InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ It is you I have loved ❯ Conversations and Lies ( Chapter 10 )

 

Kagome sighed. Sunlight was filtering in through her curtains and her eyelids. `too early…' Just then,

 

“Kagome! Oh sweetie! How are you!? Are you ok?” Kagome turned her sore neck to face her mother who was standing in the doorway of her room looking anxious.

 

“Yah. I'm fine mom.” Kagome's voice was hoarse and low. She'd gone to bed as soon as she'd gotten home but had been restless all night. Although she hadn't actually had the nightmare, she couldn't stop thinking about the images that had haunted her sleep those few nights. At first she brushed it off as just being sleep deprived. In fact, she'd stop having those dreams after she'd been given proper rest in the hospital. But something about those nightmare still troubled her. They were, without a doubt, the most realistic nightmares she'd ever had. It was like she was really there. She'd felt the ground shake and it had felt so real. Finally though, sleep won Kagome over and she was able to, mostly, push those images from her groggy mind.

 

“I saw Inuyasha take you down the well and you hadn't even said goodbye. I just thought maybe something happened over there and he needed you back…or something.”

 

“No he was just…was just…actually I'm not sure what his rush to get back was. He'd said I didn't have time to say goodbye, rushed me back to his time, and then made me promise to stay a week.”

 

“But you didn't agree.”

 

“Well, no I did.”

 

“Oh. So…why are you here? I mean, I'm very happy I actually get to see you properly but I mean you promised.”

 

“I had to get away from Inuyasha.” Kagome wasn't looking her mother in the eyes.

 

“Another fight, then?” Kagome's mother walked over to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her.

 

“No.”

 

“Oh. Why then?” Kagome's mother knew Inuyasha would not purposely hurt Kagome, physically that is, so she didn't even bother asking if Inuyasha had hurt her.

 

“I just…uh…” Kagome didn't know what to say. She was so confused and to explain everything would take so much time. But, then again, Kagome really needed to tell someone. At that, Kagome jumped right into explaining everything that had been going on since Sesshomaru joined the group. Though Kagome's mother barely understood half of what Kagome was talking about, she listened dutifully. It was obvious that her daughter had needed to talk about all this.

 

When Kagome started talking about her nightmares, her mother looked worried.

 

“Oh, don't worry,” Kagome added, “I've stopped having them since I…since I ended up in the hospital.” Completely jumping over the whole ordeal with seeing Sesshomaru bathing and almost kissing him, Kagome asked her mother a question.

 

“I've been wanting to ask you something, but I've either been sleeping, drugged up, or being taken away.” Kagome's mother waited silently for her daughter to continue. “What happened that night? You know, the night Inuyasha brought me back?” Kagome's mother sighed and her eyes were distant and gloomy.

 

“Souta was recovering from a cold and was up late because he'd been sleeping off the side-effects of his cough medicine. So, naturally, I was up too. Though, I was just about to call it a night and turn in when I heard yelling.” Kagome looked at her mother. She looked scared. “I ran outside and it was Inuyasha. He'd just climbed out of the well and was running towards the house carrying something. I didn't recognize you at first. And it's an understatement to say I was shocked when I realized what-er…who Inuyasha was holding. You were full of bruises and cuts. I'd seen you come back before a little banged up, but it seemed every time you came back, you came back with more injuries. You were hanging limply in his arms, dripping wet and naked.” Kagome blushed furiously. She hadn't really given much thought about what she'd looked like that night though it seemed normal to assume that Inuyasha wouldn't waste time dressing her when she was barely breathing. Kagome's mother noticed Kagome's blush and let out a strangled, half-amused laugh. “Don't worry, dear. I'm sure he was just worried about getting you somewhere safe. Oh but Kagome, I was so scared. You looked so…wrong.” Kagome lifted and eyebrow and her mother clarified. “You were obviously not breathing right, and you body was so pale though your face was positively blue and red. Poor Inuyasha looked almost as scared as I felt.” Kagome lurched inwardly. `Inuyasha was worried about me…he was scared for me?' “Oh Kagome if I hadn't been in such a rush to get you to a hospital, because you still looked too unhealthy to just assume you'd recover on your own, I would've comforted poor Inuyasha. He stayed in the hospital with you as long as they would allow him every day, you know. When they finally made him leave at night, I was told that he'd go home and pace until he could go see you the next day. He blamed himself. I could tell. I should've comforted him, but I was just so worried for you. The doctor recounted to me the extent of your injuries that went way beyond an almost drowning and it was all I could do not to blame myself for allowing you to put yourself in such danger. Then when the doctor accused me of…well anyway, I'm getting off track. I also wanted to ask you something, but it can wait until you finish telling me why you came back home after you made a promise to Inuyasha.” Kagome blanched. She just realized that she'd have to tell her mother about Sesshomaru's suspicion…a suspicion that was rapidly sounding more and more convincing. Whenever Kagome announced that she was going to go take a bath alone, Inuyasha would make up some excuse, like hunting or patrolling, and leave camp. Then, when he returned, he could never look Kagome in the eyes for at least the next hour. Plus, Inuyasha knew better than to allow his patrol to veer that close to Kagome's bath. And on top of that, Kagome suddenly remembered how he'd avoided her question twice in the hospital about how he'd known she was in trouble. Sesshomaru's theory, though she hated, and enjoyed, for some strange reason, admitting it, was most likely correct.

