InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness Before Dawn ❯ Doubt ( Chapter 13 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A pleasant haze filled Inuyasha’s mind as it began to rise from the vestiges of slumber. Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows, casting its rejuvenating warmth over Inuyasha and eliciting a sleepy smile from him. When he felt something stir beside him, he gave a name to the wonderful feeling that swelled in his heart.  Blessed.  The thought made his smile widen.  There's just no other way to explain my luck in finding her......  He hadn't felt this sort of contentment in years, not since his mother died.  His breath caught in his throat when she turned slightly to lie on her back.  Brushing away a lock of hair that clung to her cheek, Inuyasha continued to study the serene visage before him.  "I could fall forever with you," he whispered.

Kagome sighed softly.  The enraptured man traced his finger over the parted lips, savoring the memory of the passionate kisses they had shared just a few short hours ago.  "I could fall forever, and never look back."  Unable to resist the lure of her luscious mouth, Inuyasha leaned over to gently caress her lips with his.

"Hmmm," Kagome moaned at the soft, yet insistent pressure of the kiss.  She wrapped her arms around his neck to bring him closer.

"Good morning, 'Gome," Inuyasha murmured as he trailed kisses across her cheek to her ear.

She arched her neck to give him better access.  "G'morning, Shiro," Kagome muttered sleepily.

Inuyasha stiffened at the name she used, and then rolled swiftly away from her.  "No, not Shiro," he growled.

Kagome's eyes flew open.  Inuyasha!  "Oh my God!  I-Inuyasha...."

"Save it, Kagome!" he barked.  Inuyasha furiously pulled open drawers then slammed them shut without removing anything.  Fucking idiot! He chastised himself.  What the hell did you think?  That you could erase her memory of him with a few sweet kisses?

"I didn't mean to...."  Kagome rose shakily from the bed, her face flushed crimson with shame.  "I was asleep, and then I felt-"

Inuyasha took a deep, steadying breath.  "Just don't, Kagome."

"I feel horrible," she whispered mournfully.

"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly doin' a jig after being mistaken for your dead lover!" he snapped, then instantly regretted the harsh words.

Kagome flinched, his angry retort having the same affect as a slap in the face.  Her own temper flared at the vicious statement. "Well, it's not like I asked you wake me up like that!"

"Forgive me for being affectionate!" he shouted back.  "I'll try to remember not to make that mistake the next time I wake up with you in my arms!"  

She stormed up to him and shoved at his solid chest, barely causing him to step back.  The futility of the act only fueled her anger.  "I only wanted you to stay until I fell asleep," Kagome raged between clenched teeth, "not fall asleep with me!"

"I'm so sorry!  Let me make a note of that one, too: Don't ever be exhausted when you're asleep in my arms!"

"Inuyasha, you are an insensitive jerk!"

"I'm--?"  Cruel laughter erupted from his lips. "I think you have that backwards. Insensitivity would be your specialty, baby."

Kagome gasped and tears sprang to her eyes.  "Bastard..." she muttered before running blindly from the room.

"FUCK!" Inuyasha's roar echoed around the now empty room.  He then proceeded to slam his forehead against the wall as he verbally abused himself.  "Stupid ass!  Once again, you let your mouth rush on before your brain has a chance to catch up!"  He fervently hoped he could repair the damage he’d caused to her fragile heart.  If not, he risked losing the best thing that had ever happened to him.  The guitarist raced down the stairs, his heart beating fearfully against his ribs.

Kagome knelt on the couch and dug through the cushions while tears streamed freely down her face.  He must really hate me! I've ruined everything… she mentally berated herself.  The band, the contract, and the first man in two years I've even contemplated having feelings for, all destroyed in one fell swoop!  It's all over before it ever had a chance to really begin... Her ribs hurt from the deep, grieving sobs.  "Shit!" she cried in mounting frustration.  "Where the hell is my purse?"

Inuyasha released a relieved breath when he saw Kagome with her arms buried to her elbows in the couch. "I believe it's still locked in my car," he offered quietly.

Kagome sank wearily to the plush cushions.  She wrapped her arms around her drawn up legs and sobbed into her knees.  "Just take me home..."

He approached slowly and sat next to her on the edge of the couch.  "I'm sorry, Kagome," he said earnestly.  "I didn't mean what I said....” Inuyasha ran a hand through his disheveled mane.  "Please, baby, stop crying," he begged.  "I was just.... surprised, that's all.  I'm not mad at you."

