InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Escape ❯ Jealousy ( Chapter 17 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, but if people are willing to donate money to me so that I can purchase that adorable hanyou and characters, I'd be more than happy to oblige.

AN: Sorry for the late update. I have totally been putting this off and kind of did it in a rush. But I just couldn't bring myself to right stuff about Kikyo. -_- Lo siento personas! I promise I'll try to update more frequently. Special thanks to my girl Leomae for making me get up off of my ass and motivating me to get cracking. And I'd like to thank all of my reviewers for sticking with this drawn out fic. ::sighs:: Look at me. I haven't even gotten to the good part and I'm already slacking off. Anyway, you've waited for it, so here it is. Enjoy!

Last time:

She stopped laughing and stared at him. "Thanks Inuyasha."

"For what?"

"For trusting me." Kagome smiled at him.

His heart fluttered in his chest. "Keh, don't get used to it. Barin' my soul ain't my style." His ears stood to attention when he heard the guest room door open. Inuyasha turned around to see Kikyo coming down the hall.

A wide grin broke out on his face as his eyes lit up with happiness. "You're awake."

Jealousy clawed at Kagome's heart when she saw how excited he was about Kikyo. She only hoped that this newer woman's presence didn't put a damper on she and Inuyasha's relationship.

Jealousy

Kagome blinked in surprise at her facade. The woman was almost an exact replica of herself. It was as if she were staring into a mirror, save from the fact that Kikyo was paler, slimmer, and her hair was longer than hers.

"Inuyasha," Kikyo said in a scratchy voice. Placing her hand along the wall for support, she took another step forward before her knees buckled beneath her.

The hanyou was by her side in a flash. Sweeping her off of her feet, Inuyasha brought her to the couch and set her down, but didn't remove his arms from her body. "Kikyo-"

"Don't touch me hanyou," she spat harshly and tried to extricate herself from his tight embrace.

Hurt registered on his face and his ears drooped at her obvious contempt toward him. "But-"

A weak, pinkish light enveloped her frail form. "Get away from me." She sent a bolt of energy into his abdomen in an attempt to remove his arms from around her.

Inuyasha flinched as her energy collided into him, but refused to let go and only pulled her more tightly against him. "Kikyo, please stop this. If you continue to waste your energy on me, you won't recover as quickly and become weaker."

Sensing the truth of his words, the pink light ebbed away until it had receded back within its depths entirely. Kikyo slumped against him in defeat. She was just too tired to put up with the antics of the hanyou. "Release me now Inuyasha," she demanded in a deadpan voice.

He complied with her wishes. Kagome winced at the pathetic expression in his eyes. She had never seen him so depressed and miserable before. His golden eyes were full of misery and guilt. A spark of anger flared up within Kagome. "Maybe you should listen to what he has to say before judging him on what he has done in the past. Inuyasha has nothing but love concerning you. Just hear him out."

Kikyo's cold brown eyes jerked in the direction of the girl, as if seeing her for the first time. "This does not concern you girl. Mind your own business."

Unflustered by the woman's cold demeanor, Kagome jutted her chin out stubbornly. "The well-being of my friends is my business. I don't want to see Inuyasha hurt."

The intense gaze of the woman only got frostier as her eyes narrowed to slits. "You know nothing of pain girl. Leave us now so that I may speak with the hanyou in private."

She was about to protest when Inuyasha shot her a earnest look. "Kagome, maybe you should leave, just for now. I need to talk to her…alone."

Reluctantly, Kagome headed toward the front door. She turned the knob, but not before gazing back at her friend. "If you need something Inuyasha, I'll be at Sango's." Jealousy gnawed at her insides when he didn't reply, only continued to stare pleadingly into Kikyo's emotionless brown orbs.

