InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unaware ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 17 )

I do not own Inuyasha & Co.

 

Hey, everyone! Nice to be back! I have missed this. You know, writing. Man, I hate it when things get in the way, ya know. It's the worst thing a writer can go through, not being able to write due to real life struggles, stress and change. I am doing my best to come to terms with changes around me and making it work so that I can actually get these new chappies out to you all. I am truly sorry it has once again taken me what seems like forever to awaken my mind. Thanks so much for waiting and for being patient. I really appreciate it. Now, on with the fic!

 

 

Reviewer's Corner:

 

From Media Miner. Org:

 

Drake Clawfang: Thanks, and I hope you're still enjoying it. It has been a while since I've updated, but here's the next chappy!

 

inuyashafanaticllmv: Thank you very much, and yes, Kikyo has once again been the one in trouble. And this chapter and chapter 15 confirmed it. I'm very glad you're enjoying the fic, and I appreciate your patience. I will be posting more often now that problems have been finally solved (sigh) I'm glad I can relax and write, yay! Well, enjoy!

 

From Fan Fiction. Net:

 

Kagome M.K: Okay, here ya go. Sorry for the long wait, I appreciate your patience.

 

heymary: Yeah, I know. I cried too. No matter what, Inu just keeps losing everything, doesn't he? And Houji, that was very sad. He had no one after Kikyo died. And Kikyo, man…to have to relive that horrible experience over again…WAAAAAHHHHH!!! I don't care who is it, that's horrible…Well, enjoy the next chappy…lots of new info awaits (wink)

 

tvsweetie: Thanks! Enjoy the next!

 

Cold Kikyo: Thanks, and this chappy is a good one…And long since I made ya wait soo long (wink)

 

Spirituality: Well, I'm glad ya liked the last chappy, and I just wanna say, your wait is over! YAY! You'll be able to relax after this one, mmhmm (nods).

 

Preetygirl09: Why, thank you very much! I'm glad it captivated ya! I'm very sorry it took so long to get this chappy out, but it's good, long and ready for readin'…Heh heh heh…(wink).

 

Aijou-chan: I understand where you're coming from. When I first started this fic, I didn't have anything against Kikyo. This fic actually started out as a dream I had and I plan to publish this story as an original. Yes, it seems immoral that he falls in love with Kagome over Kikyo while she's lying there in a coma, but he didn't plan that, and neither did she. I appreciate your point of view and I'm sorry it kinda rubbed ya the wrong way. That wasn't my intention. I just look at it as just a story. If you enjoy my writing, there are other fics I have posted you may enjoy. Feel free to read my other works if you like, and I appreciate your compliment and that you voiced your opinion.

 

Drake Clawfang: Actually, it's not Kouga…He's his buddy who fought with him over falling for Kagome, remember? LOL! I'm glad you found me! I had no idea that you had an account here too! Glad you could make it here! And I will be posting more often, that's a guarantee (wink). And thanks for the review! Glad to have ya! (Smiles widely).

 

kirarakitty: Yeah, that was kinda funny how Sesshy was even laughing and then stopped abruptly at the sight of his brother. And Kagome's mom is so sweet, isn't she? You're welcome, and I thank you very much for the review. I hope I don't make ya wait that long again…I hate not being able to write…

 

Once again, thank you all very much for your reviews, and your patience (hugs you all…backs crack).

 

 

Chapter 16

 

 

As Inuyasha sat in his hotrod, he thought about how he could possibly get him to confess. To find a way to get the most solid evidence he could. What he feared the most, was having to get close to the man. The one who has had the hots for him for a long time. He never really understood it. The man even knew his wife, knew they were happily married, and yet still had the gall to make a pass at him as she awaited his return at the dinner table in that restaurant.

 

As he sat there, thinking about how much he loathed the man for his actions towards him, thoughts of that night flooded his mind. What he said, how he backed him into the wall and grabbed him. As the jerk was about to lick his face, Inuyasha pushed him to the floor and pressed his foot to the man's chest, keeping him on the floor and at a nice distance from his manhood.

