Chapter nineteen: Old (Not) Friends

Two weeks, and six days had passed since Kagome had discovered the arrival of Inuyasha's old girlfriend.

Dear Diary,

Today was the usual day, get up, clean, eat lunch; go home. Inuyasha hasn't been paying as much attention to me lately, but I guess that is to be expected. I guess I'm a spoiled slave, huh? Oh well, this is my time on Earth, and I intend to make the best of it. I vaguely remember Kikyo, but what little memories I have of her aren't very fond ones. Sango and Miroku have made up, well, somewhat anyhow. She finally gave in after he gave her surprise flowers and a small poem everyday for an entire week; I knew she couldn't be mad at him forever. Well, Sango will be working with me now; she'll be cleaning Kikyo's room while she's staying, and I'm still cleaning Inuyasha's room. Great. Well, I suppose it's not all bad, I mean, how mean could one person possibly be?

With love always,

Kagome

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Kagome laid the diary on her lap, and began to read all of her entries from previous nights. They were all so happy, unlike how she felt now. There was an uneasy nerve wrenching her stomach, and twisting her thoughts, as the time for Kikyo to come neared, the feelings only became deeper. A cloud passed over the silver moon, leaving barely enough lighting to fill the little window Kagome's cot was near.

The troubled slave girl tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position, alas, she found none. Deciding it was late enough just to pull off an all-nighter, Kagome went outside to take some of the dried laundry off of the lines near their hut.

Kagome and Sango had managed to keep their new dresses fairly clean, however, there were a few snags and cleaning fluid spots here and there, but those weren't all too bad.

Absentmindedly folding towels and other garments, Kagome glanced at the moon, it seemed almost haunting— in it's own melancholy way. It sent shivers down Kagome's spine; she felt like someone was watching her. It wasn't a very peaceful feeling at all. However, she just decided to ignore it. It wouldn't have made much of a difference anyhow, she herself could knock down her house, with enough force that is, so she decided to stay outside.

She glanced at the clock in the main square, in the middle of the ocean of huts. It read that it was about two in the morning. Kagome sighed; it was going to be a long three hours. She walked over to a small patch of grass struggling to grow and sat, using her two arms to prop herself up from behind. The slave looked up to the moon once again, letting its foreboding light cast down upon her. Kagome's mother had once taught her how to interpret coming events from your surroundings. For instance, when the sun sets, if the sky is red, then it signals that the weather will have more chances of being nice the next day. If the sky is red in the morning, then a wicked storm is likely to be approaching. The vibes Kagome were receiving from her surroundings were not pleasant in the least bit. It signaled chaos, hatred, battles and misery. She could have sworn she saw death as well, but ignored it. She was having enough troubles anyhow.

There was a rumble in the distance, and you could see the sky lighting up further away. Kagome ignored that as well. She enjoyed being in the rain. However, sitting out in a field during a thunderstorm probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. Kagome didn't mind though, not at all, she welcomed the sky's tears. The storm was approaching quickly. Kagome watched for another flash of lightning streaking through the ominous clouds. 'There.' She thought. 'One, two, three…' Bam! Three miles, was an estimate of how far off the storm was, which technically, wasn't very far.

About ten minutes later, Kagome was getting pelted with rain droplets, completely soaked. She too, like the sky, cried. She was just having one of those moments, when you realize something that will change your life. In her case, it was realizing the horrors in which she had been bestowed. She just couldn't imagine losing Inuyasha to Kikyo, not ever. Although, it was probably best for Inuyasha if he did marry Kikyo, she was, after all, from a royal bloodline. Her mind was torn into tiny fragments, each fragment clouding onto one of two sides: one was telling her to just give up now, and not even try; it's not like she'd win anyhow. The other side, which was barely holding onto one thought: maybe he really did like her. Only time would tell.

It was a magnificent sight. Wind and sand swirled violently, thunder and lightning clashed overhead. It was peculiar, how she hadn't even noticed this storm coming, and here it was now, overhead, thrashing about and making others listen to its tale. A sad smile graced the slave girl's face, and the rain mixed with the mud, getting her even dirtier than she already was. Rain pelted her form, making the kimono sag, and cling to her form desperately, as her hair followed the same example. Lightning struck again, behind the clock in the main square, as it chimed four times. 'Only one more hour.' Kagome thought. Kagome pulled her tired body up from the ground, defying the cursed force called gravity.

She danced everywhere, flinging mud onto huts and herself as she went. Spinning in circles, humming to herself, Kagome witnessed the flying and swirling colors mixed within the sky. In a slight daze, Kagome tripped on a small stone, and fell face first into the mud. She flipped herself over, and laughed, it was a cynical, tired laugh, not a pure, happy one.

