InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Scars That Won't Fade ❯ Taking the Next Step ( Chapter 10 )

Wow...is it really chapter ten already?! Woah...hehe...o.O

Anywho, here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy! ^^

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Scars That Won't Fade

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Chapter 10: Taking the Next Step

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Her shaking fingers opened the window, the lock now destroyed, and seeing as they wouldn't be around much longer, they hadn't spent the money on replacing it. He stepped into the room, her retreating back to give him space, as she kept her head low.

"Kagome?" he whispered, his voice confused. She raised her head, as a tear slid down her cheek. She swallowed, as her eyes and jaw trembled slightly. He frowned, as his hand raised and wiped it away. His hand turned, so her cheek was resting against his palm. She nuzzled her face against it, her head angling to the side.

She opened her eyes, when she felt his gaze upon her. She saw him staring at her face, his mouth open slightly, as his eyes narrowed in anger. She followed his gaze to the opposite side of her face. She gasped, as she realized what he was looking at. She brought her right hand up to her face to shield it, but he caught it with his own, as he gently turned her so her cheek shone in the moonlight.

His face turned to one of sadness, as he released her hand, and brought his to her face, gently rubbing around the bruise. She fought back tears, as he caressed her skin. She memorized his touch, the feel of his skin upon hers. The feelings it caused her, the warmth he radiated.

She raised her hand, and placed it on hers, locking her eyes with his. He must have seen something in her eyes, for he frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concern eminent in his voice.

She swallowed as she walked into his arms, careful to position herself so he didn't find the injury on her side. She didn't want to burden him. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she turned her head into his chest. Taking a deep breath she began.

"InuYasha..." she paused, as she swallowed once more. "Did I ever tell you how much I value you being in my life?"

She paused, not expecting an answer, but still waiting for some sign of silent reassurance. When his hands locked around her, she continued.

"I just want to say thank you for always being there for me. Especially now more than ever. The past months, days, weeks I've spent with you and everyone have been the best of my life. And...I-I truly wish that I can keep spending time with you all."

She pushed back tears, as she snuggled closer to him.

"But...But I can't..."

He froze and a tear fell from her eyes. She waited, and waited for him to speak, and when he finally did, his voice was forced and choked.

"W-What do you mean...you can't...?"

She pulled away, as she looked into his amber depths. Sadness shone through his, as well hers, as she spoke softly, yet full of sorrow.

"I'm moving."

His eyes widened, as her chin trembled.

"It wasn't my decision. I tried to tell them I didn't want to, I really did, and if it was up to me, then I wouldn't go anywhere, but I-"

He cut her off as he spoke suddenly.

"When are you leaving?" he voice was quiet and painful.

She lowered her head, her bangs shielding her eyes. "Tomorrow afternoon. InuYasha, I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, all I want to do is spend time with you and everyone for as long as I can. I hate this, I hate that I have to leave, it breaks my heart. Especially..."

She paused, as she looked up at him, fresh tears in her eyes.

"Because it means I have to leave you."

His eyes widened slightly, as he pulled her roughly to his chest. She winced, as pain shot through her side, but at the moment she didn't really care.

"I don't want you to leave me Kagome. I'm a lost cause without you. You can't leave. Come with me now, you can stay with us in the past. As much as they are your family here, we're your family too."

She cried into his chest, as her reply came, slightly muffled, "I can't leave InuYasha. I can't, people will be hurt because of me if I do."

He held her tight, as she continued to cry.

"Kagome...I need you with me...Without you, I'd die."

She stiffened in his arms, as she replayed his words in her head.

"I wish...that forever more, you could stay by my side, as I yours. It's been a long and hard time, and I don't think I would have pulled through without your support...and...love."

She hugged him tightly, silently pressing him on.

"It's been a whirlwind of emotions for me, and it took me forever to finally realize how important you are to me. Old habits are hard to break, I guess, and I wouldn't let myself trust...or love...again. But I find myself loving again regardless."

He gently pulled her away from his chest, as she watched him with wide eyes.

"I...I love you, Kagome."

Her mouth opened, as new tears came. He leaned in, and she as well, welcoming the touch with open arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as he wrapped his around her back. Their lips touched, and an electrifying pulse soared through her body. His lips pressed against her, and she pressed back. Her body shivered when his tongue licked her lips. She complied, and opened hers, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth. She felt as if she was flying, carelessly without any worries.

He broke the kiss, as she gently kissed his lips, before pulling apart. She opened her eyes to view him, as his eyes shone with unimaginable love. She threw her arms around him, as she hugged him tightly, her head resting in the crook of his neck. He held her close to him, as she sighed from both sadness and pleasure.