Sighing, Kagome left the two alone. She refused to be envious of the palpable affection Inuyasha had regarding his childhood friend. 'He hasn't seen her in years so of course he's going to be ecstatic about her return,' Kagome reasoned with herself. 'They need this time to rekindle their friendship and catch up. I mean, he left her alone all this time and she probably thought that he had forgotten about her. That's why she's so defensive.' Feeling somewhat more relaxed than what she was a minute ago, Kagome approached Sango's place, which was only a few doors down from Inuyasha's.

Before she reached the door, it was flung open and a certain monk was thrown out of the apartment. He slammed into the opposing wall and collapsed to the floor in an undignified heap.

"That'll teach you to touch my ass without my consent!" Sango yelled angrily, her face flushed and brown eyes ablaze with fire.

Miroku groaned in pain and rolled unto his back. "So does that mean if I had your consent I could?" he asked hopefully from his position on the floor.

Sango growled in irritation, but stopped when upon hearing the melodic laughter of a bystander. She grinned at one of her favorite people. "Kagome-chan! Come in. Come in."

"Umm, what about Miroku?" Kagome giggled as she stepped over his sprawled form and into Sango's apartment.

"Houshi-sama can stay where he is," Sango responded stiffly glaring down at the innocent-eyed monk, then slammed the door for good measure.

Kagome grinned and flopped down on one of her black leather couches. Kirara, who had been napping on the armrest, clambered onto the miko's lap and curled up into a little furry ball and went back to sleep. "So Sango, when are you two going to stop playing all of these games and hook up?" she inquired stroking the neko youkai's silky fur.

The taijiya's face turned a deeper shade of red. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't have to lie to me. I know that there is some definite chemistry between you and Miroku. You two would make a cute couple," Kagome admitted smiling from ear to ear. She loved playing matchmaker.

"Houshi-sama is not my type," Sango responded and sat down beside her friend. "We can't have a decent conversation without his hand wandering over my body."

"And you haven't enjoyed it once?" she teased.

Sango crossed her arms in a fashion similar to Inuyasha and looked away defiantly. "No."

"Whatever you say Sango. But we both know the truth. Just remember the you don't have to lie to me. Aren't friends supposed to trust each other?" Kagome knew she had hit a soft spot when she saw her shoulders sag in defeat.

Slowly, Sango turned to face her. "Ok, I'll admit my feelings for Miroku-sama, if you admit your feelings for Inuyasha."

Now it was Kagome's turn to redden. "W-who says I like him?"

The taijiya smirked. "The evidence is written all over your face. You can't hide your emotions very well, Kagome-chan."

An idea struck her. "I have an proposal," Kagome began, mischief dancing in her azure orbs. "If you tell Miroku your feelings for him, I'll tell Inuyasha of mine."

Sango's eyebrows knitted together as she mulled over the suggestion. Kagome would be good for Inuyasha. She could bring out the best in anybody, including the foul tempered hanyou. Inuyasha was always alone in his little apartment. He had never brought a girlfriend to his apartment. She scowled. 'I can't say the same for Houshi-sama.' She glanced at the Kagome, who was looking up at her expectantly and waiting for a response. Yes, Kagome would definitely be good for their lonely friend.

"You're on," Sango grinned and shook the younger girl's hand.

Kagome beamed. "Good. You should go first."

The older girl blinked. "I'm not going first. It was your idea, so you should go first."

They stared at each other and both frowned at their current impasse. This was going to be a problem. How were they going to convince each other to ask their crushes out if they couldn't decide on who was going to go first?

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Kikyo stared warily at the persistent hanyou in front of her.

"Why are you so angry at me?" Inuyasha asked, his voice bordering desperate as he searched her impassive eyes for an answer.

"Well how am I supposed to react?" she inquired glaring coldly at him. "As far as I'm concerned, we are enemies."

He snatched her hands from her lap and infused the cold, delicate fingers with the warmth of his. "Kikyo, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for living you with that bastard. I went back for you, but Naraku had moved his facilities to some other remote place." His eyes were filled with earnestness and sincerity as he bore his soul to her. He had waited so long to get this off of his chest. "I loved you with all of my heart. Do you really think that I would leave you in the hands of that bastard intentionally."

