InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ If You Love Something... ❯ Band of Brothers ( Chapter 2 )

If You Love Something…

 

Chapter 2:

Band of Brothers

 

 

 

The beginning stages of cardiac arrest were setting in. Or perhaps it was a stroke. But didn't you need to have a blood in your body to have either one of those? If that was the case, he didn't have to worry about it. All traces of blood had evaporated the second she pulled open the door. The twisting knots in his shoulders were slowly, painfully assimilating the other muscles trailing down his back. A feeling of lightheadedness crept through his skull. There was no air! What the hell happened to the air? He couldn't breathe. Oh great, he was going to pass out. How fucking stupid would that look? To just faint right here in the hallway… in front of her? Nope. No way was he going to let that happen. He would not give his brother the satisfaction of turning into some swooning pussy!

 

Any second now she was going to ask, “Inuyasha, what are you doing here?”

 

Then he'd have to say, Uh… well… see… what had happened was… uh… you're going to laugh your ass off at this Kagome… uh… remember that boyfriend you had? You know the one you dated for two years… the one that kinda sorta moved out of the country the morning after you two FINALLY had sex? Yeah, he didn't say goodbye or anything… he just left that note on your pillow while you were in the shower? He's been gone over a year now so you might not… Oh, you do remember? That's great because… this is so funny, get ready to laugh… he's coming back today! Surprise! Isn't that great?” Yeah, like that's really going to work. Shit, how was he going to tell her? Anyone who knew him could safely say he wasn't afraid of much… but right now he was scared shitless. Everything in him knew what her reaction would be. Knew how she would feel. And he couldn't do a damn thing to save her from the pain. That's what pissed him off most of all. He hated when she cried. And this is something that would definitely get the water works flowing. Hell, he wanted to cry himself. There was nothing he hated more than a woman's tears. Well, except that son of a bitch his fuck-bag father wanted him to be loyal to. UGH!

 

On the bright side of things, he would finally, finally get to have a piece of that manipulating, stuck-up, lying, phony, shit-headed, pretty boy bastard. Oh yes. That would almost make this whole thing worth while. Almost.

 

Burning lungs let Inuyasha know that the reason he couldn't breathe was because he was holding his breath. Exhale asshole! They screamed. But he couldn't. He was waiting for the inevitable question… and waiting… and waiting… and alas, waiting some more. What the hell?

 

Somehow enough oxygen got to his brain so that he was able to pay attention to the reason why she hadn't spoken to him. She didn't know he was there.

 

Inuyasha watched numbly as Kagome wrestled with two large garbage bags just inside her doorway. Apparently she was trying to maneuver the boulder sized monstrosities out into the hallway so she could take them out to the dumpster. The problem was they weighed more than she did. This should be interesting. The hanyo continued to stare at the petite female with a tender smile on his face.

 

It was just too cute. She grunted and tugged and pushed and pulled. Hidden under bushy bangs, her forehead donned a light sheen of sweat. Obviously she'd been at this for a while. The longer he watched her, the more relaxed he became. Kagome had a way of soothing his nerves by just being near him. That was one of the many reasons he loved her the way he did. Hell, he'd die for this girl… and by sundown, he'd kill for her as well. Without a second thought or a shred of remorse.

 

Finally frustrated and completely out of breath, Kagome tried to heave one of the bags off the floor in order to carry it. Bad idea. The smooth, flexible plastic slid out of her hugging grasp and dropped heavily onto her toe. Maybe if she'd been wearing shoes it would've been better. As it was though, the lavender Care Bear footie socks - Share Bear to be exact - offered almost no protection.

 

I wish I had a Care Bear right now. Inuyasha thought absently. Yeah, Wish Bear… I'd have that blue fuzz ball `Care Bear Stare' my brother's ass into oblivion! Fucking bastard.

 

Yelping in pain Kagome began to hop on one foot. Glaring at the offending trash bag she kicked it, thus hurting her toe again, and snarled, “Dammit!”

 

Inuyasha beamed at the outburst. Oh how he loooooved to hear her swear! It was such an unnatural thing for her; it couldn't help but be adorable. And being the complete potty mouth he was, he felt she should cuss more often. Figures.

 

Hooding his golden eyes halfway he gave a playfully sensual growl, “Ooooh I love it when you talk dirty like that.”

 

“Eek!” Kagome jumped at the sound of his voice. Still slightly off balance from bouncing and holding her sore foot she began to flail her arms. “Ack!”

 

Reacting with superior reflexes Inuyasha was at her side in a flash. Clawed fingers gripped the falling woman's upper arm and hauled her up just as her rear was about to roughly kiss the floor.

 

“You're such a klutz.”

 

“Jesus, Inuyasha.” Kagome panted bringing a hand to her chest in attempt to slow her heart rate. “You scared the crap outta me!”

 

Shit. He wanted to say. The word is `shit.'

 

“What are you doing here anyway?” She smiled as he released her. “Miss me?”

 

Inuyasha gave a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of his neck, “Yeah, something like that.”

 

“Well I'm glad you're here. You can take these stupid bags out and put them in my trunk.” She blew a puff of air that lifted her bangs momentarily.

 

“Feh! Huh-uh.” Silver hair danced with the shaking of the hanyo's head, “It's your trash… take that shit out yourself. And why would you want garbage in the trunk of your car anyway?”

