A/N: I apologize for not updating, but you know how it is. School is a bitch. lol Anyways, here's a fairly long chapter. D I'll update this story again as soon as I get a decent amount of reviews (I have a number in my head, but I don't feel like sharing). I was going to wait a little while to update because I felt that I wasn't getting a lot of feedback, but today's my birthday, and I'm in a happy mood so you get a chapter. :) Anyways, please read and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; duh. XD
Rated: Mature For crude language, sexual references, and mature situations.

CHAPTER 11

I sat on InuYasha's couch, watching TV. I had been at his house for four days now, and he didn't really mind. I suppose he was happy to spend time with me, which was good, because I was happy to spend time with him. Just as friends; which I had to make clear numerous times. He eventually stopped trying to show his affection.

"You've got to go back home some time," InuYasha said as he stretched before propping his feet on the table in the center of the living room. He lived alone in an apartment even smaller than mine. Both of his parents had died- his mother right after his birth, and his father a couple of years back due to a shooting at the mall.

"Yeah, I know," I sighed, already having planned to go back home later that night. "I just want to make sure I don't explode at Kagura."

"Did you talk to your shrink about it?" he asked as he cocked and eyebrow upward.

"Surprisingly, yes," I blushed at the thought of telling some random stranger about the intimate details of my life, but after just two days, she didn't feel like a stranger. Ayumi felt like a friend and I was in desperate need of one since I couldn't talk to Kagome as much as I did before. Even before, we didn't talk much because she was always with Koga.

"Wow, that's cool I guess. What all did you guys talk about?" he asked as he shut his eyes to relax.

"Miroku at first; then the accident in specifics. We talk about him every day and I tell her about the fun things we did together, and the not so fun things we did together. I told her about Kagura and my relationship with her and then about what I found out on Monday," I sighed, before continuing. "We talk about you and Kagome too. Sometimes I complain about Koga and Kohaku."

"Wait, you talk about me?" he asked as he opened his eyes to gaze at me. I nodded with a blush and he smiled brightly. "I'm flattered."

"Well you shouldn't be," I bit out at him and he laughed before draping an arm around my shoulders. I didn't mind this much and let him.

"So what does she say in reply to the stuff you talk about?" he asked as I rested my head on his shoulder.

"She doesn't say anything. She hardly ever replies; she just listens. I like that about her," I paused before continuing. "I guess she's just trying to let me figure things out on my own before she tells me what she thinks. The only time she does speak is at the end of the session and that's just her thanking me for talking to her and how she thinks I'm unique and yada-yada."

"Hell yeah, you're unique," he chuckled and I laughed in response to this. InuYasha was just so nice to me.

"She compliments me a lot," I said thoughtfully. "You think I could bed her by next week?"

"No chance," InuYasha scoffed, playing along.

"And why is that?" I raised an eyebrow at him and he reached forward to tug gently at my eyebrow ring.

"Because, by then, I would've gotten you into my bed and you wouldn't want another," he smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"Says the man who forces his guest to sleep in on the couch," I laughed and he laughed with me at our playful bantering. I was happy with InuYasha the way things were. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin our friendship by allowing us to become a couple.

"That's only because I know that if I let you in my bed, the last thing we'll be doing is sleeping."

I pushed his arm off of my shoulder and stood.

"I've got to go to work," I said grudgingly. "I'll be back later."

"Ok," he smiled handsomely before standing to gently kiss me on the cheek. "I'll be waiting."

I blushed, but allowed him to get away with the kiss.

I waited my tables absent mindedly at work. My fake cheeriness wasn't at its best and my customers were obviously getting annoyed. I eventually got put on buss duty again but didn't mind because I was so focused on what I was thinking.

I really wanted to see Kagome. Seeing her at school just wasn't enough for me now. I hated the fact that I needed to see her after school too. I planned on going over to her house to give her mother my sincerest apologies and hopefully convince her to allow Kagome to work for Kagura again. That'd go well with my returning home later that night.

