InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ An Island Never Cries ( Chapter 25 )

I do not own Inuyasha and Company, no matter how happy it would make me. Rumiko Takahashi does. I also do not own I Am a Rock by Simon and Garfunkel.

 

 

Chapter 25 - An Island Never Cries

 

 

 

While standing in the background watching the scene unfold in front of them, Bankotsu caught Miroku's eyes and after a tilt of his head the two made their way to the kitchen; they had something rather important to discuss.

 

“Did you see what I saw?” Bank asked when they were both in the room.

 

“That he was provoking Sesshoumaru on purpose? Yeah, I saw that. The question is do we tell her? Inuyasha deserved to get bit after the things he said.”

 

“You don't think that he… did he want Sesshoumaru to attack him so Kagome would see? After what his father said, why would he interfere like that?”

 

Miroku shook his head. “I don't know, but it really looked like it. He looked rather pleased with himself too. I'm pretty sure he was trying to sabotage any chance Sesshoumaru might have, and he succeeded too.”

 

“I should have seen it coming,” Bank said, feeling guilty. “I should have noticed what he was doing and stopped it. Sesshoumaru deserves one more chance I think. The way she looked at him that day… I know she felt something powerful. He really is her soul mate. I know it.”

 

“Do you think… is it possible that she's had feelings for him all these years and hid them from us?”

 

Bankotsu nodded. “She probably tried to ignore them, act like they weren't there because of how he treated Inuyasha. Even then he was coming between them without even trying.”

 

“We need to tell her that it wasn't Sesshoumaru's fault and that he had a good reason to attack Inuyasha.

 

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

 

Shippo frowned from where he stood in the living room, both watching as Kagome coddled the hanyou and listening to Bankotsu and Miroku talk. Maybe he should have told Kagome what Sesshoumaru said. He studied the large white inu that was laying a few feet away from Kagome and Inuyasha, looking at her with pitifully sad eyes, and a wave of guilt overtook him.

 

`Sesshoumaru,' he woofed softly. `I will tell her what you say. He provoked you on purpose.'

 

The beast lifted its head in surprise. The kitsune would now help him? What had changed? He nodded once and then turned to watch as Miroku and Bankotsu came back into the room.

 

“Kagome?” Bank called softly.

 

“Hmm?” she asked, not bothering to turn from her focus on Inuyasha. He was all healed but she was still fawning over the hanyou. She thought it was all her fault and she felt guilty. She'd let the beast out. She thought he was safe. She'd even petted the thing! She shook her head, frustrated and unsure of what to do. What if he attacked Inuyasha again?

 

“Kaggie, can we talk to you?”

 

Inuyasha looked up at them in surprise. From their expressions he knew he was in trouble. They were going to tell her that he'd pushed Sesshoumaru to it and that he was asking for it. He knew he was. He knew he deserved it, but it was more than worth the pain to have her taking care of him so lovingly while completely snubbing his brother. He refused to allow Sesshoumaru to have her. She belonged to him. He loved her. He protected her. He made her happy. He took care of her. She didn't need Sesshoumaru. She didn't need a mate. Everything was perfect just the way it was and he didn't want things to change.

 

“Kagome? Are you sure it's healed all the way? It still really hurts right here,” he said while pointing to where a huge fang wound had been. He was lying of course. He was as good as new, but he needed to keep her from talking to the others, at least until he could convince them not to tell.

 

She fell for it completely, running her hands gently over his arm, sending tingles throughout his entire body. He loved it when she touched him. It was as close as he would ever get to having her. Nothing had changed since their freshman year. He still loved her with every inch of his being and he still refused to sentence her to the torment of mating a hanyou. He would never let her know how he really felt, but he couldn't stand by and let her be snatched away from him either. He couldn't lose her. He loved her and he needed to feel her love for him, to revel in her scent, be soothed by her voice, and be surrounded by her aura. Without her his entire world would fall apart.

 

Bankotsu frowned at Inuyasha. He wasn't sure what was going on. He thought that they had all understood and agreed not to interfere. If Sesshoumaru was her soul mate then keeping them apart would only hurt her and that was the last thing any of them wanted to do… or at least he thought so. Why would Inuyasha want to stand in the way of her happiness?

 

“Kagome, it's really important and he's fine. You healed him. Please?”

 

Kagome sighed but dragged herself to her feet. “Alright, what is it?”

