InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Club Refuge ❯ If only ( Chapter 3 )

AN: Grrr! My stupid, STUPID computer freaking deleted this chapter, not once, but twice!! I had to start all over after I had finished this whole chapter, TWICE!! I'm sorry it took so freaking long, but it wouldn't have taken nearly as much time if that hadn't happened. I'm really disappointed because the first time I had written this, it was very close to perfect. I had spent a lot of time on it and I really don't think it's even close to as good as it was the first time. I am very angry with my computer! Anyway, I'm VERY sorry! I honestly don't have a death wish… Hopefully this chapter will make up for it, but I'm really going to try to start updating quicker. I really do hate taking so long...

 

~ * ~

 

Club Refuge ch.3

 

Kagome sat quietly, her hands in her lap and her expression thoughtful.

 

Eyeing Kagome's tattered clothing, Sango could tell she was due for a bath and she noticed how thin Kagome was. She looked like she hadn't eaten in days. She couldn't help but feel a little bad for the poor girl, but she was still a little weary about offering her home to a stranger. Although it wasn't that she didn't trust Kagome. It took a lot to intimidate Sango and Kagome wasn't what anyone would call threatening. It was only the fact that she was still a stranger... but, offering her a place to stay would be the least she could do... “Kagome, maybe you could stay with me...” Sango finally spoke up.

 

Kagome looked up at Sango, bringing herself out of her depressing thoughts. The three boys who were still arguing in the background suddenly stopped and turned to look at Sango with wide eyes.

 

Despite herself, Sango continued. “I have a spare bedroom that you're more than welcome to use until you figure things out...”

 

Kagome stared at the slightly older girl incredulously before violently waving her hands in front of her. “Oh, you don't really have to do that. I mean, you've already done so much for me and I appreciate your kindness, but I don't think I can accept-”

 

“But where will you go?” asked Kouga interrupted in concern. He couldn't believe his ears. Sango had just offered her a place to stay and yet she had refused. Obviously she was only being modest. He was not about to let this beautiful girl end up on the streets somewhere.

 

“I-I don't know...” Kagome replied truthfully. She honestly had no where else to go…

 

Inuyasha let out a short “Keh” from his dark shadowed corner. What the hell was with all the dramatics?

 

The other three glared at him for being rude before Sango turned back to Kagome with a soft smile. “Really, it's no problem and I insist.”

 

Kagome hesitated a moment. “Well... I guess I could stay just for a little while... Until I find somewhere else to stay, that is...”

 

Sango nodded happily while Kouga and Miroku's eyes lit up at the thought of another pretty female to hang around.

 

`Or in Miroku's case, another ass to grope...' Sango was sure.

 

Inuyasha just let out another short “Keh” from his dark corner. He didn't particularly care. It didn't really concern him, anyway. He just missed Kikyou. Risking a quick glance back up at Kagome, he couldn't help but notice how much she resembled her. A slightly younger and childishly naive version of Kikyou, but she could still definitely pass for a younger sister or relative...

 

Inuyasha watch quietly from the shadows as Miroku said something to her with a perverted grin plastered on his face and Sango punched Miroku in the face in Kagome's defense. Inuyasha didn't quite hear what he said because of his muffled hearing, but as a slight blush crept onto her face, all resemblance she held to Kikyou quickly vanished.

 

Kikyou would never have shown any emotion that made her appear weak. It was just that she was so reserved... Some would call her uptight, but she was just different from everyone else. It seemed like only he, himself understood that. She didn't fit in with other people. They were alike, Kikyou and him... They both stood out from other people. She understood him... Maybe even the only person who ever really did. He might even go so far as to say he loved her...

 

Though lately, he couldn't help but to feel like they had grown more distant the last few days. Maybe something was wrong... Maybe he'd hurt her feelings without realizing. He was known to be an `insensitive jerk' as he'd been called many times before. Maybe he should talk to her. He definitely wasn't an expert on those kinds of things, but he'd known Kikyou well enough to know that when she was upset, she wouldn't just go out and tell anyone about it.