"You-" sob, “you must h-hate me!" she wailed into her knees.

"I could never hate you, Kagome," he protested.  Inuyasha pulled the sobbing woman into his arms.  "I hate myself!"

Kagome peeked at him from under her bangs.  "Y-you're lying."

"No, I'm not.  I can't hate you because you did nothing wrong."

"Bu-but I called you –"

Inuyasha pressed his lips to her temple and sighed.  "I know.  It's okay, 'Gome," he crooned softly.  When she started crying even harder, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"That's wha-what Shiro always c-called me..."

Realization dawned in Inuyasha's mind.  "That's why you called me by his name?"  When she nodded rapidly, Inuyasha sighed in remorse.  "Oh, baby.  I'm such an idiot! I'm sorry...."

Kagome shook her head.  "It's not your f-fault.  I mean, how c-could you have kn-known?"

"Can you ever forgive me, Angel?"  Inuyasha pleaded, placing small kisses across the top of her head.

She draped her arms around his shoulders and turned her face into his neck.  "Th-there's nothing to forg-give.  You were ri-right!"

"No, I was way out of line.  My temper got the better of me.  When that happens, I don't think.  I just lash out."

The couple sat there for a few moments, the silence broken only by Kagome's soft hiccups.  Inuyasha continued to smooth his hands over her back, patiently waiting for the woman to breathe normally again.  Finally, she lifted her head to wipe away the tear tracks on her face.  Inuyasha lifted her chin to gaze into her chestnut orbs.  "Do you realize we just had our first official fight?"

"We did, didn't we," she said with a weak grin.

"And my Mama always said 'when you fight with someone, you should always kiss and make up'."

Kagome giggled at the mischievous look in his eyes.  "You know, I think my Mama told me that too."

"Well," he chuckled, "we made up...."

"So, I guess that just leaves the kiss?"

"Smart girl..."




"Well that turned out better than expected," Miroku commented as they filed out of the club.

"Yeah," Inuyasha agreed.  "That was some pretty slick talkin' you did in there, Koga."

"It's like I told you, Inuyasha; I can speak their language."

Sango pulled Kagome's arm when the singer began to walk toward Inuyasha's motorcycle.  "You're riding with me, girlie.  We need to talk!"

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise.  "What did I do?"

"Nothing!  That's my point."

"Huh?" Kagome grunted in confusion.

"I guess that means I'm stuck with Inuyasha?"  Miroku called to Sango’s retreating back. There was genuine disappointment in his voice, but an even greater appreciation of the view she presented.  

"Sorry, love," she called back while adding an extra wiggle to her hips.

The drummer pouted.

"Get over it, Pervert," Inuyasha joked.  "You'll see her in twenty minutes!"  He turned to Koga and threw a friendly arm around the agent’s shoulders.  "I don't know how to thank you, man!"  

Koga checked to make sure the girls were out of sight, flashed a dazzling smile at the guitarist, and then punched him in the stomach.

"Oof!"  Inuyasha doubled over in pain.  "What the fuck was that for?"

Koga drew his fist back to deliver a punishing blow to Inuyasha's jaw.  "What did you do to her?"

Miroku jumped between the two men before Inuyasha had a chance to recover from the sucker punches.  He knew that if he didn’t they would end up trying to tear each other apart.  He had no clue what had prompted the sudden attack from Koga, but he knew Inuyasha never showed mercy in a fight.   The drummer kept a wary eye on the agent while trying to hold Inuyasha at arms length.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Inuyasha raged, trying to move around Miroku.

Koga glared at him.  "You made her cry, you bastard!  I heard her sniffling all throughout the meeting, and I could tell her eyes were all puffy even through those damn glasses!  I warned you not to hurt her, but you obviously didn't listen!” Koga began methodically rolling up the sleeves of his gray silk dress shirt.

"Not that it's any of your damn business," Inuyasha growled.  “We had a bit of a.... misunderstanding this morning."

"Bullshit!  'Misunderstandings' don't make her look like someone just ripped her heart out!"

Understanding washed over Miroku, so he decided to play mediator.  "Now, boys--"

"Shut up!" they both yelled.

