Weeping Willows

By Dragonessclaw

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi. Only the story is mine.

Again I must thank everyone for their continued reviews, constructive criticism, and general support of this story. I cannot tell you all how much it means to me to have people who like to read this story as much as I like to write it.

Chapter 23: Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

(A saying where I am from used to refer to reminiscing about all past events and regrets. I could have, I should have, I would have)

By the time Kagome reached Sango & Miroku's apartment she was shaking uncontrollably. It had taken all she had to humble herself and admit she was wrong. His look of indifference kept flashing in her mind haunting her. As she reached the door to Sango's apartment Kagome took a deep breath to pull herself together.

Sango opened the door before Kagome even had a chance to knock; apparently Sango had been looking out for her. One look at Kagome's face and Sango opened her arms to receive her best friend.

"Oh honey, it's alright. Come on in and I'll fix us a cup of iced tea so we can talk. I sent Miroku out because I figured no matter what happened we would need some alone time." Nodding, Kagome stepped in and shut the door behind her. Once Sango came back with two glasses Kagome started telling her story.

"Wow, and that's all he said," asked Sango once Kagome finished explaining.

Kagome didn't say anything. She just nodded her head as she continued to look down at her lap. "Maybe you should have waited a little longer before you admitted all that," Sango said sadly. She couldn't stand to see Kagome like this.

Shaking her head but still not making eye contact Kagome explained, "I didn't have a choice I had to let him know. Talking to Inuyasha in the park that day made me realize a lot of things. For so long I felt as if the Kami's were punishing me for some reason or that this was just as good as it would get for me. But now I realize that many things I didn't have to endure. Everyone saw what was going on. You and Miroku both warned me but I made the decision to stay. A part of me knew what was going on but I was weak. I was afraid to be without him and felt like if I just gave more of myself he would see how much I loved him and straighten up."

Sango's eyes started tearing up at her friend's admission. She wanted to help. She would do anything to take that haunted look on Kagome's face away but there was nothing she could do right now. Kagome needed to vent and she would let her.

After a few minute's pause Kagome continued, "I thought that if I gave up and left that would make me a failure but it takes two to make it work. Of course I have always known that but subconsciously I still felt I would be seen as a failure. Then again maybe I needed to stay as long as I did. Had I not I might be here wondering if I left too early and didn't give it my all. At least now I know. I won't make that mistake again. I need to be true to myself and acknowledge my feelings not run away when things get a little uncomfortable."

Kagome reached for her glass and took a sip of her tea. "Right now my feeling is that I deserve someone special and that Sesshomaru is that person. I don't expect everything to just magically fall into place but I feel that there is potential there for a wonderful relationship and friendship. A lasting one."

"At least he didn't just say no. That's always a good sign. And remember no matter what happens you did what you could. You took the first step and put yourself out there, which was very brave. That is what a real woman does, so no matter what you can be proud of yourself and the way you handled things." Sango said trying to offer her encouragement.

As Kagome continued to look out in space a single tear slipped down her cheek. Kagome suddenly felt so drained, she really didn't want to talk anymore. It was like she was a speeding train that suddenly just lost all its steam and momentum. She didn't want to do anything but get a drink and lay down. Her emotional unsteadiness scared her.

Sango, picking up on her change in mood turned on the television. She put on My Wife's A Gangster and curled up next to Kagome. It was one of those movies that you could just watch without thinking. Sango didn't really think she would pay any attention to it but it was one of Kagome's favorite movies. It was obvious she didn't want to talk so Sango decided that she would just offer her the support of her presence.

When Kagome was ready to talk again or do anything Sango would be there and that's all that mattered.

/ Elsewhere /

Inuyasha pushed himself up to a standing position and spit a broken, bloody tooth in Sesshomaru's direction. The fight had started off well,Inuyasha took a few hits but he gave as much as he got. Now it looked like the prick had been just playing with him. The papers didn't sayanything about him fighting so Inuyasha was really caught off guard.