 

It was getting pretty late though, maybe he'd wait till tomorrow night instead. Besides that, Kikyou had already gone home. She wasn't much on people or socializing… or just human contact in general, which was why she always went home as soon as she could. It would be Sunday and the club would close early tomorrow. I'd be the perfect chance to talk to her...

 

Without much further thought, Inuyasha stood up and left without so much as a goodbye. Not too long after he disappeared through the door, Kouga soon followed, but a little more politely, after wishing everyone goodnight and flashing Kagome another one of his charming smiles.

 

“I suppose that means we should take our leave as well” Miroku commented lightly after Kouga had left.

 

Sango glanced at Miroku as he went to the exit, pausing at the door. “After you, ladies...” he bowed dramatically and gestured for them to go first.

 

Sango eyed him suspiciously. “No thanks, I think we can manage, right Kagome?” Sango turned to glance at Kagome who looked between the two of them in confusion.

 

Miroku blinked innocently, but Sango still made no movement toward the door. Miroku shrugged. “Alright, suit yourself...” Miroku smothered a sigh. Did Sango really think so lowly of him?

 

Sango kept a stern composer, but noticed Miroku looked a little let down. She suddenly felt a little bad, but how else was she supposed to act? He was a letch! A pervert! A womanizer! Well, a very cute and charming womanizer, but still a womanizer nevertheless.

 

Kagome glanced over at Sango who was still glaring at him. Sango sighed in defeat before wearily moving through the door he held open for them, Kagome followed not far behind without a word. Miroku inwardly smiled in triumph.

 

~ * ~

 

The night sky was pitch black, without a single star in the sky and the moon hung half-hidden by the clouds. The streets were empty and all the shops and stores were all closed down for the night, making it look like a ghost town. The air was cold with a slight breeze. Somewhere in the distance a cop siren sounded and the dim streetlights flickered, giving off an annoying humming sound.

 

Inuyasha sighed heavily. It had been a long day and all he really wanted to do was sleep...

 

Kouga sent Inuyasha one last goodbye glare as he got into his fancy sports car and peeled out of the parking lot. Inuyasha just rolled his eyes.

 

As he was about to remove the kickstand of his motorcycle, a loud `slap' sounded from inside the club. Inuyasha shook his head half in dread and half in slight amusement. That Miroku…

 

With one swiftly movement of his foot, suddenly his motorcycle was roaring to life.

 

~ * ~

 

Kagome sat quietly in the passenger seat of Sango's car. She felt a little guilty. She knew she should have never accepted the girl's generosity. It wasn't fair to Sango. She had no idea what she was getting herself into.

 

The car pulled into a driveway in front of a small, but decent-looking house. It had a definite feminine quality to it besides the basketball hoop that sat just off to the side of the driveway. Kagome looked in surprise. Did Sango have kids? How old was she? How many did she have? Kagome would have asked if Sango hadn't spoke up first.

 

“Well, it looks like we're here.” Sango said with a yawn and she shut off the car and made to get out, Kagome not far behind.

 

Sango fiddled with her keys a moment before finally managing to stick the right one into the slot. The door swung open and Sango flipped on the light.

 

~ * ~

 

Reaching his apartment, Inuyasha dismounted his motorcycle in one graceful motion. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his keys as he took the stairs two at a time.

 

Kicking the door shut with his foot, he disposed of his leather jacket on the couch, followed by his bandana. He absent-mindedly rubbed his abused dog-eared appendages that sat upon his head. They hurt like hell having to keep them smashed against his head all day…

 

When he made it to his bedroom, he also removed his shirt and shoes, flopping down lazily on his bed. Inuyasha's thoughts faded out, and he stared at the white ceiling of his bedroom, his mind clouded with haze.

 

He missed Kikyou already... When he wasn't with her, he always thought about her. When he thought about her, it made him depressed that he wasn't with her. She was all he ever thought about. It was always Kikyou, Kikyou, Kikyou. He couldn't sleep without her… he couldn't eat without her… he couldn't breathe without her… hell, he couldn't live without her… No matter how much he hated it, he couldn't deny it. He'd somehow found her way into his heart without even trying to.

