InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tasogare Akatsuki 'Dusk to Dawn' ❯ Reality ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3 Reality

"Morning sleepyhead!" Sesshoumaru rubbed his temples in complete agony.

"Do you have to yell at this ungodly hour?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Miroku tried to smile innocently. "It's only noon, and we were truly concerned. We thought you might be dead after all that partying last night." Sesshoumaru seemed to cringe slightly at the mentioning of 'partying' and 'last night'.

He had waken, thanked god he hadn't ended up with some generic bitch from the clubs, washed his face, popped about ten aspirin to kill his headache (and probably himself on 'accident'), and wandered down his grand marble staircase to eat some hangover breakfast in peace.

But no.

Miroku and Kouga had to come and visit him (more like breaking and entering into his home), and make this morning even worse for him.

But then again, what are friends for.

"How did you get in here?" Sesshoumaru eyed them both curiously , but he was mostly annoyed. Miroku rose from the red satin sofa, dropped his hand of poker on the coffee table, and smiled cockily at him.

"Your maid let us in." Sesshoumaru frowned slightly.

'I really need to have a talk with Rin…Why do I even let her work here?" Sesshoumaru's thoughts were interrupted by a small, quiet, girl, with long brown hair and deep honey eyes, entering the parlor to water the roses. After examining her from head to toe, and watching her smile at him and leave the room in her flirty little walk, he smiled to himself.

'Ohh, right. Now I remember.'

Kouga noticed that both Miroku and Sesshoumaru were distracted by Rin in her little French maid outfit, so He stood up and stepped right behind them, surprising them both with his strong voice.

"You dogs! She's only 16, 'and' she works for you." Kouga emphasized his lecturing by poking Sesshoumaru hard in the back with his finger. Sesshoumaru turned and was about to growl at him, but stopped himself, and instead lifted his chin and smirked.

"I know, I know. Besides, I wouldn't do anything. She IS only a maid and…" He was cut off by Miroku, who had just turned around, because Rin was completely out of sight.

"Who cares. She sure is fun to look at, even if you don't…touch." He patted Sesshoumaru on the back, and winked devilishly. "And if your not going to take advantage of an opportunity like 'that'," Miroku pointed in the direction of the way Rin left, "You don't have to ruin our fun."

Sesshoumaru only shoved his immature friend, so he fell back onto the couch. Kouga took a seat next to the toppled over Miroku.

"Speak for yourself, I wouldn't touch her." Miroku sat up and looked at Kouga with a glint in his eye.

"Ohh, right. I forgot that you're a fucking homo." Kouga gritted his teeth.

"I-am not-gay!"

"Of course not." Miroku patted Kouga on the back in joking comfort. Kouga desperately tried to defend himself.

"I am not gay. I, unlike some butt monkeys I know, am waiting for the right woman, and don't just go around chasing and groping any girl with a nice body. I have standards." Miroku now tried to look serious, with no avail, and turned to Sesshoumaru.

"That means that if he isn't gay, he's strung up on some girl that probably hates him." Kouga stood up abruptly.

"Kagome does not hate m…" Kouga slapped his palm to his face when he realized what he'd done. Miroku smiled brightly.

"Ahh. So I was right, there is a lucky lady." Kouga collapsed on the couch, crossed his arms across his chest, and set his face in a angry pout. Miroku again patted him on the shoulder.

"It's okay, she's bound to come around some time." Kouga looked at Miroku with burning rage, he was not some one who took mocking easily.

Then, as Miroku was about to open his mouth to make another pointless joke, Kouga lunged at him. Grabbing Miroku's collar and pulling him so close that the tips of their noses almost touched, Kouga fumed.

"You want to take this outside, lecherous bitch?!?"

Miroku was silent, but nodded his head side to side frantically in a silent 'no', until Kouga released him from his death grip.

Sesshoumaru had been morbidly fascinated by the idiocy of these two, but now that the fight was over, he had things to do. He then turned to leave, so he could get out of his sleeping kimono, and fully dressed.

