InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ A Knuckle Sandwich & Strong Coffee ( Chapter 20 )

Chapter 20: A Knuckle Sandwich & Strong Coffee

 

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Inuyasha drove silently through the afternoon traffic, Miroku beside him. He was not looking forward to confronting Koga, but it needed to be done. He thought back to the phone call he had gotten around lunch time from a frantic sounding Koga. Koga had asked if he knew where Ayame and the twins were. Inuyasha had evaded the question and told his long time friend that he'd be by in a bit. After hanging up with Koga, Inuyasha called Miroku and invited him along for backup. Once he heard the reason for the visit, Miroku readily agreed.

 

“You know, I had a hard time convincing Sango to let you and me handle Koga. She wanted to repay each blow Koga had given Ayame with one of his own.”

 

Inuyasha didn't reply other than a snort. Miroku took that as his cue to be quiet. It was only a few minutes later when Inuyasha pulled up to Koga's apartment. Getting out, he slammed the car door and quickly strode up to the door; Miroku following close behind. Inuyasha pounded on the door and waited for it to open.

 

When Koga finally answered, Miroku was shocked by Koga's appearance. He was dressed in a sloppy pair of jeans and a rumpled t-shirt. His hair was mussed and dark circles rimmed Koga's bloodshot eyes.

 

Blinking rapidly in the afternoon sun, Koga smiled with relief when he saw his friends standing there. “Inuyasha, Miroku, thank…” Koga's greeting was choked off when Inuyasha grabbed him by the throat and rammed him into the wall.

 

“You bastard! Even now, you are drunk! You don't know where your wife or kids are, but you sure didn't have any problems finding booze!” Inuyasha snarled. Koga's eyes widened and he started gasping for air; his hands trying to get Inuyasha's hand from his throat.

 

Miroku watched a moment, content to allow Inuyasha to vent some of his anger, but decided to step in when Koga's face started to turn blue. Placing a hand on Inuyasha's arm, he said softly, “Let him go, Inuyasha. He is not worth the effort.” Miroku watched as Inuyasha loosened his grip before pulling back and slamming his fist into Koga's jaw.

 

Koga lay where he fell, taking large gulps of precious air while rubbing his cheek. “What in the hell was that for?!” he demanded angrily.

 

“That was for hitting Ayame, you asshole, and going after the girls!”

 

Miroku saw Koga's face turn green as surprise rapidly changed to dawning realization. Scrambling to his feet, Koga made a dash to the bathroom where Miroku and Inuyasha heard him emptying his stomach.

 

Inuyasha moved towards the bathroom, only to be stopped by Miroku. “Let me take care of him. Why don't you go make a pot of strong coffee.” With a glance towards the bathroom, Inuyasha nodded and headed into the kitchen.

 

Miroku waited outside the bathroom until the sounds of retching were finished. Not bothering to knock, he opened the door to see Koga weeping silently on the floor. Miroku quietly helped the distraught man to his feet and out to the living room, where Koga collapsed onto the sofa.

 

Inuyasha came in a thrust a cup of coffee into Koga's hands and took a chair across from him. Miroku sat beside Koga. An uncomfortable silence fell in the room before Inuyasha asked, “What in the hell is going on with you?”

 

Koga sighed and braced the cup between his knees. “Is Ayame okay? Did I hurt the girls?” he asked quietly.

 

Inuyasha debated not telling him, but upon seeing the anguish in his friend's eyes, he relented. “The girls are fine; you didn't touch them. Ayame has a black eye and busted lip, thanks to you.”

 

Koga hung his head; Miroku could see him struggle to get himself under control. “I guess I should tell you why I started drinking again.” Taking a deep breath, Koga lifted his head, but didn't look at either of his friends, opting to stare out the window instead.

 

“It was about a month ago I got a memo from the chain's headquarters. They were going to close a handful of stores to cut costs. Mine was on the list.” Koga paused and took a drink of coffee before he continued.

 

“As you can guess, I started worrying about my job and providing for my family. It was at that time I started drinking again; using it as an escape.” He chucked ruefully. “I know that there is no excuse for what I have done. Anyway, I tried for the past few weeks to get transferred to another store in the chain, only to be told there were no openings for managers. The store closed its doors this past Friday, and I am now unemployed.”

 

Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged glances. They had no idea that their friend was struggling like this. “Why didn't you tell us you were loosing your job? Does Ayame know?” Koga shook his head.

 

“I didn't tell her; I didn't tell anyone. I guess my pride got in the way. I was afraid I would loose people's respect - what kind of guy can't even support his family?”

 

Inuyasha didn't like the note of self-pity in his friend's voice. “Hate to tell you, but drinking and beating your wife destroyed any respect you may have had.”

 

Koga turned his gaze upon Inuyasha. “Don't you think I know that? I know I fucked up and I would do anything to change the past, but I can't,” he said bitterly.

 

Miroku put a hand on Koga's shoulder, gaining his attention. “You can make a new start by getting into a detox program and getting some help with your anger issues.” After a moment, Koga nodded his agreement. “In the meantime, we will help you find a job.” Koga's eyes brightened with a ray of hope.

 

“You guys would do that for me?” he asked in surprise. Inuyasha snorted.

 

“Of course, you ass. What are friends for? You shouldn't have too much trouble with your business degree and management background. I can also ask Sesshomaru if he knows of anything.”

 

Koga gave his friends a small smile. “Thanks guys.” The smile quickly faded as he asked, “What do I do about this mess with Ayame?”

 

Miroku spoke up. “Right now, you leave her alone. If you want to send flowers or something like that, fine. But I don't think that she wants to talk to you at the moment.”

 

“They can stay with us for awhile until you get your act together,” Inuyasha told him.

 

Koga sighed. “I don't like it, but I guess it is for the best. I really want to explain things to her thought. Would you tell her for me, Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha hesitated before answering. He didn't like the idea of trying to explain Koga's actions to Ayame. “I will talk to Kagome and see what she suggests. I feel that it would be better coming from you though.”

 

Koga nodded slowly. “I guess so. At least tell her I am sorry, for whatever it is worth, and that I love her.”

 

“That, I can do,” Inuyasha told his friend.

 

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That night, Inuyasha lay snuggled against Kagome, rubbing her slightly rounded tummy as he thought about the conversation with Koga. Kagome turned over and looked at him in mild concern.

 

“What is the matter, my love?”

 

Inuyasha shook his head. “Nothing. I am just thinking about earlier today.”

 

“You never told me how the confrontation with Koga went.”

 

Inuyasha sighed and told Kagome what had happened and what he and Miroku had learned. “So, do you think we should tell Ayame everything?” he asked her when he had finished the tale.

 

Kagome shook her head. “No. He needs to tell her himself, but Miroku is right. Ayame really doesn't want to talk to him at the moment. I will, however, try to convince her that Koga is seeking help with his problems and that she needs to talk to him.”

 

Inuyasha kissed her on the forehead. “Thank-you. I really was not looking forward to telling Ayame all of this.” Kagome giggled.

 

“How thankful are you?” she asked seductively.

 

“Let me show you.”

 

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TBC

 

A/N: Well, what do you think? Should Ayame take Koga back, or tell him to take a hike?

 

A happy birthday goes out to the best beta in the world, breezie! May it be a beautiful day!

 

As always, Read, Enjoy, and Review!