 

Stuff, Inuyasha. The word is `stuff.' Rolling her blue eyes she didn't bother to correct him. What would be the point? “It's not trash silly. It's the clothes I'm giving to Goodwill. Now please, take them out for me? I've got something to do today and I want to drop these off on the way.”

 

Walking around her then plopping down on the huge sectional sofa Inuyasha shook his head, “You're not going anywhere. We need to talk.”

 

“Now wait just a minute…” Kagome protested.

 

“Dude, I said I'm sorry! What more do you want?” A familiar voice argued drifting through the open door from the downstairs hallway. “Shit, Inuyasha's gonna kill us!”

 

“Us?” A second person spoke. From the sounds of it, they were climbing the steps. “Correction my friend, he's going to kill you. We were supposed to be here a long time ago.”

 

“But I was hungry!” Souta complained as he appeared at the threshold, noticing the occupants in the apartment were looking at him. “Uh-oh. Hey Sis!”

 

`Uh-oh' is right! Inuyasha glared at the young man from behind Kagome's back. Damn! Now Kagome was probably going to be suspicious. The whole point for them to meet over there was to come up with a strategy before coming in to break the news. This was a delicate operation… going in blind was just not going to work. But how the hell could they come up with a plan with her around? Fuck!

 

“Why's the door open?” He asked giving his older sister a quizzical look.

 

“Well I was trying,” she tossed a mean look at Inuyasha over her shoulder before turning her attention back to her brother, “to get Inuyasha to carry these out to my car.”

 

“Feh!”

 

“Kagome, you're even beautiful first thing in the morning.” Kissing her cheek, Miroku walked in and shrugged at the steaming hanyo on the couch before shutting the front door. He'd known Inuyasha would be upset. But hey, he did his part. After they'd gotten off the phone he'd brushed his teeth and called Souta while putting clothes on. He didn't even allow himself time for a shower thinking he'd just return home to take one later.

 

The problem occurred when he reached the Higurashi house. While the boy was completely dressed, he was also in the middle of cooking something. A lot of something considering he had about three pots going on the stove.

 

“What are you doing?!” Miroku had demanded.

 

“Fixing breakfast.” Souta popped a hot piece of sausage into his mouth straight from the skillet and began doing a good impression of a blowfish. Then went on to sprinkle chopped up red and green peppers onto a simmering omelet before flipping it over. “Want some?”

 

“Hello? We have to get to your sister's! Impending doom is upon us.” He couldn't believe this. “Does any of this ring a bell?”

 

Sighing, Miroku joined Inuyasha on the opposite end of the semicircle sofa.

 

“So good of you to join us.” The half-demon snapped.

 

“Clearly,” Miroku shifted his gaze from the skylights in the high vaulted ceiling to his friend, “this was not my fault.”

 

“What's that, Miroku?” Wondered Kagome causing every male in her home to choke and their eyes bug out.

 

“Uh, it's nothing.” He lied, “Inuyasha just… uh… wanted to uh… take you to breakfast?” Glancing nervously at the mortified hanyo for help.

 

“Why don't Miroku and I take these out for you?” Souta snatched up one of the plastic bags desperate to change the subject.

 

That did it. Kagome gave a girly squeal and clasped her hands together, “Yes! Thank you! You know, you're not so bad, for a brat.”

 

He wouldn't argue with her today. But he surely filled `brat' away for another time. After all, if he was a brat, then she was a dweeb. “Come on Houshi. Get your lazy ass up. Sheesh sis! The fuck you got in here? Bricks?”

 

“Souta Higurashi!” Kagome slapped his arm. It would seem his language was doing nothing but getting worse. Hmmm… Twisting her lips and narrowing her eyes in Inuyasha's direction she silently wondered why. Great! Another potential sailor in her life. No scratch that. Inuyasha could make even the most seasoned Navy veterans cry. Gah!

 

Miroku rose from his seat adjusting his indigo denim shorts and straightening the white T-shirt with blue letters saying `Karma Sutra' and had little stick figures in different positions. So typical. Where does he shop anyway?

 

“Might as well find something to watch.” Inuyasha picked up the remote resting on the coffee table and aimed it at the sixty-two inch flat screen in front of him.

 

“Oh,” Kagome bounced on her toes, “and since you're here, I have a box of books for you to take to Gramps.”

 

“What?” Souta wailed, “I didn't drive.”

 

“So? You can take them home the same way you got here.” She shook her head and disappeared down the hallway.

 

“Fine! But you can carry them out yourself.” He yelled after her.

 

Upon entering the second bedroom in her apartment, the one that was supposed to be used as a den - slash office - slash hangout spot for video games or quiet reading but had become all those things plus an actual bedroom also because of… circumstances, she glanced briefly around. An oak futon with a thick deep green cushion that sat opposite her computer desk converted into a full size bed whenever she had over night guests. But the reasons for her friends spending the night lately had been different than when Inuyasha had first bought the darn thing and demanded she put it in here.

 

Now if they slept over it could be because her house was close to a certain night spot and someone had gotten way too plastered to make it all the way home - that was more Bankotsu, Suikotsu, Hiten, or Kouga's thing - or in Miroku's case, he got caught with some chick and was afraid to go home for fear of Sango waiting for him… or the other girl… or worse Sango and the other girl.

