I, erm, didn't have computer access for a week. Does that help? :P And I had some problems uploading this... but now it's all good.
Merry belated Christmas and New Year everybody! May this one be as amazing as the last. I wish you all the best! I'm kinda panicking, with exams and math contests coming up... oh geez.

Bitter or Sweet?

Disclaimer: not even for Christmas

Chapter 23: Trouble in Paradise

Slow down now, the secrets out
And I swear now I can make this perfect.
What you want, what you need has been killing me.
Trying to be everything that you want me to be.
I'll say yes, I'll undress, I've done more for less and
I will change everything till it's perfect again.

~Marianas Trench: Perfect

3 YEARS LATER

KAGOME'S POV

He throws an arm around me from behind, catching me by surprise. He then jokingly strangles me and I roll my eyes at his antics. "Ew, Bank, get off."

Bankotsu feigns hurt. "You're mean."

"Yeah, Kagome, stop being such a bad girlfriend," Sango teases, laughing when I give her the stink eye. "I mean, come on, you get Bankotsu while I, on the other hand, have to put up with Miroku. Some people have all the luck."

Miroku's brows shoot up. "Uh, hey, I'm right here?"

"Well look at you guys, all lovey-dovey and shit," Ayame interjects, swinging her legs over the bench to join us at our table. She makes a grab for one of my french-fries and I swat at her hand. "It kinda makes me want to barf. But you know I love you all," she added, as if as an afterthought.

Sango slugs her, and Ayame winces. "What about you, miss romance-is-so-overrated? You and Hiten have been awfully cozy, and don't you deny it. What was it you said a few years ago? He's, like, the first guy who hasn't treated me like a bro?"

Ayame raises her fists dangerously.

For once, all is right with the world. Well, my world, anyways. All of us- Sango, Ayame, and myself- are taken, and we couldn't be happier. Even Rin's love life has been eventful, what with her been hit on by some drunken dude at a bar, and Sesshomaru surprisingly coming to her rescue like the shining knight in armor he was... though it was quite unnecessary since Rin, not easily scared, had beaten the crap out of the guy with her martial arts skills.

It was almost odd how peaceful everything seemed to be, ever since Inuyasha moved away. (Sesshomaru, who was nearly finished with his university courses, got an apartment near the area. Which one day, I'm sure, he'll share with Rin.) My date with Bankotsu three years ago from the twisted 'girl auction' had gone...well. Without even meaning to, he made me feel so at home, comfortable. His presence is that of a long-time best friend: steady and warm. That's how I feel around him. So opposite from Inuyasha, who'd brought out the worst and best in me. With Inuyasha, my emotions were always at full throttle, and I'm not sure if that was something I liked or hated about him.

"You've got that look again, Kags," Bank says suddenly, poking a figure at my forehead. "That look where you look like you're thinking really hard... like you're constipated."

Oh wow. "I swear, I'm about to smack you right now."

"Leave that to Sango. It's her thing; don't steal."

"Amen," Miroku mutters.

"KA-GO-ME," Sango roars. "Keep your boyfriend on a leash, please!"

We burst out in laughter, and other tables give us dirty looks. Our obnoxious loudness is famous in our school, even among the freshmen. We, though seniors, certainly don't act it. We're virtually the same as we were three years ago. But the exams...the university worries... it's all overwhelming to the point where sometimes I just need to have a nervous breakdown, and the shoulder I often tend to lean on is Sango, because to be honest, Bank's shoulders are pretty hard and not the comfiest to use.

Most of us are splitting up after high school; Sango's intent on getting into law, whereas Ayame says she wants to fight crime, and I'm as of now, an undecided major as is Miroku. Koga's first choice of school, however, is the same as Ayame's, so we'll see how that goes.

But despite our differing paths, I have a unwavering confidence that we'll somehow manage to stay together forever. That's the beauty of friendship.

I wish I could say the same for Inuyasha, that we're still friends despite being seas apart. I thought we were worth at least as much. But I guess not.

"Ugh, where is that Ayame?" Sango growls. "She was supposed to meet us immediately after the dismissal bell. Kagome, could you please go and fetch her? She needs to take responsibility and help with the cleanup duty. I refuse to do her share."

I hold a bobby pin between my teeth as I pull my hair into a high pony. "Alright, alright. Try not to kill her when we get back."

"No promises," she mutters.

I finish up with my hair, and make my way to the foyer of the school, where I was sure Ayame would be, probably just chilling with Miroku and the guys.

But instead, when I caught view of her bright, red tresses, she was pressed up against the corner of a wall, not facing my direction, head bent and shoulders shaking. I didn`t get it until I heard the voices coming from behind the wall.

"-you're even with her? She's hot but have you seen her biceps? I bet you twenty that she's actually lesbian and is just dating you 'cause she doesn't want to admit it."

"Oh, cut her some slack," Hiten's voice rang out, though muffled by laughter. "She's not that bad."

"Not that bad? Not that bad?" Manten, his brother, scoffs. "The chick's a beast."

