InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Scars That Won't Fade ❯ Arigatou ( Chapter 3 )

Thanks to the encouraging advice of others, I have finally mastered the techniques of Bold, Italics, and Underlining!!!!!!!!

Hahahahahah!!! Take that, you stupid computer!!! *runs around room dancing*

*Phew*...ok, enough of that!

So I just watched Shrek2...let me tell you, hilarious movie! Gotta see it!

So...what was I supposed to do again? o_O Oh right! The story...man now I'm bored. I'm gonna go glomp some sexy anime guy ^____________^

meg: "Hey look! It Kyo, Yuki, InuYasha and Miroku!"

rabid fangirls: "Like OH MY GOD! Let's, like, get them!!"

Kyo: "Jesus!! RUN!!!"

*Kyo and Yuki take off, InuYasha behind them. Miroku, however...*

Miroku: "Why helllooooo lovely ladies *wink wink*"

meg: "Oooh, hey sexy ^.~"

*Grabs Miroku and runs*

meg: "Don't watch kids! This is a PG-13 story!"

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On with the show!! ^____^

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Scars That Won't Fade

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Chapter 3: Arigatou

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She watched his face, gauging his reaction. He didn't seem to understand or comprehend just how scary her father was to her. To him, a father was a loving person who would never harm their child. She had felt that way once too.

She snapped her fingers in his face, and he blinked. She sighed. It was the same as always. She had tried to tell someone before, tried to get help. The people had always said for you to tell someone you trust, so she had tried. She had been five then.

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`What the hell do you think you're doing! How dare you tell someone! It's all your fault!'

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She winced, as she watched her past play over again in her mind. No matter how hard she tried, no matter how hard she wanted it to stop, it never did.

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`You're a mistake! We never wanted you! You're a stupid creature, you don't deserve to breathe! You don't deserve to feel sad for yourself! You don't deserve to live!''

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Her eyes filled with tears as her memory continued to run through her head, and she sat there watching it again, like a deer caught in the headlights.

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`You're a worthless...' He kicked her. `Little...' He kicked her again, she was now on the floor. `Bitch!'

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A lone drop of liquid slid out from under her eyelid.

"Stop..." she whispered. "Stop..."

Her tear was brushed from her face by his hand, and she opened her eyes to look at him, tears clouding her vision.

"What did he do to you?" he asked her, his face dead serious.

She burst out in tears, falling into his arms again, as he held her as if for dear life. When she stopped crying, she sat back on her legs, careful not to apply pressure to her swollen ankle. She took in a deep breath, and spilled it all. She left nothing untouched, no more skeletons in her closet.

When she was cold. When she was scared. When she was hurting...every day, minute, second of her dark childhood. When he would hit her, when she would cry. When she would pray every night for an angel to come down and save her, to help her. Even when she would pray for her father to stop hurting her.

She then told him what happened earlier that night. She reached the part right before he hit her with shaky sentences, before she was pulled into his arms. He held her tightly, and a lump formed in her throat. Tears stung at her eyes again, threatening to spill over once more.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, only loud enough for her ears, "That you had to live through that. I'm so sorry. I won't let him hurt you, you're safe here." He rested his hand on the back of her head, and stroked her hair gently, rocking her as she cried into his shirt. But she cried not because of her loss, not because of her past...but because of her future. She cried for joy. He would always protect her. This time...she wasn't alone.

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They hadn't bothered going back to the village. She couldn't really walk anyway, and even if he did carry her there, she didn't really feel like seeing anyone else tonight. So they had settled for the God Tree. She now sat in his arms in one of the tall branches of the tree. Her cheek was taking on a slightly purple colour, but she didn't notice. Long ago had she become accustomed to the rainbows of colours that would litter her body. One slap didn't phase her much.

His legs were propped up on either side of her, ensuring her safety. Not that she felt she would ever fall out. She couldn't if she tried. His arms rested atop his knees, draping lightly infront of her. His haori was covering both of them, him having taken it off to use it for a blanket for the both of them. She wasn't embarassed at the close contact for some reason. Rather, she welcomed it.

She stirred slightly, and he moved to accustom to her new position. She realized he was still awake, so she took the plunge.

"What're you thinking about?" she asked quietly, as though if her voice was too loud, the serene surroundings would disappear.