 

“Aw, c'mon! I was only joking!”

 

“I don't believe you, jerk-off. You stay away from me, you hear me? I don't want you ever touching me again! You have no right! You're lucky I'm not a killer!”

 

“Hey, chill Inu! I promise I'll never touch you again. Now let me up, please?” he asked as he reached up towards his prey. Inuyasha spat and removed his foot from the man's chest as he turned and walked out the door.

 

“That jerk. I can't believe he killed Kikyo. Why? Just because of me? What a dumb reason. Fucker…I so wanna kill him. But I can't. I could never kill another, could I?” Inuyasha asked himself as he felt his sanity slipping. Not only does he now know his wife was shot by his most loathed acquaintance, but he now has no choice but to face him, and to face him in a civilized manner.

 

Inuyasha buried his face in his hands as his breath became labored over stress. `I have to, I have no choice. It's for Kikyo! Forget about your feelings. It's not about you, it's about her!' he told himself inwardly and looked up as he saw the man's image smile as he walked away from the alley in the past. He seethed, wiped his face of the tears he shed over those horrid memories and then strapped himself in the seat as he turned the ignition.

 

@*@

 

 

“When am I finally going to be able to see him? I'm dying here!” Jakotsu exclaimed as he eyed Naraku and Bankotsu with doe-eyes.

 

“Not now,” stated Naraku as he signed a few papers that had been placed before him during the meeting earlier that day.

 

Just as Naraku tossed one finished packet of paperwork aside, the turning over of a hefty engine was heard through the open window in the conference room. Jakotsu's head turned immediately as he leapt out of his seat and pressed his face against the window. He watched with a loud sigh as Inuyasha's hotrod sped away down the road to catch the nearest green light.

 

Bankotsu shook his head and propped his forehead up on his index finger at his brother's actions and affections towards his comatose friend's husband. He never understood his brother one bit. No matter what he did, or said, Jakotsu couldn't keep his mind from straying to Inuyasha. He knew well of his brother's obsession. He had hoped to keep the best watch on his behavior as well. When Jakotsu returned home that night, with his gun in his hands, Bankotsu knew what had transpired. What he'd done. Bankotsu had punished him that night. He tore every picture of Inuyasha apart; hoping he could get his brother to realize how he broke the one, he was in love with. Jakotsu, however, took it differently. That night, Jakotsu had moved out and gotten his own place, where he knew his older brother would not interfere.

 

Bankotsu decided not to get involved. Yes, he loved Kikyo dearly, but to think of his brother being sent to the slammer, or worse, to death over an obsession scared him. Yes, his brother was a bit on the eccentric side when it came to men and affection, but still. He was after all, his one and only brother. Naraku had been devastated by the loss of his most treasured employee. Kikyo loved her job, and he held her with the highest respect. Before he knew about Inuyasha and the marriage, he had tried to ask her to dinner, but declined to fear of losing her presence completely. Naraku accommodated her to the max to make sure she had no reason to leave, or to stray to the competition.

 

When Bankotsu saw the look on Inuyasha's face that day in the hospital, he knew Inuyasha's first suspects were the three of them. He had a sneaking suspicion. But being innocent as he is, he knew Inuyasha's pain. They both had almost lost a wonderful woman in their lives, even if she was only a close friend of his.

 

Jakotsu finally left the window when he could no longer see the hotrod and stepped out the door. Bankotsu excused himself from the room and followed his younger brother. He followed him at a distance to the locker room where he kept his belongings. He hung back a distance back from Jakotsu's locker as he opened it and immediately started running his fingers down the oversized picture of Inuyasha's he had printed out recently. Bankotsu knew his brother was ill, but he didn't know what to say. His brother has the right to love another, but to commit such a crime for his own benefit. As his brother began to talk to himself, he turned and stepped towards the elevator as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket.

