'No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come

When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide' – Imagine Dragons

Chapter Twenty-One

Revenge Served Cold

Kikyou managed to stick around once Kagome got home. She wanted a front row seat when the drama started. The two girls sat on the couch, both pretending to watch whatever movie was playing on the screen.

Kagome was in deep thought as she tried to think of the best way to confront her boyfriend. She'd give him one more chance to come clean before she let the shit hit the fan. And if he lied to her again? Then what? What would she do then? She had left herself open and gotten hurt again. That cold feeling consumed her. She shouldn't be letting people in. Kagome needed more walls…more defenses.

Kikyou's attention piqued as Sesshomaru entered the living room. Kagome mechanically turned to the older boy, planting a false smile on her face. Kikyou watched in amazement. If she had not known the situation at hand, she would have definitely been fooled by that smile. Kagome suddenly seemed absolutely fine…which was far from true. It made the other girl wonder just how often Kagome put on a show.

"So did your friend do well with 'his' studying," Kagome asked cheerfully.

Kikyou took note on how the other girl pointedly made sure to use the masculine pronoun. Was she waiting for Sesshomaru to correct her? Would he?

Sesshomaru sat on the recliner, looking nonchalant. "They did fine enough."

Kikyou's eyes narrowed at the older boy. The way he had used "they" instead of "she" had been rather sly of him if it had not been for the fact that they already knew his so called "friend" was in fact female. She glanced between the other occupants of the room as a deadly silence ensued. It was obvious Sesshomaru had been put to the test with that one simple question and had failed miserably. Kikyou sat in suspense. The air was suddenly thick with a deadly anger that Kikyou could feel all around her. Kagome was clearly projecting her emotions, something that came easy to mikos.

Sesshomaru must have taken notice because he suddenly looked uncomfortable. "So have you guys been watching movies this whole time," he asked to break the silence.

Kagome's smile was icy now. "No, we went to the mall before this. Kikyou found a really cute dress but I wasn't as lucky."

Her boyfriend's expression froze. "Oh? Well perhaps you will find something next time. I could go with you next time if you wish." He was suddenly watching her expressions and demeanor very closely now.

Kagome noticed and made her expression more cheerful. "That's okay, I'm sure Kikyou wouldn't mind accompanying me again over the weekend," she looked to the other raven haired girl.

"Um…yeah sure," Kikyou replied cautiously. Just what was Kagome playing at? Why wasn't she confronting Sesshomaru?

Just then Inuyasha entered the room. He plopped himself down in between the two girls. "So is girl time over," he asked his girlfriend teasingly.

She rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, Inuyasha, girl time is over."

He turned to Kagome. "Ready to get your ass handed to you? Don't forget you promised me a game."

Kagome put her false smile back on. "Yeah just let me get some homework finished. Play after dinner?"

"I can play with you," Kikyou interjected. If he played with her then maybe he'd forget about playing with Kagome.

"Wait…really?" Inuyasha looked at his girlfriend incredulously. Since when did she play video games?

"Yeah sure, why not? I have time to play before going home."

"Okay, awesome," Inuyasha got up to get the console set up as Kagome left the room.

Sesshomaru sat in his chair in deep thought. Had they seen him at the food court? No…Kagome would have surely said something and looked less cheerful about it. Wouldn't she? For now he would assume he was in the clearing. At least that was done and over with now and he wouldn't have to deal with Kagura anymore.

Kagome sat on her bed, her journal open in her lap as words to a poem spilled forth from her pen.

November 22

My Picture

They say that every picture tells a story

Well what does mine say

What are the words it speaks to you

Do you see a broken girl?

Or just the happy smile she wears on her face...

Do you see the scars that run deep from within her soul?

Or is the outer appearance all you know...

Oh yeah, she looks happy there

See her smiling there

You can't see the pain she holds inside

You'll never see the tears that she cries

Didn't anyone notice...

Pictures never tell the right stories...

Kagome sat in contemplation when she was done writing. He had just looked her right in the eye and continued to lie to her. He couldn't be trusted. She should have known better. No one could be trusted. A tantalizing anger started to built up within her as she tried to cover over the pain of betrayal. He dare try to play her a fool? She would get back at him. She would make him sorry for putting this pain in her chest. Besides if life had taught her anything so far it was that revenge was best served cold.