 

Kagome's mother watched as a myriad of emotions played across her daughter's face and could barely stifle a laugh. This brought Kagome out of her musing.

 

“Oh right well…” Kagome told her mother how Inuyasha had come to bring Kagome back and how he'd said he would carry her and then started to explain what had happened before Kagome's mother had walked in on Inuyasha and her.

 

“I was wondering about that. I walked in and you two were holding each other and standing so close. And he looked,” Kagome's mother blushed, something Kagome had never her do. “he looked…well he…”

 

“…Mom?”

 

“Kagome how do you feel about Inuyasha? Is there something going on between you two? You aren't…aren't…well you know.” Kagome's face, which had only recently recovered normal color, blanched again.

 

“MOM! NO!” Kagome's mother sighed.

 

“Ok. Good. I was just worried because…uhm…oh nevermind. What were you saying before?” Kagome was relieved that the only question, out of the three her mother had asked, she' wanted answered was the last one. Kagome wasn't even quite ready to fully disclose to herself the extent of her feelings towards Inuyasha.

 

“So anyway, after you left he jumped, picked me up, and started rushing toward the well, saying I didn't have time to say goodbye to you. It was like he didn't want me to talk to you for some reason.”

 

“Oh!” Kagome looked at her mother.

 

“What?”

 

“Oh, oh nothing sorry.” It had just clicked. Kagome must not have seen Inuyasha in his…excited state. He probably figured her mother would tell Kagome. `How cute. He's such a gentleman. Either that or he's afraid…' Kagome continued on.

 

“And then wouldn't let me go until I promised to stay in his time for a week. Well I'm sure he wanted me to stay longer but I told him I had a social worker coming to check up on us.” With the mention of the social worker Kagome's mother sighed and slumped. She felt badly for her mother but continued on in an effort to get her mother's mind away from the depressing subject.

 

When Kagome finally reached the part about Sesshomaru pulling her aside, Kagome's mother interjected.

 

“Is he…safe?”

 

“Yah, well he wasn't at first,” Kagome decided not to tell her mother that there was a time where Sesshomaru wished her dead, “but he's perfectly safe now. For me at least. Maybe not Inuyasha.” Kagome giggled. “But anyway, he pulled me aside and we…” Again, Kagome hated lying but still wasn't ready for her mother to hear Sesshomaru's theory. “We had a quick discussion about Inuyasha, nothing too important,” Kagome added after it looked like her mother was going to ask about what had been discussed, “And then when we went back to camp, Inuyasha had already finished with his bath. Inuyasha doesn't really like me being around his brother so he was really angry when we returned. Basically I just didn't want to answer any of his questions and wasn't really up to hearing the two argue again, so I came back. I imagine he realized I was gone soon after that but it looks like he's too angry at me to even come yell at me.”

 

Unknown to Kagome, at that very moment, Inuyasha was arguing with the reason he was unable to go see her.

 

“You bastard!”

 

“Ah-ah-ah, dear brother. Another slip of the tongue like that and this Sesshomaru might just have to tell Kagome exactly why she was saved so quickly.” Unknown to Inuyasha though, Sesshomaru had already disclosed,

in a round-about way, that Inuyasha had been spying on her and had spied on her previously too.