 

“Come with me,” Bank said, holding out his hand to her. She took it and allowed him to lead her up the stairs. Miroku and Shippo followed, as well as the large white inu, leaving Inuyasha sitting on the floor in the living room dreading what he knew they would tell her. No one wanted Kagome to be mad at them. It wasn't pretty.

 

Bank led them all into Miroku's room and Kagome sat down on the bed, looking at them expectantly. She was rather surprised to see Sesshoumaru in the room as well and was even more surprised when Miroku placed a few sutras on the door. “What are you doing?”

 

“What we have to say, Inuyasha isn't going to want you to hear.”

 

“What? Why? What's going on here?” she asked in frustration. She was tired of secrets, tired of everyone hiding things from her. They were her best friends, so what was with the secrecy and deception?

 

Shippo looked down at the floor, ashamed at how he'd refused to tell her what she deserved to know. “Sesshoumaru didn't attack Inuyasha for no reason.”

 

“So? He hurt him!”

 

“He was asking for it,” Miroku said matter-of-factly. “He was purposely provoking him.”

 

Bank nodded and continued. “We think he did it so you would see Sesshoumaru attacking him and think he was the bad guy. He wants you to hate Sesshoumaru.”

 

Kagome was confused. “Why would he care if I like or hate Sesshoumaru? Why would he want to be bit like that? Didn't you see those gashes? It was horrible!” she said angrily, glaring at the large white inu sitting and staring at her. “I don't care what he said. There was no reason for it! And Sesshoumaru was going for the throat. He was trying to kill him!”

 

No one knew quite what to say to that and after a few moments of silence they all turned to look at the large white inu. `This Sesshoumaru had no intention of killing the hanyou, just to teach him to think before he speaks. I know how much you care for him.'

 

Everyone looked at Shippo who sighed before repeating the message.

 

“Okay guys, I'm really getting confused here. What is going on that everyone is hiding things from me and talking in riddles?”

 

“I'm sorry, Kagome. There are some things we can't tell you right now. You know that we would never hide something from you willingly, but it's really important that you don't know. There's nothing to worry about though. You just need to keep being you, that's all. Act like nothing's going on.”

 

Kagome let out a cute little growl. “You guys really suck, you know that?”

 

Miroku chuckled and sat down beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “It's something you need to decide on your own without anyone pushing you in either direction. Once it's all said and done we'll tell you everything, but you can't know before then or it'll ruin it.”

 

“But what does it have to do with Sesshoumaru?”

 

“Don't think about it. You'll understand when it's time. We just wanted to make sure you knew that it wasn't his fault. Don't blame him. Things are hard enough for him at the moment. He really doesn't need Inuyasha interfering.” Bank smiled at her. “Now, didn't you have some reading to get done?”

 

`She is welcome to use this Sesshoumaru's room.' Shippo gave the taiyoukai an incredulous look. `Tell her. This Sesshoumaru will be in this form for a while. She can make herself comfortable, hang up her clothes, and have a desk to work at. She is also welcome to use this Sesshoumaru's computer if she needs to since hers is still at her former residence.'

 

“What'd he say, Shippo?” Kagome asked, her voice softer, the anger melting away… at least her anger at Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha on the other hand… she didn't know what to feel. It didn't make any sense for him to purposely provoke the demon. Why did it matter to him whether she was friends with Sesshoumaru or not?

 

The kitsune gave a little laugh and shrugged his shoulders. “He wants you to use his room. Said you could hang up your clothes, make yourself comfortable… even said you can use his computer.”

 

Kagome looked down into bright crimson eyes. “You want me to use your room? But… my scent… you don't want your room covered in my scent.”

 

`It is much to the contrary,' he thought. `I wish your scent was a permanent part of this Sesshoumaru's room and bed.'

 

`Tell her I wish for her comfort and that this Sesshoumaru finds her scent soothing.'

 

Shippo laughed and translated, making Kagome give the inu an odd look again. “You are just too confusing for words,” she said, giggling when he nosed her hand before gently petting his head. “I don't get it. This beast thing… are you an entirely independent personality from the Sesshoumaru I know… or… can he hear me when I talk to you?” Sesshoumaru nodded and Kagome blushed a bright red. “Just great… now he knows I thought he was cute! Me and my big mouth. I just had to tell you guys about the dream. I just had to admit that I was drawn to him that day at freshman orientation. God, this is just too embarrassing.” He tried to reassure her, licking her hand slowly, savoring the taste of her skin.