 

When one of her girlfriends spent the night, they usually all spent the night. Someone's man would be acting stupid and they'd sit up watching chick flicks, eating all the junk food they could get their hands on, and male bash till the break of dawn. Only to finally pass out on the large sofa in the living room.

 

Once Yuka had stayed over for three days because she saw a spider in her bathroom. That crazy girl has a completely irrational fear of insects. She actually locked her self in a closet and called Kagome bawling hysterically. Needless to say, Kagome couldn't understand a word the terrified woman was saying. All she'd gotten was “hiding in the closet” between broken sobs and terrified whispers. Well that went over big! Thinking Yuka had a burglar in the house and was about to be raped and murdered, Kagome sent a code red text message to the guys. They literally raced over there like the dang cavalry. Hiten knocked down the door and everything. All for a bug! The poor spider probably died of a heart attack. Either way, she'd refused to even go back into her complex until an exterminator had bombed her studio apartment. Twice.

 

*Begin flashback/explanation thingy*

 

Even though he paid for it, Inuyasha never slept on the futon. He always slept in the master bedroom with her. Or more accurately, under her. Nothing inappropriate had ever gone down between them. Truthfully the thought never entered either of their minds. Something… happened… a long time ago and every night for weeks Inuyasha would hold his best friend while she cried and shook in his arms until she fell asleep. And even during her slumber, the tears still fell. At that moment in her life, when she felt like she had nothing left, like she was nobody, sleeping on his chest had given her a much needed sense of security.

 

Unbeknownst to her, the others in their group had tried to get Inuyasha to stop sleeping in her bed. They said it was wrong and just didn't look right. He'd fought tooth and nail, called them every name in the book- including sick fuckers for even thinking such a thing and traitors to the one who had held them together since they were children. They never argued around her. Oh no, the hanyo would've killed anyone, lifelong friendship be damned, who dared to upset her more during that time. He was having none of it and didn't hesitate to let you know.

 

Though there was one night he decided to snooze on the couch, before the days of the futon and back when Kagome had her old living room set. Shippo had just ripped him on the phone about sleeping in her bed. The whole thing had put the young half demon in a pissy mood. He didn't want her to pick up on it and ask what was wrong. After vowing to never hurt or lie to her there was no way he'd be able to explain the hidden tension within the crew, or `clique' as they called themselves, without doing one of those two things.

 

The cranberry colored palmetto grove sofa had been dreadfully uncomfortable. Deep seat cushions along with high rolled arms made Inuyasha truly believe he'd have a permanent ninety degree crick in his neck. The super fat, padded, loose back pillows were as annoying as they were lumpy. The only thing pillows like that were good for was a kick-ass pillow fight, and before the… incident… had occurred, they'd all had their share. His ass sucking, lousy, lying brother included.

 

It was the middle of winter and the hanyo couldn't get comfortable. He tossed and growled as he punched one of those stupid pillows. He was just about to rip the puffy mother fucker to shreds when the sound of glass shattering pierced the quiet dark apartment. Leaping up immediately, he was outside Kagome's bedroom door in less than half a heartbeat. Just as he reached for the knob, the thick coppery scent of blood attacked his nose. Senses involuntarily kicking into overdrive, worried honey gold eyes changing to glowing scarlet, and all the old instincts of his high school career as an all state varsity Defensive Tackle four years running came bustling to the surface as he hit the wooden barrier keeping him from her shoulder first and with so much force it practically disintegrated upon impact. The tiny reading lamp on the nightstand next to her side of the bed offered a dim glow. She was sitting on the floor. He could see only the top of her head from where he stood in the doorway. Even now, over a year later, when he thinks of that night all he remembers is the pain in his chest, the sound of his heart breaking… his fear of what he could've found when he flipped the whole bed out of his way in one swift motion… his best friend, the woman he'd hoped would one day become his sister through marriage and ascend to the head of his family, the only person who really knew who he was and had never once judged him for what he was, she had defended him at every turn in his life since the day they met without question, had even taken heat and was ridiculed herself, but none of that mattered, she held fast to him and was determined to make him see what she saw in him… someone important, someone that mattered, just… someone…

 

He'd thought she was dead.

 

Everything began to move in slow motion. Inuyasha could hear his own breathing slow; his heart rhythm became more and more sluggish with each step. He could feel the blood retreating from his eyes leaving empty copper irises behind. There was so much blood. So, so much blood. She sat with her back against the nightstand. Her once vibrant sapphire eyes had become a pasty steel blue… confusion was written on her pale face, as if she didn't understand what had happened… in her right hand was a large, jagged, red painted shard of glass… on the inside of her left arm was a deep gash from which life seeped from her body with every thump of her broken heart…

 

“Ka… Kagome…” he'd reached out to her.

 

It seemed to take an agonizing eternity before she slowly turned her face to him.

 

“Inu… ya… sha?” she whispered weakly with her brows furrowed in sheer bewilderment. It was almost if she didn't know her door had been reduced to toothpicks and her entire queen size bed was in a twisted heap in the corner of the room.

 

He really didn't remember when he knelt in front of her…. But he remembered feeling the sticky warm blood as it seeped through the knees of the sweatpants he'd worn that night… he remembered sliding the blood stained object from her finger tips… This is all my fault. Something wet hit the top of his thigh. He was crying. When did that happen? I should've been here… I shouldn't have left you alone… I should've… All thoughts of blame were throw aside when she spoke to him.

