InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Value Of A Woman ❯ Monday - Ain't No Thing To Me ( Chapter 1 )

Author’s Notes: none to add really. First chapter of Value of A Woman. Enjoy

Disclaimer: Inu-tachi is not mine

Inu-Channie :P

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Monday - Ain’t No Thing To Me

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Beware a woman’s forgiveness…for there is always a merciless side behind it…

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Kagome trudged downstairs. She had slept uncomfortably that night. Her mind kept going back to the pictures and then to Inuyasha and his poor explanation of a male excuse. What was it that made him keep it? The memories that they brought? The looks? The body? The…sex? Kagome wished she couldn’t have this dilemma right now as she walked half asleep into the kitchen. Maybe…maybe she was overreacting slightly the ever forgiving side of Kagome reasoned. It appeared on her shoulder as an angel, with, interestingly, Kagome’s features.

<<They were only pictures Kagome. And you heard him last night, you’re worth more than that piece of…ahem…>> the angel straightened her halo; two little red horns were starting to throw it off. <<…than that disgraceful woman.>> Forgiveness leaned against Kagome’s ear and smiled, hearing the woman’s thought processes as Kagome reconsidered Inuyasha’s explanation.

Forgiveness had made it through. Silence reigned like jovial subjects and Forgiveness was their queen. She called it: “the Forgiving Silence” but only when her sister, twin to be exact, didn’t show up and ruin her plans…which would happen when the moon turned green…

Of course at this precise moment of peace, Merciless, dressed in a blood red corset and short skirt appeared, her horns decorated with roses. She didn’t carry a fork; it was a large can of pepper spray…just as deadly…

<<Nessie, Nessie, my sister even though I can’t see how it could have happened…>> Forgiveness ‘humphed’ and turned her back on her twin. Merciless turned to Kagome’s other ear and grinned wickedly. <<Now listen up girlie…he purposefully kept those pictures, he even said ‘I thought I’d lost these!’ He was looking for them for some time…he was obviously hoping to hold onto them for some sort of…male ‘activity’>> Merciless explained. <<You’re doing the right thing and I’m proud->>

<<Mercy! This is terrible! These two are madly in love! You can’t make her turn her back on him. Do you know the consequences?>> Forgiveness cried out.

<<No>> Merciless replied simply. <<I got better things to do than to listen to the rules>>

Forgiveness tried appealing to Kagome. <<Kagome, you love him. I know you do. It was just a mistake, all males do it. He loves you. You know that too. You can’t break up now. You’ve come too far and your heart will break to much for me to collect the pieces>>

Merciless snorted turning to Kagome’s ear. <<If he truly loved you, he would have told you straight about those pictures before you stumbled->> she fell over melodramatically, her dark blues watering, <<-upon those horribly raunchy pictures>> She stood up abruptly dusting her outfit off. <<Think about it>> she added and with that she sat down on her cloud of red smoke and dissolved slowly. <<Toodlepip Nessie!>>

Forgiveness sighed heavily. She looked at Kagome’s face. It was like a cold stone façade and she could never break through now. Merciless’ words had won through. Forgiveness thought of her sister. Kagome was roughly chopping up the onions for breakfast. With each chop, Forgiveness could hear her charge’s angry thoughts.

<<Thank the Mother of Mercy that it’s not Inuyasha under that knife>> Forgiveness listened harder and could hear Merciless’ cruel laugh. <<Don’t you worry Merciless. Not today but later on. Just wait…>> She perched herself on her white swing and faded away.

Inuyasha stepped into the kitchen, looking haggard and rough. He looked at Kagome and his sharp eyes noted her stiff posture, while she started to ‘castrate’ (courtesy of Merciless’ Non Merciful Thoughts (open 24/7, 365-6 days, 52 weeks so on, so forth…always ready to give “friendly advice”)) the carrots roughly.

“Good morning,” he called tentatively, seating himself at the breakfast table. He sniffed the air discreetly.

“Have a rough night on the couch?” Kagome asked stonily.

“Er…” was this a trick question? He opted for the honest decision. Lying could only get you so far…until three strikes, and you’re out of the game. You never know, she might have sympathy. “Yeah I did.”

“Good.”

Inuyasha had to stop himself from laughing at his wife’s calculated coldness. For the next few minutes it was just Kagome moving round the kitchen, opening and slamming draws and cupboards.

“Kagome please stop banging,” the hanyou said, flattening his ears on his head again. “My head and my ears hurt. Can’t we talk?”

“My head and my heart hurt…but you don’t see me whining. I just carry on. Now get out of the way.”