"I'll be right back. Don't do anything 'to' stupid while I'm gone…and don't touch ANYTHING!"

Miroku stood up and dusted his beige kaki pants, while Kouga still sat motionless, arms crossed, pouting, and staring at the glass coffee table. Miroku called out to Sesshoumaru.

"Well hurry. The other Babylons are waiting, and we have some news for you." Sesshoumaru had made it half-way up the marble staircase, when he paused and slowly turned to look at them questioningly.

"What kind of news?" Miroku looked down at Kouga who had finally raised his stare from the floor, and they both smiled secretively at each other. Miroku then turned away from Kouga, and with a grin still plastered to his face, he called out to the agitated figure of Sesshoumaru.

"Don't worry, it's nothing bad….but it is a surprise." Sesshoumaru turned and continued his accent to the second floor. He tightened his eyes, and growled to himself.

"I hate surprises."

* * *

"Hey Kagome, where have you been?" Inuyasha jerked his arm out of Kikyou's clenching grasp, and strode to the main entrance wearing his famous girl-melting smile.

The figure of a small, exhausted woman, stumbled through the steel door, almost jumping ten feet when it slammed behind her, with a metallic "boom". She was dressed in a baggy pair of jeans, a green T-shirt, had a dark blue, polar fleece, jacket tied around her waist, and she completely soaked. Her chest and the bottom of her face were concealed behind a couple of grocery bags, and a hug nylon duffel bag was swung over her shoulder. To finish off her tired, busy, image, a very hyper child ran circles around her legs, content on playing with a red yo-yo.

Inuyasha ran to help her, grabbing three of the grocery bags before she almost tripped over the child and dropped them.

"I thought it was raining out, aren't you cold?" Kagome looked Inuyasha in the eyes with great irritation, her face framed with wet locks of raven hair. Her voice was an ever going sigh.

"Yes it is raining out! Of course it's raining out, look at me!!" She made a gesture to her soaked T-shirt and jeans, "But with all these things in my hands I couldn't put my coat on." Her eyes softened, and she looked at Inuyasha who had taken a step back. "I'm sorry for snapping, I'm just….wet." Kagome smiled genuinely, and Inuyasha returned the gesture.

From about 20 feet away, there was a snapping sound of Kikyou's, fake, pink nails breaking off, as she dug them into the table. She watched Inuyasha and Kagome stand there blankly, staring at each other and smiling. She was gonna die…no..she was gonna 'kill' somebody.

But the two friends, or at least that was what they were for now, were oblivious to the raging bitch watching them, and they started to walk towards the rest of the group.

After only taking a few steps further into the warehouse, Inuyasha abruptly turned to Kagome.

"Kagome I.."

"Eii!" Kagome tripped over the small, yo-yo engrossed, boy. Inuyasha quickly placed the grocery bags on the metal ground, and helped Kagome to her feet. Holding her elbows and making sure she didn't fall again, Inuyasha made eye-contact with her, and the two shared another goofy smile.

Somewhere a bitch exploded.

Kagome broke her stare away from Inuyasha. "Shipou, go play." The small child looked up at her and smiled a big grin.

"Okay." And with that he darted off towards the TV room, with his flaming red hair bobbing up and down. Kagome bent down to pick up the dropped groceries, placing some bananas, and chocolate bars back into the sopping, ripped bags.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha, Shipou has been a real handful lately, and with the welfare and court cases, I just don't know what to do." She paused. Swallowing hard Kagome looked at the ground, thinking through her reflective chocolate eyes about life, and sadness.

Kagome was such a kind gentle soul who had seen too much sadness in her short life. Intoxicated with what she 'thought' was love, at the young ripe age of 15, still a child at heart herself, Kagome became a mother. She somehow made it through the tragedy. Shunned by her family, abandoned by some Hojo bastard, the man who was suppose to love her, and having to give up school, friends, and her life, she created her own destiny. She loved her son, but the expenses of a child were to high, and her ex-lover hardly ever paid welfare. With no money and no where to go, her knowledge of the city, and connections to the inner rims of the Elite, helped her get into the Underground. Not exactly welcomed at first, Kagome had to make her own way, and gain the respect and allegiance of the Mutants. So now two years later, she stands an important member, and respected advisor.