 

“Inuyasha,” she breathed, “I don't feel so good…” and then slumped over.

 

Everything got patchy after that. He recalled cradling her to him… ripping off his shirt and wrapping it around her hemorrhaging arm… somehow, from where he sat, he found the cordless phone… then there were flashing red lights… wailing noises that had hurt his ears… loud voices entering the apartment… he was in a van of some sort… there were people talking to him… trying to get him to let her go… NO! I'll never let her go! The youkai side of him was snapping, growling, and in mourning… the human side of him was scared… someone in the strange van asked him if there was anyone he wanted them to call… he thought he said `yes' but couldn't remember who he told them to contact… maybe he'd said `no' instead… maybe he'd said nothing at all… they came to a building… the bright lights inside were hurting his eyes… he bared his fangs at a falcon youkai who'd tried to take Kagome's hand from his… the passed someone familiar… someone that knew him… a human male… shock was written on that persons face… that man reached over the counter were a woman in white sat and picked up the phone… Inuyasha was in a weird smelling room with lots of shiny metal tools and a metal table… someone was attacking him… trying to take him away from Kagome… his Kagome… Let go! I can't leave her! I won't leave her! She needs me! NO! Kagome! More people were fighting him… attempting to restrain him… he was afraid… his face grew hot… it burned as deep violet stripes slashed across his cheeks… things were about to take a nasty turn for the ones wrestling with him…

 

“Inuyasha, no!” That man who'd recognized him earlier came rushing in. He was dressed in fern green scrubs and a white coat. There was a name badge hanging from his neck. `Suikotsu Shichinintai - Intern' it read.

 

The half demon knew this name… somehow. This human was a friend. He would help Kagome. Yes, he knew this man! He knew his name, knew his face. This Suikotsu person was studying to become a healer. Healer? No, that wasn't right. A doctor… this man, who was his friend, Kagome's friend, was to become a doctor someday.

 

“Inuyasha, please,” the young man named Suikotsu was speaking again as he struggled with the ones trying to pull him away from Kagome, “You've got to let them help her. You've got to let go.”

 

No! His whirling mind shrieked through the fog. I'll never leave her! You'll have to kill me first.

 

“She'll be alright, I promise.” Suikotsu approached the crazed hanyo offering a gentle smile and touching his arm. “Come with me, Inuyasha. We need to go so that they may help Kagome.”

 

The human half of the inu youkai decided to allow this. He didn't know why, but he trusted this human almost as much as he trusted Kagome.

 

Suikotsu, after the initial thought that his friend would slaughter them all, escorted Inuyasha through a set of swinging doors and down a long hallway taking notice that the purple marks on his face still hadn't faded away. They came to a room enclosed by glass. Inside there were several soft chairs, a television, tables with magazines, and a few vending machines. There were also people in there, many people. All of whom he recognized.

 

“What happened?!” a short fox demon snapped eying the large amount of dried blood on the hanyo's clothes, “You were supposed to be watching her!”

 

Before anyone could even blink, Shippo discovered that was the wrong thing to say. He found himself lifted off the ground by his throat and being slammed into a nearby wall. Razor sharp claws ripped through the soft flesh of his neck.

 

“You!” Inuyasha roared.

 

The females in the room began to sob but the males rushed for the hayno and flailing kit.

 

“Inuyasha!” an ookami [wolf] youkai tried to pull Inuyasha's arm away. The action only made his iron grip tighter.

 

“Kouga no,” a human male with short black hair spoke, “Look at his face. He will not listen to you.”

 

“Shit.” The one they called Kouga swore.

 

“What happened, brother?” Another human, with a long thick black braid, asked Suikotsu, “How is Kagome?”

 

“I don't know.” He answered, “Hell, I just had to stop him from killing my co-workers. He wouldn't let anyone near her. I called you as soon as I saw them arrive.”

 

“Uh, can somebody save Shippo?” A female with a short bob cut pointed out.

 

“Ya think?” chimed another with a headband in her shoulder-length brown hair.

 

“Kouga,” Suikotsu spoke, “back away.”

 

“No!” Shippo cried, “He's going to kill me!”

 

“Now Kouga.” The medical intern ordered again, “Move.”

 

The male holding Inuyasha's choking arm was unsure of what to do. He didn't want that crazy mutt to kill the cub, but he knew if Inuyasha also saw him as a threat, he'd attack him as well. Kouga was reluctant to give up his hold fearing it was the only chance Shippo had.

 

“For God's sake Kouga!” squealed a petite redhead wearing a white fur winter coat.

 

Inuyasha snarled at the trembling kitsune in his grasp. He was to blame for this! It was this sniveling whelp who'd made a big deal about him sleeping in Kagome's room. If he hadn't been having sick, perverse thoughts in that pea-brain of his, Inuyasha would've been there with her and none of this would've ever happened. He deserved to die. And if Kagome died, then this fluffy brat would too.

 

Sighing deeply, Kouga finally relaxed his grip before totally letting go. Damn, I hope I did the right thing. He shook his head and backed away.

 

Suikotsu moved to take Kouga's place while motioning for the man with short hair to follow his lead. Each stood on either side of Inuyasha, but did not touch him. Shippo continued to wiggle but could feel himself growing weaker from lack of proper oxygen.

