InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Tale Twice Told ❯ A Husband ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of  their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. In other words, I don't own and I make no money from this.

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The suitcases had been dumped into the boot of the car; the seats were crammed with white balloons; a leather shoe was duly hung from the license plate; the ‘Just Married’ sign was put in its proper position – the getaway vehicle was ready for departure.

Kagome’s friends helped her out of her wedding gown and into an ivory cocktail dress; her shoes and jewellery were also changed to match her new outfit. Every head turned in her direction as she emerged from the changing room and walked down the lobby towards the car. But her newly acquired husband looked resolutely at an eighteenth century painting hanging from the wall in front of him.

“Please, give the girl a chance. She is having as difficult a time as you in this situation, if not more so.”

Lady Taishou’s words echoed somewhere in the back of Inuyasha’s mind, but he was feeling a sharp bitterness, a rankling cynicism about the institution of marriage in general, and Kagome Taishou nee Higurashi in particular, that prevented him from acting upon her advice. With a face like he had accidentally smelled dung, Inuyasha popped the balloons on his side of the car, put on the seatbelt on and revved up the engine. A round of goodbyes later, Kagome was seated in the car, and the newly-weds set off to start a new life amid much fanfare.

The drive through the city proved to be a disaster. Whenever a car would pass them by, the driver would honk and smile for them. Inuyasha was obliged to grin, even if it killed him. Kagome, as usual, refused to even drop her frown.

“Didn’t your parents teach you to smile when someone smiles at you?” he finally asked her.

Kagome looked the other way: “I’m sorry but they weren’t bringing me up to be a part of the Taishou family of fake.”

“From the way your grandfather has behaved, I would humbly beg to differ.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, the first emotion other than misery to grace her face all day. “So what if he was senile enough to propose such a thing? You’re the one who was happily standing at the altar.”

“I don’t think you had to be bound and dragged to the altar either!” he yelled back.

Kagome looked pained, but chose not to reply. The silence of a graveyard reigned inside the car.

It was only when they were driving up the mountains and the cool, invigorating air hit his face that Inuyasha finally started to relax and take in the view. The road was breathtaking. Fir trees rose from one side of it, their narrowed tops touching the brilliant azure of a cloudless sky. The other side dipped into a deep ravine, a river winding like a satin ribbon, sparkling as the cheerful midday sun shone upon it. Silver peaks formed the setting for the emerald veil of the foothills. Inuyasha put on his favourite song and stepped on the gas. Maybe he was going to enjoy the trip after all.  

“Could you please listen to something else?” Kagome complained. “Heavy metal gives me a headache.”

'Could you please keep your mouth shut? I’m trying to pretend you don’t exist.'

He turned off the stereo.

“And could you not go so fast? These roads can be treacherous.”

“Afraid of dying, are you?” he smirked. “I thought you were a princess but I guess you’re just a frightened little mouse.”

“Slow down or I get out of the car,” she shouted.

'That's it!' He'd had it with her demands. The car screeched to a halt.

“Out!”

“What?”

 220;Get out. Note the address of our villa, and then hitch-hike your way to it. Or return home to Sesshoumaru. Basically, do as you please.”

“You can’t be serious? We're in the middle of nowhere-”

“I don’t care, woman. You disgust me, you know that? I hate your stinking odor! It makes me want to puke!”

“I-I don't,” Kagome’s voice shook as she fought to keep her composure, “I don’t think I deserve-”

“Why did you want to marry my brother?” he thundered, hand slapping against the steering wheel in emphasis. He stilled his movements when Kagome flinched back from him, though nothing could stop his mouth at that moment. “Because of our title? Because of our position? Was that why it was so easy for you to make the switch? Either of us would’ve done for you, is that it? Well news flash, I’m not nor at any time will I become Lord Taishou, so you can kiss your dream goodbye.”

“I don’t think I need to even reply to your insinuations.” She refused to meet his gaze, staring at her clenched hands instead.

“Then keep your mouth shut. And let me be,” Inuyasha practically snarled at her.

