InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Scars That Won't Fade ❯ Stolen Joy ( Chapter 9 )

Thanks to all for the reviews! Sorry, I've been updating this one more than the others, but I'm in to it right now, which is important for the creative juices if you know what I mean..^.--...plus i'm experiencing major mental block...>_<

Anywho, here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

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Scars That Won't Fade

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Chapter 9: Stolen Joy

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InuYasha jumped out of the well in the silent night. Opening the door without a sound, he looked around before crossing the yard. Jumping into the tree he always did when approaching her window, he saw her sitting, curled up on the bed. He could tell she was awake, from the speed of her breathing.

Going to the window, he pulled on the latch, and gently pushed forward. But what he found shocked him. It was locked.

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Kagome sat curled up on her bed. The cold of night had come awhile ago, but she hadn't bothered with covers, not feeling in the mood to move at all. So she lay in the same spot, never moving. Her mind worked overtime in the dark, as she remained deep in thought.

A sudden rattle of her window woke her up, and she shot up on her bed. What she saw brought tears to her eyes. The familiar amber eyes, silver hair and dog ears, the red haori, and his face. She dashed off her bed and to the window, pressing her hands against it on either side of her face.

She saw that he understood it was locked, and her eyes widened, as she began making finger pointing motions towards the small keyhole on the side. He nodded in understanding, and she backed away as he began punching the small metal piece on the other side of the window. Less than a minute later, a fairly loud snap resounded through the air. The window flew open, and no later than he stepped in, Kagome threw herself onto him, hugging him tightly as tears raced down her face.

(AN: For an awesome pic I found that totally goes with this scene, go to http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TgCpAtgXh73ZQyetO2RtCKqfddiwjpK!ozVlHw7kdIrF 0*TiJkfa3hjitH*qNQPR5s10wRS7nj6el!!1xPXRHj0Sc!xicGckje77PeNy3PUYUVNboJLMIQ/ tear%20taker.jpg?dc=4675448891218355263 hehe...sry for the long URL, but believe me, the pic is so beautiful, you'll forget all about it)

"I thought you would never come," she whispered shakily, as more tears ran down her face, "I thought you would never come for me. I was trapped."

She felt him place his hands on her back, and pull her close. She sobbed quietly into his shoulder, as he held him to her.

"I'd always come for you, no matter what." he whispered back, as her tears subsided.

She broke the hug, though still keeping her arms around his waist, as his hands remained on her as well. She looked up into his eyes, as he watched her, and she spoke.

"He knows there's something going on with the well. He forbid me to go to the wellhouse, and I couldn't come back. They locked me in my room for every moment of the day, even during meals. I couldn't get out to escape, I couldn't come back."

He stroked her back, as he pulled her close to him again, shocking her a bit. He rubbed in soothing motions, as he spoke softly for only her to hear.

"I'm here for you. I told you I'd never let anything happen to you, and that's not about to change. You're safe with me."

Her eyes opened wide at his words, and she stepped back to look at him, before smiling and jumping into his arms again. She held him close, never wanting to let go. She had been so full of despair earlier, and now she felt like nothing could ever harm her once more. She felt safe, and that there truly was a way to overcome this roadblock in her life.

A loud knock on the door echoed through the room, as she froze in his arms. He held her closer to him, as a low growl escaped his throat. She turned in his arms, as they both watched the door. Her father's voice resonated through the night air, as she gasped, grasping his shirt in her hands, unconsciously moving closer into his chest.

"Is everything alright Kagome? I heard something break...like the lock on your window. You aren't trying to escape are you? You know the punishment."

InuYasha's growl steadily increased, still not loud enough for her father to hear, but Kagome could feel and hear it all too well. She opened her clenched hands, and placed her palm on his chest. She looked up at him, as he finally looked down to meet her eyes. She shook her head, and raised a finger to her lips in silence, before turning once more to the door.

"Everything's fine. I found a burglar at my window, but I seemed to scare him off when I woke up."

She paused, as they waited for an answer.

"Let me in, I want to check your window."

She froze, as she swallowed. Turning to InuYasha in his arms, she slowly, sadly nodded her head in the negative. His eyes widened as he silently questioned her motives. She broke from his embrace, and gently pushed her hands on his chest, leading him towards the window.