 

“You know what? She won't believe you anyway! She's not-“

 

“If you go see her before she returns on her own, the consequences will be dire.” There was pure, unmasked malice in Sesshomaru's tone. Inuyasha was not often intimidated by his brother. Though he hated to admit it, this time he definitely feared what Sesshomaru may have planned. Inuyasha knew he could beat his brother or at least tie with him in a battle but something in the back of Inuyasha's mind told him that Sesshomaru wasn't talking about swordplay against Inuyasha.

 

Kagome yawned, interrupting the end of her story. “So here I am now.”

 

“Well, I'm sorry you're having Inuyasha problems but I'm glad I get to see you again. I never get to see you anymore.” Then her mother sighed. “And unfortunately, I promised to help out at Souta's school today. I'm so sorry Kagome but I had to miss my last shift at Souta's school because I was with you in the hospital. I have to go this time.”

 

“It's o.k., mom. I had actually promised Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi a girl's day out when I felt better so I guess I'll just do that today then.” Kagome's mother looked into her daughter's tired eyes.

 

“Are you sure you don't just want to rest? I mean you've been through a lot in the past couple of weeks.”

 

“No it's ok mom. I owe it to them. “

 

“Ok, but take it easy sweetie.” With that, Kagome's mother hugged her tightly and pecked her cheek. “Have a good time with the girls and tell them I said hi!”

 

“Kay' bye mom! Love you!” Kagome's mother was up and out of the room in a second then poked her head back in and winked.

 

“Love you too!”

 

Sesshomaru hated this. Why was his filthy hanyou half-brother the only one that could pass through the well besides the miko? He couldn't allow Inuyasha to convince Kagome that he was not spying on her. At the moment, that was the only thing he could use against his brother in this fight for Kagome. He would just keep Inuyasha here until she returned and then he would…had to be the first one to talk to Kagome. `Now all there is to do is make sure he doesn't sneak off.'

 

“I'm so glad you called us!”

 

“Yah Kagome, we've all missed you so much!” Kagome blushed slightly. Sure, she'd missed them all a little but obviously not as much as they'd missed her.

 

“So, we've all been dying to know what you're wearing to homecoming!”

 

“Uh…oh…right. Homecoming…well I haven't really thought about it.” Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi gasped in unison. Yuka was the first to speak up.

 

“Kagome! Homecoming is like the most important social event of the year before prom. Practically everyone has bought their dress. And if they haven't it's only because they don't have a date or they're still trying to lose weight. And you have a date and of course one of the best bodies in our class. Which I still don't understand because you're always so sick. When do you find time to workout?” `You mean in between fighting demons, running long distances and traveling practically non-stop…'

 

“Yuka's right Kagome. You need to find a dress. Hojo needs to know the color so he can buy a tie and a corsage to match.” Kagome floundered.

 

“Ugh guys, I can't believe I'm going with Hojo.”

 

“What are you talking about!? He's the cutest guy in our grade! Girls would kill to be in your position and you sound like you'd kill to be out of it.” Kagome nodded absently. Yuka rolled her eyes.

 

“You. Need. A. Dress. It's that simple. And you should hurry before all the cute ones are gone.” Kagome sighed again.

 

“Not today guys. Let's just go get some ice cream and then…you guys can show me your dresses and tell me about who you're all going with.” Just like Kagome had planned, the mention of showing off their dresses completely distracted the girls from pressuring Kagome into buying her own.

 

 

“She left without saying goodbye again…” Shippo looked depressed. This was the second time in a little over a week that Kagome had left without so much as a wave.

 

“Sorry Shippo. I should've asked her what was up. I wasn't thinking.” Sango felt badly that she'd been so nervous about the brothers fighting again that she hadn't asked Kagome what was wrong, why she'd felt the need to leave again so soon. It wasn't even until Kirara returned that Sango even realized Kagome had left. She'd absently allowed Kagome to take Kirara without even asking why.

 

 

“So you're giving up on him?”

 

“Well, not really, but he still loves her. I don't really have a chance. I don't think he even sees us as a couple anymore.” `Not that he ever truly did…' Kagome added sadly to herself.

 

“Wow. Kagome, I'm so sorry.” Ayumi was shooting a concerned look at her depressed friend.

 

“Well, whatever, who needs him!? He was bad news bears from the beginning.”

 

“Bad news what?” Kagome was confused.

 

“Never mind that. This means you are free to date Hojo now!” Eri squealed in delight.