Ayame presses a hand to her mouth, evidently choking back sobs, and she slides down the wall.

My heart breaks for her; she rarely cries, and even when she does, it's never in front of other people. But the first boy she ever entrusted her heart to had been playing her all these years. Hiten was so going down.

"Just break up with her, man," his friend sighed. "You've already gotten into her pants, right?"

There was a beat of silence.

"Oh my God," he said. "You haven't? See, I told you she's homo. If she wasn't easy, why the fuck are you still with her? She's hardly even a girl."

I take my first angry step, the steam practically shooting from my ears, when the loud smack of knuckles on skin makes me freeze. The sound is followed by a gross crack and a string of curses.

"Oh, fuck you!" Manten screams. "What the hell was that for, you bitch?"

"Shut up," Koga snarls. "You deserve more than a broken nose and you fucking know it. And you," he hisses, zeroing in on Hiten. "You are so dead."

Fear crosses their faces. "What did we do?" Hiten snaps, trying to act tough. "You just came onto us for no reason! What did we ever do to you?"

"I don't know what the hell Ayame saw in you," Koga replies, ignoring his question.

Comprehension dawned on their faces and they slowly began to back away. "Don't act as if you haven't thought the same way," they say.

"Never in my life have I ever thought that way about anyone. You bastards. Isn't Ayame a girl too? Isn't she? What kind of twisted person talks shit behind their girlfriend's back? If you couldn't see her like the girl she is, you shouldn't have led her on for the last three years, you fucking ass!"

Aya starts crying out loud, wails echoing through the halls, and Hiten's pack's eyes widen at the realization that she'd heard the entire thing. Koga spots Ayame, her hands covering her face. Making a split decision, he lands a kick right in Hiten's abdomen, causing him to writhe in pain. "Go home," he grinds out and they obey, running out of sight.

I inhale a sharp breath as I remember the scene that this one distinctly resembles: it was so similar to when Inuyasha rescued Kikyo that day in front of the entire school. Except the number of persecutors this time was much lower.

"Ayame," Koga says quietly, roughly. "You okay? Wait—no, stupid question. Sorry. Do you—"

"Go away, Koga," she interrupts, sounding so tired. Her voice was raspy from all the crying. "You know I hate pity."

"You're wrong!" he snaps, and she lifts her head, face blotchy. "I don't pity you. Why would I? I pity them because they're going to die without ever getting laid. 'Cause no one wants to sleep with a loser, that's why. And they're not even hot; did you see Maten's bald spot? And Hiten's hairy chest. Eww. If I was a girl, I wouldn't touch them even if they were the last guys on earth."

Ayame blinks rapidly, looking so confused it was almost funny. Then she begins laughing. And laughing. And laughing. Koga grins, relieved that his efforts in making her feel a tiny bit better were not in vain. Koga blabs on and on about some other random crap, and Ayame, though a mess, cannot seem to stop laughing.

I smile, looking the two over. They were a match made in hell, yes, but somehow I could see it happen. Heart lightened, I go back to the classroom (where Sango will most likely murder me for leaving her alone for so long and not bringing back Aya), knowing that it was Koga whom Ayame needed right now, not me.

Ayame finally found her prince charming . . . rather, he'd been by her side all along.

When a hand ruffles my hair, I pull out my earbuds and stand up, giving Bank a quick peck on the mouth. When I lean back, he shakes his head and envelopes me in a huge bear hug- his signature move. I can't say I don't like them, despite the fact that they squeeze the life out of me every single time.

"People are staring," I laugh. "They're going to think you're some molester, preying on an innocent school girl."

"You? Innocent?" he raises a brow, releasing me. "I don't think so."

I blow a raspberry at him, but link my arm with his. "So, where to, my good man?"

He plays right along. "To wherever your heart desires, my fair lady."

"In that case, I believe my heart is telling me that it craves a big Wac... and I know you're just dying to pay."

Bank rolls his eyes. "Fine, fine. But in return, you can buy the popcorn."

It's my turn to cock an eyebrow. "We're watching a movie?"

He grins. "Horror. Your pick."

"Ooh, horror. Hoping I'll use you as hide behind you and boost your ego?"

He laughs nervously, pretending I'm right. "Nah, the thought never even crossed my mind."

"In that case..."

"What a complete waste of my time," Bank yawns, stuffing his mouth with pizza. "Horror movies are gradually getting worse and worse every year. What kind of movie was that? It doesn't even deserve to be categorized as a scary movie to begin with. Like, what the hell? The girl was the murderer? What a letdown. What's worse, is that she's not even remotely creepy looking."

Bank takes movies very seriously, so I expected this. I listen attentively to his detailed review while take large bites out of my dinner.

"-should've watched the cowboy movie. Uh, Kags... that's your sixth slice."

"Your point?"

A funny expressions comes over his face, one I can't read, and then is replaced by one of fondness. Whenever he looks at me like that, I feel warmth in the pit of my stomach... As well as an ache. It reminds me so much of him sometimes. I'm dating Bank, so I've told myself countless times to stop thinking about Inuyasha when I'm with him. But I think I worry about him too much to completely forget him.

