InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Well La De Frickin' Da ❯ Getting Some Answers ( Chapter 4 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Dreamer6164 
I do not own InuYasha
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.31.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 989 | Status: Work In Progress
I do not own InuYasha
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.31.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 989 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter Four
Kagome’s day was flying by and before she knew it, it was already lunch time. Kagome reached out a delicate hand to grab the apple that was in the ice-filled container and then a carton of white milk. She wasn’t very hungry and even if she was the cafeteria food didn’t look all that appetizing anyway.
She walked up to the cashier and showered her what she had. The cashier rang up her total and said, “That’ll be a dollar and thirty cents.”
Kagome froze when she realized she didn’t have any money. “Oh.” was all she could say. “Well . . . um . . .”
“Do have the money, sweetheart?” the cashier asked as Kagome looked down at her items, then she shook her head. The cashier sighed as she told her to give her food to the cafeteria lady so she could dispose of it.
Kagome started to turn around when someone stopped her. “Wait a minute Kagome.” a male’s voice said and Kagome was startled to find InuYasha standing behind her carrying his own lunch. She watched as he walked in front of her and told the cashier, “Add her total to mine.”
Kagome looked at InuYasha in confusion, but quickly caught onto what he was doing. “No InuYasha, you don’t have to buy my lunch. It’s fine really.” she said, but her words had no effect on him because he continued to pay for both lunches.
When he was done he walked passed and said, “Well come on. Miroku and Sango saved us a seat.” and then he proceeded on his way over to Sango and Miroku.
Kagome following in a state of bewilderment. He didn’t sit with them yesterday, so why was he sitting with them today? She shrugged the thought out of her head as she walked up to the booth.
Miroku and Sango were sitting opposite each other, so Kagome slid in next to Sango while InuYasha dragged a lone table to the end of the booth, making it suitable for more people to sit at.
Kagome didn’t get why they had to make the booth bigger when he could have sat next to Miroku, but she soon understood when Kikyo joined them.
“InuYasha! There you are! I was looking everywhere for you!” she said in a joyful voice as she sat down next to InuYasha.
Kagome heard Sango sign in annoyance. “Well maybe you should have looked harder because he was right in front of you.” she said coldly. Kagome looked from her to InuYasha and Kikyo. Was there something going on between them?
Kikyo and InuYasha seemed have ignored the comment because InuYasha replied, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left your side so soon. I just thought you knew where we were sitting today.”
Kikyo smiled as she kissed him on the check. “That’s okay. I just wasn’t sure if we were going to sit here or not.” she said as she pulled away and looked at the rest of the table’s inhabitants. She knew who Miroku and Sango were, but the other girl didn’t look familiar. “Is she you’re new friend?”
“Yeah and you better be nice to her. Got that?” Sango asked with determination.
Miroku reached over and put his hand on top of hers. “Calm dawn Sango. I’m sure Kikyo didn’t have any intension in mistreating Kagome.” he said as he gently rubbed the back of her hand. The gesture seemed to calm her down a little.
InuYasha closed his eyes and rubbed his temples as if trying to fight off a headache. “Kikyo! Come over here for a minute!” a tall red head called across the room as she waved for Kikyo come over.
Kikyo stood up. “Be right there!” she called, “Excuse me.” and with that she walked over to her friends’ table.
“Glad she’s gone.” Sango commented as she crossed her arms over her chest.
InuYasha was in between angry and disbelief. “See, that is why I never get to sit with you guys anymore. You always have to run Kikyo off.” he said, directing most of it toward Sango.
“We didn’t run her anywhere. If I recall, her friend called her over there.” Sango replied not even looking at InuYasha.
“Well, if she hadn’t I know she would have left just as soon.” InuYasha said as he took a bite out of his sandwich.
Kagome sat in silence as she watched them wearily. Then Miroku stood up and asked, “Are you down with your trash, Sango? I’m heading to the trashcans might as well let me take it up.”
Sango smiled. “Of course you may.” she said and as he went to grab it Sango pulled on his arm tugging his face towards hers. The action however, made Miroku loose his balance for a moment and accidentally fall against Kagome’s right arm.