 

Miroku removed the sutras from the door and then turned and looked at Kagome again. “So are you going to take him up on his offer, Kaggie? Shall we move your things?”

 

She looked like she was considering it for a bit before nodding. “Might as well. His bed looked awfully comfortable and I'm gonna need to use someone's computer. I still don't wanna go back to my place yet. It's just… creepy.” The guys laughed before leaving the monk's room for Bank's. Each grabbed a bag and Kagome giggled as she watched Sesshoumaru drag one into his room with his teeth.

 

Kagome noticed the stain on his carpet immediately and turned towards Sesshoumaru. “I'm sorry I yelled at you… and for the whole…” she pointed at the carpet. “You just… I don't understand you. You can be so infuriating! Sometimes… it's just… I wish I could understand you.”

 

Miroku, Bankotsu, and Shippo watched in shock as Kagome started to glow a bright green. That was definitely not her usual color. No, Kagome glowed pink, not green. The light faded as quickly as it appeared and Kagome looked from face to face, confused. “What just happened?”

 

Sesshoumaru mentally smirked. He wasn't quite ready yet since he hadn't decided what to say to her, but now when he did he would actually be able to say it and have her understand. Yes, that was definitely an upside to the syndrome. Without it he had no idea how he would have communicated with her, and if he couldn't talk to her then how could he make her fall in love with him?

 

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

 

Inuyasha wasn't having a very good time. He was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at the tabletop in an attempt to ignore the questions being asked of him. Bankotsu, Miroku, and Shippo had come downstairs without her. They left her alone with his brother. It seemed that at the moment they trusted Sesshoumaru more than they did Inuyasha.

”We just don't understand man. Why would you do that?” Bank asked.

 

“Do what?” he growled at them.

 

Miroku shook his head in disappointment. “Why would you interfere? She's his soul mate, Inu. He is the only person she will ever truly be happy with. Why would you try to ruin that?”

 

Bank nodded his head in agreement. “Don't you get it? He will make her happy. If she doesn't give him a chance then he'll die and she will spend the rest of her life looking for him but it'll be too late,” he said softly, not wanting her to overhear, though he was pretty sure she was distracted.

 

“He can't have her,” was Inuyasha's only response.

 

“Why not?” Bank demanded. “She doesn't belong to you or any of us. She is our friend, and that means we want her to be happy. We just don't get it. I know you don't get along with your brother, but this is something you need to leave alone. You have to just stand back and see how it goes. It should be her choice, and tricking her like that, that takes away her choice.”

 

“He can't have her.” Inuyasha glared at them all. He didn't care if they didn't understand why he did what he did. He had his reasons. He didn't need to explain himself.

 

“Why not?” Shippo snarled. “I don't like him either, but damnit, Inuyasha! You can't do this! All you're going to do is make her angry because we're not going to let you get away with something like this again. We aren't going to let you turn her against him.”

 

“Don't you guys get it?” Inuyasha hissed, keeping his voice low, a difficult thing considering just how angry he was. “He hates me. He hates all of us. If she mates with him we will never see her again. He'll whisk her away and she'll be gone forever. I don't know about you guys, but I can't live without her.”

 

Bankotsu shook his head again. “If you love her like you say you do, you would put her happiness above your own. She would never abandon us and you know that! And even if she did, if it made her happy, then that's what I would want for her.”

 

“Me too,” Miroku and Shippo mumbled together. It was a scary thought and they were all worried about it, but they put her needs above their own. Kagome was all that mattered and worrying about themselves and what would happen to them was selfish. To try to and keep her from her destiny for their self-interest would be wrong.

 

“You need to have faith in her. You know how hard Kagome fought to be your friend and to protect you. Do you really think she'd let someone stop her from seeing you after all that?”

 

Slowly understanding crept into Inuyasha's eyes. She did. She fought to convince him she was sincere. She stood by his side against the bullies, against the whole school really. He was so stupid! She would never leave him after that. She'd ignored her attraction to Sesshoumaru before because of how he treated him. Why would she allow Sesshoumaru to end the friendships she worked so hard to forge?