With a flaring exhale through her nose she seemed to snap out of her depressing stupor, and returned to Inuyasha and the groceries.

"Uhh…you were going to say something?" Inuyasha had been distracted by the look in Kagome's eyes. It hurt to see her like this, and he reminisced about the days when she was young, she still was young in age, but life was weighing her down now. He thought of when she use to be happy, when they both…use to be happy.

"Oh yeah." Inuyasha's eyes were completely serious. "I wanted to know, if it's not to much trouble…if you would talk to Kiri. I think..no, I know something's wrong, but she won't talk to me about it. Your really close to her, maybe even closer than I am..I mean..would you just see what's wrong, I'm worried." Kagome smiled. Looking into his eyes she could tell he was truly concerned, and that he was loyal and caring to his friends. That's what she loved about him, how much he cared about the people close to him, and yet how much he tried to hide it.

"Of course I'll talk to her."

Kagome yawned and stretched out her arms above her head, arching her back. "Is there something in specific, I mean is she just down, or is there 'really' something wrong?" Inuyasha sighed, his face crinkled into a frustrated frown. He took a moment before speaking.

"She's…'hurt', and she 'really' didn't want to talk about."

"Oh."

* * *

Kiri had found serenity in one of the farther halls. A plain, cream colored room, that consisted of a couch and lamp. The Underground didn't have that much money to spend, so their supplies and furniture were scarce and spaced apart. What they didn't buy they stole, so for the most part the rooms were habitable.

She was again engrossed in her book of the dead and the undead, oblivious to the world, and really not caring about it. Her mind was to entranced in stories of the immortals, how they lived forever, beautiful, and powerful. They embodied darkness, and their stories intrigued her...she liked darkness.

After finishing another chapter, Kiri sensed the presence of someone. Could she ever find peace?.

She guessed it was Inuyasha again, coming to bother her, ask more questions, or whatever the hell he wanted, one could never tell with Inuyasha. Without taking her attention off the chronicles of the damned, Kiri called out a warning to her advancer.

"I already told you, go away." A soft, kind, and completely unexpected voice answered her.

"Oh, I'm sorry for intruding..I'll leave." Kiri raised her eyes in a soft smile.

"Kagome?" Kiri was answered with a smile, and she sat up straight, "I'm sorry, I thought you were a certain baka I know."

"I think I know who your talking about." Kagome turned towards the main hall, where everyone else was grouped, only to see Inuyasha mouthing out 'what's happening?' and looking very curious. Kagome only waved him off from a distance, and shifted back to Kiri.

"He seems kinda worried about you." Kiri frowned and looked back at her book, she seemed as if she had just lost interest in the conversation.

"Why should that hentai give a shit about me." Kagome quickly took a seat next to Kiri.

"Because he is not a hentai..and he gives a shit, because he gives shit. He's your friend, and he cares about you." Kiri looked at Kagome, and she could tell Kiri was flattered and embarrassed.

"Your right, I guess." Kiri stuck her small black book mark in between the pages, and placed her book on the ground next to the cream colored couch. Sliding off her combat boots she folded her legs beside her and gestured to Kagome.

"What did you want to talk to me about..or more like, what did Inuyasha want you to talk to me about?" Kagome lowered her voice so as no one would be able to hear her and scooted closer to Kiri.

"You seem to have a large bruise on your leg, and I can see one on your arm." Kiri looked at her forearm. She had removed her long, black, leather, coat and her T-shirt exposes her pale arms, one with a purple bruise on it. Kiri looked back at Kagome's eyes, she couldn't take her inquisitive stare, and she looked back towards the ground.

"You told Inuyasha you fell, and I'm not saying your lying, but I do have a question. Did you trip, or did someone 'push' you?"

Kiri swallowed hard. After a moment of thinking, Kiri whispered desperately to Kagome.