 

@*@

 

 

Inuyasha pulled into the driveway of his estate. He didn't want Kagome to see him now. There was no way he could explain everything he went through with that man. That Jakotsu. He knew what he had to do, and he knew Kagome could only give him the comfort he needs after it's all over. Suddenly his cell phone rang.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Mr. Tai?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It's Dr. Houshi, from Shikon Hospital. I am calling in regards to your wife.”

 

“What's happened?” he asked aggressively.

 

“She's gone sir. We've done all we could. I'm sorry,” the voice answered on the other end.

 

Inuyasha's hand covered his face as tears fell once again. He held in a sob as he took a few deep breathes to calm him. “Thank you, for doing what you could,” he replied as his hand propped his forehead up as his arm rested on the steering wheel.

 

“Would you like to see her? Family has the right to see the deceased before the body is taken to the coroner,” the voice droned in empathy.

 

“Yes. I'll be right there. Thanks again.” Inuyasha replied and then shut his phone. He looked to the limo parked beside him. Sesshoumaru had just been there, and had no idea she had just passed. He climbed out of the hotrod and walked through the front door.

 

“What?” Sesshoumaru exclaimed after Inuyasha had just told him the news. Inuyasha just sat down on the couch across from him and hung his head as if in defeat. “She…We were just…I don't believe this…” Sesshoumaru mumbled as he too took a seat beside Rin who looked upon them both with empathic eyes and wrapped her arm around Sesshoumaru's shoulders.

 

“Are you all right, Inu?” Rin asked gaining a sniffle from the man across the room from her as a tear fell from his right eye and hit the carpet.

 

“I saw it all,” he began with a whisper, “how she was shot, who did it, what was said…Everything.”

 

“How is that possible? You're not making sense. Were you there when it happened?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

“No. But I saw her die all over again,” he replied as he lifted his bloodshot eyes to his brother's.

 

“What do you mean?” the older man asked curiously.

 

“Before she died, she came to me a few times in the hospital. She told me what had happened, but she couldn't remember who pulled the trigger. All she could remember was who it couldn't have been. I helped her remember who did it. That was when she ran screaming from the hospital and relived her shooting. I saw him, Sessh. I know who pulled that trigger and took Kikyo away from me,” Inuyasha explained in contempt.

 

“Who?”

 

“Jakotsu” Inuyasha spat with a look of anger in his eyes. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow in question as to why Jakotsu, a mere mail runner would have anything against Inuyasha's wife to kill her.

 

“What would he have to do with anything? He's just a mail runner.”

 

“You don't understand,” Inuyasha seethed as his eyes shifted to his hands and a blush grew on his cheeks.

 

“Tell me, brother. He killed one of my project heads. I deserve an explanation.”

 

“He was jealous,” was all Inuyasha could let out as it seemed an apple had lodged itself in his throat.

 

“Jealous? Of who? Of what?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

Inuyasha gulped and tried to keep the bile from rising at the words floating through his mind. “Inuyasha?” Sesshoumaru asked again with a commanding tone.

 

“Jealous of Kikyo,” Inuyasha choked.

 

Sesshoumaru raised that same eyebrow again this time indicating that his mind was working out possibilities.

 

Rin's eyes shifted back and forth from one man to the other. She hadn't a clue as to what was going on, or who they were talking about. “Who's Jakotsu?” she asked innocently, gaining odd looks from both men. When she suddenly felt the air thicken around her, she got up from the couch and stepped into the kitchen to leave them talk, man to man.

 

“Now why would he be jealous of her? I would have figured he would be jealous of you and in turn would have shot you instead.” Sesshoumaru said in earnest, seeing as he had no idea Jakotsu was homosexual.

 

Inuyasha shook his head and let out a few labored breathes as he replied with, “Jakotsu was not in love with Kikyo, like you think. She wasn't who he was truly after.”

 

“Then who…” Sesshoumaru let out as it finally hit him. His eyes grew big as his brother's eyes connected with his across the room. The dejected look Inuyasha gave him angered him. He knew what was going on. “That bastard. He went after you?” Inuyasha nodded slowly as he sniffled and once again lowered his eyes to his hands.