 

The hanyou was beginning to feel guilty. When he'd first heard about his brother's problem, when he listened in on the call between him and their father, he'd felt bad for him. It wasn't until Kagome was mentioned that he stopped caring. She'd been the first friend he'd ever had. She had changed his entire world. He was terrified of things going back to the way they were before she came into his life. He'd allowed his fear to rule his actions, his fear and his jealousy. He had been ready to condemn his brother to death and Kagome to a life of unhappiness, just to keep her with him.

 

“Did she forgive him?” he whispered.

 

“Yeah, she did,” Bank replied. “She's confused and all the secrets are driving her crazy, but she's not angry at him anymore. He offered her his room… even said she could use his computer. Of course that only confused her more, but she accepted.”

 

“The weirdest thing happened,” Miroku added. “She was talking to him when she started to glow green, and for a few seconds she was surrounded by demonic energy.”

 

Inuyasha frowned, having no idea what could have caused such a thing.

 

Shippo cleared his throat. “Um... I think I might have some insight there. He was begging her to say `I wish I could understand you,' earlier, when we found her on the couch. I said that wishing it wouldn't make any difference, but he said that I didn't know what I was talking about. I think that maybe her saying those words did something. He certainly looked happy then.”

 

“So you think she can understand him now?” Miroku asked.

 

“Maybe,” Shippo replied before tilting his head to look up at the ceiling. “Maybe.”

 

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

 

Sesshoumaru was rather enjoying watching Kagome unpack her things. It was fitting, having her move into his room. It was something he'd always imagined, sharing a room, a closet, and most importantly a bed with his angel. He had yet to test the lines of communication, still not sure of the perfect thing to say. Of course, he'd stopped trying to think of anything when she began singing softly.

 

“A winter's day in a deep and dark December, I am alone gazing from my window to the streets below on a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

He wondered if she had forgotten his presence or if she felt that comfortable with him, because she'd begun to dance slightly while she sang, twirling her way across the room from bed to closet and closet to bed, hanging her things next to his.

 

“I've built walls, a fortress steep and mighty that none may penetrate. I have no need for friendship, friendship causes pain. Its laughter and its loving I distain. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

His head began to sway, following the sensual rhythm of her hips. How he wished he had hands at the moment! He was dying to place his hands on those hips and pull her body back against his, to feel her amazing ass rubbing against him, turning him on worse than ever before. It was then that he decided what he would remind her of the next time she fell asleep.

 

“Don't talk of love. Well, I've heard the word before. It's sleeping in my memory. I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died. If I never loved I never would have cried. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

He was now certain that she'd forgotten all about him. She'd just dumped a duffel bag of nothing but brightly colored panties and bras on his bed and was currently swinging a purple thong on her index finger, her hips still swaying so temptingly while she sang. She looked like she was considering something for a moment before sauntering over to his dresser. She traced one finger along the intricate designs carved into the dark cherry wood before opening the top left drawer. A light blush colored her cheeks before she closed the drawer. He wanted to laugh at her innocence. Apparently just the sight of his boxers was enough to make her blush.

 

“I have my books and poetry to protect me. I am shielded in my armor. Hiding in my room, safe within my womb, I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

She scooted to the right and opened the drawer beside the first. Finding socks in the second drawer, she moved them to one side and began folding up the sexy little scraps of fabric and piling them neatly in the space she'd made. He more than enjoyed the show as he got to see every single undergarment she owned, besides the ones she had on of course, but then he was hoping that might be remedied soon. If she could forget he was there with her now, maybe she would forget that he was there when she changed as well.

 

“And a rock feels no pain. And an island never cries.”

 

As her voice trailed off she looked around, blushing like crazy when she noticed him sitting there watching her. “You just couldn't bark or something and let me know I was making a fool of myself in front of you, could you?” she asked sarcastically. When he stayed silent and still she sighed and allowed her self to fall back onto his bed. In seconds he was on the bed beside her and she turned her head to look into his glowing red eyes. “You are just a complicated guy, aren't you?”

 

She stayed perfectly still as he moved his snout closer and closer to her face, her eyes crossing to keep looking at him until he finally touched his nose to hers. “Dude!” she laughed. “Your nose is cold!” He moved back a bit so he could look at her properly and she wiped her now wet nose off with her hand. “And just what was that? I never expected the all powerful Sesshoumaru to be into Eskimo kisses.”

 

The longer she looked at him, at the way he was staring into her eyes, the more she was confused. “Can I ask you something?” He nodded his head and she grinned. “Why… why do you keep yourself locked up behind walls? What happened to you that you won't let anyone get close?”

