InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Before The Fall: A Prologue of Sorts ❯ Scene Two (or the Aftermath) ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I do not, have not, nor will I ever own Inuyasha & Co. (sad as that may be), that honor belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Furthermore, I do profess that I am making no money from this, only getting hours of enjoyment.

“How is he?”

How'd they think he was? His heart was ripped out and his guts were still festering on the floor of that stupid fucking café.

“Not good. He hasn't been out since it happened.”

“Why didn't you call me?”

He wished he had the strength to call out.

“I don't know. I thought he'd be okay.”

To tell them to shut up and fuck off.

“Don't be an idiot Miroku, of course he's not fine...”

Great, Sango was here too. Maybe she could slay him.

“That bitch broke his heart.”

He growled at that. Kikyo was his…nothing. Closing his eyes and clenching his fists as a wave of agony passed though him, he was only mildly surprised to see bright drops of red staining the bare mattress he was laying on.

“Don't say that. He loved her…”

Kagome. He hadn't seen her in awhile, not since the party. It was nice to hear her voice. Well as nice as it could be, like getting a pleasant voice message in hell…

“Kagome, why do you do this to yourself?”

“I'm fine. I'm just worried about him. Do you think I should go in?”

No.

“No.” Miroku answered. “We don't know what state he's in, I doubt it's agreeable.”

“Even more of a reason.”

Maybe if he pretended he was gone, they'd all leave…

“Inuyasha?” Kagome's soft voice drifted to him as the door opened.

Maybe if he closed his eyes, he'd be invisible…

“Inuyasha? Are you sleeping?”

Maybe not.

Opening his eyes, he fixed her with a belligerent look. “I'm alive. You can leave now.”

She ignored him as she took in his surroundings. The mattress was bare; the sheets ripped off and haphazardly hung over the window, blocking most of the sunlight. Broken glass from a picture frame and a mirror was scattered across the floor along with other flotsam and jetsam. There were a few empty ramen containers, giving her hope he had eaten them recently. Alarmed by the bloodstains on mattress she visually checked him for injuries. There were none she could see, but she was disheartened by his appearance. His hair, while never particularly well groomed, was a jumble of snarls and his skin, usually a pale honey, had a sickly pallor. His clothes were dirty and rumpled as if he hadn't changed them in a few days and his knuckles were raw, red and angry. She was pretty sure there had to be corresponding dents in the plaster somewhere. However, what disturbed Kagome most was that despite the malevolent glare he was trying to intimidate her with, his eyes were flat and lifeless. It looked as though all of the verve had been sucked from him, leaving only his destructive emotions. Steeling herself against his anger she stepped toward him purposefully.

“Get up Inuyasha.”

“Why? Cause you won't let me do this to myself?” he sneered.

“No. I'll let you punish yourself if you think it'll help. I'm just gonna make sure you do it in a clean bedroom, with clean clothes and good hygiene.” He stared at her in confusion before she began yanking on his arm. “Come on, up.” Mutely, he followed her orders and she pushed him into the bathroom shutting the door behind him after turning on the shower. She poked her head back in a moment later to see him still standing in the middle of the floor. “Get in Inuyasha, don't make me push you in.”

Stupid wench…he groused as he shrugged out of his clothes. Thinks she knows everything. What good is a clean room going to do? Will it make me something better than just an animal? Will it bring Kikyo back? Will it make her love me? Unbidden, he whined softly in the back of his throat and instantly hated himself for it. Deliberately forcing the thoughts down, he stepped under the spray of the warm water, letting it clear his mind and ease his tense muscles.

“Did you really think I could live my life with something like you?”

His eyes opened under the spray, tinged with a red that came from somewhere deeper than his demon heritage. Smashing his fist into the tile and hearing as satisfying crack, he decided to repeat the action. I don't cry…crying is for pussies.

Kagome was startled by the sounds coming from the bathroom. Biting her lip, she debated as to whether or not she should go in. Placing her ear to the door, she heard him muttering as the thumping stopped. Deciding it would be best not to burst into the bathroom, Kagome clapped her hands once as she nodded her head. Okay then. Time to clean…

When Inuyasha finally dragged himself from the bathroom Kagome had swept the debris into a neat pile, made his bed with fresh linens, gathered the empty containers and put them in a trash bag. He noted that the sheets were off the window but the blinds were closed. Turning as she re-entered the room dustpan in hand, he watched as her eyes widened and mouth dropped open slightly, a blush spreading over he face.

“I'm sorry…I'll give you time to get dressed.” She murmured dropping her eyes and pulling the door closed. He heard her flee from the door and sighed softly before unwinding the towel from his waist.

Kagome finally regained control over her legs, forcing them to a stop in the kitchen. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes trying to catch her breath. Sure she had seen him without a shirt, but never like this, never so naked. He was lean and muscular, skin glowing and slightly reddened after the shower, water droplets lazily creating trails down the solid ridges and planes of his torso. Her eyes were riveted to these paths until they passed the slight protrusion and sharp depression of his hip, well muscled from years of activity. The towel, or more expressly what she knew the towel covered, made her flush yet she could not tear her eyes away. Eyes trailing further down to well-formed calves, strong ankles and…even his feet are cute…she thought mildly. Her gaze had snapped up to his face which was impassive and shuttered and she felt the guilt come up to swallow her. He had just been dumped- brutally, if the gossip had any truth to it- and here she was gawking at his naked body like a horny school girl.

