InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Confessions of a Broken Heart ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 7 )

****Though not described in detail, this story does deal with rape so be warned if that sort of topic bothers you****

 

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Title: Confessions of a Broken Heart

 

Author: dolphingirl0113

 

Chapter: Six

 

Rating: PG-13 (rated for violence, language, and implied sexual situations)

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

 

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“Kagome! Hojo's here to walk you to school!” Mrs. Higurashi called up from the kitchen where she was currently cleaning up from breakfast. Kagome, who was standing and gazing at herself in the mirror, winced slightly and saw in her reflection Inuyasha give her a hurt look as he frowned and averted his eyes.

 

“I thought I would be taking you everywhere,” he murmured, his ears drooping, and Kagome blushed.

 

She felt guilty, as she rightfully should. Inuyasha had stayed with her the entire night, sitting at the foot of her bed and keeping watch like he always did, though she doubted any demon would attack her in the bedroom, which mean he himself got very little sleep. Now she felt like she was betraying him in a way, and gave him an imploring look as she turned around and flipped her hair over her shoulders. “Inuyasha, it's not that I don't want you with me, it's just that, well, Hojo feels really guilty for having let me walk home alone that night in the first place, and I think this is his way of trying to make it up to me.” She shrugged. “I don't mind, so please don't turn this into a bigger issue then what it really is.”

 

But Inuyasha wasn't listening...his ears had shut down after her first sentence, when Kagome had explained that Hojo had let her walk home alone. That boy was the reason Kagome was raped! “Why didn't he insist on walking you home?” He growled.

 

“What?” Kagome looked at him seriously, and frowned. “He tried, Inuyasha…I wouldn't let him. I wanted to be alone, and you know how I can be sometimes.” She winked, trying to make light of the situation, but saw it did no good when the hanyou growled again. “Inuyasha, please don't…he's really sweet, and would never have let me go home alone if he'd known what would happen. Besides, I'm always turning down his offers for dates, or standing him up…or just ignoring him completely, so you need to cut him a little slack.”

 

“Oh I'll cut him alright,” Inuyasha murmured, cracking his knuckles the way he did before a fight, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “I'll cut him right where it hurts, so he won't be able to get back up again.”

 

Kagome walked up with an exasperated sigh and put her hands on her hips. “Inuyasha…sit.”

 

He hit the carpet so fast he barely had time to realize what was happening, the air in his lungs leaving him in a swift rush. And yet, at that moment he was overjoyed, because Kagome was starting to act like normal again. It was almost so wonderful that he couldn't muster a glare in her direction…almost…

 

Rolling her eyes, Kagome sounded annoyed as she stared right back at him. “Don't give me that look…you know you had it coming.” She slung her yellow backpack over her shoulders, puffed her hair slightly in themirror, and turned to leave, walking down the stairs, where Hojo was waiting…with more flowers. She sighed inwardly in exasperation. Between an overprotective hanyou, an egotistical wolf, and a naïve boy, she had her hands full in the relationship department. And why was it that all the idiots seemed attracted to her anyway?

 

“Higurashi, you look wonderful this morning!” Hojo beamed, seemingly unaware of the fact that she looked like she wanted to punch something. He frowned. “Not that…not that you didn't look wonderful before…I mean, you did…it's just that…”

 

Kagome waved her hand for silence. “It's okay Hojo, I get it.” He blushed and nodded, handing her the flowers shyly. “Uh, thanks,” she managed, handing the bouquet quickly off to her mother, who in exchange gave her a lunch sack.

 

“Have a good day at school, sweetheart,” Mrs. Higurashi commented with a smile, kissing her daughter on the cheek, and Kagome nodded, not smiling like she used to. Even though she felt she was able to smile again, it didn't always happen naturally, and she had to keep reminding herself that small steps were needed in her case.

 

School was boring, and for once Kagome was grateful for that. She couldn't focus, preoccupied as she was with thoughts of what she needed to do in order to move on with her life. Biting the tip of her pencil absentmindedly, she gazed out the window and watched the sky, the puffy white clouds drifting by, her thoughts shifting to the hanyou she'd left in her bedroom that morning…kissing the floor. Now she felt bad, and promised to bring him some ramen to patch things up between them once she was home.

