Broken Paradise

Thank you in advance.

Chapter 4: Misery Loves Company

Kagome set her things at the foot of the bay window. A hammock hung in front of it and there was a single bed in the room. She peered out into the open ocean, a wall of rocks stretched in front of the lighthouse. The ocean was choppy and waves started to crash against the ridge. It was hauntingly beautiful to be near such power.

Suddenly, Inuyasha dove into the hammock in front of her; he swung, arms already tucked under his head and legs crossed comfortably. "Hey!" She shouted as she clenched her fists at her side. He laughed mockingly. "So unsightly." She teased, playfully kicking his bottom before crossing over to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

"You're okay after today?" He asked for the third time that day. He stood now with his lithe frame against the doorframe. She rested both hands on the lip of the sink. "You're specially trained." Her voice inflected a bit like she wanted to ask him more. She looked down at the drain. "I am," he crossed his arms and went on. "The military used us half demons. I've been deployed. Even did some secret service assignments. But, that's in the past now." "It must still affect you even now." She said, her voice a whisper as she shifted her gaze to him. "I don't really give a damn about any of it." He said roughly. She went over to him and wrapped her arms around him. "It must've been so hard on you, though." She comforted. He placed a hand behind her head and rested his chin on the top of her head. They stood in silence for a few minutes. She pulled away. "Sorry. I'll get ready for bed." She said as she turned back to setting up her toothbrush. "I'll be right out here." He said as he lay back in the hammock, swinging himself again.

She sunk into the warm water, which was a pretty peach color from the bath melt. The water swirled around her and she exhaled contentedly. She had lit a few candles around and soaked. Inuyasha knocked on the door, complaining he had to use the restroom. "Just give me 20 minutes!" She yelled and added, "Just go outside if you can't hold it!" She heard him curse under his breath. His footsteps receded and the door slammed. She slunk back down into the water, slushing it around her. She tried to take relaxing breaths again, trying to force thoughts of Inuyasha out of her mind. She was relieved things between them were back to normal despite the trauma of the day. Well, he seemed totally fine, of course. She shook away thoughts of how it could have been worse.

"Refreshed?" He sarcastically asked as she stepped out of the bathroom. "Yes, thanks." She sassed as she toweled off the ends of her hair and ears. She was clad in light, yellow pajamas. "You're gonna be cold dressed like that." He warned. "Worry about yourself now." She bantered as she sat down on the single bed. He ignored her as he read through the mythology book from the previous night.

"What's for dinner?" He finally asked. "Do I look like I'm ready to go out?" She huffed. "I can go get something and bring it back then." He shot back as he flipped through his phone for something in the area. "Why didn't you get something earlier?" She asked, annoyed. "I wasn't hungry earlier." He said matter-of-factly. Her own stomach rumbled. He "kehed," got up and sat beside her, showing her some options.

She smelled like oranges and vanilla. "You smell like dessert." He commented. "Is that a compliment?" She chirped. "Feh, women," A slight blush tinted his cheeks. "I-I'm just hungry. Gonna go get some soba." With that, he marched out.

The waves crashed against the rocky base of the lighthouse. It was pitch black outside. Every now and then the light from the house flashed, keeping Kagome awake. Inuyasha seemed sound asleep in his hammock. She sat up and looked all around the room. The house was sturdy, she knew that, so she lay back down. She shivered a little bit. The thought of the bandit from earlier crossed her mind. She internally wished Inuyasha was next to her.

"Kagome?"

Came his voice in the dark. She peeked out from her blanket. He had turned on the light. "You okay?" He asked and continued, "the waves are really loud. Sorry. I thought it would be nice to stay here." She shrugged, trying to smile, "it's alright. Definitely a new experience." He sat beside her, his arms crossed over his chest and legs outstretched crossed at the ankles. The bed was too small. "It's okay, it's just one night, you can go back to sleep." She assured. He turned off the light overhead. He could smell she was scared. He couldn't tell her that without sounding creepy, he thought. "Just, scoot over a little and shut up." He said and settled in beside her. She did as she was told.

The next morning, they both looked haggard. Neither could sleep well from the flashing lights, the crashing waves, and the small space. They packed up early and got out of there, seeking refuge in a nearby café.

(-)

"You would be found in a bakery stuffing your face." Sango teased from behind Kagome, who jumped up and threw her arms around her the moment she saw her friend. "This is Inuyasha." She introduced. He stood up, arms crossed and lifted his arm enough to give a slight wave-greeting. "So, you've been taking care of Kagome." She looked him up and down, hands on her hips. His face flushed red briefly as he remarked, "She's so weak, you know." Sango laughed. "My boyfriend's parking the car. He'll be here in a minute."

"Inuyasha?!" Came a male voice. The hanyou whipped around to see a familiar face. "Houshi." He said in surprise. The two guys slapped their hands together and started jabbering away. "Wait, you know Miroku?" Sango and Kagome asked in unison. "Oh, sorry. Yes, we actually were in the service together." Miroku explained. "What a small world." Sango uttered. "Well, let's order some coffee and catch up." "I'll be making mine Irish if we are gonna be talking about the military." Miroku added.

