May 1, Kagome's Apartment, 1:46 AM
April 23, 7:22 PM
"Hey Kagome, it's Sango. Haven't heard from you in a few days. Just wanted to make sure you're okay. Call me."
April 24, 10:16 PM
"Hey babe, did you fall off the face of the earth? You still haven't replied to my email about the meeting in Chicago. I want to see that sexy ass of yours. Love ya."
April 26, 9:53 PM
"Kagome, seriously. I hope you're okay. Can you at least call me so I know you didn't die in a car accident?"
April 27, 12:45 PM
"Hi Honey, did you get the invitation for Souta's college graduation? He really wants you there. And Grandpa and I haven't seen you in months. It would be really nice if you could come home for a few days… We miss you."
April 27, 5:50 PM
"Kagome, you are really making me worry. If I don't hear from you soon, I'm going to break into your apartment."
April 30, 11:26 PM
"Kagome, what the hell? Listen babe, if you don't want to see me, just say so. I'm tired of you not ever answering your phone or email. Long distance calls aren't cheap."
April 31, 8:19 PM
"Kagome, I'm at your front door. Open up if you want to keep your locks intact."
April 31, 8:24 PM
"Can you please just text me or something? I keep checking the obituaries…"
April 31, 8:35 PM
"I guess you're actually not home. I'm going to call your office number. You better pick up."
April 31, 8:42 PM
"Honey, can you please call me? Grandpa and I are really worried about you."
April 31, 8:50 PM
"Okay, Kagome. I'm going home. I don't know where you are, but I hope you're safe."
Kagome stared listlessly at her phone as Sango's voice clicked off. She rolled onto her side, propping herself on her elbow, and stared out the window, the horizontal blinds slicing up the dim view of the apartment building across the street. It was nearly 2:00 AM. She'd lost count of the number of times she'd listened to the series of voicemails at least three hours ago.
I should really text my mom, at least… Kagome thought guiltily. She knew she should text Sango too, but Sango would know that all Kagome had been able to think about apart from work was the feel of Inuyasha's lips, his arms wrapped around her… and his words…
"Don't come find me unless you're sure I'm not just a rebound guy."
For all that right now she had cut herself off from communication with her friends and family, loneliness scared her. Before Kouga, there had been well-meaning but misinformed Houjou, and before him, Bankotsu, egotistical business tycoon. A brief fling with bad-boy Hiten. A steady but entirely boring relationship with Kuranosuke. The list went on.
What if I've just been rebounding for the last ten years of my life? The notion was almost a physical punch, and she flopped back onto her back to stare at the ceiling in shock. Perhaps now was as good a time as any to break the cycle.
She reached for her phone, which she'd dropped next to her on the bed, and scrolled through her email to find the almost month-old message from Kouga about coming to visit.