InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Insert Code ❯ Insert Code 5 ( Chapter 5 )

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.•.o.•.o.•.o.•.o.

 

So he officially only had one month left to retrieve the ring.

 

This was Day One. And to show how hard working he was, he cancelled his dinner with Kaguya to make some plans instead. He thought he was being sly, and maybe it was because he was being sly; Kagome had believed his false sincerity so far. And why wouldn't she? He could swear she was rather stupid anyway.

 

So when she visited her friend and they talked a lot about her plight, Inuyasha stayed nearby and listened. When he realized Kagome wasn't exactly heartbroken, he snickered. It was as if he'd expected, anyway, but she was concerned about the financial part of her life now. She did not want - for the life of her - to be forced to one day sell her stuff to get by. So he'd offer her comfort; he'd be that formidable, life-saving (or better said, pocket-saving) knight for her. He'd show her things, teach her love (even if he didn't know it himself) and then crush her like the pathetic insect she was.

 

Yeah, but it sounded pretty tame. He had to make sure to really crush her. Expose her. Show off her innermost thoughts, everything she had on her mind, on her soul. Deep down, even if he didn't want to think about it, he knew that even a vain person like Higurashi Kagome (she would no longer be Ookami; the papers said everything about it) had to feel something.

 

Maybe she had had a bad childhood, maybe she'd wanted to escape something. But he didn't care; she'd messed with the wrong person, and he didn't like to be messed with. Especially when it involved his safety, because Sesshomaru was indeed set to have his neck if he didn't retrieve the ring.

 

He gulped.

 

If he looked at it one way, Kagome wasn't really guilty; he should sue the bank or something - mistakes like this happened probably only to one of a billion people, but what was done was done. She was, however, culpable of not wanting to give the ring back.

 

It was not a wonder that Kagome didn't mention anything to Kaguya about him, but he was truly curious as to what she thought about his one-eighty twist.

 

But when said woman sneaked a glance out of the corner of her eyes exactly in his direction when Kaguya wasn't looking and hid a discreet smile, Inuyasha realized she wasn't as stupid as he deemed her to be. So as to make it a challenge, he remained there the whole time, curious to hear what she'd reveal to her best friend now that she knew her boyfriend was in the same room with them.

 

“So what are you going to do now?” Kaguya asked, sounding pretty concerned for a woman that was usually pretty indifferent to the lives of others.

 

Kagome shrugged, looking nonchalant, even if she knew her situation was more delicate than she wanted to let it show. “I don't know. I might visit my mother for a while, but I haven't decided yet. At the moment I'm staying at a hotel. Kouga's paying for it. He says he feels guilty,” she explained with a smile. He was truly stupid, that man.

 

Kaguya's look was unreadable. Maybe it had struck something inside her. “Kagome, that man really loves him and you've done nothing but play with his feeling until now. You have never loved him, admit it.”

 

“I admit it.”

 

Kaguya wasn't surprised Kagome confessed so indifferently, so easily. That woman wasn't ashamed to admit that she had never loved her husband, that she had only married him because she had been infatuated with his looks, his affection for her, and most of all, his money and gifts. He'd been the best as long as he hadn't asked any affection from her, but when he'd started demanding attention their relationship had gone downward. Kagome wasn't good with dealing with feelings (it showed), but she didn't want to have to be.

 

She didn't want to remember her past.

 

For Kagome, living in the past meant torture, so instead of wondering what she could have done better, how she could have tied Kouga tighter to her and how she could have prevented all this from happening, she smiled. After all, there was nothing she could have done and she knew it, but she had never predicted their marriage to last this shortly. She'd always thought she'd give him children.

 

And God knew how many times they'd done it without protection. Maybe children had not been destined to them. Or maybe she was sterile.

 

She shuddered at the thought, because contrary to what anyone might think she did want children of her own. Even if sometimes she said otherwise.

 

If anything, he was probably the sterile one.

 

“I don't get you Kagome. No, actually I do get you, but how can you be like that? Even I am not like that.”