"Listen, Koga, I know she means a lot to you-"

"You have no idea..."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes.  "Kagome and me, we got a lot of shit to work out,” he explained bitterly.  "It's bad enough I have to compete with a ghost, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna seek your approval for every little thing we do!"  He flexed his jaw to work out the soreness before snarling, "This is between me and Kagome, so stay the fuck out of our business!  We'll deal with it on our own!"  He turned away from the fuming agent and strode angrily toward his bike.  "Let's get the hell outta here, Miroku," he shouted over his shoulder.


Sango maneuvered the van into the steady flow of traffic before turning to glare at Kagome.  "Spill it, girl!"

Kagome blinked stupidly at her.  "Spill what?"

The woman rolled her eyes.  "Why didn't you tell me you hooked up with Inuyasha?"

"Oh, that.  It's no big deal, really...."

"No big-?" Sango questioned.   The exasperation in her tone clearly implied otherwise.  "Are you nuts?  Of course it's a big deal!  Miroku and I had it figured out from the first rehearsal!"

"What?" Kagome asked, flabbergasted from her friend's casual remark.  "We barely knew each other!"

Sango sighed dramatically.  "What difference does that make?  Love at first sight and all that."

"I don't love Inuyasha!"  Kagome protested.  "I didn't even realize I had any feelings deeper than friendship for him until he kissed me last night!"  Kagome slapped her hand over her run away lips.  She really hadn't meant to reveal that intimate detail!

"Oh quit acting like a prissy school girl," Sango chastised with a chuckle.  "Miroku already narc'd on you guys.  Though I must say, a fire escape-come-balcony at a nightclub isn't the most romantic setting for a first kiss.  I'm really gonna have to have a little chat with that asshole about atmosphere..." she muttered to herself.

Kagome turned to gaze out of the passenger side window.  "Please don't make a big thing about it, Sango," the singer implored.  

"Is everything okay, Kagome?" she asked.  Something about Kagome's tone sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine.  "He didn't hurt you, did he?  I'll rip the damn thing off if he did-"

Kagome was quick to intervene.  "No, it's nothing like that!  He's been a perfect gentleman!"

Sango shot her a skeptical look.  "Are we talking about the same Inuyasha?"

"Inuyasha's not the same person when we're alone.  He's...gentler,” she said softly with a wistful grin.  "It would be so easy to fall..."

"Then why don't you?" Sango prompted.

"Because," Kagome sighed heavily, "my life is never that easy."

Sango huffed.  "And you think mine is?"

Kagome shook her head and protested, "That's not what I'm saying.  Inuyasha and I have a lot of.... issues to work out before we can move forward." Before Sango could pose any more questions, Kagome asked, "Can we just drop this for now?"

"One last question?"

"Depends on the question."

"Is he a good kisser?  I've always wondered.  I mean, he is sexy as hell!"

Kagome gasped at the outlandish statement.  "Sango!"

"What?  I'm just curious!"  Sango laughed as the woman beside her turned bright red.  "Okay, okay, I'll drop it!"


Inuyasha grabbed the back of Miroku's shirt before the drummer could walk away.  "Don't say anything about what happened back at the club," he warned.

"But-"

"Not one word," he growled threateningly.

"Okay, okay!" Miroku relented.  "But she's gonna notice of that bruise on your cheek," he warned before walking away.

Inuyasha looked at his reflection in the bike’s mirror.  "Well, shit!"  Sure enough, the muscles had already begun to swell and discolor to a marvelous shade of purple where his jaw met his cheekbone.  He prodded the tender area gingerly, wincing when he hit a particularly sore spot.  "Why did he have to go for the face?  How the hell am I supposed to sing if I can't open my damn mouth?"

Just then, Sango's van pulled into the lot, and she deftly backed it up through the large bay door.  "Well, I can't hide out here all day," he grumbled as he pulled some of his hair forward to try to hide the evidence of his scuffle with Koga.

Sango had barely stepped completely out of the vehicle before a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and scooped her off her feet. Her shriek of surprise quickly turned into a shudder of desire when she felt Miroku’s hot breath on her neck.

"Oh, how I missed you, my sweet!" the drummer declared.  

Sango laughed and playfully smacked him on the head.  "I was away from you for less than half an hour!"

"And every second was pure agony!  Inuyasha just isn't a fair substitute for your charming company!"

Inuyasha joined in the banter as he approached.  "I beg to differ!  My bike's way cooler than this hunk-a-junk," he stated while thumping the hood of her van.