 

Sesshoumaru became filled with anger. A man after his one and only younger brother? The thought sickened him. “How do you know this?” Sesshoumaru asked curiously.

 

“He made a pass at me a while back. And the words he said to Kikyo before and after he pulled the trigger. I was the reason Kikyo laid in that hospital bed with a dead brain,” Inuyasha said sadly.

 

“No, never think that. You were good to her, and she was good to you. Don't you ever blame yourself for what happened. You both are innocent.”

 

Inuyasha made eye contact with his brother in shock. He didn't expect his brother to say something along those lines. But then again, Sesshoumaru had always looked after him and made sure Inuyasha always stood his ground when someone wronged him.

 

Sesshoumaru turned over his shoulder, “Rin, we're headed back to the hospital. I'd like it if you'd accompany us.” Rin stepped from the kitchen and nodded sadly. They both looked to Inuyasha as he wiped the tears from his eyes and stood from the couch to follow them.

 

The ride to the hospital was very quiet as the passengers silently mourned Kikyo's passing. Inuyasha didn't know how he was going to react to her body. When he saw her disappear in his arms, it was one thing, but to hear those words from the surgeon brought a chill to his heart. She was gone. She was truly gone. And he never got the chance to tell her he loved her. He never got the chance to say goodbye. She was completely taken from his life.

 

Sesshoumaru had no idea how hard it was for his brother to be a widower. One thing Sesshoumaru had always known was that his brother's life was always hardest on him. Inuyasha had lost so much, and had now lost the ultimate. His wife. Since Sesshoumaru had never found love `til the present, he had never experienced a loss as harsh as that. Yes, Inuyasha's mother was a hard enough loss due to how much she affected him. However, to lose a significant other whom you've shared all of yourself with for years. He hoped he would never have to live through such hard times.

 

Sesshoumaru turned his eyes to his brother beside him. The look in his eyes as he stared off into space was painful for Sesshoumaru to see. He closed his eyes as he reached his arm over Inuyasha's shoulders and directed his head to rest on his own shoulder with his hand. Inuyasha's eyes continued to stare off into space as if in shock. Rin just watched for a moment as Sesshoumaru comforted his brother and then turned her head towards the window as she watched the scenery fly by.

 

Finally, as they pulled into the drop off/pick up circle before the doors to the lobby, they all stepped out the back door quietly and stepped through the automatic doors. When they stepped up to the receptionist desk, they were then led to the lower floor, and to a private room where the body awaited the coroner.

 

As they entered the room, all they could see was a gurney covered with a sheet. They all gathered around the gurney as the nurse raised the sheet and folded it over her chest. Inuyasha immediately put his hand over his eyes and began to let the water works fall. She looked no different from when she was in a coma. Inuyasha had hoped to see her eyes at least, even if he would have thought it creepy at first. The whole time, her eyes remained shut. As it became too much for him to handle, he fell to his knees and laid his arms and head beside her hand.

 

Sesshoumaru held Rin to him as he laid his free hand on his younger brother's shaking right shoulder. He held no words of wisdom for his younger brother. The best he could do was to direct Rin and the nurse from the room to give his brother some privacy to say whatever he needed to say to her.

 

As the door clicked shut behind him, Inuyasha cried out in pain. He could only hope that she would be put to rest once Jakotsu was brought to justice.

 

“Kikyo, I'm sorry about all this. I know it's not my fault, but I can't help but feel guilty since I am in the center of it all. I know I must accept this, and move on, but I don't know how. And when I do, please forgive me. I will miss you, my love. Be at peace,” Inuyasha said as he choked back tears. He lifted his eyes to look upon her face one last time,” I had only one wish. To see your beautiful eyes one last time, but that wish can never be granted.”