Kikyo looked away from his emotional orbs that seemed to probe into her very soul. "Inuyasha, I don't really care anymore. The past is the past. Now I must leave. I'm tired of being Naraku's puppet and I will put a stop to his sinister actions before he tears this country apart."

"And do you expect to do this all by yourself?" Inuyasha questioned heatedly.

She glared at him. "I will do whatever it takes to ensure my freedom."

The hanyou brought her hands to his heart. "Then let me help you, and we'll bring him down together," he pleaded softly and tightened his grip on her hands.

"Would you let me be if I told you what happened," she offered, her face still an emotionless mask.

"I would think about it," he returned loosening his grasp on her hands.

She closed her eyes, and for a moment said nothing. Inuyasha took this time to take in her features. She had grown a lot from the last he had saw her. Her skin was still its usual pallid color. Her obsidian locks now reached past her buttocks. She had definitely gotten taller, so that they were now almost eye to eye. But it was her eyes which captured his attention. Her once beautiful and warm brown eyes were now filled with hate and coldness. Inuyasha clenched his teeth in suppressed anger. He would kill Naraku for doing this to her. Even if it was the last thing he did.

"After you ran off," she began, reopening her eyes and focusing them on his, "my miko powers began to enhance with each passing day. Eventually, Naraku discovered my new abilities and enhanced performance in carrying out my missions. He recruited me so that I would take direct orders from him. I continued to execute his commands, but did so with great resentment. He knew it and tried to destroy my hopes of ever escaping from his clutches. "

She shot daggers at him. "I waited for you. I waited patiently for years. I always believed that you would come back for me, but you never came. Naraku knew that I had been waiting for you to come back to rescue me and decided to relocate just to throw you off. Yet even after we moved I still believed you would come for me, but my faith in you slowly waned with the passing of each month. Naraku began to tell me lies of how you had forgotten about me and how you didn't care. And soon, I began to believe him. Because if you had cared enough about me, you would've searched harder."

"I tried Kikyo," Inuyasha beseeched, "I searched the four corners of this damn planet for that bastard and each time I came up empty handed." He released her hands and stroked her cheek subtly with a claw. "I gave up hope after a while. And have been here ever since. Kikyo, I'm so sorry. I should've been there for you, but I wasn't. Forgive me. I missed you so much."

His heart leapt for joy when her eyes softened. "I suppose I can forgive you. But you must help me bring down Naraku and his empire. Then and only then will I truly forgive you."

Inuyasha grinned and wrapped his arms around her. He finally had his friend back. But he couldn't help feeling that something was off. Shrugging it off, he burrowed his nose in her skin. Somehow, the scent of the earth and soil couldn't compare to Kagome's enticing scent of sakura blossoms and jasmine.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"So you're coming to my graduation right?" Kagome asked as they ate rocky road ice cream out of the carton.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Sango answered savoring the taste of her favorite flavor. "Are you going to give me an invitation or do I have to ask?"

Kagome smacked her lips. "I have the invitations in my room." She eyed her friend with a raised brow. "I think you should take Miroku as a date."

The cold ice cream that had begun to make its way down her throat threatened to come back up as she coughed. Sango glared playfully at a laughing Kagome. "Just give me the invitation."

"Sure thing. I'll be right back." Kagome slid off of the stool and made her way out of the apartment. Since her family would be unable to attend, she would have extra tickets. The thought of her broken family was enough to make her cry. Her light mood had made a turn for the worst. Kagome shook her head determinedly. No, she would not dwell on what couldn't be changed. The only way she could avenge her family was by destroying Naraku so that he wouldn't be able to hurt anyone else. With a renewed sense of willpower, Kagome opened the door to Inuyasha's apartment, but froze when she saw what lay before her.

The jealousy she had pushed out of her mind began to rear its ugly head as she witnessed Inuyasha embracing and murmuring soft promises to Kikyo. Kagome felt her throat close up.