If her arm hadn’t been injured it probably wouldn’t have hurt, but considering that it was it made jolts of pain shoot up and down her arm. She had to bite her bottom lip just to make sure she wouldn’t cry out.
“Now Sango you know what happens when we start this,” he said with a grin, “and look, you almost made me spill milk all over Kagome.”
Sango looked over at Kagome as she tried to suppress the laughter, that so desperately wanted to slip out, in. “Sorry Kagome.” Kagome nodded in reply since she didn’t trust her voice. “Um, could you excuse me I, uh, think I’m going to help Miroku with the trash.”
Kagome slowly slipped out of the booth so Sango could get out then she very carefully slid back in. She looked over at InuYasha, who was busy eating, to make sure that he wasn’t looking as she lifted up her sleeve to check her bruises.
Apparently she didn’t watch InuYasha too carefully because as he was taking another bite of his sandwich he glance over at her and then did a double take at the sight of her arm. He watched as Kagome tried to calm her irritated flesh moaning and wincing quietly every time she touched it.
“Holy hell. What happened to your arm?” he asked as he leaned over to get a better look at it.
Kagome froze when he asked. She racked her brain trying to come up with an excuse. “Um . . . I uh . . . fell down the stairs.” she answered hoping that he’d believe her.
InuYasha looked from her arm up to her face. She smiled guiltily at him causing him to shake his head. “You really are a klutz, aren’t you?” he asked in a teasing way.
Kagome shrugged as Kikyo’s voice came from the other side of the cafeteria. “InuYasha! Come over here please!”
InuYasha sighed as he got up. “Sorry to leave you here all alone, but I’m wanted over there.” he said as started walking toward Kikyo’s table.
Kagome let out a sigh of relief. That was so close. Too close. What would she have done if he found out? What would her father do if anyone fond out? Sango and Miroku sliding onto the other bench across from her jerked her from her thoughts.
“Hey where’d InuYasha go?” Miroku asked as he put his arm around Sango’s shoulders.
“Kikyo wanted him over there.” Kagome replied as she gestured over to Kikyo’s table.
Sango rolled her eyes. “It’s always about Kikyo.” she complained. “I don’t know what he sees in her.”
“Come on Sango, she’s really not that bad once you get to know her.” Miroku assured her as patted her shoulder.
“I don’t want to get to know her.” Sango said in an provoked voice. “After what she did to me I don’t even like to look at her.”
Kagome was confused now and before she could stop herself she asked, “What’d she do to you?”
“Well you see Kagome, Sango is the type to hole a grudge,” he said and before Sango could protest he added. “and don’t you even deny it because you know it’s true.”
“Humph.” Sango pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“It took her three years for her to forgive me for, um, “invading her personal space”.” Miroku said knowledgeably.
“He groped me!” Sango cut in as she playfully slapped him on the shoulder and Kagome couldn’t help but giggle at them.
“Yes well, anyway, I was proving a point.” he said as he cleared his throat. “Back in junior high Kikyo and Sango got into a little cat fight.”
Sango rolled her eyes. “She deserved what she got. Not that it was too terrible. All I did was pull some of her hair out, but still.” she said angrily. “I was the new girl back then and Kikyo was assigned to show me around the school and make sure I got there on time. I had actually thought I had made a new friend and she even invited me to sit at her lunch table. A couple of weeks later she began to spread rumors about me, saying that I liked girls more than boys and that the only reason I hung out with her was because I had a lesbian crush on her.
I wasn’t really affected by the rumor. It was were I came from that hurt the most. I mean, she was supposed to be my friend. I still haven’t forgiven her.” she concluded.
“And that’s when she met me and InuYasha.” Miroku said as he pulled her closer to him. “Of course we had heard the rumors, but we knew better than to believe them.”
“But you want to know what really ticks me off?” Sango asked lividly. “What ticks me off the most is that he’s actually dating her! He use to dislike her just as much as I did because of what she did to me, but now it’s like he’s forgotten all about that.”