 

He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his lips as he said, “Sayonara, my beloved Kikyo.” He then laid her hand upon the mattress and stood up straight and tall. As he looked upon her face, he began to gain a need. The need to confront that asshole. The need for justice. His eyebrows furrowed as his eyes let go of their last tears and he then stormed out of the room and off down the hall, surprising Sesshoumaru and Rin as they nearly avoided injury. They stared off after Inuyasha stunned.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Kouga was just waking as his cell phone started ringing. He walked slowly to his dresser while scratching his head as he picked up his cell phone to read the number on the screen. At the recognition of the number, he snorted and answered the beeps.

 

“Hey, you! Long time no talk!” Kouga said as he answered the phone.

 

“Hey, Kouga…” came the response on the other end.

 

“Hey, man…What's wrong?”

 

“She…she's gone, dude…”

 

“What? Who? Kagome or Kikyo?” Kouga asked curiously.

 

“Kikyo. She's gone.”

 

“Aw man…Where are you?” Kouga asked desperately as he reached for his jeans.

 

“Sitting outside the hospital.” Inuyasha answered plainly.

 

“Okay, I'll be right there. Is there anything else you need?” Kouga asked as he started to stick his arms through the sleeves of his t-shirt.

 

“Yeah, advice.” Inuyasha said simply.

 

“Advice, for what?” Kouga asked after he slipped his shirt over his head.

 

“How to get someone behind bars.”

 

“Uh…Who are we talking about now?” Kouga asked as he grabbed his socks and sat down on his bed to slip them on.

 

“I'll tell you when you get here. There're people standing around out here.” Inuyasha said quietly.

 

“Okay, I'll be right there, just sit tight, okay?” Kouga replied as he then hung up and grabbed his shoes on the way to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Inuyasha rubbed his eyes once again as he folded his phone shut and stared at it for a bit. He wondered if he should tell her. If he should wait, or ask her for support. He opened his phone again and scrolled to her name. As he highlighted her name, his thumb stopped. Yes, a part of him was happy that he finally had the information he had been hoping to find, and part of him wanted to share it with Kagome, but her reaction would be different. He needed a plan before he would reveal that part of his past.

 

Inuyasha honestly would rather take his harsh past of growing up amongst regular kids who looked normal. Both he and Sesshoumaru were picked on, but Sesshoumaru stood up for himself differently. Sesshoumaru outshined all of his classmates and made himself avoidably useful. With Sesshoumaru's charisma, he wasn't made fun of for long. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was picked on from day one, least `til high school came along. That was when he became the cat's meow with the girls. When he grew older, he became just as irresistible with the chicks as Sesshoumaru had long before him. Especially after he started dating Kikyo, who was the most popular girl in school.

 

He thought more on the idea of calling her, and pressed the call button as he held the phone to his ear.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hey.” Inuyasha drawled into the phone.

 

“Hey, Inu. Where are you?” Kagome asked in worry.

 

“I'm at the hospital. Listen, I have some errands to run, but I'll be back later tonight, okay?” Inuyasha said in as natural a voice as he could, “please wait up for me, okay? I have to talk to you. It's something important.”

 

“Okay, I will. How late do you think you'll be? Is everything okay?” She asked innocently.

 

Inuyasha paused from answering for a moment as he thought about how to answer her. Then he replied with, “I'll answer that later, okay? Now's not a good time. Not over the phone.”

 

“Oh, okay. Then I'll wait up and see you later, then Inu,” Kagome said in a worried tone.

 

“Thanks. Kagome, I…” he paused.

 

“What?”

 

Inuyasha struggled to say the words he wanted to say, but his heart hurt too much for him to say them easily ”I love you…” he choked out as his hand shot to cover his eyes.

 

Kagome heard the unease in his voice at those words. He was struggling with something. She began to get upset as she replied with, “I love you too.”

 

He then choked ”Bye.”

 

“Bye,” Kagome replied as the connection died on the other end. She listened to the dial tone for a few seconds and set the receiver down onto the cradle. She had been in her room reading a book when he called. Since she was alone, thoughts began to race through her mind as to why he would react that way.

