InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Jewel Shard's Bail Bonds ❯ Revelation and Deception ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter Twelve:

Noise berated his ears and the scent of hundreds of humans filled his nostrils making his nose itch and unable to decipher a single thing. ‘Baka, why did I wait until two days before Christmas to start shopping?’ Inuyasha scolded himself as he pushed through the throngs of people swarming the mall. He hated crowded places like the mall. They wreaked havoc on his senses making him feel dull and slow. So he’d been avoiding shopping like the plague, but he could avoid it no longer. The day after tomorrow would be Christmas Eve and he had yet to get anyone a present.

After only a few minutes of shopping Inuyasha decided he couldn’t handle the crowds and opted instead to give everyone gift cards. He got Souta and Miroku gift cards to an electronics store. He had no idea what Kagome’s mother and her grandfather would want and just got them VISA gift cards, he found a store that sold athletic equipment and got Sango a gift card there. For Rin he bought a gift card to a girly looking store that sold clothes and accessories, and for his brother he bought a gift card to a high end department store. That only left Kagome. He’d contemplated buying her a gift card at the same place he bought Rin’s gift card but it seemed so impersonal and he couldn’t bring himself to purchase it.

He stood in the center of the mall staring at a mall map trying to plan out his next move in the hunt for the perfect gift for Kagome. He ran a finger down the list of shops none of them seemed even remotely appealing. ‘What the hell do I get her? Jewelry?’ he imaged Kagome’s silver bracelet dangling delicately on her petite wrist, ‘I don’t think so,’ he thought moodily. ‘Perfume maybe?’ his nose twitched as a woman with a particularly bad perfume walked by, ‘definitely not that,’ he thought firmly. ‘What then?’ He stared menacingly at the mall directory for a few more minutes before a brilliant idea struck him, why wonder when he could practically ask her himself.

He pulled out his cell phone and called Sango. It rang a few times before she answered.

“Hello?” she said. Inuyasha could hear voices in the background.

“Sango, its Inuyasha, are you with Kagome right now?” he said near a whisper.

“Yeah why?” she said suspiciously.

“I need your help, and I don’t want Kagome to hear, make an excuse to walk away,” he pleaded.

“Sure grandma,” Sango said loudly, he could hear her hand covering the receiver while she addressed Kagome and whoever else was there. “It’s my grandma I have to take this,” she said.

‘That’s one way of doing it,’ he thought rolling his eyes.

“What is it Inu, I’m not setting up anymore alone time for you and Kagome. I’ve given you plenty of chances to talk to her,” she said firmly.

“That’s not it, I’m looking for the perfect gift for Kagome, what does she want? Has she mentioned anything to you,” he said hopefully.

Sango was quiet for a moment apparently thinking.

“Inuyasha, the only thing I know that Kagome wants from you is the truth,” she said somberly.

“The truth,” he said slowly trying out the phrase.

“Yeah, I think she wants to know about your past, I think she’s ready.”

“Are you suggesting I tell her everything?”

“I think you should tell her everything, except her involvement in the whole picture. I think telling her that you’re a Hanyou and that she’s the reincarnation of your dead love would freak her out too much, but I think she’s ready to know the truth about you and Jewel Shard’s. She’s been working with us for nearly six months now,” Sango said.

“What if I have a repeat of Kikyo?” he said quietly. When he had revealed his true nature to Kikyo she had freaked out, she wouldn’t come near him for an hour, she locked herself in her bedroom and threatened to call the police, somehow he had managed to talk her down and she came out of the room. Their relationship had never been the same after that night. Inuyasha visibly shook his head as it to dislodge the bad memories.

“I think if you leave out the reincarnation part, for now, she won’t freak out as bad, that’s a lot to take in at once. Someone you think is human isn’t human and you could be the reincarnation of a woman who lived five hundred years in the past, one step at a time Inu,” Sango said warmly.

“You’re right,” he said thoughtfully.

“I know I am,” she replied playfully.

“One question.”

“What’s that?”

“How do you wrap the truth?”

Sango laughed lightly, “I don’t know you’ll have to figure that out on your own.”

“Keh, you’re a big help.”

“I know. Are we done here? Everyone was about to go outside for a walk.”

“Yeah, go back. I’ll be at the house soon.”

“Good luck Inu.”

“Thanks Sango.”