<<Touché>> Merciless whispered.

“Kagome, how long is this going to go on for?” Inuyasha growled. Kagome spun to look at him angrily, the frying pan behind her going up in smoke. It looked like Hell was rising up from behind her. Inuyasha could believe that.

“Ask yourself that question because this is your fault! You should have just told me about those…those…damn things from the beginning so I wouldn’t have this kick in the teeth! Now I’m not going to tell you again…get out!”

“Don’t fucking shout at me!” Inuyasha said harshly, his lack of sleep and lack of control on his temper getting to him. “Anyway why the hell does it matter? It’s all in the past,” and on an added note, as if remembered, “why were you looking through my things anyway?!”

“Why leave your stuff lying carelessly around for people to pick it up? You really don’t understand do you?” Kagome returned, her tough cold wall starting to weaken and her emotions slipping through. “Well if you don’t know, you have no chance.” She turned back to the burnt pan, trying to salvage something edible.

“Can I still sleep on the couch?” he bit out, knowing it was a mistake but he was just as pissed off as his partner.

“It would suit me fine.” Inuyasha left the kitchen angrily.

Things went quite normally…if you call the only two occupants of the house not talking to each other as normal. It was Monday today: Kagome’s day off. Inuyasha was already dressed for work, fixing his tie. He had calmed down somewhat although no doubt Kagome hadn’t. He walked over to her where she was on the couch.

“Well see ya later,” he murmured and she got up. His ears perked and Inuyasha thought she was going to kiss him. ‘Not today boy.’ Kagome walked straight to the door and held it open, looking down at the floor, waiting for him to leave. Inuyasha sighed angrily.

“How long are you gonna keep this up?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that question? If you haven’t noticed by now, you still haven’t apologised yet.” And she slammed the door on his face.

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“So has he actually explained anything properly?” asked Ayumi. All the girls were round Kagome’s, hoping to help...break a few bones, crack a few ribs…the usual when a man was in trouble.

“No. He just said things in any random order, not making sense at all. He never even said sorry.” All the girls tittered disapprovingly.

“I never knew he could be like this,” Yuka said. “I mean I know you two like hated each other, then got together after the Kikyou episode, told each other secrets and whatnot, but this…this is O.S.T.F!” Everyone except Eri nodded their heads, agreeing with Yuka.

“Er what’s O.S.T.F?” she inquired softly.

“One Step Too Far…come on miss ‘Matchmaker’. Would have thought you knew about that.” Sango interjected huffily. Eri looked bewildered for a sec then put her hand behind her head, smoothing out her hair. She relaxed into the big chair slowly and crossed her legs. But from all the calm, cool movements she was making, she was obviously embarrassed.

“Uh, you guys…of course…I knew about that. He he he…come on now…” she scoffed.

Sango rolled her eyes. “So what you hoping to do to him Kagome-chan?” Kagome looked up thoughtfully, blue eyes innocent and large.

“Well…obviously he’s going to be in the doghouse for a few days yet-“ there were shouts of “mmm hmm”, “that’s right” and “woof! Woof!” from Yuka, Sango and Eri respectively. They also tittered at Kagome’s pun. Ayumi looked on. “-but I’m just kind of lost from there on.” She sighed to show that she thought it was hopeless and her problem to deal with. She really didn’t want help. Maybe that’s why Ayumi stayed on the couch while the others edged closer to Kagome.

“What you want to do-“ Sango started.

“Is keep him on a short leash-“ Yuka continued, giggling at her own pun.

“Yeah. He started this game and he’s gonna play to the end!” Eri added.

“When he tries to talk about his feelings-“

“Ladies-“ Kagome tried. But the suggestions kept flying at her like a baseball machine out of control.

“Cut him off - talk about your own. I mean-“

“You’re the victim here. You’re the one hurting-“

“Don’t let him try and sweet talk you either-“

“Hello-“

“Kick him right where it hurts if he wants to make up in that way-“

“If he wants to talk, then talk, but you’re the ringmaster-“

“PEOPLE!” the room was silent. The three girls stared unblinkingly at Kagome then launched into a torrent of excuses.

“If you wanted us to stop then you should have said so-“

“A bit touchy aren’t we? I understand-“

“You didn’t need to shout - gosh-“

“Listen,” Kagome giggled quietly. “I appreciate all your help. Even your non-murderous approach Ayumi-“ Ayumi nodded her head blushing. “But I have to do this on my own. This is the first real argument in our relationship…” The girls looked sceptical. “I mean in our married relationship…” The others sighed. “…and I think I have to learn from this myself. OK? Both of us need to.” They all nodded their heads resignedly, even Ayumi. “Now let’s talk about something else.” There was quiet for a moment.