 

 

@*@

 

 

As Inuyasha slipped the phone back into his pocket, Kouga showed up and stopped in front of him. Inuyasha got up from the bench and climbed into the car. Kouga could see the pain on his friend's face. Inuyasha was truly hurting something terrible. And the look in his eyes. The last time he had seen a look of that caliber was when they last fought over Kagome. He hadn't heard from or seen Inuyasha since that time.

 

“So, who was it? Who shot Kikyo?” Kouga asked as he shot glances Inu's way as he drove away from the hospital.

 

“Jakotsu” Inuyasha spat.

 

“No way! What for?” Kouga asked in shock.

 

“Me.”

 

“What do you mean? Did you do something to him?” Kouga asked.

 

“No. Well, maybe.”

 

“What do you mean?” Kouga was very confused now.

 

“I rejected him.”

 

Kouga pulled onto the shoulder and slammed on the breaks as he shifted into park and turned in his seat. “You what?! You mean he…!”

 

Inuyasha didn't say anything but turned his eyes towards Kouga. Kouga's mouth was wide open in shock. He had no idea the guy Inuyasha had been talking about a year ago had been a homosexual. Not that he had anything against someone who was, but to hear that had been the reason for his wife losing her life?

 

“Dude…Tell me. Everything that happened. For all I knew before now, he just rubbed you the wrong way. You didn't tell me he came onto you.” Kouga explained.

 

Inuyasha explained everything that happened, how Jakotsu truly rubbed him the wrong way and how the man took his reaction and became jealous over his wife. Kouga took it all in and slumped down into his seat. He had no idea what to say. If he had been in Inuyasha's shoes, he would have made sure he and his wife had absolutely nothing to do with the guy. Especially if he was that obsessed.

 

“Well, what should I do? How do I get the evidence for the authorities? Without evidence, he could lie and get out of it,” Inuyasha said aloud as he stared ahead.

 

“You have to either confront him, or try to get him to talk through someone else. Meaning, you have to catch him.”

 

“What do you mean? Like follow Jakotsu?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Probably.”

 

“How would I be able to do that? I'd stick out like a sore thumb!” Inuyasha replied.

 

“Well, has he ever seen you with contacts, or with your hair a different color?” Kouga shrugged.

 

“No! You know I don't do that kind of stuff!” Inuyasha shouted.

 

“Well, maybe it's time you start! I bet he won't recognize you if you do,” Kouga suggested.

 

“No way! No fucking way! I refuse to change my appearance just to get info out of him!” Inuyasha shouted.

 

“Well, what other choice do you have? Huh?” Kouga shot back with an intense look in his eyes.

 

Inuyasha had no response to that one. He turned from Kouga's piercing glare and thought about the possibilities for a few moments. If Jakotsu didn't recognize him, he could get close and act as if he were someone else. Hell, he could have some fun with the idea. He turned a look upon Kouga that spelled out mischief. Kouga smiled and nodded, “Let's get some supplies,” Kouga said as he shifted into gear and drove off down the road.

 

 

@*@

 

 

After dark, Kagome had been sitting in her living room watching late night television. She was lounging upon the couch, her body propped up by the armrest. Suddenly, she saw headlights through the curtains. She got up from the couch at the sound of two car doors closing. She stepped up to the door to see who was there as the screen door opened. She opened the inner door and saw not only her lover, but also another man behind him.

 

“Oh, hello. C'mon in, you two,” Kagome greeted the two men as she stepped aside and eyed the bags in their hands. “Groceries?”

 

“Sorta. We need to talk,” Inuyasha replied as he led her into the living room and turned off the television. Kagome sat upon the couch again as Inuyasha turned to his companion and said, Kagome, this is Kouga, a long time friend of mine.”

 

“I remember you!” Kagome said in surprise. Kouga looked to Inuyasha in curiosity as Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her in question. “You went to school with me! You were a senior when I was a freshman! You're Kouga Takawa!”

