InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Away ❯ A talk between a friend and a rival ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lynx212
Even though no one spoke I could see and feel the unspoken questions in their eyes, but no one dared say anything for fear of opening up the still fresh wounds from the day before.

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Action | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.13.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.4K | Visits: 2.8K | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 5
Just so you all know this starts off back at camp right after Inu runs off and Shippou had just asked Kagome a question
 
“Well aren't you going to answer him Kagome?” Miroku asked snidely
“I…I…”
“We're all waiting Kagome, I am sure your answer will be just as interesting to us as it will be to the Kitsune.” Kouga stated with his arms folded across his chest as he glared at the Miko. And to think I was fighting with Mutt Face over her, boy did I ever dodge a poison claw there.
“We just had a misunderstanding Shippou that's all.”
“LIAR!”
At that outburst everyone turned from staring at Kagome to see the angry face of Sango.
“Either tell him the truth Kagome or do not bother.”
“This is between Inuyasha and me Sango, and I would appreciate it if you all would MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!” Kagome shouted as she turned to storm off.
 
“But Kagome,” whined Shippou as he jumped out of Sango's arms and ran after her, “I'm confused why is everyone angry with you? Did you cause Inuyasha to run…”
 
He was promptly cut off when Kagome whirled around seething with anger and said, “It's not my fault he threw away his only chance to be normal, it was his mistake not mine!”
 
“What do you mean by that Kagome he doesn't seem any different to than he has always has been?” the little fox demon asked as he tilted his head to the side in confusion.
 
“He wasted his only chance to rid himself of that damn demon blood and…”
 
Finally realizing who she was speaking to the Miko caught herself, but it was too late, far too late. She watched as tears welled up in the eyes of the little fox and he ran off into the forest.
 
“Wait Shippou don't go, I didn't mean it the way it sounded.” said Kagome as she turned to chase him, “I didn't mean for you to…”
“To what Kagome?” asked Miroku as he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “Have him aware of the cold hard truth?”
“This is none of your concern, like I said before this is between Inuyasha and me!”
“Unlike you Kagome I actually care, he is my friend so it makes this my business!”
“Since when did you care about more than when the next opportunity would present itself for you grope Sango's behind?”
“This isn't about me and Sango.”
“No it isn't.” said Sango as she turned to walk off into the woods in the same direction Shippou had ran off, “Miroku may catch a hard glare or a smack every now and again for his wandering hand, but I know and have known for years that is how he is and have accepted it, and I would never turn my back on our friendship because of it. I wish I could say as much for you Kagome-chan.”
 
“Don't say something like that and turn your back on me Slayer.” Kagome shouted as she pushed past Miroku and Kouga and approached Sango. Without even turning around or with so much as a hitch in her voice Sango replied.
 
“Was that a challenge Miko? Because I might want to remind you that if this becomes too much for you, you cannot `SIT' me so I if I were you I would consider my next move carefully.
 
Kouga and Miroku watched as Kagome ceased her movements toward Sango as the taiija's words sunk in. She may have stopped moving but she continued her verbal assault on the exterminator. After a few more harsh words from the Miko, Sango stopped, turned around and gave Kagome such a glare the girl's words caught in her throat and she stumbled backwards. Then without further ado Sango turned back toward the forest.
 
“Well of all the nerve!” Kagome grumbled once the slayer was well out of earshot.
 
“My thoughts exactly.” replied Miroku which grabbed a stunned Miko's attention. She was so wrapped up in her tirade she had all but forgotten about the wolf prince and the monk.
 
With that Miroku and Kagome delved into a heated exchange of words that didn't come to an end until Kouga intervened to let them both know Sango was near with Shippou in tow.
 
When they emerged from the woods Kagome held out her arms to Shippou, but instead of the young fox bounding into her arms as he usually did upon seeing her he clung tightly to Sango's leg and looked away. Kagome was now beyond pissed she was furious.
 
“What did you say to him to make him act this way?” said Kagome shouting the accusation at Sango. Sango was just about to respond when the Kitsune beat her to it.
 
“It wasn't anything Sango said, it was what you said Kagome.” with nothing more to say, Shippou rubbed his sleepy eyes and held up his arms to Sango, they disappeared into the tent Sango had sat up earlier, not to be seen again for the rest of the evening.
 
Camp was tense that night, normally Kouga would have returned to his pack but with Inuyasha gone he decided to stay with them for the night. Kagome soon realized she would not be welcomed for camp side conversation with Kouga and Miroku, and quickly pitched her own tent turning in for the night.
 
When he heard everyone's breathing even out, indicating sleep, Kouga broke the silence.
“Why were you defending the Mutt like that today?”
“Huh?” Miroku said as Kouga's words snapped him out of his daze.
“Why were you defending the Mutt like that today?” Kouga repeated.
“Because like I said to Kagome he's my friend, the only real friend I've ever really had.”
“Really?” Kouga said as he arched a curious eyebrow at the human sitting beside him.
“Yeah really, being the kid with the freaky hole in your hand that might suck everyone up wasn't great material to make friends with.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
“I was forced to make a decision early in life, either I could lie to everyone I encountered as to why my hand was always covered with this cloth and a string of prayer beads, all while running the risk of someone pulling it off because they weren't aware of the seriousness of the danger underneath, or I could tell them the truth and hope for the best.”
“I see, I guess most kids weren't too thrilled about the truth, huh?”
“Kids, grown-ups, anyone and everyone kept their distance, with a weak smile filled with pity and fear. This group is the first I have ever come across that didn't recoil in fear and disgust when I came along. Inuyasha may be a little rough around the edges but he always knew when the weight of that curse was getting to me and he would, mind you in his own way, drag me out of my depression.”
“So the mutt has a soft side eh?”
“More so than most people realize, think about it this way, you have always had your pack right?”
 