Kikyo was the first to pull away. She hard stared at the hanyou, her mask slipping back into place. "And what if Naraku takes me again Inuyasha? Would you even bother to come fight for me? Or will you run again?"

Inuyasha's golden eyes flared with anger. "I will not let that bastard have you again. I promise you." He drew her into his arms once more. "I will protect you forever. You have my word on that."

So intent was on his desire to protect his childhood love, that he failed to notice another miko slowly back out of the room with tears of betrayal and sadness streaming down her face.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

It wasn't until morning that Inuyasha realized a certain someone hadn't returned back to the apartment. "Oi, Kagome!"

No response.

His ears twitched as he heard the steady breathing of Kikyo in the guest room. But he could pick up the location of Kagome.

Irritated now, the hanyou stalked down out of his apartment and to Sango's. He banged on the door loudly. "Oi Sango. Open up!" he demanded.

Moments later a bedraggled taijiya opened the door. "Whaddya want Inuyasha? It's too early in the morning for all of this noise and on my off day no less."

Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha brushed past her and marched into her sanctuary. "Where's Kagome?" He sniffed the air. She had definitely been here. The scent of sakura blossoms still lingered in the air. He frowned when the smell of salty water drifted into his nostrils. 'Had somebody been crying?'

Sango stiffened at the mention of her friend's name. Kagome had come back to her apartment in tears after returning from Inuyasha's apartment. Though Kagome hadn't said anything, Sango had a sneaking suspicion that it had something to do with him and his female acquaintance. The miko had made her promise not to tell Inuyasha that she had been in tears. She agreed and let the girl stay with her the night in one of the guest bedrooms.

Inuyasha whirled around when she didn't answer him immediately. "Well? Where is she?"

"Calm down Inuyasha. She had to attend her graduation practice this morning. Being the kind hearted soul that she is and not wanting to interrupt you and whats-her-name from whatever you two were doing, she stayed the night. I let her borrow some of my clothes this morning and Miroku dropped her off at her school."

A twinge of jealousy and dejection struck Inuyasha. 'Why hadn't she asked me to take her?' "Hold on, you let that lecherous monk drive her there?"

Sango gave him a thin smile. "Don't worry. I had Kirara go with them, just to make sure he kept his hands to himself. They should be back within the next hour or so."

This still didn't put him at ease. The monk just couldn't be trusted around a pretty face, especially one as pretty as Kagome's. Growling in annoyance, Inuyasha muttered a farewell to the taijiya and went back to his own apartment. He couldn't help but feel a little hurt that Kagome hadn't come back last night. Did she not be with him anymore?

"That's it," he muttered grabbing his keys from the countertop upon entering the foyer, "I'm going to bring her back."

Before he could go back out of the door, the sound of Kikyo's whimpering in her sleep stopped him in his tracks. He felt torn. Part of him wanted to go fetch Kagome from the lecherous clutches of the monk, and part of him wanted to go comfort Kikyo and rescue her from her nightmares. In the end, he chose to stay.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Both Miroku and Kagome were more than a little surprised when Inuyasha failed to retrieve her. The hanyou was usually very possessive when it came to the safety of Kagome.

'Oh well,' she thought dully as the principal droned on about the proper procedure of the ceremony, 'I guess I'm not the most important person in his life anymore.' Kami-sama, she was beginning to have déjà vu again. This was a stunt Hojo would usually pull.

Kirara stretched in her lap, then curled up and went back to sleep.

She stroked the neko youkai's back absently and gazed up at the sky, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair every now and then. The graduation was tomorrow and would be held outdoors in the morning. Could she trust Inuyasha to even show up? Or would he be too busy with his new friend?

"Would you please perk up," Charlie said nudging Kagome with her elbow. "We're graduating in less than 24 hours and all you are doing is moping."

Kagome managed a weak smile. "Sorry. I guess I'm not in the celebrating mood."