 

“Inuyasha,” Suikotsu softy spoke, “Shippo is your friend, why do you wish to hurt him?”

 

“It's his fault!” it was the first time the hanyo remembered speaking since he'd left Kagome's apartment, “He said I had no business in her room.” He glared at the male standing opposite Suikotsu, “You all said it was wrong…” tears began to run down his painted cheeks, “Now see? See what you've done? I left her alone… I slept on the couch… I should've been there…”

 

“Oh God…” one of the women sobbed, “We did this to her!”

 

“Oh Inuyasha, we're so sorry.” The redhead shook her pigtails in disbelief.

 

“Shit.” Hissed the other males in the room that were not standing next to, or being choked by, the half demon.

 

“Inuyasha, this is not your fault.” Suikotsu tried his damnedest to soothe his friend.

 

“No,” the hanyo scoffed, “it's his fault.” He shook the fox that had all but lost consciousness.

 

“Ro! Do something!” pleaded the tallest female in the room.

 

Ro? Inuyasha knew this name as well. Ro…? It was short for something. But what? This man had been his friend. In fact, he'd been his first real male friend. Kagome had seen to that. His name is…

 

“Miroku?” Inuyasha wrinkled his forehead at the guy with short hair standing next to him.

 

“Yes, my friend.” He acknowledged, “It is none other than me. Now let's say you let Shippo go so we can check out all the hot nurses running around here? I saw this one… and man I swear they modeled the Coke bottle after her!”

 

Yuka grabbed Sango's knee and shook her head. Now was not the time to chastise the pervert. She needed to sit back and just let him do his thing. Heaven help them all.

 

“Jesus dude,” snorted a thunder demon from where he was leaning against the wall with his shoulder, “are you ever serious?”

 

Inuyasha returned to his senses, taking in all the faces around him and putting them with names.

 

Miroku feigned a pout, “I am very serious… she was bad as hell!”

 

“Feh!” spat the hanyo causing everyone, except Shippo, to laugh.

 

“Now how about you let the runt go?” Bankotsu nodded toward the hand still around the poor creature's neck.

 

Inuyasha shrugged and simply opened his palm, dropping the kit into a heap on the floor. Immediately Shippo began to cough and gasp for air.

 

“I think I'd better go check on Kagome.” Suikotsu excused himself once satisfied that no serious harm would come to anyone.

 

Once alone, Inuyasha glared around the room at his clique.

 

“Listen all of you,” he growled, “I don't know what kind of fucked up shit goes on in your minds but I'll say this: I'm never leaving Kagome again. I'll sleep in her room until the end of time if that's how long she needs me… and if anyone has a problem with that I can get you a straw so you can slurp my ass!” With that being said he stormed out of the waiting area in search of Suikotsu and word on his most cherished friend.

 

No one ever told Kagome's family about that night, or Inuyasha's parents, or anyone outside the group for that matter. They were her blended family. She had seen to that bringing each of them together in one way or another. To the youkai males, she was their alpha and they were her pack. The humans understood this protectiveness as well and acted in the same way.

 

They also never spoke to her about it. Nor did they dare mention his name. There was no need. They knew who was ultimately responsible for this downward spiral in a once shining young woman. The one who betrayed her in the worst way imaginable… the one who played on her loving, trusting nature… he who had become the nameless one. Inuyasha's own brother, who was normally referred to as some swear word or derogatory statement.

 

Inuyasha no longer spent every night at his friend's house. After a while, the group even started taking turns. Due largely in part to Inu Taisho sending his son on a business trip. Kouga had quickly jumped in to be the one to baby sit Kagome in Inuyasha's absence. Ha! Well guess what! That's when Inuyasha bought the futon and set it up in the spare bedroom. No way was he going to let that flea-bag stay in the master suite.

 

Nowadays, it wasn't entirely uncommon for Inuyasha to only stay over about once every three weeks. Kagome had made enormous strides in returning to a normal life. She had a cool job she loved and friends who would die for her. They had more than proved that during the… dark time. In fact, it was more like they were all siblings. But jeez Louise! The horde of “big brothers” she'd inherited could be quite a handful at times.

 

*End uh… thingy*

 

Kagome crossed the soft sand colored carpet to the double sliding closet doors. Pushing the left side open she retrieved a box from the floor. Setting it in one of the two recliners in the room, she was oblivious to the whispered conversation going on in her living room.

 

“I should kick your ass Souta.” Inuyasha hissed

 

“Well hell,” he fussed back, “if I'd known you'd actually come in without us then I would've just starved!”

 

“You dumb fuck! I didn't come in here. She caught me in the hallway waiting for you dip shits.”

 

Miroku sucked his teeth then asked, “So, what did she say?”

 

“Nothing. She didn't expect me to be out there, I damn near scared her to death.”

 

“Okay,” Souta dropped to one knee next to Inuyasha, “What do we do now?”

 

“I don't fucking kno…”

 

“Okay guys,” Kagome walked back into the living room balancing the heavy box of books. “I'm ready. Ro, could you grab my keys off the kitchen counter?”

 

“Sure thing, fair maiden.” Miroku grinned before disappearing into the kitchen.

 

Kagome looked at Inuyasha, “Are you staying here while I go take care of some business?”

 

“Keh, what business you got to take care of on a Sunday?” He challenged, “I said we need to talk… that means you ain't leaving.”