"Well, didn't think I'd see you again." Inuyasha started. "Likewise, but I tell you what, this guy saved my life." The gratefulness in Miroku's voice was prevalent as he turned to the girls, pointing at his friend. Inuyasha shied away a bit, slumping in his chair, his voice gruff: "I couldn't let you die, stupid. You always wanted to do everything by yourself." "What happened?" Kagome asked. Sango had heard the whole story already, but she was interested in Inuyasha's reaction now. "We were under attack, I thought I could handle it on my own, but there were like 100 enemies surrounding me, but Inuyasha came and took them all out," he explained. "I know killing isn't something to be proud of, but it was war. All's fair." "You were ambushed?" Kagome asked, her eyes wide. She clutched her coffee cup to her. The men nodded. Inuyasha explained, "It was a long time ago. We were on assignment. Part of it was my duty. But, yeah, Miroku's the closest I've had to a best friend. You just lose touch after the service and life." "Well, what Inuyasha actually said when he rescued me was 'You're not gonna die while I'm around, you got that?'" Inuyasha berated with a huff, "That's a horrible imitation of me and it hasn't gotten any better no matter how many times you've told this story." Miroku roughly wrapped an arm around Inuyasha at his neck to which he said "get off!" and squirmed. The dark haired man teased him, "You should just chime in and say the line yourself. Ah, you always try to act rough around the edges putting on this front like you don't care. Anyway, Inuyasha, you'll have to be my best man. I was going to look you up."

Sango fanned out her hand where a princess cut diamond twinkled in the dim coffee house lighting. Kagome gushed, "O-M-G CONGRATULATIONS!" She hugged her friend tightly and got up to hug Miroku. "So! We have to celebrate!" She exclaimed with glee. "We are. This trip. So, I've got a car. No more bus rides." Miroku insisted. Inuyasha shook his head and couldn't hold back his grin. Then he shifted the gears of the conversation, "So, I'm done with this town. Where to?" "There's a nature preserve I'd like to check out, some folklore in the area and indigenous novelties." Miroku suggested. "Sounds fantastic." Kagome approved.

They loaded into the car. Miroku spoke as he flipped radio stations. "We are heading north, into the woods, it's a bit of a ways. You two get comfortable back there." He raised his eyebrows at them from the rearview mirror. "You lecher. You haven't changed." Inuyasha berated, unfazed. "Oh, good to know." Sango sarcastically remarked. Kagome was blushing as she fidgeted in her seat. Miroku put up his hands defensively, "I'm just saying, if I were you and travelling with a beauty I wouldn't be able to keep my hands to myself." "WE KNOW." Sango and Inuyasha chided. His fiancée wanted to smack him in the back of the head, but restrained herself this time.

(-)

Inuyasha smacked a hand to his face while his three companions sang loudly along to every song on the radio. They also moved their upper bodies around like they were dancing at the club: gyrating side to side with hands in the air. "Keep your damn eyes on the road or let me drive!" He leaned into the space between the front seats. "Hey! No back seat driving!" Miroku jeered. "Quit your barking, you're ruining the vibe!" Kagome whined. "At least play something decent. What the hell is this?" He complained as he hit the button on the scanner. Everyone shouted and groaned.

"Oh wait! Go back," Kagome urged. "I haven't heard this song in forever." "Diamond" by Alan was on the first chorus. Inuyasha finally sat back. They had been driving up the scenic route. The ocean was long behind them. The road winded, thick forest and mountains surrounded them. "We're going to get there late." Kagome stated as she peered out the window at the darkening sky. "I've rented a cabin." Miroku revealed. "You have to let us take you to dinner as a thank you!" Kagome demanded. "I won't say no to that." He accepted.

They pulled up to a small, private cabin in the woods. The mountains were much farther in the distance now. They couldn't even see the treetops and the forest went on as far as the eyes could see. The stars above were brighter and there were more than Kagome had ever seen in her life. She couldn't stop looking up and around. "There are other cabins in the area, but we are pretty secluded. There's only one mart in the whole area, though. But, I stocked up." Miroku assured as he opened the trunk, revealing that it was packed full. "I don't think we even need all this." Inuyasha stated as he looked down at the canned goods. "I didn't pay for any of this, don't worry." He confessed. "What the hell?" The dog-demon incredulously swore.

"My father's friend hooked it up. It's his, so that's why there's so much sake. I work for a supply company, it's all taken care of."

"Does your work know you took stuff?"

"What kind of man do you take me for?"

"A man of questionable morals." Inuyasha answered. "We'll still take you to dinner as a thank you and for your engagement," Kagome declared as she nudged Inuyasha. "Let's get this stuff in."

-0-0-TO BE CONTINUED-0-0

A/N: I broke down this chapter, since the others have been long. Thanks again for reading! It's InuKag week 2017 (Tumblr fandom). I wanted to update. :)