Offended, Sango twisted in Miroku's grip to glare at the guitarist.  "This 'hunk-a-junk is the only reason we even got this band out of the garage!"

"I still say you should let me take it in for a paint job," he remarked.  "Have Hell's Redemption emblazoned in red flames along the sides, maybe some kick ass tribal art along the back doors.  Really make it scream 'THIS VAN ROCKS!' "

"Oh, yeah, I can just see me pulling into work with that!"  She groused.  

"Inuyasha," Kagome chided softly, "leave the poor woman alone."  When he turned to say something, she noticed the angry mark on his face.  "What happened?" she cried, reaching out to touch the slightly swollen cheek.

"It's nothing.  Forget about it," he grumbled, moving his head quickly to the side to avoid her probing fingers.

Kagome narrowed her eyes when he jerked away.  She had a sneaking suspicion what caused the bruise on his handsome features and she knew exactly what to do about it.  Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, she angrily punched in Koga's number.

"What are you doing?" Inuyasha shouted.

"You can't fool me, Inuyasha," she told him while waiting for Koga to pick up.  "Chicken shit," she muttered when it switched to voice mail.  Angrily snapping the phone closed without leaving a message, Kagome turned on her heel and strode toward the building with her fists clenched, talking to herself the whole time.  "Just wait until I get my hands on him!  Who the hell does he think he is, attacking Inuyasha like that?"

Inuyasha smirked at the tirade, but knew that he had to stop it.  "Let it go, Kagome.  We got it straightened out, so don't worry about it."

"Straightened out how?" she asked suspiciously, "By beating each other senseless?"  She turned her hostility on Miroku.  "And where were you during all this?"

Miroku released Sango and held his hands up.  "Hey, I stopped it from going past the first two sucker punches!"

"Dammit, Miroku!" Inuyasha yelled.

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," the drummer said with remorse, "but Kagome's downright scary when she's mad."

The guitarist rolled his eyes at his friend’s cowardice before turning back to Kagome.  "Koga was just worried about you.  He knew you'd been crying..."

"That doesn't mean he has the right to attack you!" she cried, her tone heavy with indignation.

Inuyasha moved to start unloading the van, telling her, "I told him to stay out of our business and walked away.  Just drop it, alright?"

Kagome huffed.  "Fine, I'll leave it alone."  Until I see Koga that is...

Miroku and Sango exchanged knowing glances.  "I'll tell you later," they whispered in unison.

Kagome hauled the boxes from the shrine into the lounge area while the other three finished setting up the equipment on stage.  I think I need to start going to the gym...  Her arms felt like jelly from carrying the heavy amps and drum equipment.  By the time they were ready to actually place and hook everything back up, Kagome was panting and sweating.  Inuyasha ordered her to take a break, but she had felt guilty sitting around while they labored on.  That's when she spied the boxes stacked up just inside the office.

Determined to be useful, Kagome moved them into the lounge and began sifting through the contents.  

"Whatchya got there?" Inuyasha asked as he plopped down next to her on the couch.  

"Just some equipment I thought we could use during the performances."  She pulled out several smaller boxes until a total of six of them were stacked neatly on the table.  "We'll have to test them out first, but these are much more practical than stationary microphones."  

"Wireless headsets?" Sango asked when Kagome handed her one.

"Yeah.  These are great for live performances!  The box hooks up to the back of your waistband, you slip this over your ear like so," Kagome said as she demonstrated.  "This little plug goes into the sound system, and Voila!  Hands free, no more messy wires to trip over, and no hassles about range of movement!"

Miroku was skeptical.  "I can see how this would be great for you three, but I just don't see the benefits for myself."

"How many times have you had a stiff neck because you're trying to keep your head tilted to the microphone while playing?" she queried.

Miroku seemed to ponder that for a moment.  "Good point," he finally agreed.

"So what's in here?"  Sango questioned her, lifting the lid off another box.

"Wait!" Kagome cried, lunging for the box a second too late.

"Are these what I think they are?"  Sango's eyes widened at the contents.  Four stacks of spiral music notebooks filled the box to its rim.

Inuyasha peered over the top of the box.  "You wrote all that?" he asked incredulously.

Kagome nodded, her face flushed in embarrassment.  "I thought maybe we could use some of it...."

Inuyasha recalled what Koga had told him that night.  Kagome never shared this music with anyone.  This is her deepest pain, her darkest moments...  "Kagome, you don't have to share this if you don't want to."  He whispered tenderly.