 

Kagome drew in a deep breath ready to let this pushy hanyo have it when Miroku popped his head around the corner.

 

“Leave her alone,” he hoped like hell Inuyasha would take the hint, “I know you were hoping to take her to breakfast…” the hanyo gave him a look that said what the fuck? So he rushed on, “Let her run her errands and we can just barbeque when she returns.”

 

Souta had picked up on the ploy, “That sounds way better than breakfast anyway.” He gave Inuyasha a hard stare telling him to go along with it. How thick is this guy's skull anyway? The boy wondered.

 

“Fine.” The half demon huffed crossing his arms over his chest like a spoiled child, “Just don't be gone all day.”

 

Whew! Souta slapped a hand against his forehead. If Kagome was out of the house, they'd have time to come up with a plan. Maybe even call in reinforcements.

 

“Whatever dog boy.” she rolled her eyes, “I've got charcoal and stuff in the storage thing on the balcony. But you'll have to go to the store, all the meat I have is frozen. Oh! And call Ayumi! Tell her to make some of those killer baked beans.”

 

Red sirens went off in Miroku's mind. No, no, no! No Ayumi… no girls…they will get hysterical once they find out the real reason we're here. I can just hear Sango now, `Miroku Sasuke Houshi! How dare you keep this from me?' Gah!

 

“Isn't she chaperoning those kids from her church at the zoo today?” Souta remembered.

 

Miroku wanted to hug him.

 

“Oh, right.” Kagome frowned.

 

“Well get going already!” Inuyasha started flipping channels.

 

After hoisting the second large bag onto his shoulder, Miroku held the door open while waiting for the Higurashi siblings to exit before him. He sighed glancing over his shoulder at the channel surfing hanyo then closed the door.

 

Inuyasha heard the lock click into place and threw the remote at the wall. But not hard enough to break it, he didn't want to die today. Damn! This was just not his day. He'd wanted to tell her… just get it over with. Waiting was not going to soften the blow. But Miroku was right; they need time to talk without her around.

 

Slapping his thighs, he stood up. I need some air. Inuyasha strolled to over to the glass doors leading to the balcony. After removing the metal security bar and clicking the lock he let the door glide open before stepping into the early afternoon sun. Kagome had an oversized veranda like balcony since she lived on the second level. The main part of her patio area over looked a sparkling lake, and beyond that, a small wooded area. He stepped to the railing looking down at the water. We've had some really good times out here. The rest of the deck went around the corner of the building somewhat. One could see part of the parking lot from that angle. Inuyasha rested his cheek against his palm staring longingly at the calm water.

 

At the edge of his hearing range, much farther than that of a human, he picked up what sounded like smooth, rhythmic, rolling thunder. What the…? There was definitely a pattern to this recurring rumbling. Silver ears flexed when something else caught their attention… a revolving hissing sound. Concentrating on the strange noises, he closed his eyes and tried to separate each sound to determine what it was. He searched his senses, one by one before he recognized one that made his eyelids snap open so quickly he was momentarily blinded. A very, very familiar set of dual exhaust pipes. It can't be… Fuck!

 

In one hurried movement he was at the opposite end of the balcony scanning the parking lot for something he hoped he was wrong about. But the squeal of speeding tires let him know he was right on the money. Damn! What the fuck is he doing here?!

 

Inuyasha could see Kagome, Souta, and Miroku under the carport still trying to squeeze both bags in the trunk of her silver Acura TL. The dickhead he knew was in the vicinity was getting closer seeing as how the hammering of his massive speakers were getting louder by the second. Why the hell's he driving so fast? He'll dent those stupid rims. Then it hit him as an arctic blue Avalanche skated down the hill and around the bend toward Kagome's building. FUCK!! He knows?! How the… Shit! He doesn't know she doesn't know yet! Jamming his hand into his pocket for his cell phone, Inuyasha raced back inside. He had to call that fool before he blew everything! One problem… his phone wasn't in his pocket. SHIIIIIIIT!!! But with the way those Pioneer fifteen's were crashing, there's no way that idiot would even hear his phone.

 

Feeling much like a hamster running in circles, Inuyasha found himself back out on the balcony peering into the parking lot. I've gotta stop this jackass!

 

“Hey Kouga!” Souta shouted from the ground.

 

The massive truck went from about 45 MPH to 0 in about two seconds as the wolf tiayoukai skidded to a stop. Custom rotating rims kept right on spinning as though the tire never stopped moving making that flawless trademark hissing sound. The driver side door opened before he even cut the engine. Music blasted out into the quiet complex:

 

{You need a baller? Well I'm the duuude. I ride big rims on my old skooool. Super clean, so cool, when I ride I got `em all like “ohhhhh!”}

 

“C'mere baby girl!” killing the ignition, Kouga hopped out and snatched Kagome into a bear hug.

 

She squealed in delight.

 

“You okay?” His usually mischievous royal blue eyes were full of worry.

 

Miroku and Souta shared a horrified glance. He knows? They wondered in unison with mouths hanging open.

 

Hands off, wolf boy. Inuyasha was ready to spit nails from his elevated position.

 

“Sure.” She chirped smiling into handsome tan face, “Why wouldn't I be?”

 

“Well because…” he started to say.

 

This is it! Miroku just knew he was going to either puke or pass out. Maybe both.