"Do I have your confidence?" Kagome comfortingly placed her hand on Kiri's shoulder.

"I wouldn't tell a soul, whatever you tell me stays between us. But..." Kiri looked at her questioningly. "I think you might want to tell Inuyasha 'at least' something." Kagome pointed over her shoulder towards the curious figure of Inuyasha, who was watching them intently and trying to figure out what was happening. Kiri shook her head and sighed.

"I'll think about it." Her smiled faded and her eyes became heavy. Unpleasant thoughts pooled into her mind, and her sadness was reflected in her golden-green eyes.

"Your right, I was...pushed..."

"Naraku?" Kagome's face expressed concern.

"He'd been very good lately, never resting a finger on me...well, in the sense that he never hit me. After that talk with the police, corrupt as they are..and with the 'position' I am in..I mean, the kind of relationship I have, there wasn't much the police could do, but they still seemed to get through to him. Anyway.." Kiri eye's traveled to one of the far windows. About 20 feet high on the wall, it was a perfect picture of blue skies dotted with puffy, white, cotton-candy clouds, glowing slightly in the rays of afternoon.

"The rain stopped."

Kiri blinked. The vision she seemed to have dissipated, and she was drawn back to reality. She didn't start up her explanation at first, she thought over choice words and explanations.

"Like I said, he had been good for a long time. He still acted the same, but he yelled not as much, never hit me, and left me alone most nights of the week. The most noticeable was how loving he was..he...he had always been loving, in his own…way, but he was even kinder, even...Oh I don't know. It reminded me of the beginning, when I still loved him...what am I saying...I still love him. That probably doesn't make any sense to you, but I do."

"It does." Kagome urged her on with a smile, and Kiri continued.

"But....lately he's become, I don't know. Something was different, something changed. He started drinking again, and...well, lets just say he reverted back to his old methods." Kiri paused, and she choked on words hard to say, as she swallowed. Kagome's hand, which still laid on Kiri's shoulder, started to rub her back in soothing caresses.

"Are you okay?" Kiri locked eyes with Kagome, her pools of sadness moist with held back tears.

"I'm fine."

"I don't believe you." Kiri smiled through flooding eyes, and breathed heavily as she laughed softly. Kagome urged her on

"What happened last night?" With much stumbling over words, and hesitation in thought, Kiri retold last night.

~ ~ ~ ~

"I'm so happy…cuz today I found my friends…there in my head."

The sounds of Nirvana resonated through the apartment living-room. Kiri sang her heart out, putting all emotion into her melodic voice, and ignoring the banging on the floor, from the people in the apartment below. Some people just couldn't appreciate true art and music.

"I light my candles, in a daze, cuz I found god…Yaahaayaah-yaahaayaah."

The walls pulsed with the heavy beat, and Kiri's voice grew even louder as the feeling of the music grew.

She was cooking some dinner, just yakisoba in a wok. She was tired and didn't have much interest in making a big home-cooked meal. As she turned off the stove and placed the wok on the tile counter, the front door opened.

Kiri's music played so loudly, that she didn't hear Naraku sneak up behind her. Just when the song changed, and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" took it's turn to blast in the speakers, Naraku wrapped his arms around Kiri's waist.

"You sing beautifully." Kiri tried to turn around out of surprise, but he held her tightly in place. Leaning forward, Naraku placed his head on her shoulder, so their cheeks touched softly. He whispered to her, caressing her cheek with his nose.

"Did I scare you?" Kiri smiled and looked at Naraku through the corner of her eyes.

"A little, but that's probably what you wanted isn't it?" Naraku smiled against her cheek.

"Maybe."

"Are you hungry?" Kiri tried to turn around, but Naraku still held her in place.

"Very." Naraku nibbled on the lobe of her ear, and again stroked his nose against the side of her face, so his eyelashes teasingly brushed against her cheekbone. Kiri tried hard not to give in to his ministrations, but she couldn't keep a content sigh from crossing her lips.