 

He dropped his head down so he was staring at the bed. He didn't have an easy answer for her. He'd learned some things about life early on and he took the lessons to heart to guard against ever experiencing what his mother had suffered.

 

“Yeah, I guess it's kind of a silly question to ask considering you can't talk to me.” She turned to stare at the ceiling, the ceiling he'd spent the last year and several months staring at every single night while he thought of her. She didn't look at him this time when she spoke. “You know how I was singing… I don't consciously pick the song. It just happens. But I've noticed something. The song that pops into my head always applies somehow to the situation.”

 

He thought it over, remembering some of the words she'd sung a few minutes before. To be honest he'd missed most of the song, focusing on the sound of her voice and watching her body move. He woofed at her softly, not saying anything really, and he nudged her arm with his nose.

 

“So then does that song… it does sort of… It fits you.”

 

He woofed again. When she just looked at him he sighed. Well, she was going to have to find out sometime. `Sing it for me again, Kagome,' he said in inu, watching her eyes widen when she understood him.

 

“How? I couldn't… Why can I…?”

 

`This Sesshoumaru will explain later. Sing for me again, please.'

 

She gave him an odd look but complied. “A winter's day in a deep and dark December, I am alone gazing from my window to the streets below on a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

He listened closely to the words this time as she sang. He remembered standing inside their rented cabin, looking out the window and watching while she and her friends played in the snow, something he'd thought childish until he noticed how she laughed while she played. Then it was beautiful, the way her cheeks got red from the cold but her smile never faltered. He tried to deny how lonely he was then, just like he always did.

 

“I've built walls, a fortress steep and mighty that none may penetrate. I have no need for friendship, friendship causes pain. Its laughter and its loving I distain. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

She paused and looked at him again. “Wow… Sesshoumaru? Is that it? Are you afraid to get hurt? Is that why you push everyone away?”

 

`This Sesshoumaru has never considered why I have always preferred solitude...'

 

She continued the song. “Don't talk of love. Well, I've heard the word before. It's sleeping in my memory. I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died. If I never loved I never would have cried. I am a rock, I am an island.”

 

“You know, I love your brother and Miroku and Bankotsu, Shippo too, but I've never… They've always kept the guys away. Once… just once I felt something for someone that I might have called love. Too bad he didn't seem to feel it too. It was odd because I saw him a couple times and every time it was the same. I felt this incredible connection that he either didn't feel or was ignoring, because he left me every time. Even with as short of a time as I had with him… it hurt, really hurt to feel something for someone who didn't reciprocate. It hurt every time. It was almost like he was playing with me.” Kagome paused for a moment while she tried to push those pesky feelings that were popping up back down where they belonged. “I'm curious…”

 

She rolled to her side to look at him comfortably. “This girl… the beast half wants her, right? What about the other half? Did you not pursue her because the other half didn't feel the same? Or do you both want her?”

 

He gave her an appraising look. What was she talking about? When had she felt something for someone? His heart twisted in his chest at the thought of his Kagome loving someone else, even if it was for a short time. `For some time the civilized side of this Sesshoumaru, the side you know, denied his feelings for the female in question, but they have always been there.'

 

“So why not go after her? Why fight it until it got to this point? I mean, come on, what girl wouldn't want you? It's just silly. Every girl in school worshipped you then and they still worship you now. How hard could it be to catch her attention?”

 

He chuckled softly. `If only you knew, Kagome, just how hard it has been… if only you knew.'

 

`She does not see me. This Sesshoumaru is invisible to her.'

 

“I don't think that's possible. You don't really blend into the background, ya know? Are you just afraid of being rejected?”

 

`This Sesshoumaru does not need to fear her rejection. It is assured.'

 

“Nothing is ever set in stone. Just cuz you think she doesn't see you doesn't mean that she's not sneaking glances at you when you're looking the other way. You're gonna have to take a chance… put yourself out there. If you want… I can help you. I can help you come up with what to say, help you catch her attention, whatever I can.”

 

He smirked inside at her offer. That was just like Kagome to offer to help him. Too bad it would be rather difficult to help him catch her own attention. He leaned in and licked her cheek, making her laugh; her laughter easing the pain in his chest. Finally… finally she laughed for him. It felt like his fairy god mother just granted one of his wishes. If only she'd help out with the rest… he would be a happy demon.