So after work, I drove to the Higurashi household. Koga's car was in the driveway but I disregarded that because I was really just there to apologize then leave. I rang the doorbell and stood there for a little while. Souta was the one to answer the door and he looked confused.

"Sango?"

"Yeah," I said hesitantly.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting you to show up. I thought my mom scared you off for good," he laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"I came to apologize," I mumbled as I looked away from his bright brown eyes. I hooked my thumbs into my pockets before asking, "Is your mom home?"

"Sango?" a voice that I had grown so accustomed to questioned.

I looked up to find Kagome standing at the foot of the stairs looking at me with confused blue eyes.

"Hey," I fought back a smile, trying to seem indifferent. "I came to apologize to your mom about the other night," I explained, just wanting it done with.

"Oh, she's not home," Kagome came to the door as Souta went back to lounging in the living room. I noticed she made no effort to invite me in and I fought back a frown. Perhaps her mother had said that I shouldn't be allowed over either. Or maybe it was because Koga was there? I didn't see him though… Was he in her room? I blushed at the thought. Kagome hadn't mentioned that she was now letting Koga in her room and she usually shared every detail of her relationship with me, even if I didn't want to hear it.

"When will she be?" I asked as I shifted from one leg to the other. I had been standing there for a while. I didn't like the idea of Koga with Kagome when her mom wasn't home; even if her grandfather was. He was hard of hearing anyways and Souta was too busy being a lazy teen.

"Late," Kagome said shying away from my intense gaze. I was hitting her with the look that hopefully showed I was a bit disappointed with her being at home with Koga practically alone. "She knows he's here," she finally said to me. Her tone was hard and I felt a bit hurt. I hadn't even said anything.

"Look, I didn't come here for that. You can fuck with your boyfriend if you want; who am I to tell you otherwise," I replied, irritated that she had even brought it up- but in the same way I was glad because we both knew we wanted to talk about it.

"Koga and I haven't…." she trailed off as if afraid to say it.

"Look, tell your mom I came by to apologize," I said before turning away from her. My chest was hurting just by being around her. I could barely handle it any longer. She didn't say anything to stop me from leaving so I continued and got into my car. She was watching me from the front door and waved lamely at me. I rolled my eyes, regretting the moment I did. Koga was watching me leave from her window with a smug look on his face. I could see his bare chest and nearly gagged. I tore down the road in hopes of never seeing his skin like that again.

When I got to InuYasha's apartment, I was ashamed to admit that I was crying. When he saw me with tears in my eyes he quickly gathered me into his arm. I cried pathetically into his chest and he silently held me. I could see the pain in his expression. He hated seeing me like I was, but I couldn't help it. I was hurting to so much. It was unbearable. Later, after I had gathered my things, he walked me to my car.

"You'll be alright on your own?" he asked as his amber eyes gazed into mine longingly. I shrugged my shoulders before speaking.

"I'll get over it. I can't be a pussy all my life," and said nonchalantly and he laughed a bit at that.

"Well you know I'm always here for you," he said with all honesty and I smiled.

"I know; thanks for that," I felt tears prick at my eyes again and I frowned. Why did I have to fall for Kagome? Why couldn't I have just liked InuYasha the way he liked me? I leaned forward and kissed him gently and quickly on the lips; a mere touching of tender flesh.

He smiled and I saw appreciation rolling around in his amber eyes. I backed out of my parking spot and drove off. I felt apprehension billow in me. Would Kagura be there? How was Kohaku? Was he angry with me for leaving again?

When I got home, I pushed the door open to find the apartment completely empty.

Sighing, I tossed all of my crap onto the floor and headed straight into the bedroom. Kohaku had made a terrible mess but I didn't care. I flopped down into the bed and fell straight asleep. I was awakened by a strange feeling on my face and stifled snickering.

Fuck, had I fallen asleep at a party again? I swear it felt like some bitch was licking my face.

I opened my eyes to only get blinded by the strangely powerful light of the setting sun filtering through the window. I shut my eyes, turning my head a little only to get my face tucked into soft fuzz.