“No problem.”

He hung up the phone, well that puzzle was solved, only leaving him with the daunting task of telling Kagome the truth. Sango was right if he didn’t tell Kagome about his belief she was ‘her’ reincarnation then she wouldn’t freak out as bad, but there was still the possibility she would freak out when she found out he was a half demon, that was a risk he was willing to take though. If Kagome was who he thought she was then she would have to understand.




********

Inuyasha pulled up to the house less than an hour later, as snowflakes drifted from the sky on the wind. It had been years since he’d spent time in snow, and it took him back to winters in Japan from his youth.

He stepped out of the car, snowflakes clinging to his clothes and hair melting against his body heat. He heard laughter carried on the wind, it was Kagome’s laughter. He followed the musical sound of her happiness to its source, she was standing in between two rows of orchard trees with her long ebony hair pulled back in matching braids, she had on large red mittens and a large white winter jacket with black snow pants. She had a snowball in her right hand poised above her head ready to throw, and he watched as she propelled the snowball forward with effortless grace. He drank in the sight of her as she laughed at Souta who had just been clobbered in the face by her snowball. Then out the corner of his eye he saw Miroku creeping up on Kagome, she was so busy laughing at her younger brother she didn’t even notice him coming up behind her snowball in hand. He watched Miroku launch the snow projectile and without thinking he lunged forward grabbing Kagome around the waist taking the hit meant for Kagome to the side of the head.

They fell to the ground together, unintentionally, Inuyasha pinned Kagome to the snow covered ground beneath them. Her pigtails splayed out behind her, her breathing was heavy as she looked up at him wide eyed. He was straddling her waist when he realized he sprang up. Shaking off the slight embarrassment Inuyasha helped Kagome to her feet.

“What was that for?” she said breathlessly.

“Miroku was aiming for you. I was trying to save you,” he said lamely looking down at the ground.

“Inuyasha, it’s a snowball fight. I’m supposed to get hit with snowballs,” she said hitting his arm playfully.

He rubbed the back of his neck feeling embarrass. He had just made a complete ass out of himself.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered moving in close to him, “I like being saved.” She turned running after Sango who had just appeared. “You should play with us Inuyasha boys against girls,” Kagome called over her shoulder.

Shaking off the embarrassment of saving Kagome from something as innocent as a snowball, Inuyasha joined forces with Miroku and Souta. Sesshomaru had declined to play stating it was a childish game, at least that’s what Souta and Miroku told him.

Souta showed him the snow fort they had constructed and their store of snowballs. Once he was acquainted with the rules for this particular snow battle, they headed off through the orchard in search of the girls.

Inuyasha felt a certain thrill in hunting down Kagome and the others, it fed into his predatory instincts that he felt hadn’t been tapped in a long time. After a few minutes of searching they found Rin alone in the middle of the orchard looking lost.
“Now’s our chance,” Souta whispered, “Inuyasha you go to the left and Miroku to the right, and then we will move in and take her.”

They both nodded in agreement before carrying out Souta’s bidding. Inuyasha crept quietly up behind Rin; her dark brown hair was loose and blowing in the soft breeze. She was looking around like a frightened rabbit. They came at her from all sides, from her left side, her right side and her rear when they were within firing distance Souta called out to her.

“We have you surrounded. Just give up and we’ll take you prisoner,” he said magnanimously.

Rin turned around to face Souta a wicked grin playing on her features. “You’re mistaken we have you surrounded.”

Just then Sesshomaru, Sango, Kagome, Mrs. Higurashi, and Kagome’s Grandfather came into the clearing.

“No fair!” Souta whined, “They weren’t part of the game.”

“We are now,” Mrs. Higurashi said wickedly.

Rin bolted between Miroku and Inuyasha to stand behind Sesshomaru.

“Now!” she shouted and they were pelted from five different directions, Inuyasha made a few lame attempts at retaliation but was unsuccessful.

“We give,” Inuyasha shouted after the twentieth snowball hit him in the side of the head.

“We win!” Kagome and Rin cheered.

“You cheated,” Souta said standing dripping wet from head to toe.

“There’s no cheating in war,” Kagome said wisely.

“Still think you cheated,” Souta mumbled.

“Come on kid,” Inuyasha said rumpling his hair in a brotherly way, “no one likes a sore loser.”