 

No one had ever been able to do that before…

 

~ * ~

 

Kagome sunk low into the tub, the warm water soothing her aching body. Dark, purple, blue, and black bruises covered her entire body along with a few cuts. She almost hated to look at herself…

 

“Kagome, are you alright in there?” Sango asked on the other side of the bathroom door, concern showing in her voice. Kagome had been in there quite awhile. Sango was beginning to worry that she'd fallen asleep in the tub. Sango had done it herself a few times…

 

“I'm fine,” Kagome managed to answer through the door. Kagome sighed.

 

Sango had done so much for her. Sango had been so concerned over the dark bruise on her cheek that she had supposedly gotten when the two boys at the club had knocked her down. In truth, the bruise hadn't come from them, but Kagome couldn't bring herself to tell Sango the truth. That her psychotic step father had beat her and he was going to come after her and that the reason she didn't have anywhere else to go is because she was running away from him and that she suspected he also set fire to her uncle's house to kill him. Yeah, right…

 

Kagome really did feel bad for not telling Sango of her past. She deserved to know. Kagome was putting Sango in danger especially by not telling her, but... She just couldn't. Kagome promised herself she would tell Sango eventually, just… not right now. She just couldn't bring herself to do it. What if Sango got angry at her? Kagome didn't want to lose Sango as a friend.

 

For the moment, if only for the moment, she just wanted nothing more than to forget. Forget about her mother, forget about her brother, forget about her step father, forget about her real father, and forget about everything; as if none of this had ever happened. It had all been just a bad dream and she'd wake up to her mother's smiling face, her brother jumping on her bed, and her real dad coming home from work. Just like how it used to be… A silent tear slid down Kagome's face at reality. Things would never be the way they used to be ever again…

 

~ * ~

 

Kagome grabbed the worn envelope hidden under her pillow and shoved it into her back pocket of her jeans. Tonight was the night. She was getting out…

 

Kagome quickly made her way towards the window and pushed up hard to lifted the pane, wincing as it made a sharp screeching sound on the way up. She turned to look over her shoulder at the closed door to make sure he wasn't coming. Turning back around, Kagome stared down at the muddy grass below a willow tree outside the window.

 

Carefully lifting her leg up and over the sill, Kagome bent over to slip through the small opening, grasping the iron railing covered in vines that clung to the side of the house.

 

“Kagome” his voice called.

 

Kagome gasped as footsteps sounded up the steps and the door to her bedroom suddenly flew open, hitting the wall hard and making the window she was sitting in shake.

 

“YOU LITTLE BITCH!!” Her step father yelled when he caught sight of her trying to escape.

 

Kagome stared in shock at her step father, who was now coming towards her at an impossible speed. She sat, frozen with half her body out of the window, before realization dawned on her, and she struggled to get her entire body out.

 

He caught her arm in a bruising hold before she could make her escape. She screamed as her body fell from the sill and dangled, hanging from only her fingers. She screamed just as loud from the shock of her own weight tearing at her weak muscles as she struggled against his hold, not caring that they were the only thing keeping her from falling.

 

“Let me GO!!”  Kagome screamed.

 

Her step father pulled her up and back through the window and began dragging her through the house like a rag doll until they reached the basement. He threw her through the door, not caring if she fell down the steps. And her world was consumed into darkness…

 

Kagome gasped as she awoke in a cold sweat, her breathing hard and her chest heaving. Kagome looked around, her memory slowly returning to her and her rapid heart beat slowly calmed. She sighed, laying her head back down on her soft pillow…

 

Kagome woke again to the sound of birds chirping happily outside the window and the bright sun shining in, caressing her with its warmth. A smile graced the corner of her lips and she hugged her pillow tightly to her, breathing in deeply. The air smelled sweetly of syrup and freshly-done laundry.

 

Sango hurried past the bedroom door, just barely catching a glimpse of Kagome sitting up in bed, her long, thin arms stretched up over her head as she yawned. Sango backed up to her door again and stood in the doorway to her new roommate's bedroom. “Good morning, sleepy head.” Sango beamed happily at Kagome.