Rei scowled. "Is this about Inuyasha? Did he do something to make you sad? Because if he did I will-"

"He didn't do anything," Kagome interrupted rather quickly. "I'm just tired that's all."

Charlie eyed her friend in doubt, but didn't comment further on the matter. "So, who's the cutie that drove you here?" she inquired gazing behind them.

"Oh, Miroku? He's just a friend." Kagome looked back, and wasn't shocked when she saw him flirting shamelessly with one of the soon-to-be graduates.

"Wow Kag. You work fast. And apparently so does he," Rei stated checking him out. "He is sexy, but not as sexy as Inuyasha." She squealed in delight at the thought of him. "I just wanted to run my fingers through his silky mane and tweak those incredibly cute ears. And then I want to-" She stopped after realizing that everyone was staring curiously at her, including the principal. Muttering an apology, Rei pretended to focus back on what the he was saying.

Kagome and Charlie hid their snickers behind their coughs.

"Well thank you for telling me I was the center of attention," Rei remarked snidely.

"You're most welcome," Kagome said smiling sweetly.

"Oh shut up, Rei. You know you like it," Charlie said rolling her eyes. "So what are we doing this afternoon? How about we go to the mall? I'm dying to see the new summer lineup."

"Sounds fun. I'm in," Rei responded cheerily, then gave Kagome a sidelong glance. "How about you Kaggie? Or do you have something planned with your new boy toy?"

Kagome considered their proposition. Miroku probably had something planned and there was no doubt in her mind that Inuyasha would be too preoccupied with his new friend to go somewhere. Instead of letting the envy of him spending time with another female, she shrugged it off indifferently. "I'll go too. It's not like I have anything better to do."

Once the practice was over, Kagome agreed to meet her friends by their car after talking with Miroku, who was flirting with yet another girl by his car.

"You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever beheld my fair lady," he gushed taking her hands in his.

The girl blushed, obviously not used to such comments regarding her appearance. "Oh, Miroku-sama, you're so sweet."

"Not as sweet as your luscious lips." His violet eyes gleamed with longing and happiness. "Fair maiden, grant this humble monk the chance to taste your delectable lips so that I may can savor a part of the pure and undeniable exquisiteness of your beauty."

Kagome cleared her throat to alert them of her presence. "Umm, Miroku, I don't think that Sango would approve of your antics with this girl."

The monk immediately released the girl's hands and sprang away from her as if she had just sprouted a second head. He grinned sheepishly. "It seems I have had a mental lapse in judgment."

"Mental lapse my ass," Kagome muttered, towing him away from the confused girl by his ear. "This is the reason why you'll never have a chance with Sango." She let go and scowled at him.

Kirara mewed angrily at him.

"You won't tell her will you Kagome-sama?" Miroku pleaded on his knees. "I wouldn't want to jeopardize our relationship. It is already strained as it is."

'What relationship?' the miko mused to herself. "I won't tell her. When you go back to the apartment, tell Inuyasha that I'm going out with some of my friends and probably won't be back until late this evening."

His face turned serious and he came to his feet. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Naraku is still out there and is waiting for the right opportunity to capture you for himself. Without protection you will be vulnerable to his attack."

Kagome waved him off offhandedly and smiled. "Don't worry Miroku. I'm a big girl and can take care of myself. Besides, I'm a pretty strong miko so I'll be ok." The expression on his face told her that he thought otherwise. "Listen, how about I check in every so often just to let you know that I'm fine? Will that make you feel any better?"

"More or less," Miroku mumbled, but gave in. "Fine, but don't blame me if Inuyasha comes searching for you and hauls you back to his place."

"I doubt he'll be doing that since he is obviously busy with Kikyo," Kagome said softly with a wan smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Miroku arched an eyebrow, noting the subtle bitterness in her tone of voice. 'Perhaps Inuyasha spending time with another woman will reveal to her the fact that she loves him.' "I'll notify Inuyasha of your plans as soon as I get back," he reassured her.