 

Much to everyone's surprise, Kouga paused cocking his head to the side in confusion.

 

“We haven't told her!” Inuyasha growled lowly, completely inaudible to humans, but he knew Kouga's youkai hearing had picked up every word, “Don't you say a fucking word or I'll rip your heart out!”

 

That flashy twinkle came back to the wolf's eyes as he smirked in Inuyasha's direction, “Oi mutt! I thought I smelled you on the wind.” Guess you could say that was his way of saying, `Okay, I got it.' Sheesh!

 

“What's the matter Kouga?” Dammit! Kagome was asking questions again.

 

Putting his arm around her shoulders he started to lead her inside the building, “Nothing, baby girl, I just missed you. That's all.”

 

“I bet you say that to all the girls.” She teased.

 

“Fuck no I don't.” he playfully nuzzled her ear with his nose, “Only you.”

 

“Get a room!” Souta groaned from behind them on the stairs.

 

“Don't be a hater your whole life, Squirt.” Kouga winked over his shoulder at the young man.

 

Once they were back inside Kagome announced she was going to take a shower so that she could hurry up and get on the road. Thus leaving the males alone once again.

 

“Alright you two,” Miroku addressed the youkai and hanyo, “Keep an ear out for her. The second that water shuts off this conversation is ended.”

 

They both nodded in agreement.

 

“First things first dog shit,” Kouga narrowed his eyes, “Why didn't you tell us he was coming back today. That's pretty fucked up, even for your dumb ass.”

 

“What's that?” Inuyasha clenched his fist and snarled.

 

Souta jumped to his idol's defense, “He didn't know shit-head. He only found out this morning and called Ro immediately.”

 

“Hold on,” the hanyo looked up, “Who the fuck told you? No one knows.”

 

“Huh?” Kouga was confused, “I got the Code Red.” He flipped open his cell phone trying to get to his text menu.

 

“What Code Red?” The others asked in unison.

 

“This one.” Kouga held the mobile devise out so they could all see the screen. The three friends leaned in and read it together:

 

Group Text - Brothers: devastator returning 2day. Scramble 2 KHs crib. CODE RED.

Holla - K Hawk

 

“You mean you didn't get this?” the wolf asked.

 

“I got something, but I figured it was just Sango so I didn't check it.” Miroku looked at his own phone and sure enough, the message was there. “Shit.”

 

“Feh, I don't even know where my fucking phone is.” Inuyasha spat.

 

“Mine's still in Ro's car.” Shrugged Souta.

 

“You guys fuckin' suck, you know that?” Kouga rolled his eyes.

 

“K Hawk?” Miroku wondered aloud, “How the hell did he find out? Shit! You think he told the girls?”

 

“Hell no!” Souta laughed, “Hawk ain't no dummy. He sent that text to the brothers only.”

 

“I agree,” the hanyo nodded, “One thing I know about Kohaku is his ability to be completely discreet. Plus with Sango being his sister… shit, he wouldn't breath this around her. That bitch is crazy. She'd damn near blow the whole thing.”

 

Souta read the message from his best friend again and snorted, “Devastator? That dude is so damn dramatic!”

 

“Who else is coming?” Inuyasha asked Kouga.

 

He shrugged motioning to his Carolina blue basketball shorts, “Don't know. I was on the court when it came through. I tried to call you but you didn't answer. I kinda figured you'd be here anyway.”

 

“Good thing she's leaving for a while. Things are about to get hectic.” Miroku smiled at his boys.

 

“Schyeah.” Souta laughed, “Tell me about it.”

 

“Ro, let me see your phone.” Inuyasha held out his hand.

 

Graciously Miroku gave it to him, “Who are you calling?”

 

“Hawk. I need to know how he found out.” The half demon answered.

 

“Shit!” Kouga hissed, “Hurry up, she just got out of the shower.”

 

“Go on the balcony.” Souta practically shoved him out the door, “We'll keep her busy.”

 

“Hey gorgeous,” Miroku called down the hall.

 

“Yeah?” answered Kagome's muffled voice from behind the closed bedroom door.

 

“Can I have a bottled water?” Jeez, this guy was hamming it up.

 

Kagome cracked the door and put her face to the opening, “Sure. You know you can have anything you want.”

 

“Anything?” he waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her.

 

“Gah!” she slammed the door the yelled from inside, “You're hopeless. Pervert!”

 

The guys fell into fits of laughter as Inuyasha stepped back inside with a thoughtful look on his face. He slid the door closed behind him before moving to sit at the dining room table.

 

“Well?” Kouga demanded.

 

The hanyo rubbed both hands over his face stretching out his mouth before slapping the table top. “Mayu.” He finally sighed, “He heard it form Mayu. My sister's at the beach with her today and I guess Kohaku just happened to call. She told him in general conversation. He said he played it cool, you know they don't know anything, but he broke his neck to find me after he hung up from her. Fuck! Where's my goddamned phone?”

 

“Your fleas probably ran off with it.” Kouga just couldn't help himself sometimes.

 

“Bite me cave dweller.” Inuyasha shot back.

 

“Nah,” Kouga snatched the remote from the floor and flopped on the couch, “You're not my type.”

 

“Gentlemen,” ever the peacemaker, Miroku spoke up, “In case you haven't noticed, we have a situation here. So please, try to refrain from behaving like juveniles.”