"Then maybe we should go eat, I've made dinner." Naraku's fingers started to lightly stroke her belly, inching ever-closer to her chest.

"I'm not just hungry for food." Kiri blushed slightly at his words of desire.

"Well I haven't eaten all day, so I would appreciate some dinner." Naraku's fingers ceased to inch, and he frowned slightly.

"Fine." He released Kiri from his grasp, and stalked through the sliding doors, into the dining room.

Kiri sighed and slowly raised a finger to her cheek. After lightly touching her flushed skin, she shook off her chills, and picked up the wok. She took it into the dinning room and placed it on the middle of the table.

She looked at Naraku who was sitting on the opposite side of the table. He had turned off the music, and without realizing it, Kiri started to stare at him.

He was dressed in a tight-fitting, black, long-sleeved, turtle neck, shirt, and black leather pants. The dark colors of his clothes and wavy hair, gave a beautiful contrast to his flawless, porcelain, skin and amethyst eyes.

Naraku sat at the table, tapping his black-finger nailed fingers against the surface, staring off into to city beyond their window. He noticed that Kiri was staring at him and met her eyes.

"Yes?"

Kiri blinked. "Oh, sorry…What do you want to drink?"

"Ahh, yes." Naraku scooted his chair out from under the table, and rubbed his hands together as he rose. He gestured a hand towards Kiri and bowed his head slightly.

"I have something for you." Kiri didn't speak, but looked at him curiously.

"Here." Naraku walked over to his long, black, trench-coat, that was hanging on a peg next to the door. Reaching into one of the deep pockets, he pulled out a bottle of fine wine. Then displaying it in both hands, Naraku walked up to Kiri, and presented her the bottle.

"It's a Bordeaux." Kiri gasped as she read the gold letters, and Naraku spoke as she read.

"Chateau Margaux. It was imported from France, and is probably the best wine there is." Naraku smiled at Kiri's flustered reaction.

"You really shouldn't have. I mean, it must have been very expensive." Naraku's smile turned sly, and he placed the bottle in Kiri's hands.

"Lets just say they were having a sale." Naraku turned to return to his seat, and Kiri took the bottle into to kitchen. Pouring the blood red liquid into the nicest glasses she could find, Kiri shook her head and sighed. She knew what a 'sale' meant. Naraku had a discount on everything, it was a hand to pocket transaction, a liar's deal.

Kiri took the glasses into the dining room, placed one before Naraku and the other before herself, and took a seat.

She smiled at him, "Thank you."

Naraku encircled the glass in his fingers, and after swirling it around a bit, took a sip, "It was nothing. I know how you like the finer things in life."

Kiri smiled timidly, he had a way of making her feel like a child when he spoke to her. She motioned to his plate and he gave it to her. She then scooped a large helping of noodles and vegetables on his plate, and then commenced on helping herself. Naraku picked up his chopsticks and started to eat.

"Mmm, this is delicious. You're a very good cook, do you know that? I never ate this well…till I had you." This time Kiri couldn't help but smile, he loved to flatter her.

"Thank you. My mother taught me how to cook when I was little, before she…" Kiri trailed off, not wanting to remember. "Never mind. I'm glad you like it though."

The rest of the meal was spent in silence over the candlelight. When both had finished their portions and downed their last drop of wine, Kiri cleared the table. With the dishes washed and the leftovers put in the refrigerator, Kiri returned to find Naraku smoking on the balcony. It was more of a large fire escape than an actual balcony, but the view of the city was magnificent, and Kiri spent a lot of time out there.

Sliding the door open, she joined him.

The night was crisp and fading with dusk. Colors of sunset plaid across the horizon, and the breeze rustled their hair in waves.

Naraku took another drag from his cigarette.

The flickering tip flamed to a deep orange, and then melted into gray ash, as Naraku inhaled deeply. He was hunched over the railing, elbows perched on the steel bar, so his forearms, wrists and hands dangled of the edge. He removed the slowly shrinking cigarette from his lips, and let his hand hang down again. He watched the but burn from within until it was too short to enjoy. Then as two, large puffs of smoke trailed from his nostrils, he released the but from between his fingers and let it drop into the streets below.