Souta beamed up at him, “you’re right.”

“How about we all go get some coffee and hot chocolate,” Mrs. Higurashi said kindly.

“That sounds wonderful,” Sango said gratefully.

“I could go for a cup of coffee,” Miroku added.

Everyone started to follow after Mrs. Higurashi when Kagome fell back to walk with Inuyasha.

“You’re really great with him,” she said observationally.

“Who?”

“My brother Souta, I can tell he really likes you. He always wanted a big brother and all he got was a sister.”

“Oh,” Inuyasha replied, he did enjoy the younger boys company. He’d never really wanted siblings. He barely got along with the only brother he had, but he had to admit he did like the way Souta looked up to him. “He’s a good kid,” he said after a long pause.

“You’re a good guy Inuyasha,” Kagome said sweetly, he looked down into her warm brown eyes.

“Thanks,” he said looking away quickly before she saw how it affected him to hear her say that.


**********

The day of Christmas Eve Mama Higurashi announced they would all be going to the local tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree; it had been tradition in the Higurashi household to cut down a Christmas tree and decorate it on Christmas Eve, ever since Kagome was a little girl. They all loaded up into Jii-chan’s ancient pickup truck, the truck bed was lined with benches from the hay ride days of Kagome’s youth. Everyone sat facing each other as they drove down the ambling dirt road that led from Higurashi farms to the Johnson Family Tree Farm. After a few minutes they arrived at their destination; Jii-chan gathered them around for their tree searching instructions.

“We’re looking for a large tree, no taller than seven feet, with good coloring, and sufficient foliage. Understood?” He said looking around at all of them.

“Understood!” they all recited.
“And the winner gets the honor of playing Santa’s helper,” Souta added.

“What’s that?” Inuyasha said wrinkling his nose.

“That’s the person who hands out the presents,” Kagome explained.

“Why is that so exciting?” He said skeptically.

“Because you get to decide who opens what and when, and then you usually get to open your present first,” Kagome said excitedly.

“Keh,” Inuyasha said obviously unimpressed.

Kagome only shook her head; it had been her and Souta’s competition to find the perfect tree since they were small.

“Ready?” Jii-Chan announced raising his right arm.

Everyone nodded, in response. Souta was leaning over ready to bolt like a sprinter. ‘I don’t think so baby brother,’ Kagome thought firmly.

“GO!” Jii-chan said lowering his arm down.

Kagome and Souta sprinted off into the forest, she didn’t even take time to look back to check everyone else’s pace. The smell of pine filled her nostrils as she tore through the pine forest, it was her favorite part of Christmas the crisp scent of a new Christmas tree. She could hear the sound of Souta’s feet pounding on the hard packed ground a few yards away as she reached a clearing of Christmas trees, she slowed her pace to better inspect the trees fitting the size specifications.

The first few trees were not to her standards and she moved on. She was walking for a few minutes when she heard footsteps falling behind her, expecting she would find Souta trying to steal a good tree as she twirled around.

“Souta following me is-” she stopped mid sentence. It wasn’t Souta, it was Inuyasha. “Inuyasha” she said blushing. She hadn’t been alone with him since she realized how she felt about him.

“Did you find one?” he said kindly.

“Not yet,” she said, “I was looking, did you want to help me?” she said hopefully.

“Sure,” he said coming to stand next to her.
They traveled in silence for awhile; Kagome was reeling in the unspoken words between them. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, but she couldn’t form the words in her mind, let alone her mouth. She took a deep breath and steadied her resolve.

“Inuyasha-,” she was cut short by joyous cries in the distance.

“I think Souta found a tree,” Inuyasha said looking in the direction of the shouts.

“I think you’re right,” Kagome replied.
“Were you going to ask me something?” he said.

“It’s nothing important,” she said looking away.

“Oh, okay,” he said, “Kagome can I ask a favor?”

“Sure,” she said turning her brown eyes on his amber.

“Can we exchange our gifts privately tonight?”

“Sure Inuyasha,” she said blushing slightly, she was going to be alone when she gave Inuyasha the necklace. She could only hope she didn’t faint again when she handed it to him.

“Great! Let’s go catch up with everyone else,” he said grabbing her by the wrist and leading her away.