"You have to leave," she whispered sadly. His expression turned to shock as he waited for her to urgently explain. "If he find you here, he might harm you. I couldn't bear it if you were hurt because of me."

He put one foot on the window ledge, as the other remained on the floor. His hand held the window, as he looked at her with sad and desperate eyes.

"Come with me," he whispered, never breaking her gaze. "Come with me to the past. You don't have to stay."

A loud knock on the door interrupted their conversation. "Kagome, let me in!"

"Coming!" she called, as she turned to him, her eyes locking with his once more.

"He knows there's something with the well. If he destroys it, I'll never be able to see you again! Please...you must leave..." she whispered, as his hand slowly rose to take her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his own.

"I'll come back for you," he whispered with an emotion in his voice that Kagome didn't recognize.

Her body froze, as his head leaned in towards her. She closed her eyes, as their lips touched softly. She pushed against him a bit more, still holding the essence of a tender kiss. He broke away, and looked her in the eye, before jumping out the window and heading towards the wellhouse.

Kagome stood, watching his retreating figure as it dashed into the small building, the door closing behind it. Her tongue tentatively reached out and licked her lips, as her father knocked again, more forcefully. Pushing her emotions down, she turned and walked to the door, resting her hand on the doorknob, as she calmed her racing heart.

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The next morning, everything seemed brighter. The sun shone through her window more beautifully than usual, the birds sang more gracefully. The wind flew through her hair, cherry blossoms falling around her as she walked down the steps of the shrine. She had avoided her father that morning. Not that anything could ruin her mood now. She was on top of the world.

Reaching the bottom, she twirled once, before setting off to school, a slight bounce in her step. She looked up to the heavens above, a brilliant smile lighting up her face. Last night had no doubt been the best of her life.

She closed her eyes, as she held her hands over her heart, a smile on her face. The feel of his lips on her own, the warmth that radiated through her body. The way his eyes pierced her own, with a vow that words could not express. Squeezing her hands in tight fists, she squeezed her eyes shut as she smiled brightly.

Suppressing a scream of joy, she hurried quickly to school, her future looking brighter than ever.

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School had gone by dreadfully slow. At least in between the times she was daydreaming. Sighing, she trudged her heavy backpack home. The teachers had really layed on the homework, due to her month and something absent. But, whenever she thought about InuYasha, her mood always got better. A smile coming to her face, she headed home once more.

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Entering the house, she dragged her back up the stairs, dropping it down against one of the walls in her room. Breathing out, she flopped on her bed, tired from the work. A small knock on the door caused her to lift her head, as she found her mother...and father...standing in the doorway. She tensed, as she sat up, curling her legs underneath her in a defensive position.

Her mom spoke, her voice quiet and shaky. "Honey?...There's something we need to...talk about."

(AN: I should leave it here..just to torture u guys XD...but then what kind of authoress would I be? I'll continue this time ^________^)

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Kagome lay on her bed, her face in the pillow as she sobbed, the material damp. The tears wouldn't stop coming, it seemed as they could never all leave. She rolled her head to the side, and hissed in pain, instantly recoiling from the position. Hot tears trailed down her face, burning the tainted skin.

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"Kagome...It's our decision that...well, we're moving."Her mother gauged her reaction, as she froze, her mouth and eyes wide open. Her father sat still, watching her as her reaction became one of pure horror.

"What?!" she screamed, jumping off the bed. She stood, her hand fisted at her side, the other curled up in a tight ball. Her face portrayed anger, as she fumed. "What are you talking about, we're moving?! I've lived here all my life! Why now?!"

"Your father and Ithink that it's time for a new home," she whispered. Rage built up inside her, as she shook with fury. Why, why, did they want to ruin her life. It was like she was never allowed happiness. As soon as she found joy, he rushed to take it away from her.

"But what about the shrine? It's been in the family for generations! You can't just leave it now!"

Her mother lowered her head, as she spoke softly. "Your father-"

Kagome cut her off, disgusted at her mother's cowardice. "Since when has he ever cared about this family!" The man in question stood abruptly, a dark look on his face. She didn't care, she kept on speaking. "Where was he for the past eight years of our life? Where was he?! Why the hell do you think he wants to move? He wants to take away our happiness! Our home!"