Kiri had perched herself in the same fashion next to Naraku, and he turned to look at her.

She was beautiful in the waning lights of day, then again she was always beautiful. Her raven hair danced across her face, and the sunset was reflected in her glowing green eyes. Dressed in a black sweatshirt a couple sizes to big, and some red boxers, Naraku couldn't help but watch her.

Kiri turned her head to look at him, and Naraku reached out his hand.

"Cigarette?" There was a white, opened, carton of cigarettes in his hand.

Kiri shook her head. "No thanks, not right now."

Naraku slipped the carton back into his pocket, and smiled warmly at her.

"You look beautiful."

"You look beautiful too. I mean in a guy way..no, your handsome." Kiri paused with a sigh, "You look good."

Naraku smiled and watched Kiri, as she turned back to watch the city.

A couple silent moments passed and time seemed to pause with them, waiting for someone to speak. Kiri responded to times whishes.

"You know what?"

"What?" Naraku leaned in closer to Kiri, still watched her intently.

"It's strange, and almost sad how oblivious these people are." Kiri made a swooping gesture towards the city 5 stories below. "And even if they do know about us and our 'war', why do they ignore it? Why do they ignore us?" Naraku scooted closer to Kiri, his eyes locked onto her lips.

"Ignorance is bliss."

Kiri looked into Naraku's eyes.

"Only because they don't know there is anything better. They don't know they have a choice." Naraku's eyes pulled her in and their hue slowly changed as the light of day morphed into night.

"Let them live in their naive Eden. We are better then them, we know the world and accept it. We do not try to hide or change reality, we revel it, and live our lives in it, not around it." Kiri considered his words.

"Your probably right."

"Of course I am." Naraku smiled at Kiri, and she was still awed by his eyes.

"I just..don't understand." Kiri looked down towards the streetlights. Naraku lifted her chin with his finger, back into his gaze.

"What don't you understand?"

"This whole war. How it started, why it's happening." Naraku listened to her contently, staring ever-deeper into her lush, emerald eyes.

"I mean, today when I was walking in Sakura Gardens, I…"

"You were where?" Naraku's stare hardened slightly, and Kiri answered, a little confused.

"Sakura Gardens, it's a beautiful park just north of Main Street." Naraku's voice was rough.

"I know where it is, but why were 'you' there?" Kiri searched Naraku's eyes, trying to read his mind.

"It was a beautiful day, and I needed a walk."

"Were you alone?"

"Yes, why?" Naraku turned abruptly and grabbed Kiri's shoulders. He towered over her, his voice demanding.

"What were you doing alone, walking in Elite territory. What were you thinking, something could have happened to you, Sakura gardens is a hot spot for Babylons." Kiri pulled out of Naraku's grasp.

"You see what I mean. I would have been just fine, and I 'am' just fine. Why do you do this? You try to pull everyone into this war of yours, you try to pull everyone into your paranoia. I don't think I'm in any danger, why would I be? They're after you not me." Naraku took a step towards her.

"Kiri…"

"No!" Kiri stepped out of his forceful embrace. "What about accepting reality? Living your life through it, not around it. Has it ever accurd to you that maybe I don't want to be a part in your stupid war? I mean, why should I be?"

Naraku turned away from Kiri and grabbed the railing. His eyes reddened and his knuckled turned white as he gripped the bar. He then turned his head to face Kiri, looking into her eyes.

"Because, your part of the underground, and your part of me, so whether you like it or not your sill part of this war damit!" Naraku's hand curled into a fist and he slammed it against the steel railing. His stare burned into Kiri's eyes, and his words echoed in her ears.

Kiri swallowed hard. "Gomen." She looked blank, and yet frightened, indifference was her shield against tears. If they were for pain, for fear, for sadness, or for reality, she did not know. But she wasn't going to shed them in front of him.

She frantically turned and opened the door, "Excuse me." Kiri quickly crossed through the doorway, and slid it behind her.