********

Mounds of torn wrapping paper enveloped Kagome as she sat in the middle of the present opening massacre, she had received a fluffy pink sweater from her mother, some kind of shriveled up hand from Jii-chan, and Souta had given her a winter hat with a matching pair of gloves. She got a cute green tank top from Sango, some costume jewelry from Rin and Sesshomaru, and Miroku had given her a couple CD’s of bands he had mentioned to her.

She searched around the pile of discarded wrapping paper for the present from Inuyasha but she couldn’t find it, she was hoping to give it a good shake before they exchanged presents in private but he must have taken his out from under the tree for their private gift exchange just as she had.

Kagome looked across the room to Inuyasha who was knee deep in wrapping paper surrounded by cups of Ramen. She had found out that evening that Sango and Miroku made a habit of giving him a year’s worth of Ramen every Christmas, it seemed to make him happy so who was she to judge. His face was alight as he surveyed his mountain of stacked Ramen cups. He must have felt Kagome’s eyes on him because he turned amber eyes on her. She blushed and looked over at Sango who was wrapping her arms around Miroku’s neck.

“Thank you so much Miroku, she’s beautiful!” Sango gushed.

“What did you get?” Kagome said, feeling Inuyasha’s eyes on her.

“This!” Sango said turning over a Polaroid picture of a small tan and black cat. A note at the bottom read, ‘Hi my Name is Kirrara.’

“He got you a cat picture?” Kagome said baffled.

“No, he got me a cat from the shelter! I’ve been wanting a cat for ages but the cat shelter kept denying me and Miroku got her for me!” She said smiling brightly at Miroku who had a very self satisfied look on his face.

“What did Inuyasha get you?” Rin said reentering the room wearing the orange and white Kimono Sesshomaru had bought for her.

“Oh well…” Kagome began.

“I haven’t given it to her yet,” Inuyasha interrupted.

“Oh,” Rin said looking between them.

“Anyone want some coffee?” Mama Higurashi said breaking the tension.

“That sounds wonderful Mrs. Higurashi” Miroku said smoothly, “Sango shall we?” he said elbowing her gently.

“Oh, yeah! Rin, Sesshomaru, coffee?”

“Sure,” Rin said gladly.

“That would be nice,” Sesshomaru said sweeping out of the room with the others.

Leaving Kagome alone with Inuyasha, Souta, and a sleeping Jii-chan. Souta was completely absorbed in the video game Kagome had gotten him for Christmas and was paying no attention to the pair of them as Kagome sat staring at her thumbs while Inuyasha stood a few feet away shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

“I-,” they both said together.

“You go first,” they said in unison.

“Sorry go ahead,” Kagome said turning slightly pink.

“Are you ready to exchange presents?” He said casually.

“Yeah should we go in the other room, or?”

“Could we go outside?” he said hopefully.

“I don’t see why not,” she paused, “Wait here while I go get your present.”

Kagome tore up the stairs to her bedroom and grabbed the wrapped box off of her bed clutching the package to her chest as she descended the stairwell. Inuyasha was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs his coat already on, while holding her winter coat for her.

He helped her into her coat and then led her out the door, at first she thought they would just walk a few feet from the house but instead he took her along the orchard path. She followed him, a million thoughts buzzing through her head, ‘Why this far away? Is it something bad? Something inappropriate?’ she shook these thoughts away. She couldn’t imagine Inuyasha giving her something embarrassing, he probably just wanted to them to be free of interruption.
He led her to the shrine area of the farm and stopped beneath the Goshinboku tree.

“Thanks for doing this Kagome,” he said, it was just then that Kagome realized Inuyasha wasn’t carrying any package, and there was no present in sight.

‘Where’s the present? Why is he not holding anything? Is he planning on kissing me? Am I ready for that?’ Kagome felt her pace quicken and her stomach did a nervous flip.

“No problem,” she said quietly after a long pause.

“Before I give you your present should I open mine?” he said,.

“Oh, of course,” she said releasing her death grip on the package and handed it over to Inuyasha slowly, his hand brushed hers slightly as he took it from her grasp and she felt shivers run down her spine.

She watched as he slowly opened the wrapping careful to avoid ripping any of the dark green wrapping paper. He removed the last piece of tape revealing the dark wood box.

“What is this?” he said sounding confused.

“Open it,” Kagome said her voice sounding steadier than she felt.