Most of the rich pretty boys he came across were pansies'. They would never dream of getting down and dirty so most of them couldn't fight. They were more prone to trying to buy their way out or hire some muscle but Inuyasha was a good fighter in his own right, so he usually didn't havemuch , Sesshomaru had definitely gotten more than a few good licks in. Inuyasha had never had any formal training, he learned on the streets but now he was beginning to realize that wouldn't be enough. Sesshomaru had obviously had training and he was also really fast.

If not for his pride Inuyasha would have tried to make a break for it but with those two goons at the door he wouldn't get too far. Well, he started this and he would finish it, spitting more blood on the ground Inuyasha started to circle Sesshomaru looking for an opening.

/ Sesshomaru's POV

Sesshomaru was having a much better time than he thought he would have. Inuyasha deserved to get hurt and Sesshomaru was more than willing to be the one to hurt him. No one threatened what was his. He had no intentions of drawing the fight out this long but Inuyasha kept running his mouth. His ego and overconfidence had sealed his fate. This maggot, this insignificant being thought he was a match for him, Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru was determined to show him the error of his ways. So, he held back letting him become even more full of himself before he really started to hurt him. For a minute Inuyasha looked like he was ready to bolt then a calm resolution came over him and he started circling once more. Finally, Sesshomaru thought, you are going to deal with the consequences of your actions like a man.

Now Sesshomaru would end it. Inuyasha had finally earned a quick, but still very painful, ending. It was at that moment that Inuyasha decided to act. Sesshomaru started to smirk when he saw Inuyasha's intention; really his moves were so predictable and choreographed. Inuyasha did a one-two punch combination Sesshomaru easily dodged followed up by a knee jab. Sesshomaru caught Inuyasha's knee in his left hand leaving the two very close. To anyone that had just happened to catch sight of the two it would look like a lover trying to wrap the others leg around his waist. How wrong they would be.

Sesshomaru caught Inuyasha's eye as he watched his surprised expression with satisfaction. Using his right fist hit Inuyasha in the gut. Inuyasha would have fallen back if Sesshomaru had let go of his leg but Sesshomaru was not quite done. Inuyasha leaned forward from the hit and at that exact moment Sesshomaru let his leg go and hit him with an uppercut to the jaw.

The force of the blow threw Inuyasha against far the wall and as the back of his head made contact with the wall everything went black for a moment. Sesshomaru watched Inuyasha slid down the wall with a look of disgust and hatred. One thing he could never abide was a man that bullied women.

Sesshomaru gave Inuyasha a moment to get his wits about him before he poked him in the ribs with an extremely pointy shoe. Inuyasha groaned and turned his head trying to fix Sesshomaru with the eye that wasn't swollen shut. He failed miserably as the blood from his swollen eye kept running into the eye he could see out of.

"Can you hear me," Sesshomaru said in a cold voice.

Once Inuyasha finally said yes Sesshomaru continued.

"I have spared your life. You will not get another pass. Leave town and never contact Higurashi Kagome again.

Inuyasha was about to say a smart retort when another drop of blood ran into his eye making him pause for a moment. As he laid on the floor taking mental stock of his wounds he thought he might do just do as the prick said. No chick was worth all this hassle, especially Kagome. He was bleeding, in pain, and pretty sure a few of his ribs were broken. Trying to placate his wounded male pride Inuyasha's mind started to rationalize the situation.

After all Kagome was too mouthy. She wasn't as beautiful as some of his others and she really couldn't iron all that well. Making his decision Inuyasha said, "fine."

"Take him," Sesshomaru commanded as he headed for the door. The two men nodded in acquiesce and started to pick up Inuyasha. Now that the situation was handled Sesshomaru could concentrate on other things. A picture of Kagome turning back to him with a smile and a wave flashed in his mind.

"I'm willing to work it out," she had said to him. The fact a part of him wanted to work it out as well was not the issue, however. The issue was if they could.

/Until next time guys.

I hope you liked it for some reason I couldn't get this chapter like I wanted it. Also just one thing. You may notice that Sesshomaru has reverted to speaking about himself in the third person. If you look back on previous chapters he usually catches himself before he says it but when taken off guard or really pissed he slips.