"Of how much you suffered. If I was there, I would've never let this happen to you. I'm here for you now, Kagome, and for ever more. You can always stay here for awhile, until you feel comfortable going back."

She closed her eyes and smiled, leaning back into his chest.

"Arigatou..." she mumbled, sleep beginning to set in, "I know you will protect me."

Her admittance had obviously somewhat shocked him, and he stiffened slightly. She bit her lip, wondering if she had said the wrong thing, but her eyes shot open when his head rolled forward, resting on her shoulder. He looked like he was ready to sleep, and she couldn't blame him. She could barely keep her eyes open. She rested her head against his gently, as sleep encompassed them both. Before she fell asleep, she heard his voice whisper in her ear,

"Always."

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She awoke against a great warmth. She mumbled something unintelligible, before snuggling back into what she assumed was her blanket. When her cheek came in contact with something soft and smooth, she froze. Opening her one eye slowly, she found that her cheek was touching InuYasha's. Her face turned so red, she was afraid that the heat radiating off it would wake him.

She carefully, slowly, removed her cheek, and began to sit forward, trying to get out of his grasp. She let out a small gasp when his hands shot out and locked around her waist. He whined and pulled her back in to his chest. Kagome sat deathly still. Her face now vaguely resembled a tomato. She soon found herself relaxing in his grip, and she sunk into his body. Pulling the red hakama back over them, she cuddled into the warmth.

She looked up through the branches of the tree. The morning light was shining through the leaves from behind them, so they were fortunately shielded from the sun's early light.

The leaves shone a beautiful green, as the light filtered through them, making them come to life. She watched as particles floated through the sunbeams. It was then that she realized something. Since when had she felt so safe? She felt like nothing could touch her, nothing could hurt her. In InuYasha's arms, she felt invincible.

Her discovery shocked her a bit. She had always felt safe around him, but even just admitting it surprised her. She really did trust him with her life. She smiled to herself as her eyes drifted shut. A small cough behind her brought her back to reality and she jumped slightly.

Looking over her shoulder, she found a rather red hanyou looking back at her. She smiled at him, and made to move away when his hand reached out and caught her wrist. She paused, and looked back at him questiongly. He avoided her gaze as he mumbled,

"S-Stay...for a bit. It's...nice...here..."

It was obviously hard for him, so she simply smiled and nodded, giving in to his request. He smiled back, as she snuggled back into his arms, as the locked around her.

"It is peaceful here..." she whispered.

A small leaf fell from above, and she caught its movements out of the corner of her eye. She held out her hand, and it landed in her palm, soft to the touch. She picked it up between her thumb and forefinger, and put it atop InuYasha's head. She laughed a bit, as he raised an eyebrow at her.

"And you did that because..?"

"I dunno...because it just looks so great there," she replied, smiling at him. He blushed slightly, before picking the leaf off his head and putting it back in her hand. She blushed slightly from the contact, when his fingers brushed hers, but quickly pushed it away. She had just slept in his arms! Yeesh...

She breathed in deep, the crisp morning air. She frowned slightly.

"I don't want to go back," she said, her voice a painful whisper.

His hand went to her chin, and he lifted her head to look him in the eyes. She found it hard to look away. His eyes pierced her soul, full of emotion and honesty. She swallowed nervously.

"You don't have to. You can stay here."

She smiled sadly, and shook her head ever so slightly. "I have school, and chores, and...Mama..." she saddened at the thought of her. She wouldn't protect her. She would only run to her afterwards, when she was a bloody mass on the floor, curled up, vomiting from shock, telling her that her father loved her, that he didn't mean it.

"I'll go with you," he said suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts.

She opened her mouth to protest, but he lay a single finger on her lips. She inhaled sharply, her heart skipping a beat.

"You're not going back alone, you got that? Never again will he hurt you." She blinked back tears, as he lowered his finger from her lips. She leaned forward, and kissed him gently on the cheek, before hugging him tightly and sincerely.

"Arigatou, InuYasha. Arigatou."

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Hehehe...lemme know what you think!! Gomen to everyone who's supported me and given me encouragement!

And all the people who have helped me with font styles...hehehe... ^_^;;

Oh yea...by the way, I've accidently revealed my screwball nature!! Oh no...the secret's out O_O...RUN!!!!! *jumps out the door*

Oh well...all my friends could see it coming, I'm sure...o_O

Thanks again!

Luv Yaz!

*Moshi**