"I wish this could last forever...and I'd never have to leave," she whispered.

"You don't have to leave, Kagome," he replied, as she squeezed tighter once more, before letting go and pulling away. She knew she had to say goodbye. As hard as it was, she had to do it now.

"You have to leave," she said sadly, as she lowered her head from his gaze.

His ears drooped, as he sadly walked towards the window. She followed, not wanting to leave his side, but knowing what had to be done. He stopped infront of the window, turning to her, as her eyes watched him, blurred with unshed tears.

"Kagome I need you," he spoke, urgently. A tear slid down her face.

"S-Stay...with me...please."

Another tear fell, as she squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't...people will suffer because of me. I don't want them to suffer like I did."

He took his hands in hers, as moonlight entered the room. He spoke, his tone sad, yet holding an amount of seriousness she recognized.

"Then tell me...you'll try and visit me, or that I can come see you. I'll find you Kagome. I'll always find you."

More rounds of tears came, as she found her eyes glued to his, unable to look away. Squeezing his hands, she spoke softly.

"As long as my heart beats, I will always try to come back to you. You have my life in your hands."

He leaned forward, capturing her lips, as she kissed back with her soul. Moonbeams shone through the window, as they landed upon them. A tear slid down her face in the light, glistening like crystal, as she said goodbye.

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Days passed, as she found herself in her new home. It was...different. She didn't exactly hate it, but she was so caught up in pain and sorrow, she barely knew anything except the walls of her room. She had bought a lock for her room, despite her father's protests, and spent every moment of the day inside it. She barely ate, she barely spoke, she barely moved form the spot on her bed that she sat every day.

She wore gray track pants and a T-shirt, her hair pulled up into a ponytail. She sat with her legs pulled up to her chest, as she stared out the window now across from her. When she looked at anything, trees, sky, other people, all she saw was his face. The feel of his lips upon hers as he caressed her face and back.

A soft knock on the door filled the empty room, as Kagome's eyes remained fixed on the window. She said nothing, as her mother's voice came from the other side.

"Kagome...honey...please let me in...I brought you food, you need to eat."

She said nothing, but raised an arm and unlocked the small bolt on the wall, as her mother opened the door. Closing it behind her, she placed the food on the table at the end of her bed. She sighed, and sat down, effectively blocking half of Kagome's view of the window. Her face remained emotionless, as her mother lowered her head.

"I'm concerned, Kagome. You don't speak, you don't move, you don't acknowledge anyone's presence at all."

Kagome said nothing, revealing no signs of life on the outside, though on the inside a mix of emotions surged.

"You need to do something Kagome," her mother urged as she leaned forward on the bed. "You need to live!"

Still, she didn't move. Her mother sighed. "I hoped it wouldn't have to come to this, but it's for your own good." She turned her back to her, and towards the tray, missing the twitch of Kagome's eye. Turning back, she held a small orange container in her hands. "It's an anti-depressant. The doctor said that it would help you become happy again."

Her mother opened the lid, and removed two white, oval shaped pills. She held them out to Kagome, but she didn't take them. Her mother pushed them against her lips and into her mouth, as Kagome became increasingly angry. Her mother tried to force them down her throat, when she snapped. Her hand came up and slapped away her mother's. She spit the pills out, as they crashed against the wall with small clicks. Grabbing the orange container out of her mother's hands, she flung it against the opposite wall, as the lid burst open, small pills rolling everywhere, some cracking.

Her mother watched, as Kagome fumed.

"You want to know why I won't speak to anyone? Why I won't move from my room or eat? Do you?! It's because," she pointed violently at her mother, "of you." she said with disgust. "And that man out there to which I'm unfortunately biologically related. You took everything away from me. You knew about the well, about my life. And you still said nothing. Are you that afraid of his hand? Afraid that he might strike you?! I've been hit and struck down before, and did that stop me from speaking me mind?"

Her mother froze, as an overwhelming feeling of shame overcame her.

"All my life I've lived in fear of him, even when he wasn't here. The one thing that brought me joy, that I found love in, you've taken away," she quieted, as she turned her head away, looking out the window once more.

"And for that, I'll never forgive you," she whispered.

Her mother rose slowly, as she walked shakily towards the door, closing it behind her. Kagome's hand automatically raised and locked the door behind her, as she sat in silence, tears resurfacing once more.

