InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Breaking a Heart's Promise ❯ Chapter 1

Breaking a Heart’s Promise

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“Thank-you for the wonderful night, Inuyasha.” The raven haired teen looked up at her boyfriend and smiled. He glanced down at her brilliant eyes and returned her smile.

“I am glad you enjoyed yourself, Kagome. I have always enjoyed these Concerts in the Park am I am glad you were there to share it with me.” Inuyasha reached down and grasped her hand in his, running his thumb across her knuckles. Kagome sighed in contentment and leaned her head upon his shoulder as they walked home.

People who passed the two teens could only stop and stare at the tenderness and overall sense of rightness they portrayed. To all observers, Inuyasha and Kagome were the perfect couple. Inuyasha was only a year or so older than Kagome; both had dark hair and exotic eyes – Kagome’s being a deep blue while Inuyasha’s were a vibrant lavender. The ease that they showed each other came from growing up together; their friendship having evolved into something far greater.

When Inuyasha started his senior year in high school, he had presented Kagome with a promise ring, telling her that he wanted to marry her once they were out of college. Kagome happily agreed, to the surprise of no one.

That night, Inuyasha had taken Kagome to the Concert in the Park, featuring some of the local talent. When it had finished, they started the trek back to the shrine where she lived. Neither one was paying much attention to their surroundings, preferring to just enjoy each other’s company.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here boys?” The speaker stepped out from a darkened side street and stopped in front of the two teens. Kagome held back a gasp as members of one of the city’s most notorious gangs surrounded them. “It appears that we have found two little rabbits who have wandered into our territory. They will need to pay the toll if they wish to pass.” The leader grinned as he reached a hand out to Kagome, stroking the side of her face with his fingers. She flinched and turned her head into Inuyasha’s shoulder in fear. Inuyasha thrust her behind him, keeping her snug against his back in attempt to shield her from the gang leader’s touch.

“What do you want with us? We have no money or anything of value. Just let us go.” Inuyasha felt Kagome tremble as she tried to bury herself in his back. He knew that he needed to get the two of them out of there quickly before something bad happened.

The young man glared at Inuyasha a moment before giving him a feral grin. Inuyasha felt a shiver of fear run down his back – this didn’t bode well. “In that case, I am sure we can work something out using that sweet thing you are trying to hide behind you.” The leader took a step, intending to move behind Inuyasha, but Inuyasha turned, keeping himself between the threatening man and Kagome. Seeing this, the man nodded to someone behind the pair; smiling as Kagome was torn from Inuyasha’s protective embrace.

“Kagome!” Inuyasha yelled as he spun around, only to see her struggling in the grasp of two other gang members. He made a lunge at the men holding her, only to be brought up short by a sharp blow to his head. Inuyasha fell to his knees, shaking his head as he tried to clear the darkness that hovered at the edges.

“Now, now. We can’t be having any of that.” The gang leader kicked Inuyasha in the side as he passed. Inuyasha flopped to the ground with a groan of pain.

“No! Inuyasha!” He heard Kagome cry out, fear thick in her voice. Groggily, Inuyasha opened his eyes, focusing on the sight that caused his blood to boil. The gang leader stood forcibly kissing Kagome as he ran his hand up under her shirt. Kagome continued to struggle as she was being restrained.

Kagome quickly realized that her struggles produced very little in the way of results. Desperately, she bit down as the leader thrust his tongue into her mouth, causing him to step back with a snarl. He lifted his hand and struck her face, snapping her head to the side.

When Inuyasha saw the man strike Kagome, he saw red. Leaping to his feet, he tackled to unsuspecting man to the ground. He heard Kagome scream as a gun shot echoed just moments before a blinding pain sent him spiraling into darkness. The sounds of sirens rapidly approaching caused the gang to scatter; the leader cursing in frustration as then men restraining Kagome released her. He made a grab for her; missing as she ducked passed him to get to Inuyasha’s side. With the patrol car rapidly approaching, he took off after the rest of the gang.