 

`It's going to be a long rest of the day…' Kagome thought ruefully to herself.

 

Ayumi broke the uncomfortable silence first. “I'm so excited for homecoming! Like, you have no idea. And it's being held in that planetarium, how cool!” Yuka's eyes bugged.

 

“Kagome! That's it! You don't need to buy a dress! I have the perfect one for you.” Yuka was bouncing excitedly up and down in her seat. “It'll look absolutely perfect on you. It was going to be my dress for homecoming but I found one I liked a little better. Oh don't worry, it's still gorgeous, I mean I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't but the other one I found just matched my skin better.” Kagome slumped in her chair `Yup. Definitely gonna be long…'

 

Kagome Was exhausted. The girls had worn her out. They'd peppered her with questions about boys she thought were cute, talked her ears off about the guys that they thought were cute, and almost matched Inuyasha's grueling traveling pace when they'd finally gotten to the mall and seen a sale in practically every store. But, and Kagome smiled awkwardly at the thought, she'd really needed a girls day out…even if she felt like she would pass out after it. As soon as Kagome had managed to put her bags down, the phone started ringing.

 

“Higurashi residence.”

 

“Oh hi, Higurashi. It's Hojo.” Kagome rolled her eyes and wondered if the day could get any worse.

 

“Uh, hi Hojo, what's up?”

 

“Well it's about homecoming. I was just calling to ask you if it would be ok if I picked you up at about six that night?”

 

“Uh sure, Hojo. Sounds fine.”

 

“Oh and uhm…what color is your dress?” Kagome thought hard and tried to remember if Yuka had even given Kagome a clue about what the dress looked like before she'd dived into the next topic of discussion.

 

“Well, and this is going to sound odd, but you're going to have to call Yuka to find out because I honestly don't know.”

 

“Oh. Ok. Well thanks again for going with me and I'll see you in school tomorrow maybe.”

 

“Yah, I'll be there. Bye, Hojo.”

 

“Bye, Higurashi.” Kagome set the phone on the receiver and slapped her hands into her eyes. Why did she have to have been so drugged up when Hojo asked her? How was she going to tell her friends in the Feudal era that she had to hold them back again because she had to go to some silly dance with some silly boy? A few of them might understand but Inuyasha would…'Inuyasha…' Kagome was thinking suddenly about the man that had filled her thoughts and dreams for so long. This whole dance thing wouldn't be so bad if it was him she was going with. In fact, she'd probably enjoy herself, that is if he'd even want to dance with her. What could she do to make him see her as something more than he saw her now? Although she didn't really know for sure how he saw her, she was convinced it didn't even get close to anything past a tolerant friendship. But she wanted more than that. Much more. And it hurt her to think she might never have that. `But…the bath.' Kagome thought back to Sesshomaru's words. `Why would he be spying on me if he didn't...and he did try to kiss me that one time and….' Kagome shook her head to rid it of thoughts she wasn't quite ready to handle as not being true. `Get a grip Kagome.' And although it hurt to do so, Kagome brought up the thought about what it would have been like to have been awake while he pressed his lips to hers, breathing life into her.

 

A/N: OK sorry about this chapter being so “housekeeping”. And by that I mean, I was working on tidying up a bunch of loose ends in this chapter so that the story would run a bit smoother for its duration. The next chapter will probably be similar but after that you can rest assured that it will only get better from then on. I can say that because I have like 3 and a half of the final chapters written out. Also, sorry about the wait on this chapter. I've known since I started this story pretty much how I wanted it to play out but I had to re-read it to make sure I caught all the little details that my tired mind slipped into the story without telling me. I am still getting people who are reviewing me and are confused about the pairing. But….I think I like that. This may sound weird or even sadistic, but, I'm enjoying torturing you haha j/k. Also….some fans of a certain character will wanna chase me with their fangirl pitchforks and kill me for something at the end of this story. **pictures thousands of rabid fangirls with flaming pitchforks chasing me down!!** So please, I beg you, in advance not to kill me. I have yet to be married, and by that I mean….I have yet to experience my very own lemon….*blushes* so please wait a little before you kill me, because trust me, in one of the final chapters some of you will wanna murdalize me! Anyway, enjoy! Oh and p.s. don't lose faith my few readers, lemons will come soon…multiple lemons mwahahahahah!