InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Compelled By Love ❯ Father Figure ( Chapter 3 )

Compelled by Love

By: Jazmin Turner

Chapter Three:

Father Figure

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Note: This is NOT a major humor fic. There are some funny parts in it, but it's not solely centered around comedy and parody. Sorry for those of you who expected that. This story is going to be sappy - it's an angsty romance! *watches as expectant readers race for the exits*

~*~

"No offense Kagome, but you suck at this game," Sango murmured. She pulled a card from the pile and shuffled her hand.

"Shut up Sango! You're a natural bluffer!" Kagome also slipped a card from the pile and moved her cards around. Darn, another bad hand!

"So what do you have?" she asked. Kagome slammed two cards out on the table, face down.

"Two aces." Sango grinned - this was too easy.

"Bluff." Kagome's face fell.

"How did you know?" she cried as she pulled back a heart and a spade and put them in her deck.

"Like I said before…you stink. What is that? Hm…Sango: 18, Kagome: 0."

"Just put down the cards!" Sango placed three cards on the table.

"A King of Spades, a Queen of Hearts, and a Joker."

"Hmm…bluff?"

"Nope, it's the truth. Here." Sango slid the cards across the table.

"I give up!" Kagome threw her enormous hand down on the table. "I give up! I quit! You win, for the 18th time in a row!"

"I'm the Champion of Bluff and Tell!" Kagome shoved her friend playfully.

"Shut up!" Sango smiled. It was nice to get their mind off of Miroku and Inuyasha. She still longed for Miroku's touch - no matter how perverted - and she missed being in his arms.

Suddenly, the doors burst open and a guard charged in the Great Hall.

"What's wrong?" Kagome asked, alarmed.

"A suspicious figure is at the front gates!"

"What does he look like?" The guard gulped.

"He looks like your father milady." The deck of cards dropped from Kagome's hands.

***

Kagome chewed her nails, prancing anxiously from foot to foot. Queen Higurashi had told the guards to hold fire until she gave the signal. Kagome could tell that she was still wounded deeply from their separation and his betrayal. She inhaled deeply, trying top pick up the man's scent. It seemed vaguely human, but he had left when she was so little, she didn't know what he looked like, much less smelled like. But it can't possibly be him! Noburo is dead! He was killed by his fiancé. And even if it was all a lie…why did he come back? After twelve years he is just going to show up? Mama better not fall for any tricks!

Finally, the man made it to the front gates. Queen Higurashi walked down the steps swiftly, head held up high, eyes cold and calculating. Kagome followed quickly, trying not to trip over her long skirts, hoping to snag a glimpse of the man the guards had claimed was her father.

"Noburo?" He's not so great, Kagome thought as she peered out from behind the Queen. He looked like an average guy: peppered black hair, milky, watery eyes, a gruff grayish beard, plus he wore the tattered robes of a poor merchant.

"Koi?" Though his voice seemed hopeful and earnest, Kagome noticed his eyes remained impassive and cold, as if they weren't seeing anything at all.

"Is that you?"

"Yes my love." He smiled. "I have come back. Your man has returned."

"It can't possibly be you! We got word that…that…you were killed by your fiancé! How can you be alive?" Noburo kept on smiling, although now it seemed fake and forced. Kagome did not trust this man at all. She tapped her claws impatiently on her forearm, sighing.

"It was all a lie - a well thought out scheme. My new fiancé was a demon in disguise. Her kin wanted her to slay me. But of course, she was in love with me too much to betray me. And hey, who wouldn't be?" Kagome made gagging motions behind her mother's back. Arrogance and lies seemed to go well with this guy. "But she told me to hide out for a while and then she went to the castle and acted as if she had murdered me, but in the process, got herself killed by the vengeful guards. Surely you knew of this!" Queen Higurashi shook her head.

"No. Not a single person told me." Noburo swallowed audibly, his Adam's Apple bobbing in his throat. Kagome looked up at her mother, praying that she would not fall for this man's trickery and untruths. She could tell that he was lying with her excellent sense of smell. Something isn't right. This just doesn't add up.

"Well…um…maybe you forgot?" He tried to calm himself down. His beady little eyes returned to their calm, watery state.

"Maybe." Queen Higurashi still didn't seem to be buying the story.

"Well, as I was saying, all of her clan shoved me out of my temporary home because Ayi was no longer around to protect me and I had to fend for myself. For twelve years I have searched for you, Koi. Will you take me back?" Queen Higurashi's eyes narrowed. Say no! C'mon Mama! Be strong!