“Don’t leave me, Inuyasha!” Kagome cried hysterically as she cradled his bloody form to her chest. “You can’t die on me!” She resisted the officers’ attempts to get her to release the young man, finally letting go once she realized that the paramedics were there to take him to the hospital. Kagome numbly followed them into the ambulance, the officers following behind, hoping to get her statement at the hospital.

**several hours later**

A surgeon in blue scrubs came out to talk to those waiting. Kagome sat quietly, not saying a word, while her mother rubbed a hand on her back in an attempt to console her daughter. “Are you here for the young man with the gunshot wound to the head?” At their nod, the surgeon continued. “He made it through surgery just fine. We will not know how much damage his brain sustained until he wakes from his coma.”

Kagome looked at him with dull eyes. “Coma?” she whispered.

The doctor nodded. “I am afraid so. There was extensive bleeding in his brain as well as bullet and bone fragments. I will be totally honest; he may never wake up, or if he does, he may be in a permanent vegetative state. There is no way of knowing until he does wake.”

Kagome wanted to cry, but felt like there were no more tears left. “Can I see him?”

The surgeon nodded, “Yes, but only for a moment tonight. You need to go home and get some rest. You will not do him any good if you do not take care of yourself.” He led her to the ICU bed where Inuyasha lay, his head swathed in bandages and a respirator hooked up to help his breathing.

Going to his side, Kagome reached out and gently touched his cheek where it peeked from below the bandaging. Leaning over, she kissed him, whispering to him to hurry and get well. She watched him for a moment until her mother came and led her out the door.

**2 years later**

“This is Inuyasha. Age 20. He came to this facility after falling into a coma following a gunshot wound to the head 2 years ago.” The charge nurse said as she led her group of nurses into the room for their orientation. The elderly woman greeted the dark-haired woman sitting beside the bed before continuing to brief the new nurses on the patient’s statistics. Most of the new nurses’ eyes were upon the charge nurse or upon the patient, Inuyasha. One pair found themselves drawn to the woman beside the bed.

Koga had only been paying half attention to Kaede’s briefs on each of the patients on the floor, until they entered this room. The sadness of the young woman in front of him tugged at his heart strings. He wanted nothing more than to make her smile once again.

Once Nurse Kaede finished with the patient’s stats, she ushered her young charges out of the door and closed it behind her. “Who was that young woman with Inuyasha?” Koga asked, unable to hold back his curiosity any longer.

Kaede looked back at the closed door, a sad smile on her face. “That is Kagome. She is Inuyasha’s girlfriend. She was there when he was shot and has been coming faithfully to visit him for the past 2 years. You will all come to know her quite well in the coming months, but don’t expect her to say much to you. We know that she talks to Inuyasha, but she will not say much to anyone else.” Kaede finished her tale and led the small group to the next patient. Koga looked back at the closed door thoughtfully.

**Several months later**

“Graduation was last night, Inuyasha. I was so scared about giving my speech, but thanks to your listening to me as I practiced it, it went really well. I still find it hard to believe that I was valedictorian.

Mom and Grampa were so proud of me. I swear that they took 30 rolls of pictures. I will bring you one when they come back.” Kagome leaned over and brushed a stray lock of hair from his face, allowing her fingers to linger. She quickly sat back when the door opened. Looking up, she saw one of the nurses step in.

Koga began to look forward to the physical therapy sessions with Inuyasha. He knew that Kagome would be there at least twice a week and often looked forward to spending a little time in her presence.

“Hello Inuyasha and Kagome. How are you doing today?” Koga asked as he walked over to the unoccupied side of the bed. He didn’t really expect an answer from the young woman, but he talked to her none the less. Koga began exercising Inuyasha’s limbs, maintaining a commentary on what he was doing and why.

Kagome watched the male nurse, Koga, move Inuyasha through his exercises. She had watched them do the same ones for the past several months, and knew the routine by heart. “Could I help you with the rest of them today, Koga?” Kagome surprised herself by asking.