 

Kagome knew what Kaguya meant and she wished she could warn her that Inuyasha was in the room, but she couldn't. The evil would be done and Kagome had no way of stopping it as soon as Kaguya's mouth opened and the next words took form.

 

“I know I have a non-exclusive relationship, but I actually love Inuyasha and I want to keep him around as much as possible. Maybe then he'd come to love me, too, and not see me as a means to have sex whenever he needs,” Kaguya said.

 

Around a certain corner of the house, Inuyasha's eyes widened.

 

`Oh-kaaay…' he thought, when instead he should have thought, `Oh-shiiit.'

 

He sighed, wondering how it had come to this. At the beginning of his relationship with Kaguya he'd specifically told her that he could not do an exclusive one. She had said she understood. And he'd gone further by telling her that he had no feelings for her and that he didn't think he ever would. She'd accepted that, too, but it seemed she was still craving for that form of his attention. And he couldn't give her that.

 

But he wasn't an asshole, either. He knew he had to cut ties with her before this would develop into an obsession. He didn't know whom he was trying to protect: himself or Kaguya? It didn't matter, because by ending this he'd do them both a favor. He wouldn't feel guilty for pretending to pursue Kagome, and she'd be spared of one day finding out that all her efforts had been in vain.

 

“Whatever,” Kagome said nervously, trying to figure out how Inuyasha was taking this.

 

“No, it's not `whatever' Kagome. This time you're gonna listen to me,” Kaguya argued, and Kagome understood that she meant business.

 

“I know that you're not exactly the most loving and caring person, and that you don't give a shit about others, even your best friend-”

 

“Oh, that's not true,” Kagome tried to interrupt indignantly, but Kaguya raised a perfectly manicured hand to shush her.

 

“Save it for someone who's new in the den, sweetie.”

 

Kagome scrunched her nose. She couldn't argue something that was true.

 

“So, as I was saying, even if you don't care about people at all, you should at least pretend to. From time to time. It has never hurt anyone so far, you know?”

 

Oh yes, Kagome knew all about that. Caring meant suffering.

 

“So what would you advise me to do?” Kagome felt like rolling her eyes while asking this question. She knew she was to receive a lecture, but she'd sit through it carefully, because Kaguya deserved it, and mostly because she was feeling rather guilty for knowingly not doing anything to salvage Kaguya's odd relationship when she could have.

 

Kaguya whistled in an out of character manner, making her friend unconsciously smile.

 

“Honey, I don't know. I can't lend you money; you know what I have could never satisfy your eccentric needs. I don't know where, but you're gonna have to find a job. A good one that could give you however much your greedy heart wants. Maybe you can become a journalist, since everyone adores you and your style,” she guessed with a shrug.

 

But Kagome was intrigued by the idea. She could. She could earn a lot of money that way. And she didn't think she'd hate writing articles for a well-known magazine if she would be repaid for her efforts. And to share her fashion and jewelry choices with people she knew wouldn't get bored with her incessant talking sounded fabulous!

 

“I'll do it.”

 

Kaguya seemed surprised, what with the way she shook her head just slightly before her eyes widened.

 

“Sorry?”

 

“Thanks for the idea,” Kagome said with a smile. “I'll do it. I'll be a journalist.”

 

“You're kidding,” Kaguya said seriously. Frankly, she was jealous of Kagome's resolve. She was always so determined to get what she wanted, and she always achieved her goals. It was too much to be said for Kaguya, who couldn't even tie a man to her. Perhaps it was because she was too scared to say her feelings aloud. Maybe if she tried a different approach, maybe if she told Inuyasha how she felt… who knew? Perhaps he felt the same way but was afraid to shatter what they'd built so far.

 

She expressed these concerns to Kagome, who shook her head resolutely.

 

“No way, you will not. Uh-uh. No-no.” Then she shook her head some more. Once had been enough, but Kaguya had no way of knowing that. Still, this time Kagome would do anything in her power to prevent things from worsening. It wasn't that she cared - did she? - but she wanted to prevent Kaguya from further suffering.

 

“Why not?” said friend frowned.

 

Kagome sighed, not knowing how to explain this.