“Kagome?” Sango's voice startled her out of her thoughts.

“Yes?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I'm fine.” She responded with a weak smile, pushing her bangs off her face. “Just getting a dust pan.”

Sango, having seen her retrieve the dust pan and head back to Inuyasha's room five minutes before, wisely changed the subject. “Do you need any help?”

“No, I'm okay. I'll just sweep up that last little bit and head back to the dorm.”

“Let me know when you're ready to leave, I'll walk with you.”

“You can stay here with Miroku if you want…”

“I'll walk with you.” She smirked wryly. “Miroku is a little handsy today and I'm tired of lifting my arm to smack him.” Kagome laughed lightly as Sango made her way to Miroku's room. Her amusement evaporated as she approached Inuyasha's door. As she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open and she found herself eye to pectoral with Inuyasha. Taking a step back, she quickly raised her eyes to his face which was still as inscrutable as ever. At least he's dressed…she thought, following him into the room. Covertly scanning his attire of slightly snug sweatpants and a thin undershirt she amended the sentiment. Kind of.

Inuyasha watched as she knelt to sweep up the pile of trash from the floor. Why is she here? She was a human- with miko potential to boot- so why was she on her knees in his room cleaning up after him only two days after he realized that his polluted heritage made him an outcast?

“Do you want me to comb your hair for you?” He stared at her, wariness evident on his face. She waited, shifting her weight from foot to foot restlessly. “It's just that it's tangled…you know? I don't want you to pull out your hair if you try to - not to say you can't groom yourself…oh! Not that you groom yourself like a…oh never mind.” Her hands were twisting with each other, her anxiety plain to see. As she moved for the door, his quiet voice stopped her.

“The brush is on the dresser.”

She paused before looking over her shoulder at him, noting his face was still emotionless. Still, he must want me to stay… Nodding slightly, Kagome picked up the brush and settled herself onto the bed. He slid to the floor and she found herself staring down at his gently flicking ears, nestled in a net of dusky silver. Beginning with the ends of his hair, she focused on her task, carefully detangling the soft strands.

He held back a purr as her slender, agile fingers worked over his scalp in concert with the brush. The soothing motions eased the thoughts from his mind and he found himself relaxing for the first time in months. It was hard to remember the last time he hadn't been on edge, restless at the idea of losing Kikyo. It seemed like nothing he did or said or promised placated her. She was always condescending and detached, it was always his fault. Why did he have to be this way? Dirty. Tainted. A beast. Of course he had no right to touch her; she was the epitome of purity and light. Wasn't that what attracted him anyway? She was the flame that indulged him briefly and it was his fault he got burned.

“Are those tears Inuyasha? I had no idea your weakness ran quite so deep…perhaps I should have. Always the optimist, I suppose. Still, there's no reason for such a display. You should thank me really; I'm simply saving you from overstepping your bounds in the future. No demon would want such a weak mate and no human worthwhile would let herself be tainted by one such as you. My advice? Get a hobby.”

Kagome's finger inadvertently grazed his ear.

Inuyasha snarled before twisting to face her, grabbing her wrist. “What are you doing, bitch?”

“I-I'm brushing your hair…” Kagome stammered startled.

“No. What. Are. You. Doing.” He ground out each word, golden eyes boring into grey.

“I'm just here to help you. Let go.” She murmured pulling at his wrist.

“Bullshit. Why would you help me? I'm an animal.”

“You're my friend…”

His mouth stretched into a nasty approximation of a smile. “Friend? Is that really what you think of me?”

Kagome shut her eyes wishing she could shut her ears against his scorn filled voice. “Yes.”

“No. No, I don't think that's it.” He chuckled darkly. I think that you thought you were going to come over here and take care of me while I was down, then I'd magically see you as a replacement for her. Cause you love me, don't you Ka-go-me?” Alarm bells went off in his head at the moisture leaking out of the corners of her eyes, he was pushing her too far and he'd lose her too. He viciously silenced them. It's an act. They're the same. It's not like she really cares. A quieter, meaner voice piped in. Why should I hurt alone?

Tempestuous grey eyes glared at him as the girl yanked at his hold again. “Let me go, Inuyasha.” Kagome's voice was harsh and the look on her face was unfathomable. He let her go and turned toward the window as she jumped off the bed and headed for the door.

Good. Maybe she won't come back. Shouldn't have been here in the first place. I don't deserve it. Or her.

He dimly realized that the door hadn't opened. Turning back, he saw her with her hand resting on the knob, body angled toward him, her face shadowed by her bangs.

“You're right. I do love you.”

Inuyasha inhaled noisily, mind reeling in shock. Unable to do anything else, he tensed and waited for the other shoe to drop.

 

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you again to anyone who's following my bit o' drama, extra thanks to those who reviewed. I love to know how someone else sees this; creative criticism is not only appreciated but adored.