 

When the final bell rang and Kagome had collected all her books and study materials, she found Hojo waiting for her once more outside her classroom, and he took her hand again without even asking. It was evident that she still needed a sense of security when she didn't resist the contact, like she normally would have.

 

At first when she found herself being led down the hallway to the auditorium she felt a puzzled frown form on her face. “Where are we…? Oh…” Then she remembered the play, and the fact that she had practice until at least five. She'd forgot to mention to Inuyasha that she would be home late. Oops…

 

Mrs. Dun seemed to have a superb memory, purposefully steering clear of any possible kissing scenes for the time being, instead rehearsing the first fight between Tybalt and Mercutio, followed by the scene where Romeo kills Tybalt and is then banished. Since Kagome had no lines at that point, she was content to just sit in the auditorium seats and watch.

 

Finally, as the actors playing Mercutio and Tybalt lay sprawled on the ground, Mrs. Dun clapped her hands in approval as the scene ended. “Perfect! Well done, all of you! That was truly wonderful acting!” She turned to Kagome then. “Kagome, do you think you're up to rehearsing the scene where Juliet kills herself?”

 

At first Kagome blanched at the idea, not liking the idea of playing out suicide at all, but knew that it had to be done eventually. This was a tragedy, after all, and so long as she wasn't kissing anyone, she assured herself, she could do it. With that thought in mind, she nodded hesitantly and rose to her feet, moving onto the stage.

 

“Perfect!” Mrs. Dun walked across the stage with her clipboard in her hands, her glasses hanging around her neck from a colorful string, her persona everything a person would expect from a drama teacher: outlandish and unique. And Kagome found she liked the woman all the more for it. “Let's set the stage, shall we? Now you just lie down right here…”

 

Within a few moments Kagome found herself lying on a cloth-covered table, acting as dead as she could while Hojo recited his lines. She was surprised at how real his weeping and desperation came across, and realized with genuine respect that he was a very good actor.

 

“Come, bitter conduct, come unsavory guide,

Thou desperate pilot now at once run on

The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark.

Here's to my love!

O true apothecary,

Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.”

 

Hojo, thankfully, refrained from kissing her that time, instead having the courtesy to respect her needs and simply `die'. But as the moments wore on, and the boy playing Friar Lawrence spoke, Kagome found it increasingly difficult to remain still with her eyes closed, and tried to focus on the pain and agony coming from the actors lips, rather then thinking about the fact that Hojo was currently very close to her breasts, lying across her abdomen.

 

Wasn't he supposed to fall to the floor?

 

If her heart hadn't been beating like a jackrabbit, and if she had not been extremely nervous, Kagome would have smiled at the extremely Miroku-like move…but as it was, Kagome felt panic returning at the sensation of having a man on top of her. But, she tried desperately to remind herself, he was only in all honesty half on top of her, and his hands were at his sides, so it wasn't like he was trying to do anything.

 

Still, it was the first battle of wills she had with herself, where Kagome felt a part of her wanting to sink back into fear and melancholy, but she managed to fight the urge valiantly and force her body to remain still until finally her lines came and she was allowed to sit up and speak to `Friar Lawrence', moving a somewhat reluctant Hojo to the ground.

 

Rubbing her eyes as though waking from a deep sleep, Kagome blinked several times and looked around as she spoke.

 

“O comfortable Friar, where is my lord?

I do remember well where I should be,

And there I am. Where is my Romeo?”

 

“I hear some noise, Lady, come from that nest

Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.

A greater power than we can contradict

Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.

Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead,

And Paris too. Come, I'll dispose of thee

Among a sisterhood of holy nuns.

Stay not to question, for the watch is coming.

Come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.”

 

Kagome continued to recite her lines flawlessly, but knew deep down that they were lifeless. She hated this morbid scene, always had, and it didn't help that its dark undertones only managed to remind her of what she had been through…which only made her more disgusted with herself for losing this first test of wills.

 

“Kagome, I think that's enough for today,” Mrs. Dun finally commented gently just before Kagome could act out Juliet's actual suicide, which would eventually include an actual fake knife, though at the moment the prop people were still working on making it.

 

Kagome broke out of her haze and blinked stupidly. “Am I that bad?” A blush came to her cheeks.