"After all these years…you think I will just welcome you with open arms?" Queen Higurashi asked. "I don't know, I just don't know. Maybe is all I can say for now, but it still hurts, right here." She placed a hand over her heart.

"I know, it will take time to mend the gaping holes in our relationship, but it can be done with time and love." Queen Higurashi nodded then stepped aside, so that Kagome was now in plain view. The girl cringed visibly.

"Who is this?" Noburo smiled sleazily.

"Kagome."

"Kagome? My Kagome? Good lord! What happened to my beautiful five year old daughter?"

"I grew up," Kagome spat, then added under her breath, "Unlike some people."

"No I mean…you look like a demon!"

"Oh that! Long story." Kagome worked so hard to smile at him that her cheeks hurt. Okay, I can't take it anymore! It's time to tell him how I really feel.

"We have time. Kagome dear, we have so much catching up to do." He forced another smile on his face. Kagome just rolled her eyes. Great.Just great. After twelve years you think you can just waltz back into my life and act as if you never ran away from Mama and me? We thought you were dead until now!

"No we don't." Noburo's smile faltered. "It's been twelve years! That's more than half of my lifetime. I'm only 17. You think that a little bit of talking is going to change anything? God! I don't even know you!" Noburo's lips now looked white and were pressed in a firm line. Queen Higurashi looked at her daughter with an unreadable expression.

"I know and I apologize…"

"But that isn't good enough! Jeez, you're dense!" Kagome tossed her arms into the air and stormed up the steps.

Stupid Noburo! Stupid Mama! Stupid everyone! It's been twelve years! I don't even know the guy! He broke Mama's heart. And was allegedly killed by his demon lover! Why doesn't anyone get it? He's changed. I was only five when he left, but I know he's changed. He hardly seems human and his scent…I don't trust him. Not at all! Oh Mama! Please don't fall for his trap!

Kagome was so curled up in her thoughts, that she didn't see Sango burst into the room, looking so happy and excited it was scary.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Look!" Sango brandished a large envelope in front of her face; it had the name: Kagome written in Inuyasha's handwriting.

"A letter from Inuyasha?" she squealed. "Give it here!" Before Sango could protest, Kagome snatched the envelope from her and tore it open happily.

It read:

Dear Kagome,

How have you been? I've been fine. Miroku keeps moaning that he misses Sango and it's starting to irk me. But I miss you too. (Kagome smiled) Look, I was never really good with words, but um…We're having this royal banquet on Friday and I was wondering if you and Sango would like to come. It would make me really happy.

Please answer soon.

Love,

Inuyasha

"He wrote love, not sincerely!" Kagome squealed, face glowing with happiness. Sango smiled.

"It's obvious that he has feelings for you Kagome." The hanyou's face flushed with pleasure. "So, are you going?"

"How did you know that there is going to be a banquet?"

"Miroku wrote me a letter, too."

"Oh." Kagome smiled. "That's great! I'm definitely going! I just can't wait."

"Well, you have to tell the Queen," Sango pointed out. "But I'm positive that she'll say yes."

"But what about Noburo?"

"What about him?"

"He'll probably say no, and besides, he's is suspicious."

"I know. I was only seven when he left but I know he has changed. He seems…abnormal. I don't know what could have possibly happened to him." Sango shrugged. "But your mom seems to be quite taken with him. I was standing behind you at the Front Steps, so you didn't see me."

"I already know. I could smell you. But he deserted her! He deserted us! He deserted the entire Kingdom! She just can't take him back!"

Sango shrugged again for good measure. "I dunno. Old love dies hard, I guess."

"But it's been twelve years!" Kagome screeched in exasperation. I've been saying that a lot lately! "That's a long time!"

"To you maybe, but your mom isn't young anymore. Twelve years might seem short to her."

"Why are you defending her?" Kagome asked. "You're supposed to be my best friend!"

"I am! I'm just playing the devil's advocate here." Sango paused for a moment, and her face screwed up, as it always did when she was deep in thought. "Noburo's story is odd. And he has changed, but you just don't trust him because you hate him."

"And I have a good reason to! I have a feeling that he is gonna tear this whole Kingdom apart!" Kagome could just imagine the Northern Kingdoms crumbling because of the man who called himself her dad. If her mother was still truly in love with him, he could manipulate her very easily and he would take control. She could already see Noburo being a cruel, merciless leader with a frozen heart who didn't care about his people whatsoever. And what would happen to her? What would happen if Noburo did move back into the castle and he did try to become the dad she never had?

"Calm down," Sango whispered. "Just go to your mom, talk to her about the banquet, and tell her how you feel about King Higurashi."