"Thanks Miroku," she said happily and kissed his cheek in gratitude, but her eyes narrowed dangerously when she saw that his had become glazed over with his usual lecherousness and desire. "Don't let that go to your head. Remember Sango. Bye Kirara." Kagome left the neko youkai in his arms and the monk to his thoughts and ran off in the direction of where her friends were parked.

'Inuyasha,' Miroku mused shaking his head, 'you really don't know what you're missing. I hope you realize how you are affecting her.' With these final thoughts, he turned with Kirara and got into his car.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Kagome was up and dressed by 7:30 the next morning. 'Just think,' she thought excitedly to herself as she combed through her raven black tresses, 'by this afternoon, I will officially be a graduate of high school.' She laid the comb down and began her search for some decent shoes. After her friends dropped her off at the apartment from the long and tiring shopping spree, Kagome had found it empty. She had been too exhausted and too hurt by the fact that Inuyasha hadn't cared enough to at least inform her of where he was going with Kikyo.

"I guess that's what happens when you become the second most important person in someone's life," she murmured somewhat dejectedly as she delved within the depths of one of her shopping bags. "Where are those damn shoes?"

"Are these it?"

Kagome practically jumped out of her skin at the sound of his voice. She whirled around to see Inuyasha holding up the shoe box that she had been looking for. "Must you scare me witless to announce your presence?" Kagome inquired coming to her feet.

Inuyasha gave her a careless shrug and grinned. "Doesn't take much you to scare you witless." He tossed the box at her, then stared at his feet awkwardly, trying to come up with the right words. "So, uhh, where did you go yesterday?"

Kagome took her time slipping the stiletto heels on her feet. They fit like a charm and were beautiful, even though they cost her a pretty penny. "I went out." She stood up and walked over to the vanity table. "How about you? I tried calling a couple of times but all I got was the machine."

The air suddenly became laden with tension. Inuyasha shifted uncomfortable at the threshold of the door. He didn't know how she would react if he told her that he spend half of the morning comforting Kikyo, and the other half of the day with her retracing their steps in the park where she had been attacked to get a lead on where the neko youkai had headed off to. "Kikyo…wasn't feeling too good, so I was tending to her the entire day."

Kagome snapped on a pair of earrings. "So where were you last night? When I got back, nobody was here."

"Since Kikyo didn't want any food I had, so we went out to eat," he responded hesitantly. Hurting Kagome was the last thing he wanted to do. "I tried to call you to see if you wanted to come but your cell was off," Inuyasha went on in an attempt in justifying his actions.

Her face remained impassive, even though her insides were in utter chaos. Pain, sadness, and rejection were only a few of the of emotions that were eating her away, body, soul, and spirit. "Well, I hope you enjoyed yourself," Kagome replied, careful not to let any emotion betray her. Content with her appearance, she grabbed her purse and was intent bypassing the hanyou so that she could get some breakfast, but he seized her arm before she could leave.

"Oi, what the hell is wrong with?" Inuyasha asked a bit forcefully, his eyes alight with uncertainty and confusion and mild annoyance.

Kagome recoiled from his touch and glared at him, the mask of nonchalance slipping from her face. "Nothing," she hissed backing away from him, "I'm just in a hurry to get some food before I leave."

"I don't think that's the problem," he countered closing the distance between them until they were inches apart. "Why are you acting this way?"

She stared at him with cool regard. "Like what?"

The hanyou growled softly and pulled her into him, letting her alluring scent wash over him in waves. His frustration dwindled when she stopped struggling in his grasp and melted in his arms. "What's wrong, Kagome?" he asked softly into her hair.