“Yes well, InuYasha has learned to forgive her. Something I think you should learn to do.” Miroku told her. “Kikyo is InuYasha’s girlfriend and there’s nothing you can do about it so why not except it?”
Sango was instantly sent into a sulk. “I won’t forgive her!” she said as she roughly looked in the other direction.
Miroku sighed. “Come on Sango. Is this grudge really worth losing a friend?” he asked trying to get her to look at him, but to no avail.
Kagome didn’t know how she could make the situation any better, but she wouldn’t let Miroku and Sango fight because she wanted to know what happened. “Sango, what happened a long time ago doesn’t have to effect your friendship with InuYasha. Believe me when I say that you don’t want to loose any of your friends.” she said causing Sango to look at her with sad eyes. “Being alone isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be.”
Sango considered Kagome’s words and in the end sighed. “You’re right Kagome. My friendship with InuYasha has nothing to do with Kikyo, but it doesn’t mean I have to forgive her. I just have to tolerate her.” she replied with a determined grin.
Miroku shook his head disappointedly, but didn’t object his opinion. Instead he rolled his eyes at Kagome silently asking if she could believe what she was seeing, but when he grinned she knew he was just teasing. Kagome just shrugged her shoulders as the bell to end lunch was heard throughout the lunch room.
~ * ~
The rest of the day was a blur to Kagome. All the class periods she had seemed to mold into one long class. As she walked out of the front doors with Miroku, Sango, InuYasha, and Kikyo, Kagome could tell that Sango was trying her hardest not to insult Kikyo.
“So Kagome, do you need a ride home?” Miroku asked as they approached his car.
Kagome thought about his question. What if her father was home and he saw her get out of his car? What would he do? But it wasn’t as if she could walk home because she knew from the last car trip that it would be a long walk. “Um . . . I don’t know if I should.” Kagome replied.
“Oh come on Kagome. It’s not too far and besides it doesn’t look like your dad’s coming to pick you up today.” Sango said as she quickly got into the passenger seat.
Kagome sighed. “Alright sure, why not?” she asked herself although her better judgment was telling her not to. She got in the back and bulked up as she heard Miroku ask InuYasha if he was riding with them.
“Nah, Kikyo said she’d give me a lift home. Thanks anyway.” she heard him reply as Miroku got into the car. He looked at Sango then back at Kagome. “Well, are we ready?” he asked as he started up the car.
“Yes, let’s get out of here.” Sango replied and with that Miroku pulled out of the school parking lot. “I’m so glad it’s the weekend.” Sango exclaimed as she stretched her arms out over her head.
“So am I.” Miroku replied. “No homework for a couple of days. Just hanging out and relaxing--which reminds me.” he said as he looked into his review mirror and asked, “So Kagome, are you doing anything this weekend because we usually hangout at the mall and see a movie on Saturdays?”
Kagome, who had not been sharing their excitement over the weekend, looked up with a start. “What you’re inviting me?” she asked shocked.
Sango looked back at her. “Of course we are that is if you’re not too busy.” she said with a smile.
“Um . . .” Kagome began. How could she possibly get her father to agree to let her go without getting punished? “I’ll have to think about it.” she replied not wanting to sound rude, but also not wanting to get their hopes up.
Sango’s smile faded. “Oh well okay. Just make sure to call me when you decide you want to go because I know you’d have a blast.” she said as she turned around.
With little else to say the rest of the ride to her house was silent except for the occasional conversation Miroku would stick up. When they finally pulled into Kagome’s driveway, Kagome was relieved to find her father’s car missing.
As Kagome climbed out of the car she said good-bye and then shut the door. As they pulled out she waved until they were out of sight.
Kagome sighed as she walked toward the house and then opened the door with the spar key, that was under the doormat. As she walked in, she decided she should start on dinner assuming it would be one less punishment she would get that night.
Kagome was just finished frying the fish she was cooking for dinner when she heard her father slam through the front door. Kagome scurried to put his fish on his plate with he walked into the kitchen.
Immediately Kagome knew he was drunk by the way his eyes were bloodshot red and by the way he was swaying. Kagome stepped away from his plate as he sat down and looked at it.
