InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Therapy ❯ Chapter Seventeen ( Chapter 17 )

Title: Soul Therapy

 

Author: dolphingirl0113

 

Chapter: Seventeen

 

Rating: PG-13 (for language and, at times, sexual implications)

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~

 

Letting go of their temporary paradise was the hardest thing Kagome had to do, but she knew that she and Inuyasha couldn't just hide from the rest of the real world forever either. So with a heavy heart, and many reaffirmations of their love, Kagome returned to her apartment in Tokyo and to working at the clinic while Inuyasha returned to his old home as well as his intern rotation.

 

Thankfully, work was so hard that she quickly forgot about her problems with Inuyasha in order to get caught back up, and while her heart was racing a mile a minute, at least she was getting something productive accomplished.

 

“Kagome, you have your rock climbing accident in room two,” Sango reminded as Kagome walked another patient out the door. She sighed and glanced at the board, sure enough seeing her name in red next to the black two.

 

“I'm getting to it,” she called, grabbing the chart and reminding herself of what she had done with the patient, whose name was Mark, two weeks ago when she had last met with him. He was, unfortunately one of the ones her friends couldn't fit into their schedule, so they would have a lot to catch up on that day.

 

“Kagome, you're back,” a friendly-looking man smiled in her direction from where he sat on the bed, already changed out of his work clothes and into athletic shorts.

 

“Hey Mark, how's the arm?”

 

He looked at his right arm, which was bent at an odd, somewhat stiff angle, at the elbow, the result of the bone being completely shattered when he fell during a rock climbing expedition. He was lucky that was the only thing that had broken.

 

“It's alright, though I think it really makes a difference when I don't do therapy for a while, the aching is back again.”

 

“Did you start wearing the brace again, like we talked about?”

 

“Yeah, but I didn't bring it today because it makes the exercises harder.”

 

“Okay,” Kagome nodded, making a note on the chart, “That's fine, but I think you should wear it for the next week or so to give it that added support since you probably lost a little of the supportive strength from the rest of your arm.”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

Kagome gave him a beaming smile, the kind she gave all her patients with such a positive attitude. “Alright then, let's head out and hit the weights. You know the drill by now.”

 

He nodded and hopped off the bed, holding his arm protectively against him out of habit. Kagome reached out and moved it to his side, though it wouldn't fall quite flat against his waist like a normal arm. That would come in time, when he regained all his motion.

 

“Try not to do that, okay? We want to encourage the arm to regain its flexibility.”

 

“I'm trying,” he replied, though it wasn't in an unpleasant voice, and Kagome laughed.

 

“I know.”

 

She led him over to the dumbbells and handed him a two-pound weight, which he took in his hands, beginning to do bicep curls. She stood and watched, but her eyes roamed slightly as she did so, observing Sango helping an elderly man on the treadmill while Miroku did an ultrasound treatment on a young kid while secretly eyeing his colleague. Kagome was reminded of the fact that they had gone out, and suddenly wanted to ask how it went.

 

She got her chance halfway through the day when they all took a break for lunch; though in Kagome's case she only had about ten minutes before her next patient arrived. Taking time off was not worth it, she decided.

 

“So Sango,” she began, putting a container of leftover pasta in the staff microwave, “How was that evening out with Miroku and his grandfather?”

 

The woman groaned and rolled her eyes as she flipped a page in the magazine she was reading, while Miroku just smiled. Kagome raised an eyebrow.

 

“Okay, are neither of you going to tell me?”

 

“What's there to tell?” Sango was obviously trying to change the subject. “We went out, and I was stuck between the two biggest lechers in all of Tokyo for an entire evening.”

 

“Now Sango, it wasn't that bad,” Miroku chimed in, forking a bit of salad into his mouth. “I protected you from my grandfather the entire evening.”

 

“Yeah, but in the process YOUR hand found my butt a few more times then was necessary.”

 

Miroku didn't even blink at the angry tone in her voice. “I could have sworn you were smiling for a reason by the time I dropped you off at your house.”

 

“He drove you?” Kagome pushed, a knowing smile on her lips.

 

Sango blushed and looked away. “So what if he did? I needed a ride, and he was there. I don't really see what the big deal is.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes, sensing that more went on that evening then she was being told, but decided to drop the subject for the moment. She would just have to take Sango out for coffee later, and get all the juicy details, because Kagome had the feeling her friend would be more open once the man she had a crush on was no longer in the same room.

 

“Alright, if you insist,” Kagome finally said before pulling out her food, noticing how the Tupperware container was slightly droopy on one side. She frowned. “I probably shouldn't have put that in the microwave.”