"Dammit; Kagura, if that's your crotch in my face I'm going to kill you," I hissed as I forced myself to open my harassed eyes. It took a while for my eyes to adjust and for my vision to come back. As the dancing black dots pranced away, I realized I was looking at an animal of some sort. I shot up into a sitting position, my hair falling about my head wildly. Kohaku and Kagura, who stood in the doorway, were laughing insanely now.

I viewed the animal which sat comfortably on the bed as it viewed me with scrutinizing, large brown cat eyes which reminded me a lot of Kagura's eyes. They had that same strange red glint when the sun hit them. Its fur was a lovely creamy yellow color and its ears and feet were pitch black. I'd have called the thing cute if it didn't have two fucking tails that had black stripes on it. The diamond shaped patch of black on its forehead was also strange.

"What the fuck is this?" I questioned, pointing at the freakish animal. It purred, despite my dark looks, and crawled into my lap carefully.

"It's a cat," Kohaku finally said once he was done laughing at my reaction. "We got her for you… Well Kagura did."

"What's the thing's name?" I asked, wondering why Kagura would get me a freaking cat. I looked down at her tags to see her name wasn't on it. Just Kagura's address and my name as its owner. A small card was attached to the cat's collar and I took it off.

"Sorry" was scrawled in Kagura's familiar print and a small fan was stamped in the corner. I looked up to see a worried look on Kagura's face. Her eyes, reddened by the sun, were pleading with me with everything she had.

"Look," I started as my hand went to the cat's back. "I haven't completely forgiven you, but I'm not going to yell at you and try to break your face."

Kagura nodded and smiled and I rolled my eyes. I looked down at the cat enjoying me petting her… it was a her right?

"We haven't named her," Kagura said gently. "It's your cat anyways… You should be able to name her whatever you want."

"'Pussy' it is!" I exclaimed. The cat pulled away from me and I swore it gave me the meanest, chiding look possible. My eyes widened at it and I laughed, deciding that I was indeed hallucinating.

"How about Kilala?" I said, after pondering for a moment. My mom said that would've been my name had she not liked Sango better…

Seeming to agree, the cat jumped into my arms and I pulled it closer to me. I felt myself already getting attached. Kilala was adorable anyways.

"So where were you two?" I questioned as I stood with the animal in my arms. It had no objection, so I walked into the hallway with her.

"At home," Kagura said as I slowed, trying to figure out what she was talking about.

"Home?" I questioned thinking that she was up to something.

"Yes, home. We're moving out of these apartments and into my house," Kagura said causing me to stop and turn to look at her.

"And why the fuck did you decide that?" I barked at her, in reply. Kilala flinched and her ears flicked before she tensed terribly in my arms. Her claws were hurting my forearms. Kohaku looked uneasy and backed into the room we had just left muttering something about making the bed. He shut the door behind him.

"Because I felt like it," Kagura said, crossing her arms defensively. I gaped at her. How dare she?! Who the fuck did she think she was?

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" I dropped the cat, which thankfully landed on her black furred feet, and took off into the living room.

"I'm your fucking guardian, that's who I am. As long as you're in my care and I'm paying for your fucking bills and saving money for you to go to college, you're not going to disrespect me. I've had enough of your attitude, Sango, and I've finally decided that it's about time that you don't have your way for once," her eyes were the color of smoldering ashes and I flinched at their hardness. "We're moving into my house and that's what I've decided. We're not strangers anymore and I won't have us living the way we are- I can barely stomach it. We should be moved out of this shit hole and home by next Wednesday; no later."

I stared at her, amazed. When did she grow balls?

"God, do you know how hot you are right now?" I breathed.

She looked at me and her angry look faltered. She was soon laughing ridiculously hard. I smiled at that, glad to see that I wasn't too terribly angry with her. I was even a bit curious about what had transpired between her and my mom. Of course, I still kind of hated her guts but what the hell? My parents were dead and that was the past. The past barely mattered now.

"Sango, you drive me crazy," she laughed a bit more before producing a fan from her back pocket and fanning herself with it. It was a peach colored fan with dark, brown wooden pieces.

