3/19/17

Okay, so this will be the final chapter. You'll hear a little about what InuYasha's been doing, since they always went back and forth in the series between them when they fought, but here is where everything comes to a close. You'll see some closure for both InuYasha and Kagome, and we'll hear from Koga one more time, and meet a "new" character. Enjoy!

Friendly Fire: Part 6

He sat on the step and watched her approach. When she reached the gate, she looked up and froze. He met her gaze, before standing and making his way toward her. As his feet moved forward, his mind wandered back over the last few days. He'd disappeared, climbing trees in the park, and finding solace in the clouds. He'd always been a climber. The silence offered him clarity, while he pondered the situation. He'd grow lonely, and consider going to talk to Kagome, but his pride eventually won. Why should he have to apologize first? He'd grind his teeth and resign to staying away.

During the day, he stayed in the park, and at night, he'd come home and pace through his house, sulking. Sometimes curiosity got the better of him, and he'd wander over to Kagome's house, grappling with the decision to go in, or not. He'd stay out of sight, usually climbing a tree and sitting for an hour or so. Occasionally, she's come to the window and lean against it. He'd watch her wrap her arms around herself and stare for a few minutes at the seemingly empty street. Soon, she'd turn away and a second later, the light would go off and he knew she'd gone to sleep for the night.

After that, he would go home, and spend the majority of the night tossing and turning in his bed, unable to sleep. He was furious, both with her and himself. If she hadn't been flirting with that idiot, then I wouldn't have gotten so angry. He was angry with her for choosing Koga over him. For as long as he could remember, she hadn't left his side. But had she really? He stared at his ceiling, pondering the thought. If I hadn't lost my temper, again, things wouldn't be this bad. Frustrated, he sighed deeply and closed his eyes. He couldn't even call her; he'd lost his phone the day he saw Kagome with Koga at the park—in their spot.

He growled at himself, throwing off the covers and swinging his legs off the side of the bed. He set his elbows on his knees and placed his head in his hands.

He'd been a loner most of his life; it was the only way he knew how to be. People had come and gone, and he'd never paid them any mind. But time and again, he caught himself thinking of her. Missing her closeness, hearing her laughter in his head, seeing her smile when he closed his eyes. Before letting her in, he'd felt distant, set apart from the world, but it hadn't bothered him. Now, with her gone, he felt more alone than he ever remembered. He needed to see her.

All of which brought him here, waiting for her to come home. He met her halfway through the courtyard. She stood with her hands stuffed in her sweater pockets. He took in her appearance: she was a mess. Her hair was pulled up, disheveled and wind-tussled, and her skin was pale with bags under her eyes. His heart dropped into his stomach, she'd been miserable.

They stood less than a foot apart and continued to stare at each other. Until Kagome finally broke the silence, "Aren't you going to say anything?" she said, pulling her hands from her pockets and fisting her them at her sides.

He was so stunned by her outburst, that it took him a moment to recover before he answered with just as much indignance. "Me? You're the one who threw me to the wolves and went with that jackass, Koga. Unbelievable, he thought. She was blaming him.

She flung her arms out to the sides, making a wide arch and frustrated beyond measure. "I didn't go with him, you left. I tried to call, but you didn't answer. She was fuming, the weight of the last few days coming full force, as she stared at him.

InuYasha narrows his eyes, "I saw you with him at the park, after you texted me. Was that so I could see you with your new boyfriend?" He'd gone there to talk, but ran when he saw Kagome laughing with Koga by the water, wearing his jacket. "I didn't need to see that, Kagome." He said, leaning closer.

"That wasn't why I texted you." She shot back. "I just wanted to talk."

"Spare me." InuYasha rolled his eyes, and turned away from her. "You've been flirting with him since day one."

"InuYasha," she yelled, before she turned around, crossing her arms, and he did the same. Both were fired up, but neither wanted to admit that they were wrong. InuYasha sank to the ground, at a loss of what to say next. Somehow everything he said always came out wrong and insulted her further. He sat quietly for a few seconds, with Kagome standing behind him. She turned and looked down at his still form and shook her head. Huffing out a breath, she kneeled down and put a hand on his shoulder, whispering quietly, "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."