He opened the lid slowly, and a strange emotion flickered across his gaze.

“Kagome you shouldn’t have,” he said quietly.

“Do you like them?” she said hopefully.

“They’re great,” he smiled at her.

“Do you want me to put them on?” she whispered.

“Would you?” he said handing her the box.

Her hand hovered over the beads for a moment until she touched the smooth polished wood; whatever had affected her in the shop wasn’t affecting her today. She raised the beads from the velvet, moving his hair out of the way, Kagome gently placed the necklace around his neck. They fit perfectly it was almost like they were made for him. She felt an odd sensation of completion, seeing the beads resting above his heart. ‘Could it have something to do with that weird dream?’

Kagome took her hand slowly from the necklace and Inuyasha’s hand shot up and took her wrist in his hand.

“Where’s the bracelet?” he said casually.

Kagome looked down at her bare wrist; shortly after she had decided to end it with Kouga she had taken the bracelet he had given her off. It felt wrong to wear in now even if they weren’t broken up yet she knew in her heart it was over.

“I took it off,” she said sliding her wrist from his grasp.

“Oh,” he said looking down.

“So what’s my present?” she said hoping to break the tension.

He looked at her, his amber eyes accessing her, searching her face for what she wasn’t sure.

“Kagome I want to give you the truth about myself and my past,” he said.

Kagome’s breath caught, ‘is he really opening up to me?’ she tried to keep the excitement from her face. “Really?” she said attempting to sound casual.

“Yes, but I want you to promise me no matter what don’t freak out.”

She wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but she knew she was ready; she had been ready for a long time. “I promise,” she said.

“Alright,” Inuyasha took a deep breath in, “Kagome I’m not what I appear to be, I’m a Hanyou, a half demon.”

“A what?” she said, of all the things she was expecting to hear this wasn’t it.

“I’m a Hanyou,” he said again, as he pulled a ring off of his right hand, she watched as his hair slowly faded to a silvery white, his finger nails elongated, and a pair of white fluffy ears manifested themselves on his head.

She could feel her heart stop for a moment, ‘I’m dreaming. I have to be dreaming,’ she thought desperately taking a tentative step backwards, she wasn’t sure what to think.

“Kagome are you alright?” he asked. Hesitantly she tore her eyes away from the dog ears that twitched slightly in the night breeze. To look in his now golden pools, ‘even his eyes have changed color’ she thought.

She scanned up and down his body; he looked almost exactly the same except for the dog ears adorning his head. ‘There’s nothing to be afraid of its still Inuyasha just with dog ears’ she reasoned with herself.

“Kagome?” Inuyasha pressed, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Yeah, I’m okay just a little surprising I guess,” she said relaxing considerably. There really wasn’t anything to be afraid of; sure it was strange that her boss was a half-demon but there were crazier things that happened right?

“Oh good,” he said sounding relieved.

“Were you expecting a different reaction?” she said kindly.

“To tell you the truth I was, the last person I told my secret was not as understanding.”

“Oh, who was the last person you told?” Kagome said curiously.

“Kikyo,” he said begrudgingly.

“Oh,” ‘of course he would of told her that was his girl friend for two years until recently,’ she felt an unfamiliar pang of jealousy accompany the thought.
The conversation slumped into silence for a moment. Kagome continued to study Inuyasha’s changed appearance, the pair of white fluffy dog ears calling to her.

“Inuyasha?” Kagome said tentatively.

“Yes?”

“Can I touch your ears?” she said sheepishly.

“Why?” he said guardedly.

“I want to see if they’re as soft as they look,” she said reasonably.

“Well, I guess just this once wouldn’t hurt,” he said leaning forward slightly.

She stretched one hand out gently rubbing a corner of the ear between her thumb and forefinger.

“Its soft,” she mused taking her hand away.

“You’re not scared?” he said cautiously. He was obviously waiting for her to snap at any moment.

“No, I was mostly just surprised it’s not like someone admits to being a half-demon every day,” she said reasonably.

“I guess you have a point,” he conceded chuckling slightly.

They both stood in silence for a few moments.

“Are you going to tell me everything now?” she said hopefully.

“You still want to know everything?” he said in disbelief.

“Yes,” she said eagerly.

“I’m not going to hold back, some things I have to say about Kouga are not positive, I want you to know that.” he said firmly.

