placed my hands on my hips, letting a breath escape to blow my bangs away from my sweat covered forehead. The truth was, the only reason why I don't talk about it is because there's nothing to talk about. We met, we dated, we broke up. Simple as that. Besides, it was in the past and I didn't want to dwell on it. Although, everyone else seemed to get a kick out of asking me every time his name came up. "It's nothing. I just didn't feel anything towards him anymore. That's all."

I knew she wouldn't buy that. She had already crossed her arms and glared at me before I could even finish my sentence. "So you didn't love him, but you love Kouga now?" Her gaze softened and a smile blessed her lips.

I shifted my gaze, looking at anything but the heart broken girl before me. I always thought about it, late at night, what it would be like to spend the rest of my life with him. What it would be like to wake up to his deep blue eyes, his arms wrapped around me, his lips whispering sweet nothings into my ear.

But the truth was ... I couldn't.

Right now, I could imagine us being together in college, but not for the rest of my life. I didn't want to lie to her because, honestly, I wasn't sure. There were times when I wouldn't care if everything in my life fell apart; I would be alright as long as he was there. Then there were other times when I became bored with his charms and mind-blowing kisses and cocky attitude. "I don't know," I finally replied, unable to come up with a decent answer.

Before she could respond, I was already down the block. She caught up to me in no time and we ran in silence for a few minutes. I guess she finally got the message that I didn't want to talk about my past relationships. Besides, I knew it hurt for her to talk about me and Kouga. I could see it in her eyes.

I ran around the next corner and saw the trademark stone fountain in the middle of the courtyard. It was absolutely breath-taking. The water glistened in the afternoon sun, sending sprays of cold liquid to the surrounding benches. A couple sat together, enjoying the water's relief from the heat. A rainbow reflected off the shimmering depths of the fountain's pool and a few copper coins lay hidden at the bottom. I remembered the first time I came here, a few years ago with ...

I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt my head hit the ground. My vision began to blur and spin, causing me to see two of everything. It wasn't until a few moments later when everything started to fall into place, that I was able to see straight. On instinct, my hand found its way to the growing bump on my head and I groaned in pain. I saw Miroku and Ayame hovering over me with worried expressions.

Slowly, I rose to a sitting position, squinting my eyes shut to keep the nausea at bay. "Wh ... what happened?" I stuttered, feeling the blood rush to my ears. I finally worked up the courage to open my eyes. My head throbbed, as if drums were being played in the center of my head.

Miroku snickered before holding out a hand for me. "We were bringing a new table into our dorm ... and you kinda ran into it. You alright?"

I took his hand and tried to nod, but with the forming headache, I opted to using my voice. "Yeah, I'm find. Just a little dizzy." I got to my feet and tried to brush the dirt off my shorts. I tightened my ponytail and crossed my arms, trying to look as dignified as possible. After all, it wasn't every day you saw someone run straight into a table and fall down, hitting their head on the pavement and probably causing brain damage. I looked around and saw the delivery men bringing a table into the boys' side of campus.

"Same old klutz, always running into things," a voice called. I peered over Miroku's shoulder and saw Inuyasha walking over to us. He had his shirt off and tucked into the side of his jeans with a football in his hands. "I thought there was going to be a dent in it." He smirked as he caught up with his roommate, laughing softly.

I found myself looking anywhere but his eyes. I didn't want to lose myself to their swirling depths. It would be too much.

His tight abs annoyed me. Not that I didn't like them, it was just ... he always had to show them off. The other girls probably didn't mind.

I tore my gaze from his chest, feeling a blush creep into my cheeks. I took a deep breath and finally managed to meet his gaze, narrowing my eyes in the process. "You wouldn't know what hit you if it gave you a map," I said between clenched teeth. "Besides, you're the one with the hard head."

Miroku chuckled and a lecherous grin spread across his lips. I glared at him to silence his laughter, fisting my hand at my side in order to clobber him. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "You know, I always thought you would be the one on top of the table, not underneath it." He fiddled with the football in his hands. "I guess Kouga gets to decide which one you are each time, huh?"

First he makes a comment about my coordination skills, and now my sex life? Great, why can't he just mind his own business? "And that's coming from someone who doesn't know the difference between footballs and his own." I smirked and heard Ayame giggle beside me.

"Keh," he mumbled, turning his head to Miroku. "Come on, man. I gotta get ready." He turned to walk away, shooting me a look in the process.

Anger boiled in my blood, causing me to cross my arms and lean on one hip. "You going to spend some 'one-on-one' time with Kikyo?"

He didn't seem to think that was funny and turned to give me a sympathetic look. "Its pretty funny when you think of it," he mused, raising a brow. "Five years ago I was with you and felt like killing myself from boredom. And now five years later I am with someone who I love, but whenever I see you," he sighed. " - I still feel as if death is the better option."

I grounded my teeth together and gave him the best glare I could muster. Still dizzy from my fall, I took a few steps towards him and locked gazes with his. "I would kill you myself," I paused. "But I keep seeing three of you and I don't know which one to hit."

He smirked and rolled his eyes. "You never changed a bit, you know that?" What, did he think I was being sarcastic?

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to say something I would regret later. "The feelings mutual. You're still an asshole." I glared one last time into his molten orbs before steering myself away and began to walk back to my waiting friend. "Let's go," I mumbled, eager to be free of Inuyasha's presence.

Miroku shook his head in exasperation and grabbed my arm before I could leave. "Will I see you tonight at the party? Yura's having a thing in her dorm building and invited a bunch of us to go."

I glanced passed him to see Inuyasha waiting expectantly. His expression was unreadable, keeping me from understanding if he wanted me to go or not. I vote for the latter. I turned my attention back to Miroku and smiled. "Yeah, its on the South side, right?" I never went to parties, strictly against my college rules. Then again, it would be fun to go and see what happens. And to see the look on Inuyasha's face. Miroku nodded and I laughed. "I'll be there. See you then."

I took Ayame's arm and dragged her away from them, stopping only a moment later to hollar back to the lecher. "Oh, and if you see Sango, tell her to come back to the dorm by five, 'kay?" Miroku waved to me, smiling like an idiot, and I couldn't help but laugh again. He looked as if he had just died and gone to heaven. Sango would refuse to go anywhere the pervert might be, but with some careful persuading from me and Ayame, I'm sure she'd be happy to oblige. Besides, underneath all of his quirky stunts and sexual comments, I believe Miroku is a really great guy.

I looked over to see Ayame staring at me curiously. She had constantly begged and pleaded with me to go to a party with her, but I had always turned the offer down. I was here for my education, not to get drunk and dance all night. I saw her face light up as if a miracle had just found her doorstep. "Tonight," she announced with a silly grin. "We party!" She fisted a hand into the air and let out a girly squeal. I rolled my eyes and continued our run.