 

Kouga looked at her in utter shock, “Uh…yeah. Funny how I have no idea who you are, save for what Inu's told me about you.”

 

“You've been talking about me, huh?” Kagome gave Inuyasha a smile and a wink, gaining a sheepish smile and a shrug from Inuyasha, “So, what's going on?”

 

“Something happened this afternoon. Kagome, Kikyo died,” Inuyasha said simply. Kagome brought her hand to her mouth in shock as she gasped. “I saw how she died. I saw everything. She finally remembered who shot her, and I know as well. I know everything. What he said, how he did it, everything.” Inuyasha said as he sat in the chair across from her.

 

“Oh, Inu…I'm so sorry. What are you gonna do now?” Kagome asked as she lowered her hand.

 

“Well, first of all, I hope you won't mind if I stay here for a while. I don't think I could ever sleep in that bed , or that room again. And second, I have a way to get Jakotsu behind bars,” Inuyasha explained.

 

“That's fine, but how are you gonna do this? What caused him to shoot her?” Kagome asked.

 

“It was me.”

 

“I don't understand,” Kagome replied with her eyebrows cocked in question.

 

“He was jealous of Kikyo, I'll leave it at that,” Inuyasha replied as he sighed in discomfort.

 

“Jealous of…You mean he…”

 

“Okay, how many times do I have to hear that same response today?!” Inuyasha shouted in frustration as he shook his hands in anger.

 

“I'm sorry, Inu. I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just trying to understand is all,” Kagome replied innocently as Kouga snorted off to the side, gaining a killer glare from Inuyasha.

 

“I'll explain that to you later. Right now, it's not important. And these aren't groceries.” Inuyasha replied as he pointed to the bags.

 

“Okay, then what are they?” Kagome asked.

 

“Something I need your help with. Would you mind helping me tonight?” Inuyasha asked.

 

Kagome looked from the bag, to Kouga and then finally to Inuyasha as she began to get a clue of what was going on. “What would you like me to do?”

 

Inuyasha reached into the bag nearest to him and pulled out a box of hair color solution, “I need you to make me a sexy black haired man. Are you game?”

 

Kagome took one look at him, shot a look to Kouga and figured out what their plan was. “You're gonna try and confront him? What about your eyes?” Kagome asked.

 

“I got it all covered,” Inuyasha shrugged as he pulled out a box of costume contacts from the costume shop.

 

“Oh, I had no idea those could be bought over the counter,” Kagome said in response.

 

“Yeah, well. Apparently a lot of things can be bought over the counter these days,” Inuyasha said with a wink, “So, Whatta ya say? Wanna help make me a new man?”

 

Kagome giggled at the sultry look on his face. Kouga dropped his arms and turned away as he said aloud, “I guess that's my cue to hit the road. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Inu.”

 

“Yep, thanks for the help, man,” Inuyasha said with a wave as Kouga let himself out.

 

Kagome and Inuyasha then grabbed the bags of supplies and headed into the kitchen. Inuyasha wanted the coloring done as soon as possible to make it easier in the morning to get into costume. Kagome was thankful her mother and son had already gone to bed, so that she and Inu could talk freely as she turned his silver locks pitch black.

 

Inuyasha kept his eyes closed as she worked the solution into his soft hair. She couldn't believe he would choose such drastic measures, but she had to admit, it would be very interesting to see him with normal black hair and brown eyes. Yes, she fell for his unusual features instantly, but she had always wondered what he'd look like if he could possibly blend in with the crowd.

 

As the transformation took place, he told her some tidbits from his past. Namely the most embarrassing moments, including the incident with Jakotsu. One thing Bankotsu had told him when he first met him was that Jakotsu mainly went for the unusual looking men. He generally liked the look of foreign men due to their looks. And when he had caught Jakotsu's eye that was it. The most unusual looks a man could have. Soft silver hair and bright golden eyes.