"Kiri!" Naraku reached out for her, without really expecting to touch her, but she was gone.

~ ~ ~ ~

"After I left him on the balcony, I fled to the bathroom and locked myself in.

I felt sick, but then again how was I suppose to feel.

I didn't throw up with tears in my eyes because he had yelled at me, I cried because he was right. I am part of the underground, part of this battle, part of him"

Kiri raised her hand in front of her, stopping Kagome before she spoke. "I know what your going to say, but please just let me finish.

I don't know how long I locked myself in the bathroom, but when I came out the sunset had passed, the night was somber, and Naraku had already retreated to the bedroom.

I remember going to the kitchen, I think I was thirsty and needed a drink. I stood there under the dim, flickering bulb, downing my glass of water, and thinking random thoughts. When I put the glass away and started to leave the kitchen, right before I turned out the light, I noticed it. An empty bottle of sake, when I swear it was almost completely filled when I used some for cooking.

He was drunk again, and it was all my fault.

I turned off the light, and left the darkness behind, only to encounter a different kind of darkness.

Now I really needed a cigarette.

I entered the bedroom, and found Naraku lying in bed with his hands behind his head, elbows turned out. I don't know what I was expecting, but as quietly as possible I tried to make it across the room to our private bathroom, without him noticing me. I had almost gotten to the door, when he spoke.

'Kiri. Are you coming to bed?' I froze in the bathroom doorway.

'Not quite yet. I have to change and wash my face, and I might spend some time on the balcony..I need a cigarette.'

'Just come in soon.' I looked at him. His eyes were closed, and he had a content smile on his face. Was he oblivious? Did he so easily forget? I didn't matter now.

I closed the bathroom door behind me. I remember looking in the mirror. My reflection was tired, sad, and my black eyeliner was streaking down my cheeks from the tears. I washed my face with the cold water, my skin tingled pleasantly at the touch of the icy liquid.

Again I passed into the bedroom, and removed my sweatshirt so I was only wearing a wife-beater and boxers. I started to head for the hallway, and I could tell Naraku was watching me. Before I left to have a smoke, he told me that I looked better in his underwear then he did...or something like that.

It was cold outside, and the bottom of my feet stung, but I wanted that cigarette to last forever. But of course it didn't. It burned out, and I knew I had to go back inside or else he might get suspicious."

"He gets suspicious?" Kagome's voice was concerned and she listened intently to Kiri's story.

"Sometimes, well..since I tried to runaway..all those times." Kagome's eyes were now even more curious. "But that's a hole other story that I don't want to tell now." Kagome nodded her head in agreement.

Kiri shifted her legs out from under her. "I hoped he had already fallen asleep, but no luck. The night was frozen over with the wind, but the room was hot and stuffy. So I removed my beater and boxers, and got into bed…." Kiri's pause was heavy, filled with memories wished forgotten.

"He wouldn't leave me alone, and we got into a fight."

"Did he hit you?"

"He slapped me across the face, and might have done more…but I ran. He caught me though, and brought me back…" Kiri's eyes darted across the room, trying to focus on anything but Kagome's questioning face. After a lot of blinking and swallowing Kiri continued.

"When we got back to the apartment, he…" There was a large boom, followed by many faraway greetings, to far to understand.

He had arrived.

Kagome turned around and tried to make out who everyone was crowding around. Kiri didn't have to try, she didn't even have to look - she knew who it was. Kiri put her feet to the ground, and slipped on her large combat boots. She then rose adjusting her skirt and fishnet stockings. Kiri falsely smiled at Kagome.

"Thank you for listening, but now I am needed." Kagome reached out and grabbed Kiri's slender wrist.

"Kiri?…." She pulled her hand out of Kagome's hold.

"I'll be fine…I always am." Then with a downhearted sigh, Kiri fixed her face into the nicest smile she could, and walked off towards the rest of the group.

Kagome shook her head, she truly felt sorry for Kiri. Her, the girl with more problems than you could count in the world, felt pity for the girl who was loved too much.