“You know Elijah Wood IS a lot cuter than Orlando Bloom,” Eri said absently. A cry of outrage came from Sango and Yuka. Even Ayumi had the decency to blush in anger. Kagome smiled. ‘Trust Eri’ but her thoughts fluttered away as she was weighed down in the argument.

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Inuyasha trudged through the front door, momentarily forgetting his situation. He was only brought harshly back to earth when he realised, no raven haired, blue eyed, curvaceous woman was greeting him with a spicy welcome home kiss, which he gladly would’ve growled into, causing her to shiver deliciously against him, causing him to want to have her before dinner…and his thoughts were running away with themselves and being highly delusional.

“Kagome?” he called, eyes showing curiosity, nose smelling the air, ears flicking. She bustled past him from behind, coming out of the side door in the kitchen.

“Food’s in the microwave.” She went down the hallway to another door where she had taken her own dinner. Wearily, he warmed up his food and followed her to the dining room. They sat in silence, at either ends, Inuyasha trying to make eye contact with his wife, who was expertly avoiding. She never used to be able to avoid his amber stare. It would freeze her to the spot and she admitted she loved looking into his eyes.

‘When did she get so fucking good?’ he thought disgustedly. He took a large bite of whatever he was meant to be eating and he suddenly coughed hard his eyes watering. He looked up: she was looking at him with no emotion.

“What’s wrong with you?” Kagome asked uninterestedly.

“Spicy,” Inuyasha rasped out. “Hot…”

“Well you know what they say honey: ‘some like it hot’-“ Inuyasha banged his hand down on the table, the cutlery jumping, growling loudly. He coughed a bit harder and cleared his throat.

“Fuck Kagome!” he shouted. “How long are you going to act so stupid?! I’m only a hanyou and there’s only so much I can take! This is childish!”

“Yeah but any other ‘hanyou’, I’m sure, would have seen what I’m feeling right now!” Kagome yelled back not flinching when Inuyasha’s hands fisted at the thought of another male, another demon, consoling his Kagome. “And how dare you call me stupid! You’re the one being stupid for not telling me about that shit back there and letting it blow up like this!”

“You’re right – this is blowing up…over fucking nothing! Why can’t you just accept that what’s in the past is gone – dead – finished! Why can’t you just accept that I love you and that’s it – end of story? You’re making a massive jungle over one tiny little forest!”

Kagome quietened a bit. “It’s not like that…you don’t know how it made me feel…”

“Why don’t you just fucking tell me? Huh? That would make my life so much fucking easier. I don’t have time for complicated women who like to beat about the fucking bush and I definitely don’t have time for kids games ‘I know something you don’t know’ shit-“ he stopped. She was looking at him, her blue eyes casting little streams down her face. Her body trembled as she tried to keep her anger in check and Inuyasha knew he went too far. His mouth began to stammer open to get out an apology but his wife’s soft words cut him off.

“Just tell you Inuyasha?” she whispered quietly. Inuyasha closed his mouth which was still open from failed apology and bit his lip. “Don’t you think it would be better and more effective if you worked it out on your own? Then you won’t give me your pitiful excuses. ‘If I had only known…’, ‘you should have told me…’ well if you don’t know me by now Inuyasha I’d be very worried. Obviously this is something you’re being taught, and I’m afraid to say don’t come near me until your lesson has been learned.” With that, with all the grace she could muster, she walked calmly out of the room, pointedly avoiding her husband’s eyes and going into the kitchen to wash her dinner things.

Anger unchecked, Inuyasha swung at his plate sending the food flying across the room. The sauce slid down the walls, the plate a thousand pieces of porcelain on the floor. He drove his hands into his hair and massaged his head lightly. Kagome came back round the corner, leaning against the door jamb, his back to her.

“Two things,” she said. “One: you’re going to clean that up. I’m not your slave that cleans up your mess every time you throw a tantrum. And two, you might want an extra blanket and the fire on tonight…its going to be -1 degrees out there. You’ll feel the cold much more than I will.” She slipped around the corner again, her faint steps going upstairs.

“I can’t be dealing with this right now,” Inuyasha muttered quietly, thinking Kagome gone as he bent down to clean up his damage.

“Neither can I,” Kagome replied, so softly that his ears almost didn’t pick up on it. Inuyasha cursed himself for being so selfish once again.

He wondered how many more times he was going to stick his proverbial foot in it…