“Does that mean Kouga is one too?” Kagome said finally making the connection.

“He is. He’s a wolf demon. I met him five hundred years ago in Japan during the feudal era.”

“Five hundred years ago?” Kagome said astonished.

“Yeah, I’m nearly five hundred and twenty years old.”

Kagome put her hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming ‘What!'. Instead she nodded for him to continue.

“Let me start from the beginning, five hundred years ago in Japan. It was a completely different world, Youkai were plentiful and in a constant battle for survival, after my mother died I was left to fend for myself, from age fifteen on it was a constant battle. There were always Youkai who smelled my half-demon blood and would challenge me. I defeated them all, but the constant battle began to wear thin, then one day I heard about this jewel. According to the Youkai I heard it from the jewel gave the owner its true heart‘s desire, and in my heart of hearts I wanted to become a full Youkai, so I sought out this jewel. Unfortunately the Youkai I got this tip from failed to mention that the jewel was guarded by an extremely powerful Miko. The first time I tried to take the jewel she pinned me to a tree, I thought for sure she would kill me then but she didn’t, she let me live. I was intrigued after that, I came back every day and watched her. She was under constant attack, and no one ever got through her defenses it was amazing. I studied her for weeks before I made another attempt at the jewel. I was sure I knew her weaknesses by now, but unknown to me she had known I was there the entire time and had displayed those specific weakness in order to trap me, by sheer luck I managed to get a hold of the jewel but during the struggle she shot an arrow through the jewel shattering it into thousands of pieces. She made me swear to help her rebuild the jewel with her, I agreed grudgingly, hoping in the end to take the jewel from her.”

“We traveled all across Japan together. She was amazing, caring, compassionate, strong, and slowly I found myself falling in love with her. Shortly after that we met Kouga, he was the portentous leader of the wolf demon tribe. When we met him his tribe was being hunted by a flock of grotesque birds, she helped to defeat them and Kouga proclaimed his undying love to her. He promised to take her as his mate once things were settled with his clan. We saw him occasionally after that; he would show up with his two sidekicks, say something to her then runs off once again. It bothered me but I never thought much of it, over the years my feelings for her grew, the jewel was reforming slowly but time seemed to not matter any longer as long as I was with her.”

“On occasion we would return to her village and during one of these occasions she was extremely persistent to return. I had heard about a new lead and I was itching to collect another fragment so I took her back and left her. I thought she would be safe in her village, I was wrong,” he paused looking far away.
It was all so incredible it’s almost hard to believe but she couldn’t sense any deceit in his tone; she knew he was telling the truth, Kagome held her breath as he continued.

“While I was away Kouga came to her village he had followed her sent there, he had come to claim her…,” Inuyasha said his voice getting heavy.

Kagome felt her heart beat quicken this seemed eerily similar to the dream she had, the day she fainted.

“What do you mean claim her?” Kagome said quietly, half wishing he wouldn’t tell her.

“He…” he took a deep breath once more, “You see Wolf Youkai mate for life, once they mate there bound together for life,” Inuyasha paused to control his anger, “When he came she refused him, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer, he raped her. I sensed something was wrong and tried to return to her, only I was a too late, he had just finished that disgusting act when I arrived. I beat him near to death but she stopped me before I administered the killing blow and he ran away with his tail between his legs.”

“After that everything changed; we didn’t go looking for shards, she barely talked at all she was like an empty shell of what she once was, it was like all of her brilliant light had left her,” Inuyasha looked down.

“I’m so sorry,” Kagome said quietly touching his arm.

He nodded at her, “Then one day a few weeks later I left to go hunting. I wasn’t going to be gone for long and I thought she was going to be alright by herself. I was wrong,” he said darkly, “When I came home a few hours later I found her in a pool of her own blood, she had cut her own wrist and bled to death, all because that fucking bastard couldn’t get it through his head that she didn’t feel that way about him.” Inuyasha finished angrily punching the Goshinboku.

“Inuyasha I had no idea,” she said quietly.

“You couldn’t of known,” he said looking away, rage and grief clouding his eyes. “Kagome I told you this not only because I trust you but because I want you to know what Kouga is capable of. He’s marked you. That bracelet he gave you it marks you as his intended mate to the entire Youkai community.”

“He what?” Kagome said bristling angrily.