He switched on the stereo and cranked up the volume – partly as a token of defiance and partly to drown out the sound of Kagome’s sobs. 'Perfect little drama queen, that one.' He forced himself not to look at her, knowing that he would give in at the sight of tears. He never could stand to see a woman cry. Instead he focused on the road ahead, though the view no longer held any appeal for him.

By the time the couple reached the villa, Kagome was groaning, complaining of a splitting headache and had covered her eyes with a wet handkerchief. There was nothing honeymoon-ey about her as she sat upon the heart-shaped bed strewn with rose petals – on the verge of tears, again, and looking like the perfect picture of misery. Inuyasha started feeling guilty about his contribution to the whole mess.

“Please, give the girl a chance. She is having as difficult a time as you in this situation, if not more so.”

'Poor thing,' Inuyasha sighed, 'how can I stay mad at her when she’s looking like that?'

“You should have a couple of aspirin and go to sleep.”

“Shut up.”

'Where is the attitude coming from?' Inuyasha shook his head. The girl wouldn’t let his softer side come to the fore. The moment he felt something akin to a sentiment for her she took good care to ruin it. What was she getting out of being so mean and difficult? Why couldn’t she at least try to cooperate? How was she going to spend a lifetime with him if she couldn’t spend just a few hours in harmony? Or was she thinking of a divorce? In which case he needed to disabuse her of that notion right away. He ignored the little voice in his head that pointed out he hadn't been very cooperative himself. He at least had tried, she was the one who rejected him out of hand.

Kagome winced again.

With a pitying shake of his head, Inuyasha took a couple of aspirin out of his kit and shoved them under her nose.

“They’ll make you feel better.”

To his surprise, she slapped his hand away.

“I said I don’t need these. Stop bugging me.”

He seethed with anger but tried to assume an air of nonchalance. “Suit yourself. But if I hear one more pip from you about how bad your head hurts, I swear I’ll throw you out in the snow and shut the door.”

She gave him a scandalized look. Okay, maybe he was being too harsh on her. After all, the girl was tired and in pain. He wondered if getting some warm food would improve her mood. He picked up the menu and flipped through the pages.

“So, what do you want for dinner?” he tried to keep his growl down to a civil tone of voice but knew he didn't quite succeed.

“I’m not hungry,” Kagome replied petulantly.

'Okay, that does it.' He snapped the booklet shut and threw it on the bed.

“Listen princess, this little arrangement is as inconvenient for me as it is for you okay? I know you had no desire to marry me and trust me, neither did I. But since we have been thrown into this shit together let’s at least be civil to each other.”

“Don’t compare yourself with me, you opportunistic pervert!” she yelled.

Inuyasha blinked. She just called him what?

“What are you complaining for?” she was rambling on. “You got your money and a wife. Your family is getting a chance to regain their honour. My grandfather is getting a chance to be even more powerful. I don’t see anyone other than me suffering anything in this little arrangement.”

Who the hell was she to think he was deriving any pleasure out of this marriage? She must’ve been out of her mind to think he cared for her even for a second. And in that case, he would also give her as good as he got.

“Snap out of your martyr complex, alright? I never needed you or your fucking money! I’m not a piece of meat to be sold to the Higurashi princess in exchange for her grandfather’s donation! And what kind of a person are you anyway? The other day you walked away so happy ‘cos Mother had accepted you for Sesshoumaru. But the moment your grandfather put a price on his donation you gleefully dumped my brother in order to marry me.”

Kagome rose from the bed, shaking with anger.

“Whatever happened between your brother and I is none of your business.”

Isn’t that what Sesshoumaru had told him the other day? Was he coaching her or were they the two-bodies-one-mind type? He also had his reply ready from the other day.

“I think it’s very much my business ‘cos my life got screwed in the process.”

“Well if you must know the truth, it was your respected elder brother, my dear brother-in-law, who made me promise to marry you!”

In a second Inuyasha’s world turned upside down and back up again. He dropped on to the bed, clutching it for support. 'So he actually said those words to her? He made her promise to do it? All for his ambition…he had sold his girlfriend and his brother to his obsession. That beast…' He slumped where he sat as the full implication sunk in.