Kagome gave him a grateful smile.  "I need to start contributing to this operation," she replied awkwardly.  "Your music is great, don't get me wrong!  I just- I think it's time to dust some of this stuff off."

Sango and Miroku exchanged puzzled glances.  "Wanna let us in on the big secret?" Miroku asked.

Kagome sighed.  "Now's as good a time as any, I suppose," she replied.  She drew a measure of comfort and confidence when Inuyasha took her hand and squeezed it gently.  "Most of the songs written in these books reflect a very dark time in my life.  I had a very difficult time dealing with the death of my family, so my professor and my fiancée convinced me to expel my pain through my music.  Professor Myoga patiently taught me how to compose lyrics and music scores for several different instruments.  Once I started, I couldn't seem to stop writing them.  It was worse after Shiro died..."

"Who's Shiro?" Sango asked innocently.

"That's enough," Inuyasha interrupted.  He had seen the tears gathered in her eyes and at the simple question from Sango they finally began to spill over.

Kagome squeezed his hand and said, "It's alright, Inuyasha.  They need to know," she assured him.  "Shiro was my manager, and my fiancée."  When Sango gasped, Kagome smiled sadly at her.  "He died in a car accident the night my album's release was to be announced."

"So that's why you never finished recording?" Miroku asked.

"No, I tried to go back."  Kagome took a deep breath, trying to control her anguish.  "I went back into the studio, determined to finish the final tracks for them.  Shiro had invested so much time into my career, I felt like I owed it to him to see it through.  I guess it was too soon....” She wiped the hot tears from her cheeks as Inuyasha wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.  "I couldn't stop crying.  The more I tried to stop, the worse it became.  I ended up having a full-blown meltdown right there in the recording booth.  They ended up calling the paramedics when I started to hyperventilate so bad that I passed out."

"Oh my God," Sango whispered.

"Once they whisked me away in the ambulance, the label’s president pulled Koga into his office and informed him they would no longer be able to honor the preliminary contract.  I was too unstable, and they couldn't take the chance of me having that kind of attack during a live performance or a promo spot.  I was a liability."

"What did you do?"

Kagome smiled wanly at the bassist.  "What could I do?  I was stuck in the hospital for two days!"

Miroku's tone reflected his frustration over the coldness of the label’s decision.  "Koga didn't fight it?"

"He tried.  But with me admitted to a hospital bed for 'emotional strain', what ground did he really have to fight on?"

"None of that really matters now," Inuyasha interjected firmly.  "Kagome's one of us.  She's here, and the rest of that is in the past."  He looked into her eyes when he stated, "It's time to move forward with Hell's Redemption."


Miroku leaned forward slightly and smiled affectionately at the singer.  "Inuyasha's right, Kagome.  If there's anything in here that you don't want to share, we will all understand."

Kagome wiped the last of her tears away.  "Thank you," she smiled at them.  "But just because I have so much raw material here doesn't mean the rest of you get to slack off!"

"What do you think we are," Inuyasha scoffed, "a bunch of amateurs?"  He rose and strode to the office.  When he returned, he held three large binders in his arms and dropped them on the coffee table.  "Grab your books guys," he ordered.  "I want four new songs ready for rehearsal by Tuesday!  We only have two weeks before our first official gig at the club!"

"Don't forget, we have that birthday party Saturday afternoon," Sango reminded them.

Inuyasha groaned.  "Damn, I actually did forget about that!  Well, then we really better get our collective asses in gear!  We can try out one or two of them then."




"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you up?" Inuyasha asked as he softly brushed a stray tendril of hair from Kagome's face.

"I'm positive.  I need some time alone to sort it all out."  Kagome sighed softly and leaned into the gentle brush of his fingers.  "Upset with me?" she queried in a shy tone.

Inuyasha simply shook his head.  She looked so beautiful that it took his breath away.  

She was exhausted, so they had called an early night without actually setting foot on stage to rehearse.  That's not to say the day hadn't been productive.  On the contrary, the four of them had not only picked out four new songs, two of which were Kagome's, but they had played around with the melodies and rhythms on the baby grand.  A ghost of a smile played upon his lips as he remembered Kagome sitting cross-legged on top of the piano, her lips pursed as she tapped out the beats on her nose with the eraser tip of a pencil.

"Earth to Inuyasha," Kagome called quietly.  When he blinked her back into focus she asked, "Where did you go just now?"