 

As his story finished, he ceased from talking and reveled in the feel of Kagome's hands caressing his scalp. So tender and loving as she worked the color into his silver locks. The smell was a bit over-bearing, but at her touch, he could sit through anything. Once the color was evenly spread, she pulled out a black ponytail holder and propped his long hair upon his head to let the coloring solution sit for about fifteen minutes.

 

Kagome joked about how he looked like he had dipped his head in mud, causing him get up from the chair and walk down the hall to the bathroom. “Ack!” was his response as she poured two cups of tea. As he returned, she handed him his cup of hot tea and sat down across from him at the table.

 

“So?” she asked with a smile.

 

“Weird…I can't believe that was me I was looking at.”

 

Kagome giggled as they both sipped their tea. She then eyed the contacts on the table. She picked up the box and looked at him as she asked, “Have you ever worn contacts before?”

 

“No. There should be directions, right?” he asked as he reached for the box. She handed it to him and he read the back as he sipped his tea. As he read them, he grimaced, “Looks painful.”

 

“Well, people do it all the time. Maybe it isn't,” Kagome shrugged as she took another sip.

 

“Well, we'll see. Maybe I should save these for tomorrow morning,” he said as he set them down and turned to see how much longer he had with the smelly solution in his hair.

 

Kagome looked at the timer and then got up from her chair to gather a few things for rinsing. Inuyasha just sat and sipped his tea calmly until she returned from the bathroom with a hose, a pair of swimming goggles and an old towel. Inuyasha set his cup down as he watched her hook up the hose to the kitchen sink and set the goggles down next to the sink as well.

 

“What are those for?” Inuyasha asked as he glanced at the goggles.

 

“To keep the solution out of your eyes and nose,” Kagome replied as she read the directions for the conditioner. He just shrugged and took another sip of his tea as the timer dinged.

 

As she rinsed the solution from his hair, she loved softness. With the water running through his hair, she had never seen hair shine like that before. He remained quiet as she worked the coloring stuff from his hair. Once the water was clear, she turned off the water and grabbed the towel. As he wiped the water from his face, she wrung his hair out, draped the towel over his head and began to work it dry. He remained still and slumped over as she worked.

 

Once she was finished, she pulled the towel from his head and eyed him as he draped the wet locks over his shoulders. “How does it look?” he asked.

 

Kagome's mouth dropped as she pointed towards the hall bathroom. He eyed her curiously for a moment and then turned down the hall. As he eyed himself in the mirror, he was silent. Kagome stepped into the bathroom to see him standing before the mirror in shock.

 

“Oh my god…I look normal…Wow…So this is what it's like to have black hair like everyone else…” he said aloud. Kagome smiled proudly at his reaction to his new look. She had wondered if he had ever wondered how he'd look after coloring his hair. He turned to her and smiled as he stepped up and embraced her, “thank you, Kagome.”

 

“You're welcome, Inu.” She replied as he grabbed a brush and began to work the tangles from his long hair. Kagome stood by and watched as he smiled at his reflection in the mirror. The only thing she worried about was whether that plan of theirs was gonna work. He was risking a lot to approach Jakotsu, and she hoped he would succeed.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Well, now…A nice long chapter for a very long wait. It's taken me a while to get this one out not only due to transitions going on, but also due to difficulties with dealing with Inu's emotions in this chapter. I think he's become like a switch hitter, but then again, he had become driven by the need for justice because of her death. He decided to set his feelings aside and focus on something more important. And not only that, but it's for Kikyo to be finally laid to rest. I know, sounds funky how all he needs to do is be in the presence of Kagome and he acts as if Kikyo doesn't exist, but he refuses to act any other way…He's so stubborn…(sigh) oh well, at least you know I'm back in the kick of things once again. I know where this will go next, so don't worry. The long waits shall cease since I know what's coming up next, and since my life is finally back in order. And now, enough of my blabbering. It's time for bed (wink) my brain is now drained of energy, and my hands need to stop talking…LOL! Thanks again for your patience, and I will do my best in rewarding you all with more fiction more often, k? `Til next time, ja ne!