Kouga nodded.
 
“As lonely as my life was I at least had the company and guidance of Muchin (S/P?). But Inuyasha has been alone since his mother died before he was even nine, and his father had died along with her. Incase you hadn't noticed he and his brother aren't exactly what you would call close. Even though I think there is more behind Sesshomaru than what he lets us see. So he spent a long time roaming around fitting in nowhere, not with demons, or with humans, and the first person he opens up to, to try to love, pins him to a tree for fifty years. I know that was all a mistake but still, it had to suck.”
“True I guess dog boy's life has been pretty rocky, and now to be rejected by Kagome it's no wonder he ran off like that.”
“Yeah Inuyasha is not exactly the type to grieve openly.”
“That's from his youkai blood; it's telling him it's a sign of weakness.”
“But in the same sense his human side is telling him to let it out.” sighed Miroku as he moved over to begin pitching his own tent. “You keeping watch tonight Kouga?”
“It looks that way since I doubt he will be coming back tonight.”
“Well just wake me if you get tired.”
Soon everyone, even a wolf prince fell into slumber.
 
(Kouga's POV)
Morning wasn't really any less tense than the previous day Sango was not making any attempts to openly ignore Kagome but she wasn't being exactly friendly to her either. Miroku had decided if she were to be ousted from their little group that it would have to be decided by Inuyasha and he was sure his friend would be returning at some point today. Shippou still clung more toward Sango even though Kagome had been able to get a smile out of the Kitsune by giving him something called a sucker. Even though she acted otherwise, I still had not forgotten that we had not yet had our final say in the matters that had taken place yesterday. I had decided I would wait and the time would present itself.
 
Everything went smoothly during our first meal of the day and everyone was tidying up the campsite in silence. Even though no one spoke I could see and feel the unspoken questions in their eyes, but no one dared say anything for fear of opening up the still fresh wounds from the day before, and I thought that wise. At least until noon approached and the Miko shattered the relative peace.
 
“I can't take it anymore; I need to go find him!” She stated as she headed out towards the forest.
“I don't think that would be a good idea.” I told her.
“Well I didn't ask you.” she said callously.
“Look girl, he will come back when he is ready.”
“But what if he's hurt?”
“He was that when he left.” Chimed the Houshi, never looking up from what he was doing.
 
She ignored the comment and continued toward the woods until I stepped in front of her. Talking to Miroku last night had given me a different outlook on Mutt Face, and I was very sure he would come and talk to the Miko when he was ready.
 
“Move out of my way Kouga.”
“No Kagome, you going to him before he is ready will only make things worse on him.”
“Why are all of you acting as if Inuyasha is this frail ball of glass that might break at any moment? Have you all not heard how he speaks and seen how he acts?”
“Yes we have but even the roughest personalities have a side that is tender.”
 
Then to my surprise she looked at me and stated to snicker.
 
“What's so funny?”
“Yeah sure `bitch' is a term of endearment.”
“You foolish girl!” the voice of the slayer came out of no where, “Are you really that dense, he is a dog demon, to him you are a bitch.” she said as she slapped her hand on her forehead in frustration as she scooped up the little fox demon and headed toward the small stream to wash the morning dishes.
I could tell from the girl's lack of response that she had never actually looked at it that way and this caused a smile to play across my lips.
“What are you grinning at?” she snapped
“Nothing, I was just confused as to how you could be in the company of someone for years and miss such obvious things.”
 
The Miko launched quite a fit at that statement and was in the middle of her tirade when my nose picked up Inuyasha's scent as well as his brother's, I was trying to calm her down so I could let her know that they would be here in a matter of moments at the speed they were approaching, when the next few things happened faster than I could have ever imagined.
 
(Inuyasha's POV)
We were within earshot of the camp before we slowed our paces down to where we would be more than just blurs to anyone or anything that would have seen us, I was about to get reassurance from my brother that he would not harm Kagome when her shouting grabbed our attention. Then we heard:
 
“I don't know where you all have been or what you have seen of him but Inuyasha is not some deeply sensitive emotional human being, he's not even human.”
 
I could feel my face crumple despite myself.
“You will shut up now girl if you..” Kouga's voice.
“I will do no such thing, I am the victim here, I'm the one feeling a loss, and I'm the one feeling period! Not him, and…” she stopped and I heard a gasping sound come out of her.
 
I looked to my side to find my brother was no where to be seen, I rushed through the clearing and what I saw made my heart still. Sesshomaru was standing in the middle of the clearing and he had Kagome by the neck several feet off the ground. I heard the poison hiss as it filled his claws and he said to her
“Tell me wench, since you know so much about feeling, how much,” he said, as he lifted his now dripping claws in front of her terror filled eyes, “of these do you want to feel.”