He didn't say anything, but some of the tension melted from his shoulders, and she felt his fingers brush hers as he covered her hand. She laid her cheek against his shoulder. "I missed you."

In a flash, he turned around and pulled her in for a hug, "I was afraid…That I was going to lose you." He whispered. He didn't say anything more, but his arms tightened around her. A smile found its way across her face. "I'm here for the long haul, InuYasha," she turned to face him. "As long as you let me, I'm staying with you." She pulled out of his hold and sat beside him. She hooked her arm through his and nestled her head against his shoulder. He leaned his head against hers. "Thank you, Kagome."

The next day, they went to school, and everything was like it had been before. When it was over, they walked to the park, and sat in their favorite spot. InuYasha pulled the blanket out of his bag and they settled it on the grass, by the water. InuYasha laid back and put his hands behind his head. Kagome sat down and tucked her legs underneath her. After a few moments, she glanced down at him. He had his eyes closed, and she thought, this is the most at peace I've ever seen him. She looked out over the water, completely at ease.

Soon after, she heard a familiar laugh behind her, and turned around. InuYasha's eyes popped open and he sat up, "You have got to be kidding me." Kagome rolled her eyes and they both looked in the direction of the sound. Koga was at the top of the hill. The sun was setting, but they could still make out his features against the glare. He was petting his dog, but they weren't alone. Standing with Koga was a girl, with red hair done up in pigtails. She had large green eyes and she smiled, flirtatiously, at Koga. He smiled, and chucked the Frisbee, sending Jack running after it. It landed right in front of InuYasha, but the dog ran past the Frisbee, leaping into his lap. "Argh, get off!" InuYasha screeched. Kagome laughed, joyfully.

Koga came running up, Hey, you two," he said, pulling Jack away.

"Hi Koga, how are you?" Kagome beamed, happier than she'd been in a long time.

"Doin' well," he nodded. "Made a new friend." He said, hooking a thumb over his shoulder towards the girl waiting on the hill with her hands clasped behind her back.

Kagome smiled, "I can see that, she seems nice."

"Yea, she is." He said, much more softly. "Her name is Ayame." He glanced back and waved, Ayame waved back, excitedly. Koga held up a finger, signaling that he's be along in a minute. She nodded her head, understandingly, and waited on the hill. Koga turned back to them. "So, you two," he said, looking between Kagome and InuYasha.

"Watch it, Koga." InuYasha threatened. He was still brushing off his clothes from the dusty paw marks Jack had left.

Kagome pulled his hair, "Ow, what'd you do that for?" He asked, smoothing his hair back.

"Be nice." Kagome looked at Koga, who was smiling at her. "You shouldn't keep her waiting," she said, with a smirk.

Koga glanced back one more time, and nodded, "Guess I'll see you around, then."

She nodded, waving one more time. "Bye Koga."

"See ya, Kagome." He turned to leave, and looked at InuYasha. "See ya, mutt."

"What did you say?" InuYasha moved to stand, but Koga was too quick. He laughed and ran after the dog, meeting up with Ayame and they left.

Before InuYasha could follow, Kagome pulled him back down by the sleeve of his jacket, causing him to lose his balance and plop down onto the grass. "Kagome," InuYasha yelled, face flushed. She laughed and shoved his shoulder, knocking him playfully backward. She laughed harder at the sound of his oomph, and he laughed, too. He stayed down and she settled next to him. With their heads nuzzled together, they watched the sunset.

I hope you all have enjoyed this little story. I really enjoyed writing it, and playing with the dynamics between InuYasha and Kagome's relationship. Also, in my first review, there was a request for Ayame to be brought into the story, and when I read the comment, I knew that was how I wanted to end it. I hope you aren't disappointed, but this is how I see it happening for them, and I feel like they fit together.

For this story, I wanted something heartfelt and intimate, but not quite romantic and I think I've achieved that. In the future, I plan on exploring other avenues, maybe with Sango and Miroku, because she is a kick ass character and they make a sweet pair.