She relaxed against him, loving the way his body molded perfectly with hers and the way his presence always seemed to calm her. Kagome lifted her head so she could gaze into his golden eyes, in which were now filled with a sort of tranquility and a hint of doubt. "Its just that," she began, bowing her head to hide the pain in her eyes, "I just feel like I'm losing you to Kikyo. I mean, usually you're really overprotective when it comes to me, but this morning, I was surprised and kind of sad when I didn't see you waiting for me after my practice. I was hurt even more when you didn't call me when I was out with my friends to see if I was alright." She gave a strained chuckle. "I probably sound childish and stupid, don't I?"

"Kagome," he breathed, then hooked a finger under her chin and slowly lifted it so that he could see her eyes. Her breathtaking sapphire eyes were on the brink of tears and were full of distress and insecurity. His gaze softened. "Kagome, you could never sound stupid and you will never lose me to anyone. I'll always be there for you."

She managed a smile and blinked away the tears that had begun pricking her eyes. "Thanks Inuyasha."

He smiled back. It warmed him to the core to see her smile. "So does this mean I can come to your graduation now?"

Kagome laughed, her melodic mirth tickling the hanyou's sensitive senses and making butterflies flutter in his stomach. "I guess since you're forgiven you can come now. Your ticket is on the counter." She rubbed away the tears that had trickled down. "Look, you made my mascara run. I probably look like an ugly, bleary eyed monster." Her heart practically stopped when he reached over and wiped away the smeared mascara with his calloused thumbs.

"You could never looked like an ugly, bleary-eyed. You're too beautiful," he murmured softly in an almost loving manner stroking her smooth skin.

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of Kikyo's screams in the next room. The tenderness in Inuyasha's eyes became overtaken with anxiety and in a flurry, he left Kagome standing in the middle of the room, looking somewhat forlorn and disappointed. Her chest heaved as she walked out of the room. They had been so close. Maybe they just weren't meant to be. But in her heart, she knew she was wrong. It just felt so right being in his arms.

After retrieving a granola bar from the cabinet and a bottle of water from the fridge, Kagome walked reluctantly over to the guest room and peered curiously into the dark room. The curtains were drawn and clothes were strewn all over the floor. Kagome smirked. She had took Kikyo for one of those obsessively tidy people. Guess she was wrong. Kagome turned her attention to the bed, where Inuyasha was currently rocking back and forth with a teary eyed, sleeping Kikyo in his arms.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, instantly berated herself for the jealousy she had over the woman, who was obviously stressed over something. Kikyo looked miserable in the state she was in. And Inuyasha looked equally distressed. He didn't know what he could do for her. Kagome's heart went out to her.

"Hey Inuyasha, I'm leaving now with Miroku and Sango. I can understand if you want to stay," she said, though part of her wanted him to be there for her.

Once Kikyo's whimpering died down and she fell back into a deep sleep, Inuyasha laid her back down beneath the covers. Sighing, he made his way back over to Kagome and took her hands in his. "I'll be there. I promise."

"Inuyasha, I'll understand if-"

He silenced her with his finger and gazed intently into her eyes. "I said I'll be there."

Kagome grinned. "I guess I'll see you there then."

"I guess you will." His smile faded and eyes hardened. "If Miroku tries anything on you-"

"He won't. I have Sango to protect me." With a boldness even she didn't know she possessed, Kagome stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Bye Inuyasha."

The hanyou stood there in shock as she bounded out of the apartment, a warm flush spreading across his cheeks. He touched the area where she had kissed him, remembering vividly the way her petal soft lips felt against his skin. His heart was doing somersaults in his chest. 'What the hell is she doing to me?'

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Good luck on your valedictorian speech Kaggie," Rei said grinning as her friend readjusted the cap on her head uneasily.

"Thanks," she responded, nervousness tingeing her words. Butterflies were doing the limbo in her stomach as she gazed out into the audience. From her spot on the platform she could see Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kaede, and Kirara, but she couldn't see Inuyasha.

She tried to calm herself. She was getting worked up over nothing. What she should be concentrating on was her speech. Rei, who was class president, and Charlie being vice president, had already gotten their speeches down pact. Kagome had written hers in the car coming here. 'I really need to concentrate on my speech.'