 

Miroku glanced up from where he was eating. “Oh yeah, the last time I put plastic in the microwave, it wasn't a pretty sight. Actually,” he seemed to think for an instant, “I think it was the oven in my case.”

 

“You put plastic in the oven?” Sango asked incredulously. “How stupid could you be?”

 

“Hey, in my defense it was a crazy evening, and I accidentally grabbed the wrong tray.”

 

Kagome smiled as she sat down with her friends at the table. “I didn't even know you could use an oven, Miroku. You seem more like a take-out kind of guy.”

 

He shook his head. “No, burgers get old after a while. I like those frozen corn dogs too.”

 

The two women just nodded and returned to eating their lunches quietly, Kagome making a face as she noted the somewhat plastic taste of her food.

 

Kouga appeared in the doorway with a smile on his face, holding a large bouquet of red roses. Everyone raised their eyebrows questioningly.

 

“Wow, what did Ayame do to put you in such a good mood?” Miroku asked curiously, and the man with the ponytail blushed.

 

“Actually, these aren't for Ayame.”

 

“Kouga, you're not with some other woman, are you?” Kagome didn't believe it, but she liked teasing him all the same.

 

“No, these actually showed up at the door for you Kagome.”

 

“Me?”

 

Everyone turned to stare, and it was her turn to blush. Since when did she know anyone who would send her roses? And red ones at that?

 

“So, is there something we should know about?” Now Sango was the one prying, and Kagome realized that when they had that coffee outing, the conversation would go two ways.

 

“Um, not really,” she blushed, trying not to think about HIM at that particular moment. He wouldn't have sent her the roses, would he?

 

“Who are they from Kouga?” Miroku asked, always the one to get right to the point.

 

Kouga, still trying to balance the rather large bouquet, turned it around so that he was holding a card. “It says `Thanks for everything, Kagome. Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you.'”

 

Everyone was grinning like idiots, and Kagome was trying her hardest not to morph into a cherry as she felt her face grow hot. Well, that answered that question. But why would he send her roses?

 

“So, are they from Hojo?” Miroku piped up, and Sango whacked him over the head.

 

“You're such an idiot,” she muttered, crossing her arms. Miroku just chuckled playfully, rubbing the back of his head.

 

“I know who they're from; I just want to hear Kagome admit it.”

 

They all turned their eyes on her, and Kagome looked away somewhat nervously. Did she really want to get into what all had transpired at the shrine now, at that particular moment?

 

Fortunately, she was saved by, of all people, her brother, who suddenly sauntered unexpectedly into the room.

 

“Souta?” Kagome raised an eyebrow. Since when did he even know where she worked?

 

“Hey Kagome,” He came over and plopped down lazily in one of the chairs around the table, his long black hair falling in that casually sloppy way over his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, covered currently in a plain blue t-shirt.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

“What? Oh, I was on my way to meet some friends and I wanted to give you this,” He handed her a red slip of paper, which Kagome turned over to read curiously before looking back up at him.

 

“The Wooden Latch?” she asked skeptically. He just shrugged his shoulders casually.

 

“Yeah, we came up with the name one night after too much partying. I dunno, it kind of grows on you after a while, don't you think?”

 

Kagome smiled at his casual attitude, realizing, not for the first time, just how much she missed her younger brother.

 

“So what time do you want people to be there?”

 

“I guess about five-thirty. Does that work for you?”

 

“Sure,” Kagome looked at the others around the table. “Souta's band, `The Wooden Latch', is putting on their first concert tonight. You guys want to come?”

 

The others glanced at each other for a moment before nodding, all with huge grins on their faces. Sango was the first to speak up.

 

“This should be so much fun. You've grown up so much, Souta, I can hardly believe it's really you.”

 

That brought forth a blush, and Kagome grinned as her brother rubbed the back of his neck. “Um, yeah, well I guess it has been a while since I saw you, Sango.”

 

There was a brief pause, in which time Kagome finished wolfing her food into her mouth, when Ayame walked into the room, pecking Kouga on the cheek before walking to a cupboard and removing a box of crackers. She noticed Souta and smiled.

 

“I see you found her,” she said kindly, before turning to Kagome. “And now you have to get going, Kagome, your next patient is here.”

 

“Okay,” Kagome sighed, wishing like crazy that she could just go home and not worry about work any more. “Who is it?”

 

“Mrs. Blanche.” Kagome made a face as she thought of the old woman who, every appointment, forgot how to put on her gown for her shoulder massage.

 

“Great.”

 

Souta, taking that as his cue to leave, rose to his feet along with Kagome, and the two left the room together, Kagome casually taking a rose bud from the bouquet as she walked by Kouga, still balancing the flowers.