“What the hell is this?” he snarled as he stabbed his fork into it and held it up in front of her.
Kagome gulped. “Um, your dinner.” she replied nervously.
Naraku sniffed it and then made a disgusted face as he threw it across the room. “I don’t like my dinner cold!” he yelled and Kagome drew back in fear.
“But Dad I just made it. How can it be cold?” she asked and she suddenly regretted asking as his eyes lit up with fury.
He stood up and wobbled over to her. “You insolent little wench! How dare you question my judgment! When I say my dinner’s cold I mean it’s cold! No questions asked!” he yelled as he lifted her up by the hair.
Kagome suddenly had tears streaming down her face as he painfully brought her up to his eye level. She was so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Sorry. I promise I’ll never question you again.” she whimpered.
With a repulsed look on his face he carried her to the bathroom and threw her inside. “You reek!” he hollered as he made his way over to the bathtub. He only turned the hot water on and Kagome could only watch in tears as the bathtub slowly filled with steaming hot water. When it was full he told her to get in, but when Kagome hesitated she felt his fist hit the side of her head.
He walked over to the door and then said, “You are staying in here until you take a bath. You understand that girl?” he asked as he shut the door and locked it from the outside.
Kagome ran up to the door and cried, “But how will you know when I’m done?”
“Believe me, I’ll know.” was all he said as she heard him walk away.
Kagome looked over at the tub slowly. It was filled to the top so there was no way to add some cold water and if she tried to empty it Naraku was sure to hear. She sighed as she slowly stripped and enter the scolding hot water. She winced when it engulf an open cut.
When her whole body up to her shoulders were submerged in the hot liquid, Kagome closed her eyes trying to picture herself somewhere else. She sat there for a minute or two pretending to be swimming in a lake, but with the welcoming thought and the soothing steam of the water drifting over her face she slowly fell asleep.
A nine year old Kagome was riding in the back seat of her mother’s old car next as they were on their way home from a late night girl scout meeting. Next to her was her little brother Sota playing quietly with his favorite teddy bear, that their mom had when she was little.
Her mother was having trouble keeping the car running as she told herself the engine needed replacing. They drove on for a couple of miles before the car completely died. Her mothered sighed as she looked back at them.
She was about to tell them something when flashing red lights and signals started going off . It was then that her mother realized that the car had died in the middle of a railroad crossing. Panicky her mother told Kagome to get out of the car. Kagome hurriedly climbed out of the car and ran across the road to safety as her mother went around the car to the side where Sota was.
Kagome watched as her mother ran over to her and sighed with relief until Sota starting wailing. She looked down at her son in her arms and realized that she forgot his teddy bear. She looked up to make sure the train was far enough away then handed Sota over to Kagome. “Hold him. I’ll be right back.” she told her as she sprinted over to the abandoned car.
Kagome was nervous as she watched for the train, but Sota just kept wiggling in her arms that she put him down on the ground. Kagome awaited anxiously for their mother to return, but in her obviousness Sota make his way back toward the car in search of his bear.
Their mother made her way back over to where Kagome was and looked around for Sota. “Where’s Sota?” she asked and Kagome looked down at where she put him only to discover that he was no longer there. They began searching for him and that’s when her mother spotted him back in the car.
“Sota!” she cried as she ran toward the car “Stay there Kagome!” she called back to her. Kagome looked down the railroad to see the train picking up speed heading straight toward them. And that when it happened. The train slammed into the car with her mother and baby brother inside.
Kagome gazed over the spot after the train went by. “Mom!” she cried out and she suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe.
No. She really couldn’t breathe! Kagome’s eyes fluttered opened to find that she had slipped under the water’s surface in her sleep.
She looked around the room, not knowing what the time was, as she climbed out of the tub. Tears were spilling out of her eyes as she recalled the dream she had. The memory of when her mother and brother died.
She cautiously put her clothes back on and then drained the tub, hoping that her father had fallen asleep.