 

“Honey, I don't think that man is prepared to hear such a strong declaration. You should wait,” forever, she would have added, but her conscience wouldn't let her. Perhaps it was best that she'd listened to it.

 

“Wait? How much longer should I wait, Kagome? I've been waiting and waiting and every time he comes home smelling like some skank I just don't know how to hide my feelings.”

 

Kagome shrugged. This was too complicate of a situation and she had no answers. Actually, she didn't know anything about a true relationship, because Kouga had been an easy one. He'd loved her from the start, had worshipped her from the start; she had had no troubles in getting him to marry her then appease her every whim. She'd had it easy. Kaguya, however, had gotten herself a stubborn one, and she didn't know what to do with him. If Kagome were in her place - God forbid - she'd approach the situation differently; but of course, she wasn't, so she had no right to influence her friend in any way.

 

Oh, the things she'd do to Inuyasha to set him straight. Kaguya just wasn't a good negotiator. Kagome had a hunch she'd be able to make him fall in love with her easily.

 

“Oh sweetie, even though I don't really know what you're going thorough I see where you're coming from.” She pulled the pity card. “But you have to understand men are different from us. They don't like being cornered. When he's ready, he'll tell you how much he loves you.' Kagome had a feeling that would be was `never.'

 

Kaguya couldn't help but agree with her friend's reasoning. After all, this was Kagome speaking. Kagome, who had everything she wanted - well, who had had it. Kagome, who had managed to almost make an empire out of her sheer name. Well, not so exaggerated, but Kaguya was aware that more and more people looked up to this cruel, twisted person sitting right in front of her.

 

In all the time she'd known her, Kagome had not once done a good deed. Everything had always only been about her. If she'd ever helped someone, it had been to earn extra credit or to receive a favor in return. But despite everything, Kaguya still regarded her as a friend, mainly because she had much to learn from her indifferent attitude.

 

Suddenly, Kagome knew exactly what to ask of Inuyasha. He said he owed her, so she'd ask him to stay with Kaguya. But she thought it through - would that really be a good thing for her friend? If Inuyasha stayed by her side without any feelings, Kaguya would undoubtedly end up hurt, and Kagome didn't want that. Call it conscience, call it sudden care.

 

Call it compassion.

 

“Okay, so you say I should wait?”

 

“Yeah.” That was pretty much it. Wait forever. It sounded fine for Kagome, but she wouldn't tell that to Kaguya.

 

“Super. So when can I tell him?

 

Kaguya seemed so hyper for a moment that Kagome was taken aback. But when she recovered she managed a thin smile. (she hoped she wasn't showing her nonexistent fangs in an annoyed snarl)

 

“I'll tell you when, honey. Just listen to what I told you. Don't tell him yet. Let him deal with his feelings, and when he's ready you know what he'll do. Don't pressure him.”

 

Don't pressure him. Right. That was what Kaguya was supposed to do.

 

See? That was why she remained Kagome's friend.

 

.•.o.•.o.•.o.•.o.

 

It was morning and he hadn't had much sleep. He just couldn't figure how to tell Kaguya that he no longer wanted to live with her. Should he tell her he'd found someone else? No, that would hurt too much. Would he try to be sympathetic?

 

Hmm.

 

However, he didn't have any more time to think about a better approach, because Kaguya entered the living room and found him lying on the sofa, a blanket draped over his body and his hair indicating he'd slept there.

 

“Morning,” she said awkwardly while rubbing her eyes, and he responded in the same manner.

 

“You slept here?” She didn't hide her surprise. “I thought you were… out.” The way her lips clipped together when she uttered the last word made him wonder how he'd never seen it. How he'd missed this. She was so obvious. It was so obvious that he felt like pulling out his hair in frustration.

 

Kaguya was in love with him. Kaguya was very jealous, and he couldn't afford that, because he liked women too much. He loved women in general. He loved the way they squirmed under him and how they sucked him off, and even how they slept after he fucked them raw, indicating what a great lover he was.

 

So he loved women. As many as possible.

 

Yeah.

 

That meant Kaguya no longer fit into this equation, even if she was, indeed, a good fuck. But he had to cut ties before it got ugly.