“Has he ever talked about the future with you?” Inuyasha said casually.

Kagome thought hard for a moment, they really hadn’t been dating that long he had mentioned the future but mating or marriage or whatever it was, was never a topic of conversation.

“No, it doesn’t matter now I’m breaking up with him,” Kagome said firmly, it felt good to finally say it aloud.

“You are?” Inuyasha said incredulously.

“I am.”

“Good,” Inuyasha said smugly.

Kagome giggled.

“What’s so funny?” Inuyasha said raising a brow.

“Nothing. Lets go,” Kagome said grabbing his wrist, “We’ve been out here a while, the others will be wondering where we are.” Inuyasha made a baffled face, as Kagome dragged him back in the direction of the house.

**********

Rain pelted her face and soaked through her clothes, ‘why do I have to be out in this weather and on Christmas Eve no less. Well it’s not like I have any family to see,’ she pulled her jacket around herself tighter hoping to keep in a little heat and keep out some of the damp that had soaked her nearly to the bone. She turned down an alley way her feet splashing in the puddles of water, as she made her way towards her destination.

A metal door with peeling blue paint loomed in the distance under a blinking fluorescent light. She walked up to the door looking both ways both knocking deliberately on the door.

Shuffling and the scraping of a chair could be heard from behind the door as a small slat at the top of the door was shifted open.

“Who is it?” said a gruff male voice.

“It’s Kikyo. Let me in its pouring out here,” she hissed to the man.

The slit in the door was slammed shut, then the distinctive noise of several bolts being undone, the large metal door creaked open illuminating Kikyo’s face with the light from the interior of the building.

“Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” said a young male voice, as Kikyo stepped in the through the door way. She spun around to see Bankotsu, a young seeming man with long black hair that he kept braided in a single braid, was leaning up against the wall next to her.

“Didn’t take you long to come crawling back to us,” he said walking towards her taking a sopping wet strand of her ebony hair in his hands, the rest of the assembled gang laughed menacingly.

Kikyo stared him straight in the eye. “I’m not here to see you. I’m here to see Naraku,” she said coldly.

“Why so cold? It wasn’t long ago you were warming my bed, and the bed of every man here,” more jeers and laughter from the band of seven, it was true she had been passed around between them like a piece of meat, she was to high at the time to care, but now that she was sober again she wouldn’t be treated like that again.

“I’m not here to talk about that, where’s Naraku?” she demanded, her gaze steadied on Bankotsu never faltering.

“Maybe he’s here maybe he’s out,” Bankotsu said in a disinterested way, “What’s so important that you’d call on him on a night like this, when its pouring rain no less?” he jeered at her flashing his white smile that made her stomach turn.

“I have a favor to ask,” she said resolutely.

“Why would Naraku owe you a favor?” Bankotsu said condescendingly, “the last time I saw you, you were flying high at that Meth lab. Why would he owe some tweaker like you any favors?” he said jabbing a finger into her shoulder.

“That’s for me to know and Naraku to find out,” she said evenly.

Bankotsu seemed to lose interest in taunting her and let out a sharp whistle.

“Muikotsu, go ask the boss if he wants to speak with Kikyo.”

“Tell him I have a proposition for him,” Kikyo added mildly.

“Sure,” the squat little man said scurrying off towards the back of the room where another metal door stood with an impressive sized lock on the outside. Muikotsu took out a ring of keys fitted one into the oversized lock, turning it until it clicked. He opened the door a crack and slipped in behind it.

Kikyo looked around the room with disgust; there was year’s worth of dust and filth covering the floor, empty beer bottles and food containers strewn about the floor. Strange dark splattering patterns, that Kikyo hated to guess at the origins of.

When she had woken up in the hospital after Inuyasha rescued her from that hellhole Naraku had dumped her in she swore she’d never return to the place where it all started but here she was waiting to speak with the last person she wanted to see but the only person who could help.

Kikyo heard the metal door at the back of the room open she turned dark piercing eyes on the emerging figure of Muikotsu as he scurried over to Bankotsu who had once more taken up his post against the wall. Bankotsu leaned down so Muikotsu could whisper in his ear. He nodded a few times as he listened, a wicked grin spread across his face. ‘Did Naraku say no? Why does he look so excited?’ she thought.