She walked over to the door and quietly jiggled the handle. To her misfortune it was still locked. Kagome looked around the small bathroom. As she sighed in defeat, she curled up on the ground and fell into a dreamless slumber.
Kagome’s day was flying by and before she knew it, it was already lunch time. Kagome reached out a delicate hand to grab the apple that was in the ice-filled container and then a carton of white milk. She wasn’t very hungry and even if she was the cafeteria food didn’t look all that appetizing anyway.
She walked up to the cashier and showered her what she had. The cashier rang up her total and said, “That’ll be a dollar and thirty cents.”
Kagome froze when she realized she didn’t have any money. “Oh.” was all she could say. “Well . . . um . . .”
“Do have the money, sweetheart?” the cashier asked as Kagome looked down at her items, then she shook her head. The cashier sighed as she told her to give her food to the cafeteria lady so she could dispose of it.
Kagome started to turn around when someone stopped her. “Wait a minute Kagome.” a male’s voice said and Kagome was startled to find InuYasha standing behind her carrying his own lunch. She watched as he walked in front of her and told the cashier, “Add her total to mine.”
Kagome looked at InuYasha in confusion, but quickly caught onto what he was doing. “No InuYasha, you don’t have to buy my lunch. It’s fine really.” she said, but her words had no effect on him because he continued to pay for both lunches.
When he was done he walked passed and said, “Well come on. Miroku and Sango saved us a seat.” and then he proceeded on his way over to Sango and Miroku.
Kagome following in a state of bewilderment. He didn’t sit with them yesterday, so why was he sitting with them today? She shrugged the thought out of her head as she walked up to the booth.
Miroku and Sango were sitting opposite each other, so Kagome slid in next to Sango while InuYasha dragged a lone table to the end of the booth, making it suitable for more people to sit at.
Kagome didn’t get why they had to make the booth bigger when he could have sat next to Miroku, but she soon understood when Kikyo joined them.
“InuYasha! There you are! I was looking everywhere for you!” she said in a joyful voice as she sat down next to InuYasha.
Kagome heard Sango sign in annoyance. “Well maybe you should have looked harder because he was right in front of you.” she said coldly. Kagome looked from her to InuYasha and Kikyo. Was there something going on between them?
Kikyo and InuYasha seemed have ignored the comment because InuYasha replied, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left your side so soon. I just thought you knew where we were sitting today.”
Kikyo smiled as she kissed him on the check. “That’s okay. I just wasn’t sure if we were going to sit here or not.” she said as she pulled away and looked at the rest of the table’s inhabitants. She knew who Miroku and Sango were, but the other girl didn’t look familiar. “Is she you’re new friend?”
“Yeah and you better be nice to her. Got that?” Sango asked with determination.
Miroku reached over and put his hand on top of hers. “Calm dawn Sango. I’m sure Kikyo didn’t have any intension in mistreating Kagome.” he said as he gently rubbed the back of her hand. The gesture seemed to calm her down a little.
InuYasha closed his eyes and rubbed his temples as if trying to fight off a headache. “Kikyo! Come over here for a minute!” a tall red head called across the room as she waved for Kikyo come over.
Kikyo stood up. “Be right there!” she called, “Excuse me.” and with that she walked over to her friends’ table.
“Glad she’s gone.” Sango commented as she crossed her arms over her chest.
InuYasha was in between angry and disbelief. “See, that is why I never get to sit with you guys anymore. You always have to run Kikyo off.” he said, directing most of it toward Sango.
“We didn’t run her anywhere. If I recall, her friend called her over there.” Sango replied not even looking at InuYasha.
“Well, if she hadn’t I know she would have left just as soon.” InuYasha said as he took a bite out of his sandwich.
Kagome sat in silence as she watched them wearily. Then Miroku stood up and asked, “Are you down with your trash, Sango? I’m heading to the trashcans might as well let me take it up.”
Sango smiled. “Of course you may.” she said and as he went to grab it Sango pulled on his arm tugging his face towards hers. The action however, made Miroku loose his balance for a moment and accidentally fall against Kagome’s right arm.