“I see.”

Kagome frowned. “You do?”

Inuyasha nodded his head. “It’s his desire to restore what Oyaji had started to build. Day by day it’s becoming an obsession for him. There are times he sees me more as a vessel for achieving his dream than as his brother. But I didn’t know he would go to this length…”

“Well then I’m sorry you are stuck in this marriage with me.”

Inuyasha looked at Kagome in alarm. There were tears in her eyes again…this time he understood why. They were the tears of betrayal. He tried to say something to lighten the tension in the room. “Hey don’t cry…no crying! I mean, I don’t hate you that much!” He inwardly groaned. That hadn't come out right. But he couldn't stand to see a woman in tears. Especially not this one. 'Mother was right, she is suffering as much, no, more than I am.'

“That’s a big relief,” her voice was laced with sarcasm.

Inuyasha sighed, and rubbed his temples with his hands. He wanted to say something to make this girl –

Not ‘this girl’, the voice in his head corrected him, she’s your wife.

Briefly his thoughts went to the time they had held hands before God, the feeling of their rings touching. He saw the ring upon her finger – the ring with which he had pledged his devotion to her. He thought she would take it off right after the wedding but she was still wearing it – still honouring their commitment. On an impulse, he touched his own ring.

“…through sickness and in health, through times of happiness and travail, until death do you part…”

And suddenly he knew what he could do, what he could offer her. He did not know how or even if he would find the strength to carry out what he was going to propose, but at that moment he stopped being a man, and became a husband.

“I know you were forced to be my bride, Kagome. But I won’t force you to be my wife. If you want,” he squeezed his eyes shut, “if you want you can carry on with my brother like before. The two of you will be staying in the same house. And I’ll be gone most of the time for the campaign.” His eyes closed, he didn't see the look of embarassment and humiliation that crossed her face as the implication of his words sunk in. The room remained silent after his offer. He swallowed his nervousness before taking a deep breath and opening his eyes to gauge her reaction.

She just stood there, staring at him as if she had never seen him before.

He looked up at her with pleading eyes, hoping she would understand his helplessness. It hurt him to make that proposition but Kagome didn't deserve the pain that their situation was causing her. He would do what he could to ease that pain, give her some form of comfort, no matter what it cost him personally. That was his duty as her husband.

“I’m sorry for ruining your life, Kagome, ‘cos I can’t ever give you a divorce. We just can’t afford the scandal. If you don’t like me, you can go around with whoever you fancy but make sure it stays within the walls of the mansion.”

Kagome spluttered as she finally found her voice. “D-do you even know what you are talking about?”

Inuyasha paused as he listened to her words. The idea hadn't even occurred to her? So she was going to give their marriage a chance? The only other option was a lonely life alone. Married but alone. Something he had been having a hard time resigning himself to. 'But maybe I won't have to,' he thought as her incredulous reaction to his question stared him in the face. He was at a loss for words, so he groaned instead.

“Actually I haven’t got a clue. I never imagined ever being in this situation in my life. I don’t know what a husband-by-chance is supposed to say to his wife, who didn’t want him in the first place.”

He looked at her again, a tad piteously. And then at last he saw her smile. It was not a bright grin, but enough to light up the room. 'She could look very pretty if she smiled like that.' His heart hammered against his chest. Feeling slightly courageous, he gave a low chuckle as he handed her the menu.

Maybe, just maybe, they could work it out.

The connection lasted only a moment before Kagome turned her eyes away from him to moodily flip through the pages of the menu, the cloud of gloom set firmly back in place on her face. Inuyasha cursed himself for the dreams he had started to weave. He was a fool to have believed Kagome would even try to fall in love with him. Why would she, when in a few days she would go running back into the arms of her one true love?

He scowled again as he walked to the window to stare blankly at the beauty surrounding them. Beauty they would never enjoy. His scowl deepened as he again realized he had been sentenced to a miserable life alone.