"Look, I'm still angry at you for fucking my mom. So don't think you're off the hook," I glared at her.

She blushed and then sighed. "It was a terrible thing I did," she said more to herself. "I never thought about what it could possibly do to you and your family. To me, you guys were just people in the background. People I heard of and never really interacted with much and when I did, I worked hard not to get attached so that when I was with your mom, I wouldn't feel guilty… I'm sorry, Sango."

I didn't reply and her eyes were on mine once more.

"I just want you to know that you're a spitting image of your mom. You're beautiful and you remind me of her so much. I just want the best for you. That's all I want now. I owe that much to your mother and father- putting a strain on their relationship the way I did. I owe that much to myself too, because I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you. I really can't imagine life without the daughter of the woman I used to love. I try to make you happy, and not hinder your happiness with my fears of loosing you. You're one of the most important things in my life Sango. I hope you understand that."

I felt my chest ache in numbness at her words. Compassion wasn't something I was used too and as of recently I had been smothered in it. It made my heart ache with emotion to hear such wonderful words fall from Kagura's mouth. I wouldn't screw this up. I'd take this compassion and embrace it.

"It's ok Kagura. I'm… happy to have you as a… guardian?" the statement finished more as a question.

"Guardian, sister, friend; whatever," she shrugged and I smiled at her laxness.

"Damn, you're cool," I smirked and she laughed. Kohaku peaked out of the room and I gestured to him to come forward.

"Look, I'm up for doing some freaky family shit. Got any ideas?" I asked him.

Kohaku obviously didn't go out much, because we ended up at our totally lame mall. The only times I had ever had fun at this mall was with Miroku and InuYasha- and that somehow included us getting kicked out by mall security. There was absolutely no way I'd be having fun with… my family.

"Fuck, this is lame. Now I know why I don't do this family bonding shit," I huffed as we trekked through the crowded mall. A voice called out my name and I halted, finding it strangely familiar. A girl approached me and once again, familiarity struck me, but I couldn't place it. It is the most frustrating thing to know someone, but not remember their name- especially if you knew for sure that you knew it. But I was never one to focus on something that'd frustrate me for too long.

"Sango," the girl breathed with a blush. I glanced at Kohaku and Kagura who were gazing at the girl and me with curious eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked shamelessly. If I forgot her name, she must've not been important.

"I…" her blush intensified. "I'm Asuka, remember?" she pressed with a hidden need. It was as if she really wanted me to remember. I wouldn't see a reason for her to want me to, but perhaps she was one of those girls who got off on the thrill of being popular and well-known.

"Actually, no. No I don't," I confessed. She sighed at this answer, pursing her lips- nice lips at that.

"You and my sister and I used to… hang out," she said with a strange look in her dark black eyes. I gazed into her dark eyes realizing she was just another nameless face I knew. Just another girl; and yet…

"Oh," I finally remembered. "You guys are twins."

She nodded with a smile, obviously glad that I remembered her.

"Wow, it's been a while. You're hot." And she was. She had matured a great deal and she was definitely someone I'd invite home… Of course that was if I were still doing that. Which I'm not… for sure… Ugh, forget it. I certainly was thinking it at the time even though I swore to myself and my family that I wouldn't. I felt kind of bad about it.

She blushed and I smirked. Kohaku and Kagura rolled their eyes. The girl gave Kagura a look. If I remember correctly, when Kagura found them both at the apartment, she had kicked them out quite harshly. They had never been given a chance. Then again, if you found people naked in bed with your "little girl" would you give them a chance?

Kagura seemed to remember the girl and give her a critical look.

"You're the fifteen year old girl who I caught in bed with Sango a year ago," Kagura said, sparing Kohaku no details. "And your twin sister."

Asuka blushed and scratched at her neck. This was a very strange and awkward situation.

"Kagura, give it a break," I huffed, suddenly irritated with her. "She just wanted to say hi; and I'm glad she did."

The girl looked surprised. She had a right to. Back when I had convinced her and her sister to sleep with me… well, I wasn't right in the head. I was seriously fucked up.