 

“Thanks for stopping by, Souta,” she said seriously, a smile on her face. “I really do miss seeing you.”

 

He nodded, “Yeah, me too Kag. As much as I hated you ragging on me all the time, it was fun. You're the only person I've ever known to keep me on my toes in an argument.”

 

Kagome laughed. “Oh, I don't know, Sano is pretty good in a fight, from what I've seen.”

 

“Yeah, she's okay, but she's not you.” He winked at her and, surprisingly, pecked her on the cheek. “And hey, why don't you invite that Inuyasha guy to the concert with you tonight? It would be a nice, relaxed setting for you guys to do something.”

 

Smiling sheepishly, Kagome glanced at the rose in her hands. “I don't know if he would want a date at this point.”

 

“It's not a date, just an evening with friends.” Souta smiled. “Trust me, sis, he'll want to.”

 

Kagome smiled back at her brother, who, despite being younger, always seemed to be looking out for her. “Thanks Souta, maybe I will.”

 

“Great, I'll see you tonight then.” He waved and headed out the door, several young female heads turning in his direction as he did so. Kagome smiled at how unaware he was of his sensuality before breaking the stem of the rose and placing it behind her ear to wear the rest of the day.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“So what kind of music is this again?” Inuyasha leaned in to ask as he and Kagome entered a small coffee shop down the street from Tokyo University.

 

“Um, just rock, I think,” Kagome replied, trying to remember. Souta had told her several times, but she had never been interested enough to pay that much attention. All she knew was that he played the drums.

 

“And they're called what again?”

 

“The Wooden Latch.”

 

Inuyasha made a face. “And what exactly inspired that name?”

 

“Souta says too many parties, and I believe him. Frankly, that's all I want to know for the moment.” Kagome felt the man at her side smile, and warmth radiated up and down her spine at his presence.

 

She had called almost right after she finished with her last patient, and Inuyasha had seemed almost too eager to get out of his home, though she had to admit now that it felt a little strange being out with him for the evening and yet knowing he was still married. It had been so different at the shrine, when all they had to worry about was each other, and no one else.

 

“Good evening, everyone!” Miroku called cheerfully as he and Sango came through the main doors. Kagome noted with curiosity that his arm was somewhat around the woman's waist. “I hope we're not late.”

 

Kagome glanced at her watch. “Nope, you've still got ten minutes. Are Kouga and Ayame going to make it?”

 

“Of course,” Kouga replied, suddenly appearing behind the four friends, causing Kagome to practically jump out of her skin. She recovered by laughing.

 

“Well, well, you showed up just in time to buy us all cappuccinos,” she stated simply, to which her rich colleague just rolled his eyes and approached the counter, pulling out his wallet with Ayame at his side.

 

“We really should be nicer to him,” Sango muttered, “After all, it's not his fault he's so rich.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Maybe not, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take advantage of the situation when we can.”

 

Sango nodded and turned to face Inuyasha, raising an eyebrow curiously. “And what exactly are you doing here?”

 

“I, um, came with Kagome,” Inuyasha fumbled for the right words, and Kagome couldn't help but smile. It was so rare that he didn't know what to say.

 

“On a date? Or just as friends?”

 

“Sango,” Kagome jabbed her friend in the side, but the woman ignored her, continuing to eye Inuyasha suspiciously. He shot Kagome a glance that was pleading for some help.

 

“We're just here as, um, friends, I guess,” he finally replied, and Kagome felt her heart sink slightly. Turning away, she sucked in a deep breath to control her temper. Honestly, how long was he going to balance between her and his wife?

 

When she turned around everyone was giving her a strange look, especially Inuyasha, and Kagome did her best to smile and put them all at ease.

 

“Let's go and find some seats,” she said cheerfully, moving to touch Inuyasha's hand, but unsure if that was appropriate. Why was it suddenly so uncomfortable to be around him?

 

Because Inuyasha had crutches, Miroku took it upon himself to clear everyone out of the front row by jokingly declaring that he was a monk and could sense demons in their seats. That they even bought the lie was amazing, but what really made Kagome's eye twitch was the fact that the moment the unsuspecting people were gone their group sat down, and yet no one made any protests.

 

“Demons, Miroku?” Sango was glaring at her date, and he actually turned slightly pink, an embarrassed smirk on his face.

 

“Well you can hardly blame me, Sango, I mean, I did grow up around my grandfather, after all.”

 

She shrugged and looked away as Kouga appeared balancing several cappuccinos, Ayame close behind with the rest. They were passed around, and everyone settled in for the evening, though at present the stage was still empty save for some microphones, speakers, and Souta's large drum set.