A hand came crashing along her face, and she fell to the ground from the impact. Her father stood over her, as her mother backed away in horror. Kagome lay on the ground, her head pounding from the fall. He brought his foot into her side, and she cried out in pain, instinctively clutching her ribs. She shook on the floor below him as he hissed.

"How dare you question my motives. Ididn't ask if you cared, or what you think of the matter. We aremoving, whether you like it or not. It's your choice to as whether we do this the easy way, or the hard way."

She brought her eyes to meet his, as her jaw trembled in anger. She bit her tongue as she glared at him, no longer afraid. But inside, her heart was shattered.

He turned and left the room as her mother remained glued to the spot, her eyes paled in horror. She extended a hand towards her, but she gave her a dark glare. Whispering loud enough for her to hear, she spoke,

"So now you offer me a hand? It wasn't good enough then, it sure as hell isn't good enough now." Her eyes blazed with fury, as her mother quickly withdrew. She exited the room, her head low, as she closed the door behind her.

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Kagome sat up carefully, her side screaming in protest. It was sundown, which meant that hopefully InuYasha would be coming soon. How she longed to leave, to be able to escape from this world of terror. But her father's voice rang loud in her head.

`Iknow that there's something going on. The next time you think of leaving, don't even try. If you leave, your mother will suffer. Your brother will suffer. Will you be able to live, knowing that your freedom cost the lives of two other people?'

She shuddered, as she held herself tight. More tears escaped her. They were leaving tomorrow afternoon, Kagome and her brother receiving the day off. Apparently, Sota had reacted the same way she had, a little less violent, but the same nonetheless. She lowered her head, her eyes shielded by her bangs.

When they leave, the shrine would officially become government property. A keeper would tend to it every week or so, and nothing would be torn down and replaced. At first, her initial reaction that the well would remain intact was one of pure elation. But then, she found that it would be sealed, talismans and ofudas would be ritually placed, carefully sealing any spirits from entering their world. Her heart had shattered, as her stomach had dropped.

A tear slid down her face, as she realized that tonight would be the last time she would ever be able to see InuYasha. Her body shook with suppressed sobs. It couldn't be that final, could it? Never was an awfully long time...

More tears poured over once more, as she shook on her bed, her cries resounding softly through the air. Didn't they care? Didn't they care at all? That their daughter was in such agony?

The new house was downtown, closer to the school, but it still seemed miles away to her. Miles away from her friends, from her true home...from InuYasha. Her head lifted slowly, as a tear slid down her coloured cheek. Her eyes fell, as she knew there was no escape from what the future held for her. She was trapped, without any hope of happiness.

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She lay awake, awaiting his return. The tears had ceased flowing a few hours ago, but she still felt miserable inside. Tonight she would have to say goodbye. She forced herself to stop thinking about such sad thoughts, as she remembered the fun times she had had with them all.

Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kilala...they had had some pretty interesting times. She remembered the first time they met Miroku. He had hijacked her bike, and tried to steal her as well. She smiled sadly as she remembered how him and InuYasha had fought and survived against his kazaana.

And then there was Sango. She had tried to kill InuYasha as well. It seemed they all had tried to maim each other in some form the first time they met. She sighed, realizing she'd never see the day that Miroku and Sango finally got a clue and became a couple. Also, that she'd never have a chance to be with InuYasha...

She squeezed her eyes shut, holding back the tears. Her hands covered her eyes, as she slowly sat up on her bed. She leaned over as best she could, her side in great pain, as she rested her elbows on her thighs. Leaning her head into her hand, she sat in miserable silence.

Her head shot up, as a soft knock on the window brought her back to reality. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, as she swallowed around the lump in her throat. Standing shakily, she approached the window.

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Teehee...cliffie! ^^....don't kill me!...runs away from screaming reviewers...

STOP! Ahhh!...Wait! If you kill me, how will you get another chapter?

Reviewers pause in thought...before walking away giving warning glares...

*SHEW*...that was scary...another chapter will come soon, I promise! ^^

Please R&R, let me know what you think! Thanks to all!

Luv yaz! ^.--

Moshi**