 

Looking towards the door, it only took a moment for Kagome to realize Sango leaning in the doorway.

 

“There are pancakes in the kitchen if you're hungry.” Sango continued with a smile. Kagome's stomach grumbled noisily at the mentioning of food. “So, are you ready for your first day of work?” she asked cheerfully.

 

Kagome stared back at her with confusion. “What do you mean?”

 

Sango had to hold back from giggling. “You'll see!” she quickly made her way in to her bedroom at the end of the hall and dug through her closet. Sango returned moments later to Kagome who still sat in her bed with the puzzled look on her face. Sango threw the clothes playfully at Kagome's bed head.

 

Kagome pulled the clothes Sango threw at her off her head and blinked in even more confusion.

 

“Put them on, silly.” Sango laughed. “They're mine, but you can wear them until you get some clothes of your own. They look like they'll fit you okay, but they might be just a little big.” Sango said thoughtfully.

 

`Sango seems to be in a really good mood today.' Kagome thought as she managed a weak smile. “Thanks. I really do owe you for all you've done for me.”

 

Sango waved her off. “Don't worry about it. I'm more than happy to help.” Sango glanced down at her wrist watch and her eyes widened. “Ah! Hurry up, or we'll be late!” With that, Sango rushed out of the room to get ready herself.

 

After Kagome got dressed, she quickly made her way into the kitchen, the strong, sweet sent growing even stronger and teasing her senses.

 

Sango sat at the table big enough for three, a plate of pancake in front of her drenched in syrup and a glass of orange juice. Sango looked up just as Kagome appeared in the doorway. Suddenly two pieces of toast popped out of a toaster.

 

“Looks like the toast is done.” Sango said as she stood, taking the toast out of the toaster and putting them on a plate, next to a few more pancakes for Kagome and set it on the table next to another glass of orange juice and maple syrup.

 

Kagome watched, observing Sango's quick, careful movements.

 

Sango looked at Kagome and gestured for her to sit at the table. “Come sit.”

 

Kagome nodded shyly and did as she was told. “Thank you.”

 

Sango smiled as she sat back down. “Your welcome.” Sango replied. “But you really don't have to say that every time I do something for you. As I said before, I'm more than happy to help, so stop being so polite all the time.”

 

Kagome was about to say sorry, but caught herself and nodded instead. The two ate in a comfortable silence for awhile before Sango spoke. “We're already going to be late.” Sango sighed. “And believe me, Inuyasha doesn't put up with tardiness; especially with new employees. Hopefully he's in a good mood today.” Sango mused aloud.

 

Kagome quickly looked up. “What? You're kidding, right?” New employees? Sango wasn't trying to get her a job at the club was she?

 

Sango realized her mistake and mentally kicked herself. Crap, didn't mean to say that last part out loud… Sango sighed again. “Well, actually, no. I wasn't kidding.”

 

“But... I don't know what to do. I've never worked a day in my life!” Kagome panicked.

 

“Relax. It's easy and you'll get the hang of it in no time.” Sango stood and discarded their dishes in the sink.

 

Kagome sighed worriedly. “I hope you're right...”

 

“Of course I'm right.” Sango said quickly and grabbed her keys and then Kagome's hand and pulled her to the door before she could protest anymore. “Now come on!”

 

~ * ~

 

Sango parked her car in one of the parking spots reserved for employees only. The club was still closed for another twenty minutes. Sango hurriedly rushed Kagome inside.

 

Glancing around, Sango saw Inuyasha who had fallen asleep at the bar, his head propped up in his hands that rested on the polished countertop while Miroku fiddled with the music, Kouga was somewhere backstage, and Kikyou had yet to arrive. Sango stalked with confidence up to Inuyasha when she realized Kagome wasn't following. Glaring back at her, Sango turned and pulled Kagome along beside her until they both stood beside him. Inuyasha knew they were there; he just chose to ignore them and keep pretending he was asleep.

 

“Inuyasha, I know you're awake.” Sango said dryly, having the urge to roll her eyes at his attempts to fool her.

 

`Damn that Sango' he mentally cursed. “You're late. What do you want?”