I had met the two at a party and was a little past buzzed. Kocho was the one I had actually hit on first. I had the younger girl trapped in a corner and she was so ready to go with me. I was talking dirty to her and promising soooo many things. She wanted in; no strings attached and I was working on getting her prepped when her equally cute twin sister appeared. Kocho was embarrassed to have been caught. Asuka was threatening to rat her out.

That was until I worked my drunken magic on her too.

Soon, both of them were whining for me to teach them things. I couldn't help but take them home. The kissing and touching that night was unbelievable for their first time. And disappointingly, I wasn't concerned in the least that it was their first time. I was a slave to my primal instincts. I was trying to drown out my pain with other feelings like pleasure and satisfaction.

I was a bitch that night; so she was probably surprised to see me defending her.

"Wow… you've changed," she said hesitantly.

I shrugged and then mumbled, "Not much. I was just drunk off my ass when I fucked with you and your sister. It was a total mistake."

The girl blushed and Kohaku looked absolutely embarrassed.

"Look, sorry about it or whatever. You've obviously gotten your life back on track, and me too. We live, we learn, we move on; right? So I-"

"Do you want to go out sometime?" she blurted, blushing.

I cocked an eyebrow upward and gazed at her. Her black eyes gazed at me expectantly and a blush painted her cheeks a pleasant pink.

"I… um, well…"

I was irritated with my hesitation. Usually, I was an opportunist, I'd take any chance I'd get to bed a cute girl; but she… I just couldn't. Something was holding me back. Something was repelling me from this girl. Was it my attraction to Kagome? I did feel as if I were cheating on her- even though we weren't together; and at that thought, I scowled. Asuka flinched and my expression softened immediately.

Forget about Kagome, I chanted in my head. She didn't like me that way. She never would.

"Sure," I finally pressed out. Kohaku and Kagura were giving me strange looks and my breathing evened out. I hadn't even realized I was breathing so hard. What the hell was wrong with me?

Asuka smiled hesitantly and handed me her cell phone. I quickly added myself to her contacts and gave her back her phone, lost in thought. I absentmindedly registered when she left us alone and I began to fidget with my keychain in my pocket.

Why was I acting the way I was?

"Sango… aren't you and InuYasha together?" Kagura asked hesitantly. That snapped me out of my deep concentration and I looked up into her concerned face. She was chewing on her bottom lip. What was her deal?

"No, we aren't; we weren't, and we'll never be. I'm not gonna screw up with the only friend I have," I muttered as I started forward.

"Are you ok?" Kohaku asked as they started to catch up with me.

"What's up with you two?" I huffed as I turned to face them. They both flinched. That was getting on my nerves. I wasn't going to hit either one of them. I never had really.

"Isn't Kagome your friend?" Kohaku hesitated before speaking. My eyes were suddenly boring into his chocolate brown eyes. Why was he afraid of me?

"Yes," I whispered. "We're just… having a hard time with our friendship." It hurt to think about her. I realized it was slowly killing me from inside. The pain was slowly seeping into my limbs. Soon it would have reached every part of my body and it would tear me up inside to even be around her.

"Oh…" It was Kagura speaking this time. "Do you want to sit down?" Her hand was on my arm, and I flung it off of me, suddenly enraged. I still didn't want her touching me. I realized that I probably wouldn't want her to touch me ever again.

"What's your deal?" I spat, irritated with the two of them.

"Sango, you're acting strange."

I suddenly felt my anger leave me as quickly as it came. They were right. But why? What was wrong with me? What was with the sudden mood swings and indecision?

"I'll see you guys at home. Sorry," I mumbled before taking off the other direction in the mall.

Well, wasn't that interesting! Sango's going to be hurting pretty bad for the next few chapters, so sorry for the angst-fest. It won't be too terrible, though... not yet, at least. Anyways, please review! I'll try to update this story sooner (and FMII... I'm just having a bit of a writer's block. D:)

thanks for reading
-Enigmatic Ethereality