I can't even count the number of times I've sat in front of my computer, fingers poised to type out an email, but could never get past the 'How are you?' Because really, that was all I had to say, and it seemed a bit pathetic. While he was probably surrounding himself with gorgeous, exotic women, I was over here fretting over him like some old granny. Besides, I was absolutely certain he wouldn't reply even if I did send him a message.

"Well, if you're done eating fatso, want to go outside now? I think the park's still open, and it's only a couple blocks away."

That catches me off guard. "The park?"

"You know, that place with the open grass, swings, monkey bars...?"

I smack him on the arm. "Oh, stop, idiot. I know what a park is. Why the park? Is that like your thing now? And don't you have a history unit test tomorrow-?"

"Kagome." He looks at me steadily. "You okay?"

I pause. Bank knows me pretty well now, and he can immediately tell when something's off. I feel guilty for ruining his mood. "I want to talk," I tell him, voice small. "I didn't bring it up before because I knew it wouldn't be fair to you, but it hurts to keep it bottled in. I'm sorry, but would you mind listening to me?"

"Stupid," he barks. "Why would you keep anything from me? You shouldn't lock in your emotions; it's not healthy. And don't be sorry. Don't worry about my feelings so much- I'll always be here to listen to you whenever you need to let something out. You know that. Right?"

I do. But Bank's been so kind to me... it would pain me if I accidently said something that hurt him. "Yeah, duh. So want to go to that park?"

We don't say anything to each other on the way there, but then Bank takes off his leather jacket and places it on the grassy hill. "Sit."

"You're telling me you want me to squish your precious jacket with my fat ass?"

"Yup," he laughs. "That's exactly what I want. Just don't fart on it; I'm not that lenient."

That cracks me up. "I can't guarantee anything, but I'll try my best. But in all seriousness, aren't you going to be cold? Wait- I have an idea."

I sit on one side of his jacket, and point to the other section, motioning him to join me. When he does, I take off my jacket and drape it over both of us, kind of like a blanket. I lean into him, closing my eyes. He remains silent, waiting patiently for me to gather my thoughts. "It's been eating at me for a while now," I start carefully.

He nods. "It's about Inuyasha. Am I right?"

I lower my gaze. "I didn't want to give you the wrong idea... I'm not- I don't- um, I guess the best way to put it is that I miss him the way a sister misses a brother. I want to know how he's doing, that's he's okay. But I feel like a moron whenever I find myself thinking about him because I know that he probably couldn't even care less about me." My voice breaks at the end.

Bank takes my words in, not seeming to be surprised. "You said he hasn't tried to talk to you after he left?"

I nod. "One time, when my mom was on the phone with his, I asked her if I could talk to him for a minute...you know, just to say hi and whatnot. But whenever I tried that, he'd always be 'out of the house' or 'unavailable at the moment.' It's not that he's too busy; he doesn't want to hear my voice." It hurt to finally admit the fact to myself out loud. "If I could just speak to him once... Just once, and I think I'll be able to let it all go."

"Why? How would exchanging pleasantries with him relieve you of your feelings of affection for him?"

"The last time I saw him... you didn't see his expression; he looked like something was weighing his heart down. His eyes were stripped of all happiness. If I could just see him laughing and having fun, I could get that image of him out of my mind and then I could go on with my life. I have a problem of getting attached too fast, too easily. That's why I still care about him."

He rests his chin on the crown of my head. "Kags, maybe you can't get him out of your head because your old love for him still hasn't completely gone away."

I jerk up at the idea, headbutting Bank as a result.

"Oww!"

"Eek! Sorry!" I apologize instantly.

We stare at each other before dissolving in laughter.

Once we settle down, I speak up tentatively. "Bank...I- you know I love you, don't you?"

He doesn't say anything back for a while, and I get worried. But then he says, "Yeah, duh," mimicking me from before. But there's something else coloring his tone, though I can't tell what it is... wariness?

Bank walks me to the bus stop.

"See you tomorrow," I say.

He nods, and I wrap my arms around his waist, hugging him tightly. Bank kisses me lightly on the corner of my mouth.

My bus arrives and I untangle myself from him and board. He waves at me from the window and I stick my tongue out, making him roll his eyes again.

He's soon out of eyesight, and I plug in my earbuds, letting my eyes drift closed.

The bus slows to a stop once more five minutes later, and when I open one eye to see if it's my turn to get off, my heart drops to my stomach. "Inuyasha?"

AN: Ok, ok, don't be too angry... Bankotsu's hot, alright? Hehe. And I mean, how was Kagome supposed to know she was going to see Inuyasha again? So yeah...

This was far too short considering how long it took for me to get it up, but better something than nothing? It was more of a filler chapter than anything else, I suppose.

Thank you Daichi as always :)

I hope you guys are having an amazing day/night, wherever you live.

Hugs, hugs, and more hugs,

~Nyony