L.

Ignorance is Bliss

Chapter 4 Clinging to the Past

"It was nice…seeing Ojii-San again." Kagome mussed, a small smile resting on her face.

I nodded. But it something was really bothering me and I needed to know. "You really are coming alone?" I asked Kagome as we strolled down the sidewalk like old times.

She nodded and tilted her head up to catch the sunlight. "Yeah…I didn't think it was appropriate…and Inuyasha doesn't exactly like these things you know?"

"Yeah…but he let you come by yourself?" That thought was unbelievable. He once followed her all the way to Osaka when he found out she had gone to visit some guy.

Turns out it was her younger brother who was studying away from home for six months on some scholarship.

She forgot to tell him.

Him letting her come to my wedding after what had happened? That was unfathomable.

"I said he wasn't going to the wedding, I didn't say he wasn't here." She gave me a sultry look and walked ahead of me.

I stopped walking. "…What?"

She heaved a heavy sigh and turned around to look at me. "Kouga…I'm coming to your wedding. He isn't."

I frowned and walked up to her and we resumed our pace. "Kagome. Why bother?" I wanted to know. Needed to know.

"What do you mean?" Her deep brown eyes sucked me in.

"Do we have a chance." I responded, without thinking.

Her eyes opened wide and she gawked up at me. "What?"

"Is there another chance? For you and me?" I had to know. I couldn't marry Ayame without knowing.

Kagome looked at me and scowled. She took my hand in hers and pulled me a little ways down the sidewalk until we reached a small ice-cream shop. We use to come here all the time. It was small, old, but had some of the best ice-cream around. She pulled me inside and sat down at the same table we use to sit at for years.

"Kouga. You're getting married in 7 days."She locked eyes with me.

"I know."

"So what's going on in that head of yours? Why are you asking if we-"

"What can I get you Dearies?" Asked the little old woman that owned the shop as she slowly walked to our table. "Oh! My my is that you Kagome?" She squinted down at Kagome and smiled.

I think all old people have sight problems.

I really do.

"It's been years since I've seen your pretty little face…" She cooed and pulled at Kagome's cheeks like she would a baby.

I snickered.

"And you Kouga!" She turned to me and pulled my nose. "You live here and you don't stop by to see your Obaa-San?!" I grabbed at her bony wrist and laughed. "You think this is funny young man?"

"Obaa-San Obaa-San! I'm sorry." I managed to chuckle out as I stood up and hugged her. "I just never get the chance anymore." I looked down at her and smiled; I towered over her old form. I had at least a foot on her.

She scowled, the wrinkles on her face growing deeper. "And why is that? My boy, I don't hear for you for months then I get a wedding invitation in the mail?"

Kagome was having a field day with this. Enjoying the movie I bet.

"At least you got it?" I tried, smiling guilty. "You're coming right?"

She sighed and wrung her wrinkly old hands. "Yes Kouga…I wouldn't miss it for the world." She looked down at Kagome and patted her arm. "I have no idea why you chose this boy but I'm happy you did." She laughed. "One vanilla and one chocolate right? On the house Dearies." Then walked away.

I sat down and Kagome gave me a look.

"She doesn't know?"

"Of course she knows. She said she was coming to the wedding didn't she?"

Kagome rapped her fingernails on the table top. I watched the rhythm she created; each finger coming down once just to bounce right back up and another land. It was mesmerizing; her nails were long and painted a light summer green with white lilies painted on each one.

"Kouga…she's coming to our wedding."

"Same thing."

"Not yours and Ayame's."

"Like I said; she's coming." I avoided her eyes.

"Too bad we're not getting married…tell her."

"I don't want to-answer my question!"

"No."

"Why no-"

"The answer is no."

I looked up at her shocked. It wasn't what I expected to hear.

In fact I sort of hoped she'd say yes to tell you the truth.

See Kagome and I dated awhile ago. Back when we were 15 and up until 18 we dated. I loved her. Still do. We were all friends, She, I Inuyasha; her current boyfriend and the guy she left me for and Ayame. Amongst others. I thought she was the one. I'd do anything for her; but then she broke up with me. Claiming that her heart belonged to that mutt. I didn't believe her, we were together for so long it just seemed impossible that anyone could enter our picture. But he did.

She said I was her first love and nothing will ever change that.

But her heart now belonged to him.

I clung to the hope that perhaps she'd come back to me.

But obviously that was an epic failure.

"Kouga?" I looked up at Kagome's face to see her staring at me. "Are you telling me you'd willing leave Ayame for me?"

"Here you go Dearies." Obaa-San placed two giant cups of ice-cream between us. "Enjoy."

"Thanks." Kagome and I smiled at her as she slowly walked back to the counter.

"Kouga; why don't you want to marry Ayame?"

My eyes darted hastily away from her gaze. And I suddenly became completely transfixed with my ice-cream.

"Kouga."

I sighed. No escaping. She knew me too well.

"I'm not-"

"Don't lie."

"I was hoping it would be us."

Reviewing is a way of communicating your feelings.

Continue?

All constructive and unconstructive criticism is welcome.