The rain was coming to a halt; it was evident it would be coming and going throughout the day. Kagome stood slowly, not even bothering to try and get some of the mud off herself. She opened the door to her hut, and found Sango sitting there, with a worried expression on her face. The second Sango saw Kagome; she jumped up from her cot, and stumbled to hug Kagome. She didn't even hesitate when she saw the mud.

"Kagome! I'm so glad you're okay!" Sango practically shouted.

"Of course I am," Kagome said, prying Sango off of her. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"When the thunder woke me up, you were gone. Oh I was so worried Kagome! What happened anyways?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"That doesn't explain much."

"I just sat outside in the rain in the mud, is that enough explaining?"

Sango gave Kagome a slightly hurt look. "Yeah."

"I'm gonna go take a shower, you mind?" Kagome asked.

"Nope, but don't take too long, I gotta take one too."

"Got it."

Within an hour an a half, Kagome and Sango were on a crowded bus, on their way to their 'duties'. Kagome sighed, and looked to the window, where she saw an even duller scene, gray skies, and rain. Great.

The two walked silently to the locker room, and took two towels to dry themselves off a little, before going to their tasks. Neither of them spoke on the way up the stairs, or even at the supply closet. Bother of them knew it wasn't going to be a very pleasant day, but they had no choice in the matter. They both trudged to the rooms they were supposed to be tending to and paused. They both took a last glance at each other. Kagome spoke the only words said by either of them.

"I'll see you soon, Sango." Kagome said, pushing through the door. Sango nodded, and pushed open her door.

What Kagome saw shocked her, Kikyo was nowhere in sight. But, she had to look worried, for Inuyasha's sake, he didn't want him to hate her just because she didn't like Kikyo.

Trying to keep a steady tone, Kagome asked, "Inuyasha…! Where's Kikyo…?"

"She's not here yet." He said, staring out the window. His tone was unusually saddened and distracted. Kagome felt a little pang of guilt, but the happiness was welling inside of her that Kikyo hadn't arrived yet.

"Inuyasha… Are you alright?" She asked, slightly more serious this time. Inuyasha didn't respond, just continued to stare out the window. Kagome got a bit annoyed, that he wasn't paying her the least bit of attention. She walked over to the large armchair he was sitting in, and sat on the armrest.

"I know you're sad Kikyo's not here yet, but lord Inuyasha, you could at least note that I exist!" Kagome said angrily, knowing addressing him with a respective title would catch his attention more than anything.

Inuyasha was still unresponsive, completely to Kagome's displeasure. He wasn't even facing her now; his back was turned to her. She reached out, and tried to pull at his shoulder, but instead got something else.

Inuyasha stood, and stared deeply into her eyes. He let a small, low growl lurch from his throat.

"I told you, don't call me 'lord'." He said, a hint of anger and sadness in his eyes.

Kagome didn't flinch once, only stared back into his eyes with an equal amount of force. Inuyasha pulled one of his hands up to the side of Kagome's face, and used the other to grasp her back, and pull her closer into him. The slave girl found the small amount of space between them lessen, until there was nothing separating them but the clothes they wore. Her eyes widened when their lips met, but only for a while. There was such warmth in his kiss, such, comfort, something Kagome hadn't felt in a while. She closed her eyes in bliss, and imagined it was only herself and Inuyasha in the world. He licked the bottom of her lip gently, begging keenly for entrance. With bare amounts of uncertainty, Kagome opened her mouth, and felt his tongue explore the every curve of her mouth.

Their moment was quickly interrupted by a rude outburst through the door.

"Inu! I'm here—" Kikyo stated. "Inuyasha! Who's that, that slut you're kissing?!" She asked in shock. Kagome pulled away from Inuyasha in pure terror. Inuyasha just stood there, looking slightly dazed, as if not sure this was reality or not. Kikyo walked up to the slave, and glared.

"You! Have some decency! Inu would never take an interest in you other than a physical one, if you understand," She mocked. Kagome soon felt a wave of pain caress her cheek. She stumbled backwards a few steps, and was caught by Inuyasha, who quickly dropped his hold on her, and walked over to Kikyo. Kagome couldn't believe her eyes, or her ears.

"Learn your place, slave. Guards! Take her away!" Kikyo demanded.

Jaken and Gyou stepped from what seemed like their hiding places behind the Lady, if she could be called that, anyways. There was guilt and apology within the amber color in Inuyasha's eyes. Almost as if saying 'I'm sorry.' Kagome just stared in disbelief. He was the lord of the castle, and he was letting them drag her to who knows where, even if he didn't want her gone! Or maybe, he would rather her gone, so he could get started with Kikyo? The thought was too much to bear. Tears streamed down her face, burning her eyes, and putting a glaze she couldn't see past on them. She whispered three words so that only Inuyasha would have heard.

"I…love you." She said, and hung her head down in shame, as the two ruthless overseers took her away to a possible death.