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InuYasha sat in the Goshinboku again, used to the familiarity it provided. He had wanted to be by himself, after telling everyone that they would probably never see Kagome again. Sango had cried, Shippo had cried, and he knew that Miroku was as sad. But none of them was hit as hard as he was, and they knew, giving him space, and for that he was thankful.

His eyes closed as he called back the events of a few nights ago. How he missed her. The warmth she provided, her scent, the smile that would appear on her face when she talked to him. He fought back tears, reminding himself that long ago he had vowed he would never cry again. Crying was a sign of weakness. But still...

Jumping down from the tree, he decided he couldn't take it anymore. He would find her, and take her with him. He would do anything that needed to be done to solve her problems. Walking towards the well, he stood infront of it. He jumped into the air above it, feeling the rush of wind against his face. He was down halfway, when an energy source overtook his body. A blue dome shaped seal encompassed the bottom half of the well, and he cried in pain as he hit it. Energy surged through him in painful shocks, as he flew backwards out of the well, falling on the ground and sliding back a few feet.

He struggled to sit up, as his mind reeled. They had sealed the well?! B...But why? Did this mean that he couldn't even get to her time? His heart thumped painfully in his chest, as he realized, that he may never get to see Kagome again.

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It was now Friday, and nearly a week had passed since she had left, and she still felt no difference. Still, she mourned the loss of his presence. She sat up, for the first time in weeks, and stood, her muscles stiff. Stretching them out slightly, she walked to her closet and pulled out her bag. Pulling on a sweatshirt, she decided that she needed to see him. Her heart still hurt inside her chest, and he was the only one who could heal it.

It was the afternoon, and father shouldn't be home until late, so she decided it was now or never. Walking downstairs, she carefully avoid the kitchen, choosing the living room as a safe alternative. Her mother bustled around, as she turned the corner to the hallway, walking towards the door. She opened it, and was about to walk down when she met with the face of her father.

She gasped, and made to run away, but he grabbed her wrist painfully, as he dragged her into the living room. Throwing her on the couch, she curled up in a protective ball. He grabbed a fist of her hair, and pulled her so that she was sitting up. She followed his lead, as she squeezed her eyes shut in pain, her scalp burning. He hit her face, as her head turned, following the blow. He pulled her hair tighter, so she straightened again, and hit her once more.

"What did I tell you about trying to go to that well? What did I tell you?!"

He was about to hit her again, when the doorbell rang. She heard the hurried footsteps of her mother, as she opened the door. Muffled words made their way to the living room, as Kagome strained to hear, stuck in pain as her father suspended her by her hair.

Her mother called for him, and he threw her on the couch to her silent relief. She dare not move, afraid to provoke any further anger. A new male voice sounded through the air, its words muffled by distance, as she vaguely recognized the one of her father's as well.

He returned a few minutes later, as he fisted his car keys in his hand. She winced, thinking of the damage they could inflict upon her already battered body. He pointed them menacingly at her, as she curled in fear.

"I have to return to work, I'm needed. It will require me staying for a couple of hours, but make no mistake," he paused and lowered his voice, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits, "When I return, I will deal with you."

He walked out of the room, and she waited as the door slammed shut loudly, before breaking into tears. She grabbed the pillow and used it to nurse her wounded cheek. She could feel the blood rush to it, and she didn't need a mirror to know that it would bruise, or had already begun to.

She sat up a few minutes later, her tears subsiding. Walking into the kitchen, she grabbed some ointment, and left, returning to the hallway. Glancing in the mirror, she found herself to be a mess. She sighed and picked up a stray brush, running it through her hair to rid it of the tangles. Letting it down and leaving it out of its usual style of late, she tossed the hair tie onto the ground. Squeezing some ointment onto her fingers, she rubbed it on the red skin as gently as she could, still having to apply some force.

She couldn't live like this anymore. She knew what she had to do. Placing the ointment down on the railing, she looked at herself in the mirror. Fixing her hair so that it covered the wounded skin, she walked the short distance to the closet and pulled out a pair of shades. Returning to the mirror, she slipped them on and fixed her image once more. She stared back at herself in the mirror, as new courage filled her body.

Walking to the door, she opened the handle, as the sun's rays touched her skin for the first time in days. Stepping outside, she closed the door behind her. She walked down the few steps of the porch to the sidewalk below, before turning at the end of their driveway and heading down the street. No longer would she be afraid by his threats. She was going to get help.

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Oooh teehee...not really a cliffie, but yep ^^ hope it's good enough for now, without inspiring any dangerous reviewers..o.O

Thanks to all for reviewing! Hehe, yeah I love Evanescence too! They're just too cool...^^

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Luv yaz!

Moshi**