"I was thinking about the new songs," he half lied.

"Remind me again why we didn't use any of Miroku's music."  Kagome had been astounded when Miroku threw his practically empty binder on the coffee table shortly after they began going through them.

"Because he sucks as a song writer," Inuyasha complained as he sat sideways on the seat of his bike.  "Don't get me wrong, the man's a genius when it comes to creating any kind of percussion sequences, but to sit down and write music...he's hopeless!"

Kagome chuckled at his defeated expression.  "Well, we can't all be a singer/songwriter extraordinaire like you," she quipped.

Inuyasha pulled her to him with a chuckle.  "Do you ever forget anything?" he growled playfully into her neck.

She giggled at the tickling sensation of his scruff rubbing against her tender flesh.  "Nope, I'm an elephant!"

Inuyasha nipped her neck as a reprimand for that particular reminder.  "Watch it, Angel, or I'll have to subdue you again!"

"Oh?" she mocked.  "I seem to recall I was the one who did the subdu--” Kagome’s words were cut of when Inuyasha claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.  It was hot, demanding a response that she gave all too willingly.  

Inuyasha pulled her flush against him, the apex of her thighs nestled perfectly between his legs.  Her moan of surrender fueled him to slide one hand into the hair at her nape while the other trailed to cup her well-rounded ass cheek.  Their tongues danced and twirled, their desire washing over them like a tidal wave.

Kagome couldn't seem to get enough of his intoxicating taste.  She drank greedily from his lips and pressed her body closer to his while her fingers tangled in his luxurious hair.  She was suffocating from the length of the exchange and she just didn't care!

Inuyasha reluctantly pulled away from Kagome's luscious mouth and rested his forehead against hers.  Their heavily panting breaths slowly calmed and his racing heart returned to its normal pace.  "You'd better go," he whispered.

"Yeah," she agreed, but didn't have the ambition to move.

Inuyasha chuckled and brushed his lips across her brows as he stood.  "Go on," he urged while standing, "you need some sleep and I need a cold shower."

"Alright, I'll go,” she pouted.  Leaning on tiptoe, Kagome brushed her lips against his one last time before moving away.

"You're sure you can get to the garage all right by yourself in the morning?" he questioned, swinging his leg over the bike.

Kagome huffed, "Yes!  I've been riding there with you for a month!  I'm a big girl, Inuyasha, so I think I can get there all on my lonesome!" Her scowl melted into a playful expression.   "Get out of here," she joked.

Inuyasha flashed her a cocky grin and pulled the helmet into place.  "Good-night, Angel!  Dream of me!"  With a roar of the engine, he was gone.

Kagome smiled softly to herself while she rode the elevator to her floor.  It amazed her how relaxed she was around him.  Inuyasha had a way of chasing away the dark shadows that lingered around her heart, only to replace them with the fragile light of joy.  And his kisses....  Well, that was another matter entirely!  Kagome traced her slightly swollen lips and giggled.  Maybe I could share just a little bit with Sango....  

The woman wrapped her arms around her torso in an attempt to keep the giddiness from escaping.  In this brief moment, everything seemed perfect!  She had her music and an amazing band to share it with.  But it was the people that were making the real difference. Miroku was always ready with a joke to relieve the tension and Sango was like the sister she had always wished for. Just the thought of having a girlfriend to share little confidences with brought a goofy grin to her face.  

Then there was Inuyasha. He was funny, tender and sensitive to her feelings, yet at the same time aggressive and passionate with a fiery temper.  Everyone had skeletons in their closet, but Inuyasha was honest and open with her.  To her, he revealed all the sides of his flawed and complex personality.  Sango's quote sprang to mind, and laughter bubbled giddily from her. Not to mention he's sexy as hell!  Her smile brightened a few degrees and for the first time in a very long time, Kagome actually looked forward to laying her head down on her pillow to sleep.

As the elevator doors slid open, the rush of cool air from the hallway pulled Kagome from her musings.  Taking a step forward, she noticed a figure move in front of her and the dreamy expression fell from Kagome's face.  "I don't want to talk to you right now, Koga," the singer hissed as she brushed past the agent.

Koga grabbed Kagome's elbow to prevent her from moving forward.  "I want to know what that bastard did to you!"

"Inuyasha didn't do anything," she snapped, jerking her arm out of his grasp then storming down the hall.