Koga looked at her in barely concealed shock. “Umm, sure, Kagome. You just follow me.” He instructed her in the next set of exercises, correcting her form here and there. “Hey you are doing really well. Are you after my job?” Koga asked her with a teasing grin.

Kagome smiled at him. It felt really good to be helping Inuyasha, even if it was just with a few exercises. Koga held back a cheer, pleased that he had gotten the young woman to smile at him. Finishing up, Koga documented his visit in Inuyasha’s chart. Walking to the door, he turned and said his farewells. As the door closed behind him, he could hear Kagome’s soft “Goodbye”.

**4 years later**

The room was quiet as the beautiful young woman gazed sadly down upon the comatose young man. She reached out a hand and wrapped it around the one lying upon the bed. She leaned over and placed a chaste kiss upon the still forehead before sitting in the chair beside him.

“Oh Inuyasha! I miss you so much!” Tears were rolling down her cheeks. “I can’t do this any more. I have held out hope that you would wake up for the past 7 years, even after everyone else had given up hope.”

Kagome held the limp hand to her cheek, nuzzling its warmth. “This is the year that we talked about getting married. I graduated from college last week, and am starting my new job in a month.” Silence fell as tears continued to fall.

“Inuyasha, I love you dearly, but I can’t wait around any longer. I wanted to let you know that I have found someone I can be happy with once again. He understands about us, and has been very patient with me.”

Kagome sat back and her voice softened, “I am not really sure how it happened. I was not looking for a new relationship, knowing that you’d wake up any day and things would be back the way they used to be. Then I met Koga. He came in and talked to me even though I didn’t respond back. He would tell me what he was doing and why it was important that you exercise. I offered to help, and the next thing I knew, we became friends. One day, I found my self laughing again and finding joy in the little things. Once I stopped to examine why, I found that somehow Koga managed to heal the gaping emptiness that you had left behind. I resisted at first, feeling like I was being unfaithful to you, until one day I heard this song on the radio that spoke to me.”

Kagome started to sing softly to Inuyasha.

I’m so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
If you have to leave, I wish you’d just leave
Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won’t leave me alone

These wounds won’t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There’s just too much that time cannot erase

When you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears
When you screamed, I’d chase away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me

You used to captivate me
With your resonating mind
Now I’m bound by the life you left behind
Your face, it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice, it chased away all of the sanity in me

These wounds won’t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There’s just too much that time cannot erase

When you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears
When you screamed, I’d chase away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me

I tried so hard to tell myself that you’re gone
But though you’re still with me
I’ve been alone all along

When you cried, I’d wipe away all of your tears
When you screamed, I’d chase away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me

Kagome allowed the song to fade away before allowing the sobs that were welling up to escape. She laid her head upon Inuyasha’s shoulder and held on as she wept out years of heartache and sorrow. Once she finally managed to calm down, Kagome leaned back and slowly removed the promise ring that he had given her so long ago from her finger. Looking at it sadly, she placed it upon Inuyasha’s pinky finger, only managing to get it past the first knuckle. Kissing it, she laid his hand back upon the bed.

“This is good-bye, Inuyasha. Koga and I will be marrying next week in a private ceremony. I want you to be happy for me. I love you and I will never forget you.” Kagome stood and kissed Inuyasha one last time on the forehead, allowing the tears to fall freely.

“Hey, Kagome, are you ready to go?”

Kagome looked up and saw Koga standing nervously in the doorway. Gathering up her stuff, she took one last lingering look before walking to the door. “I am ready now, Koga. Let’s go.” Koga nodded and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist and led her out of the room; neither one looking back.

If they had taken one last look, they would have seen the hand upon which Kagome placed the promise ring clench into a fist and a lone tear trail down Inuyasha’s pale cheek.

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The end (?)

A/N: The song is by Evanescence, My Immortal. I was listening to it one day when this idea came to me. The story is originally meant to be a One Shot, but I may continue it if enough people respond to it.

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