 

Sorry babe.

 

“Yeah, I slept here,” he settled for answering and got up, watching her frown.

 

“Why?”

 

Why did it matter?

 

“Because I wanted to,” he retorted. He was getting more and more irritated by the second, and this could only get ugly, seeing as he usually had a knack for sticking his foot in his mouth.

 

“Oh.”

 

So Kaguya wasn't in the mood for a fight right now. And so what? He was. A big one that could end their nonexistent (or rather non-exclusive) relationship.

 

“If I had come into your room, you would've bitten my head off for waking you up.” He knew she would not have done that, but he had to have some arguments.

 

“That was one time, and I really was exhausted. I didn't mean to `bite your head off', but after a full day of work and a few idiots that can't do their jobs right, the last thing I wanted was another annoyance,” she snapped.

 

Perfect. She'd provided him with the perfect opportunity.

 

“Oh, so now I'm an annoyance?” He pretended to be angry and left the living room to fetch himself a drink.

 

Kaguya immediately caught on his tone and dreaded what was to come. “Inuyasha, baby, I didn't mean that,” she said smoothly as she watched him swallow the liquid in a gulp.

 

“You know what? I want out.”

 

“Out?” She frowned in confusion.

 

“Yeah. It's over, Kaguya. I want out.”

 

“But... why?”

 

He really didn't know what to say. “Because I don't love you, and because I can't even handle a non-exclusive relationship knowing that you could fall for me at one point, and because I'm a person that likes to have many women at the same time. You shouldn't be hurt because of that.”

 

He praised himself for the deft way of wording it.

 

However, to his bad luck, Kaguya wasn't stupid at all.

 

“So you heard it, huh?”

 

He flinched visibly and pursed his lips in regret.

 

“Yeah.”

 

Kaguya sighed, having known this was to come. Kagome hadn't been wrong at all when she'd assumed what kind of person Inuyasha was. He just couldn't get committed. And it was enough to make her want to cry, but she wouldn't. Not in front of him.

 

“Terrific,” she quipped sarcastically.

 

He shrugged, not really knowing what to say now that he was discovered.

 

“You know what? I admire this about you. The fact that you didn't want to hurt me further. I imagine I'm not a bad screw, am I?” she asked pitifully.

 

“No, you're…” Geez, how could he say this? He couldn't. He just couldn't hurt her feelings any more. He was a man, not a beast, after all.

 

“It's all right; you don't have to say it.”

 

He exhaled in relief.

 

“So I'll... leave,” he concluded.

 

“Yeah,” she agreed, aware that there was nothing she could do to change his mind. She didn't know if she still wanted to, anyway. Not when she knew how he really thought about all this.

 

He packed his things and looked her in the eyes.

 

“I guess I'll see you around?”

 

“Yeah,” she said with a tentative smile that didn't reach her eyes. She already seemed like she was about to cry and he hated it. Normally he wouldn't mind, but it was Kaguya he was talking about. They stood like that for a while, looking at each other, when suddenly she pulled him in a hug.

 

“I'm going to miss you,” she said.

 

“Yeah,” he agreed, “me too.”

 

Then he pulled out of the embrace, took his luggage and walked out of her life.

 

A few hours later took him to the bank, where he was sure he would find inspiration for his plans. The breakup with Kaguya had affected him a bit, but he'd got over it and now was ready for bigger things. He had to take Kagome down.

 

But as soon as he inserted the code and opened the safe, he noticed a note inside.

 

`Already?'

 

He thought it would be a money request, but what he read surprised him.

 

`Dear Inuyasha,' - so much for being polite and using his last name -

 

`I won't beat around the bush (I hate doing that, anyway) so I call upon your sense of duty and honor' - she was aiming low, wasn't she? - `for you to do what's right and STAY by Kaguya's side. So what do you think? You said you owed me, so could you do me this one, tiny favor?

 

Much love and sincerity and whatnot,' - oh, he could just taste her irony; funny -

`Higurashi Kagome'

 

He gritted his teeth inside his mouth, his eyes narrowed.

 

Already, Day One was falling apart.