 

“Did I say something wrong?”

 

Kagome turned to see Inuyasha staring at her with a puzzled expression. “No, why?”

 

“Well, ever since I told Sango we were here as just friends, I feel like you're kind of ignoring me.”

 

Kagome blushed. “No! I guess I'm just a little, um-”

 

“Confused?”

 

“Yeah,” they both looked away for a few minutes, silence creating a rather annoying wedge between them.

 

Inuyasha didn't know what to say or do. When Sango had implied that they were there on a date, he had panicked and resorted to the oldest excuse in the book; the `we're just friends' explanation. And the minute he'd said it, he'd seen the look of pain on Kagome's face.

 

But what else was he supposed to do? He was, after all, still technically married to Kikyou, and frankly he wasn't sure that it was okay for him to be out on a `date' with another woman while his marriage license said otherwise.

 

“I'm sorry,” he finally muttered, and Kagome looked over in surprise.

 

“For what?”

 

“For everything.” He gave her a look that brought forth a warm smile. “I'm just not sure what to do about this right now. Maybe I shouldn't have come tonight.”

 

Oops, he could tell that was the wrong thing to say the moment it left his lips, because Kagome frowned and became instantly tense.

 

“I'm sorry you feel that way,” she whispered, turning to face the still empty stage. Inuyasha wished the band would just appear and make conversation unnecessary.

 

“That's not what I meant Kagome.”

 

“Then what did you mean?”

 

“I don't know.” He was feeling more and more uncomfortable by the minute. Why was it suddenly so different between them?

 

Kagome sighed and looked back at him, her eyes full of pain. He felt his heart twist. “Look Inuyasha, I'm sorry for inviting you, it probably was a mistake. I thought we could, you know, have a good time together, but clearly I was wrong.”

 

“But I like spending time with you,” he interjected.

 

“That's not the point. The point is you only feel comfortable around me when we're alone, and not out in public. Now, I don't know if that's because you're ashamed of me, or because you're, um,” Kagome looked down, “Still in love with Kikyou.”

 

He felt a wave of alarm run through his body. She didn't really believe that, did she? But then, what had he done to make her believe otherwise?

 

Unfortunately, or fortunately, he wasn't really sure, the band picked that moment to appear, ending all conversation for the next two hours. But in that time, the tension between the couple grew to the point that when the musicians took their final bow and left the stage, Kagome was the first on her feet and out the door.

 

“Kagome, wait up!”

 

She reluctantly turned around to see Inuyasha desperately trying to hobble after her on his crutches, the physical therapist in her noting that he was using more of his legs then before.

 

“What do you want, Inuyasha?”

 

“To talk to you maybe,” he stammered, irritation in his voice. She felt her own temper flare.

 

“About what? What's there to talk about? You didn't deny that you still love my cousin. That much was obvious to me.”

 

“The band showed up, and my voice isn't that loud, so I couldn't deny it then. But I do now! I don't love her, Kagome, I love you!”

 

Kagome felt the usual stir in her heart upon the declaration, but tried to push it away and hold on to her anger. He had to understand that she would not be drug through the mud as his second girl.

 

“If you loved me,” she stated calmly, “You would have had no problem telling Sango that we were there on a date.”

 

Inuyasha groaned. “Are we still on that issue? Look, forgive me if the fact that I'm married is a small problem, okay? But ever since I started dating Kikyou in high school, my response has always been `we're just friends', and it's been the truth.”

 

“And what about now?”

 

He waved his hands in the air, as best he could with his crutches. “Call it a stupid knee-jerk reaction.”

 

Kagome felt even more frustrated that he didn't seem to think any of it was a big deal. Why was he acting like she was in the wrong?

 

“Well, whatever it was, you'd better figure it out, and then give me a call, because I'm through calling you,” she hissed, and noted the stunned look on his face.

 

“What is that supposed to mean?”

 

Maybe it was the hurt look in his eyes, or the fact that she loved him so much, but Kagome felt her shoulders sag in defeat. “That just means that I'm not going to be the one to initiate anything any more, Inuyasha, okay? You know how I feel; now I'm going to leave the rest up to you. Either you call me, or,” she swallowed back tears, “You don't.”

 

She turned to walk away, and Inuyasha made no move to follow her, unsure of what he should do. He had never really been the type to know what to do with women.

 

But then, he'd never had to. He had been the guy in high school with the steady girlfriend, who never had to play the dating game because he was always in the same relationship with the same girl. And then he'd married her.

 

All I've ever known is Kikyou, he thought silently, almost desperately. And now, he realized as he watched Kagome walking toward her car, that security blanket was turning into the one thing that was killing him inside.