Her eyes scanned the crowd once more. The hanyou still had yet to show up.

"He'll be here," Charlie reassured her upon seeing how upset she was becoming.

"But he's late," Kagome whined, somewhat hurt by the fact that her hanyou friend didn't value her enough to be on time.

"He promised didn't he?" Rei inquired turning in her seat so that she could see Kagome fully.

The miko nodded in response.

"From what I've seen, Inuyasha isn't the type of guy to break his promises, well intentionally anyway. So from my perspective, you have nothing to be worried about," Rei affirmed.

Kagome sighed. They were right. She had nothing to worry about. He would be here. He had promised. And Inuyasha rarely broke a promise. With this in mind, Kagome's erratic breathing became stabled. Yes, he would be here. Inuyasha wouldn't miss her graduation for anything…or would he?

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"Shit!" Inuyasha growled rummaging his closet in a fury. "Where the hell is my damn shoe?"

Relief washed over him when he found his missing Gucci shoe crammed in the back of the enclosed space. With lightning speed, he put the shoe on and flew out of the room. It was already 8:55. Muttering more obscenities, he fumbled in his pockets for his keys. He grinned when he came across the cold metal and was about to race out the door when the unmistakable sound of Kikyo's crying floated into his ears.

Inwardly grimacing, he rushed to her room, just to check on her. 'Kagome is going to kill me,' he thought miserably opening her door. "Kikyo, are you alright?" he asked fairly impatiently and immediately regretted his tone upon seeing the look on her face.

Tears streaked her pale face. Her skin was slick with sweat, plastering her thick mass of to hair to her body. The scent of fear hung heavily in the air. Jamming his keys back into his pocket, went to her side in a hurry. The miko flung herself into his arms before he could reach the bed.

He was more than a little surprised at her sudden change in persona. Just yesterday she hated him.

"Oh Inuyasha," she cried into his silk shirt, her nails digging into his back fearfully. "The nightmares keep haunting me. Every time I close my eyes, I remember all of things Naraku put me through and will put me through once he has me in his possession again."

Inuyasha's golden orbs hardened as he cradled her to his chest. "I won't let him hurt you Kikyo. You don't have to be afraid anymore. I will kill that bastard."

She sniffled and held on to him tighter. "Don't leave me. I don't want to be alone."

Some part of Inuyasha protested this. He had to go see Kagome. He had promised her that he would be there for her. He couldn't go back on his vow. The hanyou looked down at the wretched miko in his arms. She feared for her life and was plagued by memories of her tormentor. He couldn't leave her like this. But the though of Kagome hating him was more than he could bear, especially since they were so close to having a relationship.

"Please Inuyasha," Kikyo urged desperately upon seeing the inner conflict in his face. "I need you here with me. Don't leave me alone like you did so long ago."

Guilt overrode all other emotions. He owed this to her. If it hadn't been for him breaking his oath to protect Kikyo, she wouldn't have suffered so much. One look at the devastation and apprehension brown eyes of his love quickly dismissed all thoughts of going to the graduation. He was needed here. "I'm here for you Kikyo," he spoke softly leading her back to the bed. "I'll stay."

End.

AN: ::ducks rotten cabbage and smelly shoes:: Sorry I have to leave it there. And I'm especially sorry for leaving her with Inuyasha. But hey, its not like he's head over heels in love with her. It's just that he feels guilty for not being there for her when they were smaller.

Disregard all errors. This is just a rough draft. I'll probably edit this later on.

Anyway I've already got the next chappie partly written so it won't be long before the next installment. Please be nice in your reviews. I really don't want to die. Hehe.

Next chapter: Reverie: Hmm…I wonder what will happen when Inuyasha betrays Kagome again? And I wonder what will happen when she is attacked by one of Naraku's puppets and Inuyasha isn't there to protect her? And I wonder who is this person that will be visiting Kagome in her dreams? Stay tuned if you're curious!

I love review!!! (hint, hint) ^_~