 

“Well, Kagome would like a job.” Sango said bluntly.

 

“How about…” Inuyasha paused a moment, not bothering to look up at them and pretended to think about it. “No.” he replied just as blunt.

 

Sango's smile turned to a frown and she glared murderously at Inuyasha. She should have known it wouldn't have been so easy to convince him to give Kagome a job. But Sango was just as, if not more stubborn than Inuyasha and she wasn't about to give up just yet…

 

“Hey, Mutt face!” Kouga called from the stage. “Get your lazy ass over here! We're waiting on you!”

 

Inuyasha bit back the urge to argue and stood up. “Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.” He grumbled irritably as he jumped up on stage and took his mic.

 

Only briefly wondering why Kouga called him `mutt face', Kagome looked over at Sango who still looked a little peeved. Suddenly music started up as the band started to play and Kagome turned her eyes back to the stage.

 

Inuyasha started off.“When this began…”

 

Miroku also held a mic and stood in his usual position beside Inuyasha as he began rapping the next line.

 

“I had nothing to say,

AndI get lostin the nothingness inside of me.”

“I was confused.”

“And I let it all out to find,

ThatI'm not the only person with these things in mind.”

“Inside of me”

“But allthe vacancythe words revealed,
Is the only real thing that I've got left to feel.”

“Nothing to lose”

“Just stuck,hollow and alone,
Andthe fault is my own, and the fault is my own.”

As Inuyasha and Miroku took turns with the lyrics, Inuyasha looked up and noticed Kikyou come through the doors just as the song went into the chorus.

 

“I wanna heal, I wanna feel,

WhatI thoughtwas never real!
I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long…”

“Erase all the pain till it's gone.”

“I wanna heal, I wanna feel,

LikeI'mclose to something real!
I wanna find something I've wanted all along…
Somewhere I belong!”

“And I've got nothing to say.
I can't believe I didn't fall right down on my face.”

“I was confused.”

“Looking everywhere only to find,
That it's not the way I had imagined it all in my mind.”

“So what am I?”

“What do I have but negativity,
'Cause I can't justify the way everyone is looking at me.”

“Nothing to lose…”

“Nothing to gain, hollow and alone,
And the fault is my own, and the fault is my own.”

“I wanna heal, I wanna feel,

WhatI thoughtwas never real!
I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long…”

“Erase all the pain till it's gone.”

“I wanna heal, I wanna feel,

Like I'm close to something real!
I wanna find something I've wanted all along,
Somewhere I belong!
I will never know myself until I do this on my own,
And I will never fee…,anything else, until my wounds are healed!
I will never be anything till I break away from me!
I,will break away, I'll find myself today…
I,wanna heal, I wanna feel,

What I thought was never real!
I wanna let go of the pain I've held so long…”

“Erase all the pain till it's gone.”

“I wanna heal, I wanna feel,

Like I'm close to something real!
I wanna find something I've wanted all along…
Somewhere I belong!

 

(“I wanna heal;I wanna feellikeI'm…”)

 

“Somewhere I belong!”

(“I wanna heal;I wanna feel like I'm…”)

 

“Somewhere I belong!Somewhere I belong…”

 

~ * ~

 

A/N: Yay, a long chapter!! I think that's a personal record for me… Oh, and the song was `Somewhere I Belong' by Linkin Park.

 

I'm officially 15 years old now! And I've also got my driver's permit!! And I got a new digital camera!! I've really had a pretty good week besides the part about my stupid, retarded computer… I'm getting a new one of those soon, too!

 

And in other news, Haunted House, Haunting Past is probably gonna be on hold for awhile, but only until I get my other fics caught up!!!! I might post one more chapter if you guys are good to me *hint, hint* but after that, I'm gonna stop working on that one for a while and start working on my other fics a little more.

 

You can kill me, but just remember that if you do, I'll never update ever again and you'll never be able to read the next chapter (which I'm very much looking forward to writing)! Then you'll spend the rest of your miserable, pathetic lives wondering what would have happened if only you wouldn't have killed me…

^_^ See Ya!