 

Mrs. Dun just smiled kindly. “No dear, you just lack the heart today, which happens to even the best of us, so I wouldn't worry about it. I just don't want you practicing while feeling this way, because then you'll develop some bad habits which are hard to break.”

 

Kagome wanted to protest, but she also felt discouraged for letting down everyone else in the practice yet again, and so settled for simply nodding, looking away. Perhaps she wasn't right for the part after all, which was a strange thought to have since, in the beginning, she hadn't even wanted to play Juliet and yet, now, she couldn't imagine doing anything else with her time. Now that she'd known her own pain she could connect with the fictitious girl.

 

Seeming to read her thoughts, Mrs. Dun pulled Kagome into a warm embrace, and the girl could smell the scent of strawberry candles and spice. She liked it. “Don't worry, honey, you're doing just fine.” The teacher pulled back and touched the tip of Kagome's nose with her finger. “Don't ever quit, because on my honor you are the best Juliet I have ever seen…you just need to regain a little of your old confidence, that's all.”

 

Kagome sighed and looked away again, having heard that a lot lately. “Thanks Mrs. Dun,” she finally said softly before pulling away from the older woman completely and walking off stage to where her bag was sitting over a chair. Hojo moved to follow her, but she put her hand up to stop him. “No Hojo, you need to rehearse some more.” She tried to smile for him. “I Can get home by myself…its still light out, after all.”

 

“Are you sure?” She could see the concern all over his face, and knew he was thinking about what had happened the last time he'd allowed her to leave the school without him.

 

“Yeah,” she finally replied, “I'll be fine. But thanks for offering.” She smiled again and he seemed to relax slightly. He never had been one to be weighed down by troubles for very long, and Kagome supposed that's why, despite the fact that he had his annoying moments, she still put up with him. His outlook on life could be very refreshing after she would spend days trying to boost the self-confidence and image of Inuyasha.

 

Slipping her backpack onto her shoulders once more, Kagome collected her script and walked outside, listening as she shut the door to Mrs. Dun calling for another scene, though she didn't catch which one it was.

 

Once outside, keeping her eyes trained on the ground, Kagome ran straight into something solid and fell backwards, only to be caught by a strong pair of arms. “I'm so sorry; I should have watched where I was going…” But she stopped her rambling as she looked up and was met with a familiar pair of amber eyes. “Inuyasha…?”

 

It was indeed him, wearing that ridiculous red baseball cap that Kagome hated so much because it hid his cute dog ears, and because it looked so out of place next to his dated clothing. But she quickly forgot about the hat as she noticed the extremely annoyed expression on his face, including the way his mouth was twisted into a displeased frown. “You were done with school two hours ago, wench! What too you so long?”

 

His voice was its usual gruff self, and Kagome smiled. Had he come to get her? “Sorry Inuyasha, but I had play practice.”

 

“Play practice?” There was that expression again that he didn't understand. He recalled her talking about it before, and was no closer to knowing what she'd been talking about now then he had been then. “Why should anyone need to practice playing, Kagome?”

 

She giggled at his response. “I'm not practicing playing, Inuyasha.”

 

“Then what are you doing?” He hated it when she laughed at him like he was stupid or something.

 

“A play practice is when people get together to practice acting out a story before performing it for others. We call these stories plays, which is why it's called a play practice. Do you understand?”

 

He frowned. “Yes…are you sure you're up to these play practices?”

 

Kagome frowned. “Yes, why wouldn't I be?”

 

“I-I don't know, you've just seemed so…so shy lately. I didn't realize you were doing something like this.”

 

Feeling frustrated, not only with him but with herself for having projected such a weak image of herself the past several days, Kagome put her hands on her hips, and Inuyasha found that she looked absolutely adorable like that, which caused him to smile. She raised an eyebrow. “Just what are you laughing at now, baka?”

 

“I'm not laughing, I'm smiling.”

 

His response was amusing, and she had to resist the twitch at the corner of her mouth. “Answer the question, Inuyasha.”

 

He blushed. “You just…you just look so cute whenever you stand like that.” He looked away as soon as the words left his mouth, and Kagome blinked stupidly, her eyes widening.

 

Did he just call her cute? He, Inuyasha, the gruff hanyou who could barely ask if someone was okay for fear of telling them that he cared?

 

“Um…thanks, I guess,” She replied, trying to ease the sudden tension in the air by looping her arm through his affectionately, which he didn't push away. “Can you walk me to the gym?”