If her arm hadn’t been injured it probably wouldn’t have hurt, but considering that it was it made jolts of pain shoot up and down her arm. She had to bite her bottom lip just to make sure she wouldn’t cry out.
“Now Sango you know what happens when we start this,” he said with a grin, “and look, you almost made me spill milk all over Kagome.”
Sango looked over at Kagome as she tried to suppress the laughter, that so desperately wanted to slip out, in. “Sorry Kagome.” Kagome nodded in reply since she didn’t trust her voice. “Um, could you excuse me I, uh, think I’m going to help Miroku with the trash.”
Kagome slowly slipped out of the booth so Sango could get out then she very carefully slid back in. She looked over at InuYasha, who was busy eating, to make sure that he wasn’t looking as she lifted up her sleeve to check her bruises.
Apparently she didn’t watch InuYasha too carefully because as he was taking another bite of his sandwich he glance over at her and then did a double take at the sight of her arm. He watched as Kagome tried to calm her irritated flesh moaning and wincing quietly every time she touched it.
“Holy hell. What happened to your arm?” he asked as he leaned over to get a better look at it.
Kagome froze when he asked. She racked her brain trying to come up with an excuse. “Um . . . I uh . . . fell down the stairs.” she answered hoping that he’d believe her.
InuYasha looked from her arm up to her face. She smiled guiltily at him causing him to shake his head. “You really are a klutz, aren’t you?” he asked in a teasing way.
Kagome shrugged as Kikyo’s voice came from the other side of the cafeteria. “InuYasha! Come over here please!”
InuYasha sighed as he got up. “Sorry to leave you here all alone, but I’m wanted over there.” he said as started walking toward Kikyo’s table.
Kagome let out a sigh of relief. That was so close. Too close. What would she have done if he found out? What would her father do if anyone fond out? Sango and Miroku sliding onto the other bench across from her jerked her from her thoughts.
“Hey where’d InuYasha go?” Miroku asked as he put his arm around Sango’s shoulders.
“Kikyo wanted him over there.” Kagome replied as she gestured over to Kikyo’s table.
Sango rolled her eyes. “It’s always about Kikyo.” she complained. “I don’t know what he sees in her.”
“Come on Sango, she’s really not that bad once you get to know her.” Miroku assured her as patted her shoulder.
“I don’t want to get to know her.” Sango said in an provoked voice. “After what she did to me I don’t even like to look at her.”
Kagome was confused now and before she could stop herself she asked, “What’d she do to you?”
“Well you see Kagome, Sango is the type to hole a grudge,” he said and before Sango could protest he added. “and don’t you even deny it because you know it’s true.”
“Humph.” Sango pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“It took her three years for her to forgive me for, um, “invading her personal space”.” Miroku said knowledgeably.
“He groped me!” Sango cut in as she playfully slapped him on the shoulder and Kagome couldn’t help but giggle at them.
“Yes well, anyway, I was proving a point.” he said as he cleared his throat. “Back in junior high Kikyo and Sango got into a little cat fight.”
Sango rolled her eyes. “She deserved what she got. Not that it was too terrible. All I did was pull some of her hair out, but still.” she said angrily. “I was the new girl back then and Kikyo was assigned to show me around the school and make sure I got there on time. I had actually thought I had made a new friend and she even invited me to sit at her lunch table. A couple of weeks later she began to spread rumors about me, saying that I liked girls more than boys and that the only reason I hung out with her was because I had a lesbian crush on her.
I wasn’t really affected by the rumor. It was were I came from that hurt the most. I mean, she was supposed to be my friend. I still haven’t forgiven her.” she concluded.
“And that’s when she met me and InuYasha.” Miroku said as he pulled her closer to him. “Of course we had heard the rumors, but we knew better than to believe them.”
“But you want to know what really ticks me off?” Sango asked lividly. “What ticks me off the most is that he’s actually dating her! He use to dislike her just as much as I did because of what she did to me, but now it’s like he’s forgotten all about that.”
“Yes well, InuYasha has learned to forgive her. Something I think you should learn to do.” Miroku told her. “Kikyo is InuYasha’s girlfriend and there’s nothing you can do about it so why not except it?”