Koga was hot on her heels, not the least bit satisfied with her answer.  "Princess, I can tell when you've been crying!  If that fucker laid a finger on you--"

Incensed, Kagome slammed open her apartment door.  "He has a name Koga!" she raged at him while kicking off her shoes.  "I already told you, he didn't do anything!  I'm the one that hurt him!"

The man stopped dead in his tracks at her statement.  "What?"  He had serious doubts that Kagome's frail form was capable of overpowering the guitarist and....

"I called him 'Shiro'," she whispered into the stillness and hung her head in shame.

Koga flinched at the implications that small utterance brought to mind.  "When?" came his strangled inquiry.

"This morning.  We fell asleep in his bed after our long talk last night.” When Kagome heard his low growl she hissed, "Oh get your mind out of the gutter!  Inuyasha was a perfect gentleman and you should know me better than that!"  At his contrite expression, she continued.  "When he woke me up this morning, he called me 'Gome..."

Sympathy and understanding washed over his face.  "So you thought it was Shiro?"

"I was still half asleep," she defended weakly.  "I tried to apologize, but we both ended up losing our tempers."  Kagome sent him a crooked smile.  "It turns out that Inuyasha's temper is just as volatile and unpredictable as mine once it's let loose."

"I almost feel sorry for the bast--” Koga gulped at the death glare she shot him and quickly corrected, "I mean, Inuyasha."

"Koga, am I making a huge mistake?  I feel like I'm betraying both of them,” she sighed.  Kagome crossed to the picture of Shiro standing beside her underneath the Goshinboku.  "I still love him, Koga, so much."

Koga wrapped his arms around her from behind.  "I know, Princess," he murmured, pulling her back against his chest.  

"But Inuyasha makes me feel so alive."  She closed her eyes, desperately trying to call forth a small piece of the happiness she felt only a few moments ago.  "What do I do?

Koga sighed.  No matter how much he wanted to tell her to stay away from Inuyasha, he knew he couldn't.   "Do what your heart tells you," he whispered comfortingly.  Selfish, he may be, but not at the cost of Kagome's potential happiness.  The guitarist’s words from earlier today echoed through his mind, so Koga decided let Inuyasha have his way.  However, he would be keeping a very close eye on the musician.

"Oh, for crying out loud!"  Kagome seethed.  "What is with the riddles lately?"  At Koga's questioning look, she waved a dismissive hand.  "Never mind.  I'm tired and we have a long day of rehearsal tomorrow."

"Can I give you some friendly advice?"

"Do I have a choice?" she grumped.

Koga flashed her a warm smile.  "Not really," he joked before his expression turned serious.  "Princess, don't rush into anything.  It's your life and you have to be the one to call the shots.  Don't let anyone else force you into something you don't want."

Kagome arched a delicate brow.  "By 'anyone' you mean Inuyasha."

Refusing to comment on that bald statement, Koga opened the door to leave.  "Just remember that, Kagome.  Good night."

When the door closed softly behind him, Kagome sank into one of the chairs.  "What a day...” she muttered.  When her eyes began to droop, she forcefully pushed herself out of the plush furnishing.  "All right, Higurashi, time to haul your tired ass to bed!"  

She made quick work of stripping out of her clothes and slipping into a comfortable red nightshirt that had a picture of a sad little beagle puppy on it.  When she slid between the crisp linen sheets, Kagome sighed.  "I'm so confused, Shiro," she whispered into the darkness.  Waiting for the warmth of his presence to embrace her, Kagome let the conflicting thoughts about the two men race through her mind. It was a moment before she noticed that Shiro had not appeared.  "Shiro?"  The cold blast of the bedroom’s air conditioning was the only response.  "What, no riddles for that one?" she said derisively.  Yet her beloved still remained silent.

A horrible thought drifted through her mind, making her sit upright in the massive bed.  For the first time in two years, her deceased love had not answered her.  Had he abandoned her?  Kagome felt a hot tear escape her lashes as she laid her head back down.  "I still love you, Shiro," she said mournfully.  "Please, don't leave me.  Not when I need you the most."  Her eyes drifted closed and her breathing evened out into the slow, steady breaths of slumber.

Kagome never felt the subtle warmth brush across her cheek, nor did she hear the tender words whispered into her ear.

Don't be afraid to fall...




Well, there you have it. I sincerely hope it was worth the wait! Review and let me know! Now on to the next installment!


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