 

Yeah, good luck with that, Ro. Souta giggled quietly.

 

“Anyway, he's with B-Boy and said they're on their way now. I told them to stay outta sight until they see Kagome's car gone. I can't believe she hasn't picked up on something by now.” Inuyasha could feel another headache coming on.

 

“She trusts us.” Kouga finally found a movie he wanted to watch.

 

“Yeah, there's that,” Ro agreed from the kitchen where he was loading up on snacks, “and the fact that we're over here like this everyday anyway.”

 

“True.” The others all agreed at the same time.

 

Kagome appeared wearing a sleeveless pink and yellow spring dress with a slightly flaring skirt and strapy pink sandals. She looked around the living room and smiled. They'd come a long way, her friends and her. Most of them when they were all younger… and her mostly this past year. But they'd made it. All of them, and they'd done it together. Everything would be alright now. She could feel it.

 

{Everyday I'm hustlin', Ev-Ev-Everyday I'm hustlin', Ev-Everyday I'm hustlin', We never steal cars, but we still hard}

 

Blinking back to reality, she watched as Kouga flipped open his phone to answer it.

 

“Okay guys,” putting her purse on her shoulder, “I'm gone. Be good. Kouga, Inuyasha, no fighting.”

 

“Feh!”

 

“Don't you mean `Kouga no beating the mutt into a bloody pulp?'” The wolf laughed then returned to his phone call.

 

“Keh! As if!! Bring it on ass wipe!” the hanyo bit out.

 

Jeez! Why didn't I just walk out the door without saying anything? Rolling her sapphire eyes she opened the front door, “I'll be gone at least three hours. That should give you plenty of time to get to the store and get the grill going.”

 

Kouga dropped his phone, “Huh? Food?”

 

Not even ten minutes after she'd left there was a knock at the door. No one move to answer it. Inuyasha in the captain's chair at the center of the sectional. Kouga was lounged lazily on the right end with Ro on the left end. Souta was camped out on the giant denim bean bag on the floor. They were all completely vegged out in front of the TV.

 

The knock came again. It was louder this time and had a voice, “Get your lazy asses up and open the door!”

 

“Fuuuuck you!” Everyone inside, except Miroku, yelled back.

 

“Get the door Higurashi.” Kouga never took his eyes off the screen.

 

“What?” Souta wailed, “Why do I gotta do it?”

 

“This is your sister's house.” Inuyasha popped a Cheeto in his mouth.

 

“This is bullshit.” He grumped making his way to the door. “You're more her fucking brother than I am.”

 

“Bitch, bitch, moan, moan.” Kouga lifted his soda can, “Just open the fucking door.”

 

“About damn time!” Kohaku gave Souta a hi-five as he entered, “What's shaking fellas?”

 

“These balls in your jaws.” Miroku laughed.

 

“Ew man. Then you need to be talking to my other brother.” Bankotsu gagged. “Jakotsu would love to hear you say some shit like that.”

 

“Wassup Hawk, B-Boy.” They each slapped hands with Kouga as they walked past him.

 

Inuyasha noticed they both were carrying motorcycle helmets, “Aw man! You brought the bikes out?”

 

“Hell yeah dude.” B-Boy set the shiny polished cobalt helmet under the coffee table so no one would trip over it. “Suikotsu said he'll be here as soon as his shift is over at the hospital. Hiten's at the airport talking to some of his connections to see exactly when the Taisho jet is due to land. He'll be here right after that. Houjo's trying to ditch his movie plans with Ayame. You know she won't care… she's still drooling over wolf boy here.” He gestured with his thumb toward Kouga.

 

“Keh.” Kouga stole Inuyasha's catch phrase.

 

“Hey!” The hanyo threw a fudge stripe cookie at him.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kohaku shook his finger, “bad dog! This will be hard enough without her trying to kill you for starting a food fight.”

 

“Feh! Shut up, Hawk.”

 

“Anyway!” Bankotsu yelled to get everyone's attention, “We need to discuss the prodigal bastard returning tonight.”

 

“I agree with B-Boy.” Souta called with his head in the refrigerator as he looked for sandwich toppings.

 

Each person there had taken a vow on a particular night in a cold hospital room long ago. They promised to protect the delicate spirit who held a special place in each of their hearts for various reasons. Now, it would seem, was the time to live up to that pledge. She would need all their strength, and they would gladly give it.

 

This was bad, worse than anyone could ever imagine. How could they tell her? How could they tell her that tomorrow she would come face to face with the one who had hurt her more than anything in this life, or the next, ever could?

 

As they sat around going over various scenarios, the missing members arrived one by one. Shippo had come to the door with tears in his eyes. He didn't want to believe that heartless jerk was coming back. Why? Why after all this time?

 

Inuyasha leaned back on the couch with his hands clasped behind his head as he watched his friends. He listened to them take his problems and make them their own. They were almost as angry as he was. A foreign sensation welled in his chest. Is this what it's like? Is this what it is to have a real family? People who are there for you no matter what… without a second thought to what must be done? Sure he and Kouga fought all the time. But here, now, he listened to the wolf heatedly discussing the best way to deal with his asshole brother and at the same time protect Kagome, their sister, from the fallout. That flea bitten wolf was a pig headed idiot… but right now, Inuyasha knew Kouga was his boy… his man one-hundred grand… and nothing felt better than that.