Sango was instantly sent into a sulk. “I won’t forgive her!” she said as she roughly looked in the other direction.
Miroku sighed. “Come on Sango. Is this grudge really worth losing a friend?” he asked trying to get her to look at him, but to no avail.
Kagome didn’t know how she could make the situation any better, but she wouldn’t let Miroku and Sango fight because she wanted to know what happened. “Sango, what happened a long time ago doesn’t have to effect your friendship with InuYasha. Believe me when I say that you don’t want to loose any of your friends.” she said causing Sango to look at her with sad eyes. “Being alone isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be.”
Sango considered Kagome’s words and in the end sighed. “You’re right Kagome. My friendship with InuYasha has nothing to do with Kikyo, but it doesn’t mean I have to forgive her. I just have to tolerate her.” she replied with a determined grin.
Miroku shook his head disappointedly, but didn’t object his opinion. Instead he rolled his eyes at Kagome silently asking if she could believe what she was seeing, but when he grinned she knew he was just teasing. Kagome just shrugged her shoulders as the bell to end lunch was heard throughout the lunch room.
~ * ~
The rest of the day was a blur to Kagome. All the class periods she had seemed to mold into one long class. As she walked out of the front doors with Miroku, Sango, InuYasha, and Kikyo, Kagome could tell that Sango was trying her hardest not to insult Kikyo.
“So Kagome, do you need a ride home?” Miroku asked as they approached his car.
Kagome thought about his question. What if her father was home and he saw her get out of his car? What would he do? But it wasn’t as if she could walk home because she knew from the last car trip that it would be a long walk. “Um . . . I don’t know if I should.” Kagome replied.
“Oh come on Kagome. It’s not too far and besides it doesn’t look like your dad’s coming to pick you up today.” Sango said as she quickly got into the passenger seat.
Kagome sighed. “Alright sure, why not?” she asked herself although her better judgment was telling her not to. She got in the back and bulked up as she heard Miroku ask InuYasha if he was riding with them.
“Nah, Kikyo said she’d give me a lift home. Thanks anyway.” she heard him reply as Miroku got into the car. He looked at Sango then back at Kagome. “Well, are we ready?” he asked as he started up the car.
“Yes, let’s get out of here.” Sango replied and with that Miroku pulled out of the school parking lot. “I’m so glad it’s the weekend.” Sango exclaimed as she stretched her arms out over her head.
“So am I.” Miroku replied. “No homework for a couple of days. Just hanging out and relaxing--which reminds me.” he said as he looked into his review mirror and asked, “So Kagome, are you doing anything this weekend because we usually hangout at the mall and see a movie on Saturdays?”
Kagome, who had not been sharing their excitement over the weekend, looked up with a start. “What you’re inviting me?” she asked shocked.
Sango looked back at her. “Of course we are that is if you’re not too busy.” she said with a smile.
“Um . . .” Kagome began. How could she possibly get her father to agree to let her go without getting punished? “I’ll have to think about it.” she replied not wanting to sound rude, but also not wanting to get their hopes up.
Sango’s smile faded. “Oh well okay. Just make sure to call me when you decide you want to go because I know you’d have a blast.” she said as she turned around.
With little else to say the rest of the ride to her house was silent except for the occasional conversation Miroku would stick up. When they finally pulled into Kagome’s driveway, Kagome was relieved to find her father’s car missing.
As Kagome climbed out of the car she said good-bye and then shut the door. As they pulled out she waved until they were out of sight.
Kagome sighed as she walked toward the house and then opened the door with the spar key, that was under the doormat. As she walked in, she decided she should start on dinner assuming it would be one less punishment she would get that night.
Kagome was just finished frying the fish she was cooking for dinner when she heard her father slam through the front door. Kagome scurried to put his fish on his plate with he walked into the kitchen.
Immediately Kagome knew he was drunk by the way his eyes were bloodshot red and by the way he was swaying. Kagome stepped away from his plate as he sat down and looked at it.
“What the hell is this?” he snarled as he stabbed his fork into it and held it up in front of her.