Bankotsu stood up straight once more and turned hard black eyes on Kikyo.
“Looks like it’s your lucky day, the boss is willing to speak with you. I guess he’s in a good mood maybe it’s the Christmas spirit or something?” Bankotsu said the evil grin never leaving his face.

“Fine is he back here?” Kikyo said walking towards the back of the room.

“Yeah, I’ll show you in,” Bankotsu replied walking towards the already open metal door. He pushed it open slightly allowing Kikyo access to the room. It was dimly lit with a thick haze of smoke, it reminded Kikyo of the first time she met Naraku, it was months before she broke up with Inuyasha she went to a bar near her apartment to just unwind after a hard day, she sat at the bar when a young man with long dark hair and cold dark eyes approached her, he was the perfect gentleman. He offered to buy her a drink which she gratefully accepted there was no harm in one drink, but one drink turn into two, two turned into three and so on until it was nearly two in the morning and she was plastered. He drove her home, he asked her if he could see her again, and then left with a promise of another meeting.

He didn’t even try and have sex with her. If he had asked she would of willing given into him. She’d been so naïve then if only she had known. Their friendship grew and she could feel herself growing more distant from Inuyasha and closer with Naraku. That’s when she decided to end things with Inuyasha and try and find real happiness with Naraku, the first night they hadn’t done anything more than make out on her bed. It was different than what she was used to and she liked it. Then he took her to a club, they were having a good time he was buying the drinks and she was enjoying them, then he passed her an all too familiar item. She hadn’t done meth in a long time, he urged her practically begged her to take a hit, he was generous and so kind how could she say no, and one little hit couldn’t hurt right?

That’s when it all came crashing down, she was hooked again after that one hit, the next month was like a blur, there were men and woman and parties and drugs, until she found herself alone in a dark room that smelled like chemicals with two guys she didn’t know. When she started to come down off of her one month high that’s when she saw Inuyasha, she was afraid, and embarrassed. She had lashed out at him, and then he took her to the hospital, then she had said all those crazy things about darkness and light. If only she could of control her mouth, thought more sensibly maybe. ‘No focus on the objective’. All she could think about during her recovery was reconciling with Inuyasha then that bitch had been sitting in her old desk, in her old place, she was a replacement for herself and she was going to make sure she knew it. Then she was going to get rid of her, then she could take Inuyasha back, he would have to take her back he always had. That’s what had brought her here to Naraku, to ask a favor. He was the only one who had the man power to do what needed to be done.
Kikyo looked through the smoke as it cleared Naraku was lounging on a sofa a petite platinum blond with blank eyes was draped across his shoulders like a fur coat.

“Kikyo so good to see you,” he said smoothly.

“Naraku,” she said in crisp tone.

“So cold Kikyo. What’s the matter still mad at me for leaving you there?”
“Of course not that was in the past,” she kindly.

“Kukuku,” he laughed, “You were always funny Kikyo.” He peeled the blanked eyed girl from around his neck, “Go entertain the boys Kanna,” he said silkily.
She nodded with numb understanding as Bankotsu ushered the girl from the room, a devilish grin on his features. Kikyo watched the girl go sadly, that had been her until just recently, ‘so that’s why Bankotsu is so happy,’ Kikyo thought darkly.

“So what is this proposition?” Naraku said once Bankotsu shut the door behind himself.

“I have a favor to ask. I want you to get rid of someone for me.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“Once she’s gone I can get you a Jewel that can make all your wildest dreams come true.”

“Now you’ve captured my interest,” he said leaning forward pressing the tips of his fingers together.

“This girl her name is Kagome, she’s stolen my boyfriend, my life. I want her out of the way so I can take back what’s mine,” Kikyo said firmly.

“I see.”

“Then once I’m back with Inuyasha I can get the jewel for you.”

“It is an interesting proposition.”

“So you’ll do it?” she pressed.

“I’ll contact you when I know for sure,” Naraku said leaning back in his chair.

That would have to be good enough for now. “Well you know how to contact me,” Kikyo said, walking towards the door.

“Yes I do,” Naraku said menacingly, “Yes I do.”



A/N:

The prodigal chapter has return thank you to all my faithful readers on Media Miner who have waited ever so patiently for this story to be edited for the past three months (it really has been that long.) This is only the beginning of the real drama so hold on tight because the story kicks into high gear after this chapter. Hope you’re all ready for the ride.