 

“The what?”

 

“Where people go to train.”

 

“Why would you want to go there?”

 

Kagome sighed. “I need to get stronger, both physically and mentally, so I can protect myself. Do you have a problem with that?”

 

Inuyasha looked away, the blush still evident on his face. “I can protect you,” he whispered, and Kagome smiled, but quickly hid it with a stern expression.

 

“As much as I know you like playing the hero, I am sick of being the damsel in distress. It's about time I was able to defend myself, don't you think?”

 

“But Kagome…you can already defend yourself.” He was honest, and she appreciated the compliment, but still remained firm.

 

“Not really,” she replied, looking away, seeming suddenly sad.

 

Inuyasha sighed like a father who was giving in to a pleading child. “Okay fine, you can go to this…this gym place.” He shook a warning finger at her as they continued walking. “But I'm waiting for you, and you will not stay for more than an hour, understood?”

 

“Sound good to me,” Kagome replied in a cheerful voice, though it was somewhat artificial. How did she manage to slip into depressed moods so easily?

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

Fitness-For-You was a small gym located only four blocks from Kagome's home, and had been around for many years. It was two stories high and made of creamy stucco, giving it a cheerful feeling even from the outside. When Kagome and Inuyasha walked in they were instantly greeted with a large counter, grand stairs on either side leading up to the weight and exercise rooms. To the far left were the basketball, racquet ball, and tennis courts, and to the right down a hallway were the men's and women's locker rooms, complete with saunas and steam rooms.

 

A petite woman with brown hair pulled into a short ponytail at the nape of her neck was standing behind the counter reading a magazine when Kagome approached, and smiled as Kagome spoke. “My name's Kagome Higurashi, and I think we spoke on the phone the other day.”

 

The woman nodded. “Yes, I remember…you set up an appointment with Julie for today, right? Okay, I'll let her know you're here.” The woman picked up a small black phone to her right and dialed three numbers, putting the receiver to her ear as she brushed back a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

 

Inuyasha turned to Kagome, a concerned expression on his face. “Are you sure you want to do this?” He growled. “I mean, I smell men everywhere in this place…I don't really think it's all that safe.”

 

Kagome just shook her head and smiled. “its fine, Inuayshaa, and I'll be fine, I promise. Nothing will happen in a public place like this, and besides,” She pulled his cap down playfully over his eyes, “I have you to protect me.”

 

Before he could act surprised at her playful mood a large, incredibly muscular woman appeared wearing spandex shorts and a tight shirt. She had blonde hair that was pulled back into a tight bun, and her clear blue eyes were intense. Kagome blushed and glanced down at her own sweatpants and baggy shirt, which she'd changed into before leaving the school, and realized she probably hadn't dressed right for working out.

 

“Hi, my name's Julie,” the woman spoke with assurance as she extended her hand, her grip incredibly strong. Kagome felt admiration for the woman instantly, and wanted to be just like that someday, exuding strength in ever direction. “And your name is…” Julie glanced down at a large notepad in her hands before looking up again, “Kagome Higurashi, correct?” Kagome nodded and Julie smiled. “Excellent. If you'll just come with me, we can get started.”

 

Inuyasha made to follow them, but the blonde woman instantly turned around with a patient smile and stopped him. “I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to wait for your girlfriend down here,” she explained kindly, and the hanyou allowed his eyes to open in surprise and his jaw to drop at the implication. But before he could correct her mistake she and Kagome were gone, so he let it go.

 

“Why don't you go sit in the lounge and just watch some television?” The woman behind the counter suggested kindly and Inuyasha, with a grunt, moved in the direction she was pointing, entering a room with a couch and some chairs, along with a large television and several of the flimsy books Kagome had once called magazines.

 

It was warm, and Inuyasha felt himself drifting asleep as he watched the hands on the clock tick on the nearby wall, and focused on the sounds around him with his sensitive ears in order to stay awake. He had to be available for Kagome if she needed him, after all.

 

Thankfully, just as his eyes were closing for good, the television blared loudly the tune announcing the beginning of the five o'clock news, and Inuyasha felt himself jolt awake, nearly jumping to his feet. But he became even more aware when he heard the man on the screen mention Kagome's name, and, just like Kagome had seen a few days earlier, the hanyou now saw her face filling the screen, smiling and looking beautiful. But why was Kagome on the television? He wondered. She'd always said it was a big deal to be on the news…so what had she done? He listened closely to what the reporter was saying.