Kagome gulped. “Um, your dinner.” she replied nervously.
Naraku sniffed it and then made a disgusted face as he threw it across the room. “I don’t like my dinner cold!” he yelled and Kagome drew back in fear.
“But Dad I just made it. How can it be cold?” she asked and she suddenly regretted asking as his eyes lit up with fury.
He stood up and wobbled over to her. “You insolent little wench! How dare you question my judgment! When I say my dinner’s cold I mean it’s cold! No questions asked!” he yelled as he lifted her up by the hair.
Kagome suddenly had tears streaming down her face as he painfully brought her up to his eye level. She was so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Sorry. I promise I’ll never question you again.” she whimpered.
With a repulsed look on his face he carried her to the bathroom and threw her inside. “You reek!” he hollered as he made his way over to the bathtub. He only turned the hot water on and Kagome could only watch in tears as the bathtub slowly filled with steaming hot water. When it was full he told her to get in, but when Kagome hesitated she felt his fist hit the side of her head.
He walked over to the door and then said, “You are staying in here until you take a bath. You understand that girl?” he asked as he shut the door and locked it from the outside.
Kagome ran up to the door and cried, “But how will you know when I’m done?”
“Believe me, I’ll know.” was all he said as she heard him walk away.
Kagome looked over at the tub slowly. It was filled to the top so there was no way to add some cold water and if she tried to empty it Naraku was sure to hear. She sighed as she slowly stripped and enter the scolding hot water. She winced when it engulf an open cut.
When her whole body up to her shoulders were submerged in the hot liquid, Kagome closed her eyes trying to picture herself somewhere else. She sat there for a minute or two pretending to be swimming in a lake, but with the welcoming thought and the soothing steam of the water drifting over her face she slowly fell asleep.
A nine year old Kagome was riding in the back seat of her mother’s old car next as they were on their way home from a late night girl scout meeting. Next to her was her little brother Sota playing quietly with his favorite teddy bear, that their mom had when she was little.
Her mother was having trouble keeping the car running as she told herself the engine needed replacing. They drove on for a couple of miles before the car completely died. Her mothered sighed as she looked back at them.
She was about to tell them something when flashing red lights and signals started going off . It was then that her mother realized that the car had died in the middle of a railroad crossing. Panicky her mother told Kagome to get out of the car. Kagome hurriedly climbed out of the car and ran across the road to safety as her mother went around the car to the side where Sota was.
Kagome watched as her mother ran over to her and sighed with relief until Sota starting wailing. She looked down at her son in her arms and realized that she forgot his teddy bear. She looked up to make sure the train was far enough away then handed Sota over to Kagome. “Hold him. I’ll be right back.” she told her as she sprinted over to the abandoned car.
Kagome was nervous as she watched for the train, but Sota just kept wiggling in her arms that she put him down on the ground. Kagome awaited anxiously for their mother to return, but in her obviousness Sota make his way back toward the car in search of his bear.
Their mother made her way back over to where Kagome was and looked around for Sota. “Where’s Sota?” she asked and Kagome looked down at where she put him only to discover that he was no longer there. They began searching for him and that’s when her mother spotted him back in the car.
“Sota!” she cried as she ran toward the car “Stay there Kagome!” she called back to her. Kagome looked down the railroad to see the train picking up speed heading straight toward them. And that when it happened. The train slammed into the car with her mother and baby brother inside.
Kagome gazed over the spot after the train went by. “Mom!” she cried out and she suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe.
No. She really couldn’t breathe! Kagome’s eyes fluttered opened to find that she had slipped under the water’s surface in her sleep.
She looked around the room, not knowing what the time was, as she climbed out of the tub. Tears were spilling out of her eyes as she recalled the dream she had. The memory of when her mother and brother died.
She cautiously put her clothes back on and then drained the tub, hoping that her father had fallen asleep.
She walked over to the door and quietly jiggled the handle. To her misfortune it was still locked. Kagome looked around the small bathroom. As she sighed in defeat, she curled up on the ground and fell into a dreamless slumber.