"King?" Kagome wrinkled her nose. "He can't be king! He divorced Mama!"

"It wasn't legal. I can only assume that he didn't want the Kingdom in his business so he didn't do a legal divorce. That or he still has feelings for the Queen. So technically, he's still King," Sango corrected.

"That cheating bastard! No way he's still King!"

"Look. I'm just telling you the facts. You can deny the truth all you want, but it's not going to help anything. Go talk to your parents. That'll help."

"Okay. I'll do that."

***

"Mama! Mama!" Kagome hissed. She tugged impatiently on her mother's sleeve as if she were still a small child, begging for a before dinner treat.

"Tell them I will meet with them as soon as possible." Queen Higurashi ushered off the messenger and turned towards her daughter. "What is it Kagome-chan?"

"We need to talk." Queen Higurashi looked upset.

"Now? I am extremely busy. Can't this wait?" Kagome shook head.

"No!" Her eyes strayed to Noburo who remained impassive in a corner, staring at them with those creepy, unseeing eyes.

"Your father isn't busy. Why don't you talk with him?"

"But I want you!" Kagome whined. Acting like a spoiled brat isn't working as well as I thought it would…

"Kagome, please. Talk with Noburo. I'm sure you have so much to catch up on and I am terribly busy. Please! For me?" Queen Higurashi stole Kagome's tactic, staring her down with large pleading eyes.

"Sure. Fine." Kagome pouted, a soft growl rumbling in her throat. Noburo detached himself from the wall and strode over to them happily. He gave Queen Higurashi a wet peck on the cheek and steered Kagome out of the room and slammed the door shut.

He fixed Kagome with another corny smile.

"So darling, what's on your mind?" Oh God. Kill me now! Kagome tried her best to act as if she enjoyed her father's company. She didn't want to upset her mother; the Queen meant the world to her.

"This." Kagome tentatively handed him the envelope. Noburo opened the letter slowly and scanned it.

"Who is this…Inuyasha person?" he asked, voice rising angrily. "Is he your boyfriend?" Kagome blushed.

"No! He's just a friend…"

"Why did he write Love, then?"

"I do have a life!" Kagome cried shrilly. "And it doesn't revolve around you! I am 17. I'm allowed to have a boyfriend."

"But you didn't ask me!"

"Because you weren't here! You can't just show up on the Front Steps after twelve years and expect everything to be exactly the same!" Noburo's face now purpled with rage. He shoved his thick, gnarled finger in Kagome's face, eyes narrowed.

"I am your father! You must ask permission!"

"You may be my father, but you aren't my Dad!" Kagome yelled. She flexed her claws dangerously. "You were never around! I don't trust you and I certainly don't like you!"

Noburo let out what seemed like a growl.

"You cannot go. I will not have you getting pregnant at a young age."

"PREGNANT? I'm 17! Inuyasha isn't even my boyfriend! He's a friend." Who I have kissed many times, but no need to stoke the flames. "And I'm still a virgin! I haven't considered even having sex!"

Noburo glared at her through hooded, milky eyes, his thin white lips trembling with fury.

"I will not let you go to the banquet! You will stay right here and we will bond! Bond! Do you hear me?!"

"With a complete stranger?" Kagome's cheeks were flushed with anger. She felt something cold and dangerous rise in her and threaten to consume her. It swelled as Noburo continued to yell at her. The strange, uncomfortable feeling began to cause pain and her head pounded. When she blinked it stopped. Strange! What the hell?

"I forbid you! You will not leave this castle!" Her distressing feeling seemed to evaporate as she worked to calm herself down. Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and glowered at Noburo.

"I can and I will!"

Suddenly, Noburo's cold, hard hand slammed across her cheek. Kagome cried out, stumbling back from the blow, tears glowing in her eyes. Her hand flew up and rubbed the throbbing red bruise on her cheek.

"You…you hit me."

"You will not disobey me, Kagome. I will not tolerate your insolence." With those chilling words he turned and stopped off, loud footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Her hand trailed lightly across the raised, red skin as she stopped her sniffling. She hardened her mouth into a thin line and narrowed her honey brown eyes into slits.

"I knew it. You are not my father."

I work SUPER SUPER hard on this chapter. It took me a week!

Next on Compelled by Love:

Noburo turns out to an abusive dad.

Urasue steals Kikyou's remains.

Inuyasha begins to doubt his feelings for Kagome.

Noburo has arranged Kagome to marry a prince named Kouga.

Stay tuned for: A Turn for the Worst!