 

“Police are now beginning to doubt that Ted Wilkins was behind the rape of Kagome Higurashi, as she has not yet filed a report against him.” An image of the redhead appeared, and Inuyasha growled. “Wilkins' whereabouts are still unknown, as the other two women whoa re believed to be his victims have not filed reports either.” Pictures of two more women flashed on the screen. “Again, if you have seen this man you are urged to call the police station at…”

 

But Inuyasha was no longer paying attention. Now he knew who was responsible for raping Kagome, and his blood boiled with rage, his demon instincts telling him to run out at that very moment and hunt the man down like the prey that he was.

 

Reaching into his robes, Inuyasha touched tetsusaiga's hilt from where it was hidden against his waist, feeling it calm his raging demon blood much the same way ice water cooled a raging fire. After all, he couldn't risk transforming here…he just couldn't.

 

“Inuyasha?” He turned to see Kagome standing by the door with her schoolbag in her hands, her hair plastered to her forehead in damp tendrils, the smell of sweat on her body. “Are you ready to go?”

 

Glancing at the clock, the hanyou realized over an hour had passed. “Yes,” he grumbled and practically threw himself out of his chair, stomping out the door while taking Kagome's hand and pulling her close behind him. Once they were out of the building he put his arm protectively around her waist and insisted on growling at any man who looked in their direction.

 

Kagome gave him a puzzled look. “Inuyasha, what's wrong?” She was answered with silence, and decided not to press the issue. Whatever it was, he would tell her eventually, she was sure of it.

 

But he didn't say a word, not throughout the entire walk, or even once they reached the shrine. Instead he unceremoniously dropped her by the front door and growled again. “Stay inside,” he grumbled, then walked away quickly, like a man on a mission.

 

“Inuyasha, where are you going?” She was truly confused now.

 

“Just do as I say!” He snapped back, and Kagome went instantly quiet, watching as the hanyou disappeared once more down the shrine steps with one giant leap, determined to find the bastard who had hurt her, and make him pay. To hell with Kagome's modern laws…he would deal with this himself.

 

Kagome shook her head again in bewilderment once she was sure he wasn't coming back any time soon and stepped into the house. Her mother was cooking soup, she could smell the vegetables, and she smiled, knowing it was her favorite. “Mama, I'm home!”

 

“Dinner will be ready shortly,” Mrs. Higurashi replied, and Kagome nodded, though the woman in the kitchen couldn't see her, and walked up the stairs to her room, depositing her bag immediately on the floor with an unceremonious thud before sitting down on her bed with a sigh. It had been a long day…and there were going to be many more like it in the near future.

 

The sound of fluttering paper caught her attention, and Kagome looked up to see a note taped to the outside of her window. Her blood ran cold. It couldn't be, could it?

 

She was fearful as she walked over and took the note down, shut the window, and sat back on her bed once more to read.

 

You're doing fine…let's just keep it that way. Do not file a police report.

 

Kagome sighed, crinkling the note in her hands. Eventually, she would file a report, and the police would catch the bastard. But for now she would let him think he was getting away with everything, believing that he'd intimidated her into silence. Then, just when he thought he was safe, she would help catch him…and be there to stare him down when that moment came.

 

Pulling the photo album out from underneath her bed, Kagome placed the second note with the first, looking at the two rumpled pieces of paper side by side for several moments before shaking her head and replacing the heavy book once more out of sight. She'd use the notes as motivation, she decided as she felt her muscles protesting from the hard hours work at the gym.

 

Julie had worked her hard on her first day, first putting her on the treadmill for fifteen minutes at a brisk pace, and then giving her a one-on-one lesson in martial arts. Kagome didn't care what anyone said, she'd decided that fighting was way harder then it looked…of course, the only one she'd ever really seen fighting was Inuyasha, and he made just about anything physical look easy with his super demon strength.

 

You are Kagome…so now prove that to the rest of the world. Kikyou, the one person Kagome could never hope to be, had faith in her. So why shouldn't she then have faith in herself?

 

“I will,” she promised, her voice unwavering. “I will.”